UK Culture Secretary names new Gambling Commissioners

UK Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has confirmed the appointment of five new Gambling Commissioners. Sarika Patel, John Baillie and Catharine Seddon will all serve as Commissioners for five years, while Simone Pennie and Stephen Cohen have both joined for four years. Patel is currently a partner at Zeus Capital, as well as vice chair of Centrepoint, a Trustee of the Royal Institution and on the board of the Imperial Healthcare Trust. Chartered accountant Baillie is a trustee of The ICAS Foundation charity and also previously served as chair of the Accounts Commission for Scotland. Seddon has been working for the judiciary since 2002 after a lengthy spell as a film documentary maker for UK public-service broadcaster the BBC and a producer with Channel 4. Pennie, who will take on the role of Gambling Commissioner for a four-year term, has also worked in media, spending time with various divisions of the BBC, as well as brands such as KPMG and P&O Nedlloyd. Cohen has spent over 35 years in the financial industry, managing a number of key institutional portfolios and fund management businesses. Related article: RGSB unveils new gambling-related harm strategy