(AsiaGameHub) – GamCare has appointed Chris Thornton as its new Director of Operations, bolstering its executive leadership amid increasing demand for gambling harm support services across the UK.
Thornton will oversee the delivery and performance of GamCare’s national and regional services, including the National Gambling Helpline, and will join the organisation’s Executive Leadership Team.
He brings substantial senior leadership expertise across the NHS, the voluntary sector, and health commissioning.
Most recently, he served at the British Red Cross as Director for the North of England and the Isle of Man.
In that capacity, he managed large-scale health and care operations involving NHS and local authority commissioned services, focusing on alleviating pressure on emergency care systems and promoting independent living.
During his tenure at the British Red Cross, Thornton supervised approximately 100 staff and £3m in annual income, achieving measurable reductions in emergency department visits, hospital readmissions, and reliance on formal social care.
Upon his appointment, he stated: “I’m thrilled to join GamCare at such a pivotal moment for the organisation and for everyone dedicated to reducing gambling harms across the UK.
“GamCare operates on a national scale, running the UK’s only round-the-clock specialist support service for gambling harms, integrating the National Gambling Helpline, live chat, online communities, and self-guided tools with thousands of structured treatment sessions and prevention and education programmes that reach tens of thousands of individuals annually.
“This combination of specialised expertise, integrated delivery, and frontline impact is uncommon in any sector, and it is shaping the understanding and delivery of effective support for gambling harms. I look forward to building on these foundations and contributing to ensuring GamCare’s services continue to meet growing demand as the sector evolves.”
Prior to this, at Primary Care Sheffield, Thornton led city-wide clinical services and co-led successful funding bids worth £22m. At St John Ambulance, he expanded regional charitable activity in the East Midlands by 365%.
His connection to Sheffield runs deeper than his role at Primary Care, as he served as a Trustee at Sheffield Wednesday FC, directing its charitable arm – the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme.
Thornton is a Chartered Companion of the Chartered Management Institute and previously served for eight years on the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Fitness to Practise Committee.
A period of change for GamCare
His appointment follows less than two months after the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) awarded GamCare a total of £4m in funding under the much-discussed new statutory levy system.
The charity was previously primarily funded by GambleAware, but that support concluded at the end of March due to the funding transition.
Thornton will now be tasked with delivering services at the business, which has been operational since 1997.
Victoria Corbishley, Chief Executive Officer of GamCare, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Chris to GamCare and to the Executive Leadership Team.
“He brings precisely the blend of strategic and operational leadership that mirrors our operational approach, significant experience in leading complex health and community services at scale, a strong record of demonstrating impact, and a deep commitment to reaching underserved populations.
“I anticipate working closely with him as we continue to deliver and develop our national services.”
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