GAMSTOP chair Jenny Watson to exit role in September

After seven years as GAMSTOP chair, Jenny Watson will call time on her tenure with the gambling protection firm in September 2025. 

Having taken the position in 2018, Watson led GAMSTOP through a period of growth amid industry change - with her experience in leadership roles proving crucial as head of the non-profit organisation. 

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In addition to her GAMSTOP post, Watson works with Reclaim Fund Ltd, Norfolk Community Foundation, ARC Club, Enforcement Conduct Board, Broadland Housing Group and Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Confirmation of Watson’s departure arrived via GAMSTOP’s annual report for 2024 - dated 29 April 2025 - in which the 61-year-old touched on her time as chair of the group. 

“2024 is the last full year that I serve as Chair of the Gamstop Group, so I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on the remarkable journey we have undertaken over the past seven years,” she said.

Praising the team’s headway when tackling vital industry challenges, Watson wrote: “We have made significant progress in our mission to safeguard people from the harms of gambling addiction, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives.”

She reaffirmed the importance of personal stories that shape the organisation’s success: “Our success is measured not only by the numbers but by the stories of transformation and recovery. Over the years we have heard from many consumers who credit GAMSTOP with helping them regain control over their lives. 

“These personal accounts are a powerful reminder of the importance of our work and the profound impact it has on individuals and their families”.

Watson personally thanked each individual who submitted intimate accounts and GAMSTOP testimonials over the previous year, saying: “I would like to thank all those people who have bravely provided testimonials, case studies and, more recently, videos to help others take their first step towards gambling harm recovery. I hope they realise how much their courage is helping others.”

GAMSTOP CEO, Fiona Palmer, acknowledged Watson’s strong efforts while working for the safer gambling association: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jenny Watson, CBE in her final full year as Chair.”

The 24-page report also detailed a wealth of critical information covering GAMSTOP’s work throughout 2024. Of particular note is that 1% of adult betting consumers have used GAMSTOP’s self-exclusion tool to avoid gambling facilities – and Watson is acutely aware of this fact: 

“With over 1% of the UK’s adult population having self-excluded with GAMSTOP, at a rate which shows no signs of slowing down, the critical need for effective self-exclusion mechanisms is clear.”

With Jenny Watson vacating her place as chair later this year, GAMSTOP has tasked recruitment agency Starfish Search to uncover potential replacements. 

A job posting is already live - with the successful candidate being an “engaged, collegiate leader who fosters trust quickly and builds cohesive teams” using “sharp strategic skills”.  

The position is expected to offer a remuneration package worth £35,000 per year.