Anne Lambert appointed as interim chair of HBLB

Anne Lambert has been appointed as the interim chair of the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB). The appointment follows the sudden death of HBLB Chairman Paul Darling, who passed away in August at the age of 64. Lambert will be undertaking the new role from 16 September to 15 June, 2025. The interim chair will oversee and handle the body’s government-mandated mission. The temporary appointment will allow HBLB to continue the search for a substantive chair.

About Horserace Betting Levy Board

The HBLB collects annual levy payments from British licensed betting and gaming companies. This funding is then directed into the horse racing sector. The Horserace Betting Levy Board is a public body of the Department of Culture, Media and Sports.

The main source of income in horse racing comes from betting levy, media rights payments and sponsorship deals, many of which involve betting operators. The levy collected amount amounted to £105 million in 2023-24, as compared to £90 million in 2021-22, reflecting good pace of recovery from the COVID-19 woes. Levy contributions were significantly affected due to lockdowns.

Lambert’s appointment and work history

Lambert’s appointment was made by the Secretary of State as an exceptional appointment without competition. The move was made following consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments and in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. She has been an independent member of the HBLB since April 2020 and is currently a board member of the Civil Aviation Authority. Her previous experience includes holding the position of inquiry chair at the Competition and Markets Authority from 2014-2019, where she was a board member from 2016-2018. Previously, she has worked for the UK government for thirty years, focusing on regulation, insurance, telecommunications, competition and aviation, and EU policy/negotiations. Lambert was the UK’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU from 2003-2008.

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