Gamstop Chair Chris Pond Commits to Fighting Gambling Harm and Leads CFIT

New Leadership at Gamstop to Address Gambling Harm

Earlier this year, Chris Pond, a former work and pensions minister, was appointed as the new chair of Gamstop, the UK’s national self-exclusion program for online gambling. Taking over from Jenny Watson, Pond’s leadership marks a fresh chapter with a commitment to addressing gambling-related harm across Britain.

Focus on Collaboration and Increased Support for Vulnerable Groups

Pond began his role this month, with a mission to harness Gamstop’s influence to effect significant improvements within the country’s gambling industry. His primary responsibility involves ensuring that the service remains reliable and expands its reach to encourage more individuals struggling with gambling issues to seek assistance.

With a diverse background spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Pond also chairs several important boards, including the Money and Mental Health Advisory Board and the Financial Services Consumer Panel at the Financial Conduct Authority. He stresses the necessity of making self-exclusion tools more accessible and visible, especially to vulnerable populations and minority communities.

Furthermore, he advocates for creating strong partnerships involving regulators, treatment providers, gambling businesses, and financial institutions. Such collaboration, Pond believes, is vital to enhancing Great Britain’s ability to identify and reduce gambling harm effectively.

Chairing the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology

In addition to his role at Gamstop, Pond has recently been appointed as chair of the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT), succeeding Charlotte Crosswell. CFIT addresses challenges arising from the rapid expansion of financial technology, aiming to reduce financial fraud and support the integration of innovative tech solutions in the finance sector.

Alongside Pond’s appointment, CFIT has also welcomed two new board members: Nausicaa Delfas, the CEO of The Pensions Regulator, and Vivienne Artz, CEO of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, who joins as a non-executive director. Their inclusion strengthens CFIT’s expertise and governance as the organization continues its mission to navigate the dynamic landscape of financial technology.