Anna Hargrave appointed as new Transition CEO of GambleAware

London 27 August 2025: GambleAware, the leading independent gambling harms charity in Great Britain, has appointed Anna Hargrave as its new Transition CEO, to oversee the move to the new gambling harms system and managed closure of the charity. 

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

The new Transition CEO position reflects the shift within the charity from strategic oversight to operational delivery as the transition process to the new system reaches its conclusion by the end of March 2026. In her new role, Anna Hargrave will oversee the day-to-day operations of the charity and lead on the managed closure of the organisation. 

Commenting on the change, GambleAware Chair of trustees, Andy Boucher, said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank Zoë for her demonstrable and steadfast leadership. Myself and the Board are immensely grateful for everything Zoe has done during her tenure. I also want to welcome  and congratulate Anna on her new role. Over the next several months we have some important delivery and legacy ambitions and I am very confident that under Anna’s leadership we will achieve the positive ending for the charity we are all working towards. With a renewed focus on handover activity until the end of March 2026 we will continue to ensure there is a smooth transition to the new statutory system to address gambling harm across Great Britain." 

Zoë Osmond OBE has been with GambleAware for seven years and CEO since 2021. While with the charity, she has helped drive forward the introduction to the statutory levy through her continued advocacy and leadership to firmly position gambling harms as a serious public health issue, which can affect all areas of society. 

Under Zoë’s leadership, the charity has grown considerably to meet the needs of those most in need. She has overseen the recommissioning of the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), delivery of national public health campaigns, development of the GambleAware website and commissioning of critical research programmes, including the Treatment and Support Survey. Zoë has also led the charge in calling for improved regulation around gambling advertising and marketing, including urging a ban on gambling advertising and marketing at sports events, the introduction of health warnings on gambling ads and the need for a watershed ban on gambling advertising. As well as this, she has also championed the need for the National Lottery to be positioned alongside other forms of gambling. 

Zoë Osmond OBE 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.”

In taking on the new role of Transition CEO, Anna Hargrave brings a wealth of experience, having been a core member of the GambleAware Executive Leadership Team in her role of Deputy CEO and Chief Strategy and Commissioning Officer since 2021. While in this role she has led the re-commissioning of the National Gambling Support Network, resulting in significant improvements in quality, access and outcomes for people experiencing gambling harm. She has also led GambleAware’s internal delivery, evidence and insight functions and system commissioning activity. Prior to joining GambleAware, Anna held numerous senior roles in the NHS, and has used this experience to ensure a public health approach has been applied to all of GambleAware’s activity. 

Anna Hargrave said: “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. 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.” 

Zoë Osmond OBE will step down on 30 September 2025 and Anna Hargrave will take on the role of Transition CEO with immediate effect after that date.