Andrew Rhodes, the former chief executive of the Gambling Commission, has embarked on a new career path by joining Hawkbridge, a recently established strategic advisory firm dedicated to the gambling sector.
Born in Neath, Mr Rhodes brings over two decades of senior public sector leadership experience, including roles as registrar and chief operating officer at Swansea University. He now serves as a principal consultant at London-based Hawkbridge, where he will guide clients on international regulatory strategy, government engagement, governance, and operational standards.
Career Highlights
Mr Rhodes led the Gambling Commission as chief executive from June 2021 until April this year. During his tenure, he oversaw the implementation of the Gambling Act Review and the award of the Fourth National Lottery licence. He previously held senior civil servant positions, including director general of operations at the Department for Work and Pensions, where he managed a team of over 72,000 staff, and chief operating officer of the Food Standards Agency.
New Role at Hawkbridge
Speaking about his move, Mr Rhodes said: “The next five years will be more consequential for gambling regulation than we have seen in many years, and even more so than I saw as chief executive of the Gambling Commission in the previous five years. This brings uncharted challenges for boards, investors and leaders.” He added that he joined Hawkbridge because there is rarely a single source of senior regulatory, commercial, and operational advice available to the sector.
Bahar Alaeddini, co-founder of Hawkbridge, commented: “Hawkbridge was established to give operators, suppliers, investors and boards sharp, pragmatic counsel on the questions that sit above legal advice and beyond commercial diligence. Andrew’s appointment strengthens that offering.”
In addition to his professional roles, Mr Rhodes chairs the charitable foundation of Swansea City Football Club.
