Anna Hemmings is CEO of GamCare, leading UK provider of free information, advice and support for those affected by gambling, such as the National Gambling Helpline. It was founded in 1997 with aims to improve awareness of gambling harms and attain universal access to tools and treatment. Hemmings joined GamCare in January 2018, bringing with her extensive experience of working in addictions recovery, plus senior management and board experience across the private and public sector. Additionally, Hemmings has worked with a range of commissioners, grant givers and external partner organisations. Under Hemmings, the charity led its successful three-year strategy, expanding its services beyond its helpline. From 2018 to 2021, it has supported 100,000 people facing gambling-related harms, led treatment provisions for 160 locations across the UK and trained over 23,000 healthcare professionals to identify harms. It also saw a 10% year-on-year increase in people seeking direct advice from its organisation. In June 2021, Hemmings described GamCare’s new three-year plan as a mission “to put gambling harms on the map and ensure more people know about them” and “expand our services to make lasting and positive changes to those harmed by gambling”.
