GamCare has announced that Anna Hemmings has stepped down from her position as CEO of the gambling treatment support network with immediate effect.
For the past five years, Hemmings was CEO of GamCare, but now she is leaving the organisation to explore new opportunities.
GamCare’s current Chair will move into an executive role and work with the organisation’s management team while formal recruitment takes place for a new CEO.
Hemmings commented on her departure: “It has been an enormous privilege to work in this fantastic charity over the last few years. In that time, GamCare has changed in so many positive ways that mean that tens of thousands more people who need support are reached than five years ago.
“However, I feel the time is now right for me to move on and explore pastures new and I can be confident that I’m leaving the organisation well-equipped for a successful future. I’m very proud of both the services and the staff and culture at GamCare, and I would like to thank all my amazing colleagues and the phenomenal network of stakeholders for their dedication and support during my time as CEO.”
GamCare highlighted how Hemmings has helped the organisation as CEO over the past five years, including “the institution of both stronger traditional and also new digital channels, diversifying our education and support offering, and greatly enhancing the role of lived experience within the organisation”.
The organisation also noted how Hemmings has improved the reach of GamCare while also navigating the charity through the pandemic and the release of the Gambling Act review, before thanking her and wishing her well in the future.
Margot Daly, Chair of Trustees, stated: “Anna has led the charity with great thought and has been a true champion of those with gambling issues. She leaves GamCare in a stronger position and has ensured that more people than ever before have been, and can now be, helped.
“Her innovative approach to providing support in the way that people want and need has seen the utilisation of traditional channels and also development of new digital services that have – essentially and firmly put GamCare on the map.
“On behalf of the charity’s board, I would like to thank Anna most sincerely for everything she has achieved to bring GamCare to this point.”
Betting and Gaming Council Chair, Brigid Simonds, also commented on the departure of Hemmings, thanking her for her hard work with GamCare.
Simonds said: “I want to thank Anna Hemmings for her excellent work and stewardship as CEO of GamCare. Her extensive experience of change management was central to GamCare’s expansion of its excellent services beyond the helpline to setting up treatment services across the UK
“Everyone at the BGC wants to thank Anna for her hard work and dedication and we all wish her the very best for her future endeavours.”