BGC Announces Entain Director As New Chief Executive

Grainne Hurst

The Betting and Gaming Council today announced Grainne Hurst as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Grainne brings an unparalleled wealth of experience in the regulated betting and gaming sector, joining from global betting brand Entain, where she is currently Group Corporate Affairs Director.

The appointment comes as part of a wider restructuring of the BGC’s senior leadership, as current BGC CEO Michael Dugher moves to becomes Chair, replacing outgoing Chairman Brigid Simmonds OBE.

Grainne has held a number of senior roles in the land-based and online sectors, and brings a passion for increasing the number of high profile women in the industry, establishing the international arm of Global Gaming Women, where she is a board member, and oversaw the charity’s expansion to the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Over almost a decade with Entain, Grainne has led the company’s activities and relationships with government and the public sector and successfully spearheaded the company rebrand from GVC to Entain.

She is also a board member of the Entain Foundation and created and delivered Entain’s multi award winning global safer gambling strategy, Changing for the Bettor.

She was previously a special advisor to the UK government and studied at King’s College London and Queen Mary University in London.

Grainne Hurst, 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.”

The appointment was confirmed with members this week following a rigorous external recruitment process.

BGC CEO Michael 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.”

Ian Proctor, Executive Chairman, Flutter UKI, said: “The BGC’s role has never been as important as we move into a new era where the Government and Gambling Commission work with industry to implement the recommendations from the White Paper from a year ago.

“Grainne’s appointment as Chief Executive is a vital step in ensuring we engage constructively at every level while championing those who work in the industry and offering the best service possible to our customers.”

The BGC represents over 90 per cent of the regulated betting and gaming industry in the UK. It’s members support 110,000 jobs, generate £4.2bn in tax and contribute £7.1bn to the economy in gross value added.

In January the BGC announced Brigid Simmonds OBE would step down as Chairman on April 20, 2024, with Michael Dugher replacing her as Chair.

Grainne will take up her new role in the coming months.