New Chair of Gambling Commission appointed
Philip Graf has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Gambling Commission.
Mr Graf will also be Chairman Designate of the future body created by merging the Gambling Commission and the National Lottery Commission. The appointment is for five years commencing on 1 April 2011.
Tourism and Heritage Minister John Penrose said:
“Philip Graf has a wealth of knowledge as a board member and his vast experience will serve him well as he takes up his post at the Gambling Commission. This will be even more important as the merger takes place to provide strong leadership and support to all those involved and I have no doubt he will rise to the challenge.”
Philip Graf CBE, is Deputy Chairman of Ofcom, an appointment which comes to an end on 31 December 2011. A Cambridge law graduate, Philip Graf joined the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo in 1983, which became Trinity International Holdings in 1985- he was appointed its Chief Executive in 1993. He became Chief Executive of Trinity Mirror Group when the company merged with the Mirror Group in 1999 - a position he held until February 2003.
In 2003 he was asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to carry out a review of the BBC’s online activities. He was appointed to Ofcom as its Deputy Chairman through open competition in 2006. He is a former Chairman of the Press Standards Board of Finance (the body which funds the Press Complaints Commission) and of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (the advisory group to the Government on the promotion of broadband services). He is currently an associate of Praesta Partners LLP, and a Deputy Chairman of Crisis, the homeless charity.
Notes to Editors
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The appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Philip Graf has declared no political activity.
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As Deputy Chairman of Ofcom Mr Graf receives £77,500 per year for up to 3 days a week.
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As Chairman of the Gambling Commission Mr Graf will receive £550 per day for 2-3 days per week on average.
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