Key role at UK Gambling Commission filled on interim basis
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission has appointed Kirsty Caldwell as the Interim Chair of the Industry Forum, following the conclusion of Nick Rust’s term in November 2025.
Caldwell, who has served as a member of the Industry Forum since March 2024, will assume the interim role while the Commission begins recruitment for a permanent chair.
The Industry Forum acts as a formal channel between the regulator and the gambling sector, providing insight into industry views on regulatory plans, operational challenges and the broader gambling environment.
Caldwell said she was excited about her new challenge and stressed communication was key to a successful tenure.
“I am delighted to be taking on this role. I remain fully committed to building a healthy, respected gambling sector, and cooperation and communication between regulator and industry is key to achieving this,” she said.
“We may not get it right every time, but the important thing is we learn from our mistakes, we keep talking and we keep moving forwards.”
The appointment brings a strong compliance background to the role. Caldwell is the founder and director of BetSmart Consulting, a specialist gambling compliance and anti-money-laundering advisory firm established in 2019.
BetSmart Consulting works with online and land-based gambling operators, start-ups and local authorities, providing support across licensing, regulatory audits, AML frameworks and safer gambling and interim compliance resourcing. The firm has worked with a mix of tier-one operators and emerging businesses across multiple jurisdictions including the Rank Group, Buzz Bingo and Dorset Council.
