GambleAware appoints Andy Boucher as new chair of trustees following Professor Griffith CBE's retirement

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UK gambling harms charity and organisation, GambleAware, have appointed Andy Boucher as the charity’s chair of trustees. 

Boucher, who joined the GambleAware board of trustees in 2023, holds vast experience in the social and business sectors – with specific accreditations for addressing social issues and bolstering effective business and community collaboration. 

In addition to his output as a GambleAware board member and deputy chair, Boucher occupies several key roles, including London place director for business in the community, chair of Sir George Monoux Sixth Form College, partnership director for the Social Mobility Business Partnership and vice chair and honorary secretary for UK charity, Making the Leap. 

The decision comes as longstanding GambleAware member and current chair of trustees, Professor Sian Griffiths CBE, shall exit the British charity on 1 April following her decision to retire after eight years as a vital charity board member. 

Previously the deputy chair of trustees and chair of performance and delivery committee for GambleAware, Griffiths demonstrated unwavering dedication throughout her “integral” tenure with the gambling-help firm.

Griffiths has also professionally advocated for public health at local, regional, and national levels prior to her GambleAware duties. She will retain her posts at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Public Health Wales, where she is an Emeritus professor and a non-executive director, respectively.

In a press release, GambleAware credited Griffiths with guiding the charity through significant government-induced industry alterations – with an evidence-based approach to gambling harm central to her success as chair. Moreover, the outgoing chair led GambleAware resolutely during an investigation carried out by The Charity Commission into the organisation’s funding. No wrongdoing from GambleAware was uncovered. 

Discussing the importance of addressing gambling harms in a statement on her departure from GambleAware, Griffiths CBE said: “Gambling harms are a serious public health challenge, intertwined with inequalities and poverty. They occur across all walks of life and can affect anyone. 

“By working in partnership with others and listening to the voice of the lived experience community, I hope an evidence-led, population-health approach, supported by appropriate statutory funding, will prevent and reduce harm for all those affected.”

Incoming GambleAware chair of trustees, Boucher, outlined his appreciation for Griffiths’ work and detailed an understanding of the importance of his new rank: “First of all I want to express huge gratitude to Siân for the immense contribution she has made over the last eight years. 

“It is a critical time to be taking on this role as chair of GambleAware and I am looking forward to leading the charity through this period of change. I am committed to ensuring the future gambling harms system builds on the success and expertise within the charity, which has been a driving force and leader in this space for many years. 

“My priority will be to ensure that there is no degradation of services or programmes during the transition and that the invaluable assets and unparalleled expertise of our staff continue to benefit the system and those we are all here to support. 

“GambleAware has a key role during this transition period and I will continue to build on this and help unify the voice of organisations involved in gambling harm prevention within the new world.”

Griffiths’ farewell follows the leaving of Baroness Hilary Armstrong, who vacated her spot on the board of trustees in favour of a governmental position in January.

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