GamCare has confirmed the appointment of Victoria Corbishley as its Chief Executive.
Corbishley is a former Senior Director of the British Red Cross, where she spearheaded the charity’s health and care units.
Furthermore, she also played a vital role in NHS England projects focused on the transformation of models of care and organisational management of healthcare services.
GamCare stated: “Victoria has a proven track record in leading complex health systems and driving service improvements at scale while maintaining a strong commitment to evidence-based, person-centred care.”
She takes charge of GamCare as the industry embarks on a transformational period after the implementation of a new statutory RET Levy, expected to be applied from 1 April.
Corbishley commented: “I am honoured to join GamCare at this crucial time.
“Last year alone, GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline received over 55,000 calls and online chats. The charity also directly delivered more than 9,100 structured treatment sessions, referred over 7,100 individuals to other regional support providers, and 64,000 people participated in the charity’s education programmes.
“My focus will be on ensuring GamCare remains a leader in delivering life-changing interventions while working closely with partners across the NHS and the wider sector to shape the future of gambling harm prevention and treatment.”
The new system will see the NHS, alongside the ‘Prevention Commissioner’ and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), serve as the chief stewards of the Levy’s guaranteed £100m annual funding for research, education, and treatment programmes across British communities.
A crucial period for UK safer gambling
The appointment of OHID was met with mixed reaction by the industry. Deal Me Out Founder Jordan Lea took to Linkedin to share his concerns over the appointment, as he stated: “I have grave concerns about the appointment of OHID as prevention commissioner. Its relationship with Gambling With Lives has resulted in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority using discriminatory language to potentially deter people from using GambleAware’s National Gambling Helpline.
“Furthermore, it has actively campaigned against organisations and people with lived experience due to the way they were funded. These aren’t the actions of an independent commissioner. I believe a number of charity organisations will be under threat from this appointment – particularly those staffed by people with lived experience of gambling harm.”
Dan Waugh of Regulus Partners has described the OHID as “openly prohibitionist and has been guilty of misleading policy-makers and fabricating statistics on gambling harm. It is also believed to be working with activist groups on the development of hard-hitting ‘tobacco-style’ health warnings to accompany gambling advertisements”.
Meanwhile, Gordon Moody has welcomed the appointment, stating that it is looking forward to collaborating with the OHID to tackle gambling harms.
The charity said on LinkedIn: “It is essential that the new Prevention Commissioner adopts a cohesive approach, working alongside NHS England, the relevant bodies in Scotland and Wales, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in their roles as treatment and research commissioners. This collaboration will build on the positive work already underway and leverage the deep expertise and experience within the current system.
“While we are proud to be part of the broader National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), Gordon Moody’s contributions go further. Our specialised experience and dedicated efforts in supporting those affected by gambling harm uniquely position us to shape the future system. Our work, grounded in years of hands-on expertise and enriched by insights from the lived experience community, highlights the critical need for a prevention-led public health approach.
“To ensure that those most at risk continue to be supported, it is imperative that prevention and treatment commissioners work together to agree on a set of shared public health outcomes. Gordon Moody is committed to working closely with these commissioners during the transition, ensuring that both our specific expertise and the wider NGSN’s knowledge help communities across Great Britain receive the vital support they need.”
