Strategic body the Gambling Business Group (GBG) has announced the appointment of former Gambling Commission executive Charlotte Meller to the newly created post of General Manager.

Charlotte, who joins from the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office, previously worked in the Gambling Commission for over eight years, spent nine-years as Team Leader, Licensing, Gambling, Health and Safety at Local Government Regulation (previously LACORS) and prior to that served as European Policy Executive at the Food and Drink Federation.

GBG Chief Executive Peter Hannibal, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Charlotte to this important post for the Gambling Business Group’s members. Her CV is packed with relevant experience including at the Food and Drink Federation where she liaised with politicians and policy makers, her nine-years working within LACORS as well as her significant role at the Gambling Commission (2012–2020) where she was the Local Authority Partnership Specialist.”

Image: Charlotte Meller General Manager, Gambling Business Group

He added: “There has been widespread speculation that the UK Government white paper on gambling will devolve greater powers to Local Authorities and to the Gambling Commission - in which case Charlotte’s experience and relationships with the regulators will be hugely valuable to the GBG and its members. We are a small and efficient team and Charlotte’s appointment will make a huge difference not only to the service we provide to our members, but also in the delivery of our strategic road map.

“There remains widespread concern, frustration and disillusionment among UK Licensed Operators over gambling licence administration processes and one of Charlotte’s first objectives will be to understand the cause of those frustrations and help to resolve them.”