GambleAware trustee Baroness Hilary Armstrong resigns in favour of Government position

Gov.uk

Baroness Hilary Armstrong has vacated her position within GambleAware’s board of trustees. The 79-year-old former chief whip held the role for more than three years, having been appointed alongside three other members in November 2021. 

As a GambleAware trustee, Armstrong had been tasked with improving the UK’s gambling industry by combatting gambling harm and other unsafe practices. Her previous governmental and non-executive board-level experience proved crucial in her hiring – working alongside multiple vital trusts prior to this latest post at GambleAware. 

The Baroness leaves GambleAware to join as chair of an all-new committee under Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Government. Known as the Digital Action Inclusion Committee, this external government body seeks to promote digital inclusivity by targeting exclusion in the increasingly digital-and-online space. 

The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will collaborate closely with Armstrong’s fledgling group to unveil the most effective steps forward.

In addition to the DSIT, a wealth of industry experts will operate under Armstrong’s leadership to strategise against and tackle digital exclusion across the UK. It is anticipated that the Baroness will steer this organisation in the right direction by honing in on issues that have been underserved for several years, such as:

• Accessibility: Inadequate internet services or available providers constrain many from accessing digital facilities. 
• Affordability: Residents of lower-income regions may struggle to afford devices that provide digital functionality. 
• Ability: Those who do not possess the requisite knowledge to utilise digital hardware and software cannot take advantage of such services until they are trained, confident or capable of doing so. 

Standing GambleAware chair of trustees, Sian Griffiths, praised Baroness Hilary Armstrong for her efforts as part of the organisation’s board of trustees: “I would like to take this opportunity to share my most heartfelt thanks to Hilary for her hard work and commitment to addressing gambling harm since she joined GambleAware’s board in 2021. While we appreciate that she will be unable to continue in her role as trustee for GambleAware, we are pleased to have her continued interest and support in addressing gambling harms. Hilary has had a significant impact on the charity over the years.”

Griffiths continued to underline Armstrong’s influence on GambleAware during her multi-year stint, sending well-wishes to the departing trustee: “Hilary has had a significant impact on the charity over the years. Myself and everyone at GambleAware are immensely grateful for her support. We wish her all the best in her new role.”

Baroness Armstrong carries significant experience contributing to governmental activities. As a Labour MP from 1987 to 2010 — during which time she served as minister for social exclusion and chief whip under Tony Blair’s Labour Party, among other roles — Armstrong’s nous in helping those in disadvantaged backgrounds will undoubtedly benefit her in this newfound capacity. 

Officially a life peer, with her title being Baroness Hilary Armstrong of Hill Top, she now seeks to remedy a crucial issue that currently deprives too many in the UK of modern digital services.

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