Zoë Osmond will hand over the role of Chief Executive of GambleAware to Anna Hargrave before the organisation shuts down in 2026.
The UK charity focused on research, prevention, and treatment of gambling addiction, GambleAware, will cease operations in March next year. Its responsibilities will be taken over by NHS England – although the government has simultaneously announced plans to wind down the health body itself as part of cost-cutting measures.
Nevertheless, given the government’s intention to transfer oversight duties to some form of public health authority, GambleAware has decided to bring its activity to a close. As transition CEO, Hargrave will oversee the organisation’s day-to-day operations as it gradually moves toward closure, scheduled for 31 March.
Hargrave has played a key role at GambleAware, serving as Deputy CEO and Chief Strategy and Commissioning Officer since 2021.
She oversaw the re-launch of the National Gambling Support Network, improving its efficiency and accessibility for vulnerable groups. She also drew on her extensive NHS background to embed a public health approach across all of GambleAware’s work.
On her new venture, Hargrave said: “Firstly, I want to thank Zoë for her leadership and support over the years, which has helped GambleAware achieve its ambition to see gambling harm positioned as a public health issue.
“The final six months are critical for the smooth transfer and transition to the new system and I am delighted to be taking on this role.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the new commissioners as they get to grips with their new responsibilities within the statutory system and will work with them to ensure their efforts build upon the current system’s achievements and insights to ensure learnings are carried forward.”
Osmond has served as GambleAware CEO since 2021, and has been a part of the charity for a total of seven years. Her leadership has been marked by important advocacy work to designate problem gambling as a national public health concern that puts all corners of society at risk.
She will officially step down on 30 September 2025, with Hargrave subsequently taking on transitional CEO duties with immediate effect.
Commenting on the change and reflecting on her work so far, Osmond added: “It has been a huge privilege to lead and work at GambleAware over the past seven years. The sector has undergone significant transformation during this time, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved – particularly our commitment to embedding the voices of the lived experience community at the heart of everything we do.
“Few charities can truly say they’ve delivered on their founding mission, but GambleAware and the exceptional team behind it have played a pivotal role in reframing gambling harms as a public health issue and helped to shape the foundations of the new gambling harms prevention and treatment system.
“I’m delighted that Anna will be taking the reins for the next critical period, leading the charity through the completion of its transition to the new system. Her commissioning expertise and insight as Deputy CEO means she is well-placed to complete our vital work.”
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