Brian Pomeroy CBE takes over as Chair of the Gambling Commission

After nearly nine years with the National Lottery Commission, Brian Pomeroy CBE has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Gambling Commission.

Brian was elected as the first Chair of the National Lottery Commission when it was created on 1 April 1999. Brian has been involved in two licence competitions and the effective regulation of the current operator. Brian’s term of office with the Commission was due to finish on the 31 March 2008, but he will now step down on 27 September 2007. He has been a significant part of the hard-fought and rigorous competition for the third Lottery licence which saw Camelot Group plc selected as preferred bidder on 7 August 2007 and Sugal & Damani UK Ltd selected as reserve bidder.

Dr Anne Wright, Chair of the National Lottery Commission said:

“On behalf of everyone at the National Lottery Commission, I would like to thank Brian for the enormous effort he has invested in the effective regulation of the National Lottery since 1999. The Gambling Commission will benefit significantly from his knowledge and expert leadership and I am delighted that his appointment will help to strengthen further, our relationship with the Commission.”

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For further information contact Frances Bright, Communications Officer on +44 (0) 207 016 3422

Notes

1. Brian Pomeroy CBE chaired the Commission from 16 October 2002 to 15 October 2003 and also during its first year (1999 – 2000). He was Senior Partner at Deloitte Consulting and now holds a number of public and non-executive appointments. He is Chairman of the Treasury’s Financial Inclusion Taskforce, a board member of the Audit Commission and a director of the Social Market Foundation. He was formerly Chairman of Centrepoint and of Homeless Link, the national organisation for the homelessness sector. He was also an independent member of the Council of Lloyd’s and a member of the Pensions Protection & Investments Accreditation Board.

2. The other five National Lottery Commissioners are Dr Anne Wright CBE, Robert Foster, Timothy Hornsby, Sarah Thane CBE and Deep Sagar who will join the Commission on 1 September 2007.

3. The National Lottery Commission is the non-departmental public body set up on 1 April 1999 to regulate the National Lottery. It regulates the Lottery to ensure that players are treated fairly, the Nation’s interest in the Lottery is protected and the operator is motivated to maximise the enjoyment and benefits that the Lottery brings to the Nation.