Britain’s independent gambling harms charity GambleAware has appointed Anna Hargrave as transition CEO to oversee the move to a new gambling harms system and the managed closure of the charity.

Hargrave takes over from outgoing chief Zoë Osmond OBE, who is leaving the charity at the end of September, having been with GambleAware for seven years and served as CEO since 2021.

Hargrave has been a member of GambleAware’s executive leadership team since 2021, holding the roles of deputy CEO and chief strategy and commissioning officer.

The appointment comes as the work historically commissioned and delivered by GambleAware transitions to the UK government and the new commissioners across England, Scotland and Wales by March 2026, following the introduction of the statutory system.

“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,” said Hargrave. “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.”

Commenting on her departure, Osmond said: “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.”