The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has announced the appointment of its new CEO, with Grainne Hurst taking on the role. 

Hurst joins from industry giant Entain, where she is currently the Group Corporate Affairs Director, bringing an abundance of experience within the realm of the regulated betting and gaming sector. 

She has been with Entain for almost a decade, leading activities and relationships with the government and public sector, while she also led the company rebrand from GVC to Entain. 

On top of Hurst’s senior roles in the land-based and online sectors, she has played a key role in bringing more high-profile women into the industry, establishing the international arm of Global Gaming Women. 

Following her appointment as BGC CEO, current CEO Michael Dugher will take up the position as the BGC Chair, replacing the outgoing Brigid Simmonds. 

Hurst herself said: “I am delighted to be joining the BGC at such a crucial time for its members and the millions of customers they serve. I am very grateful to Michael Dugher for everything he has done in establishing the BGC and I look forward to working closely with him to move it forward. 

“My focus will always be on ensuring that we have a well-regulated industry which protects customers and looks after their interests. 

“The betting industry in the UK has world-leading businesses and iconic brands and I will work hard to ensure they remain so. There is much to be done and I look forward to getting started.” 

Dugher added: “Grainne’s appointment is excellent news for BGC and our members. She won a very tough, external recruitment process and clearly demonstrated that she has not only mission-critical knowledge and experience in the regulated industry – both online and in the land-based sector – but also a strong vision for continued change and improvement at the BGC. 

“Driving further progress on safer gambling, whilst ensuring that the tens of thousands of people who work in the industry continue to have their voices heard, will remain at the heart of everything we do. 

“Grainne’s wealth of experience, impressive leadership qualities, formidable campaigning skills and acumen will be essential in working with all of our members to take the BGC to the next level. She is someone who is rightly widely respected across the industry and, as I step back to become Chair of the BGC, I am confident she will work well with our talented staff to make a decisive impact as our new CEO.” 

In her last major interview before the news broke, Hurst recently appeared on the Huddle, discussing her role at Entain and what is next for the operator, as well as UK market regulation as a whole.