BGC names Grainne Hurst as next chief executive officer

Britain’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has named Entain executive Grainne Hurst as its new chief executive officer.

Hurst will assume her new role at the BGC in the coming months to replace incumbent CEO Michael Dugher, who will take over as chair of the BGC on 20 April from Brigid Simmonds.

Hurst will join the industry group from Entain, where she currently serves as group corporate affairs director, a role for which she was recognised in the Gaming Intelligence Hot 50 of 2021.

“Grainne’s appointment is excellent news for BGC and our members,” said Dugher. “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.”

Hurst said of her appointment: “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.”