lottery leaders
2026
celebrating the voices and influencers
shaping the UK’S LOTTERY SECTOR
The UK lottery industry stands as one of Britain's most significant entertainment and fundraising sectors, contributing billions to good causes whilst employing thousands across the country. From the operators running the National Lottery to the tech innovators transforming digital play, from the regulators ensuring player protection to the charity leaders maximising community impact, this industry is shaped by remarkable individuals whose vision and expertise drive it forward. Our 2026 list recognises the top 100 influencers who are making the biggest impact on how lotteries operate, innovate and serve players across the United Kingdom.
Please note: This list is currently a work in progress. We are actively researching and compiling our rankings, conducting interviews with industry experts, and verifying contributions across all sectors of the lottery ecosystem. The final list will be published in early 2026, featuring detailed profiles of each influencer, their achievements, and their vision for the future of UK lotteries.
Who Makes the List?
Our influencers span the entire lottery ecosystem, including senior executives from major operators, technology innovators developing next-generation platforms, regulators and compliance experts safeguarding the industry, marketing leaders connecting with new audiences, charity and good causes representatives maximising social impact, retail partners bringing lotteries to high streets nationwide, responsible gambling advocates protecting vulnerable players, and digital transformation specialists modernising the player experience.
Our Selection Criteria
Selection for the Top 100 is based on rigorous analysis across multiple dimensions. We evaluate leadership impact, innovation and industry advancement, influence on policy and regulation, contribution to responsible gambling initiatives, success in digital transformation, community and charitable impact, industry recognition and awards, and forward-thinking vision for the sector's future. Each influencer has demonstrated exceptional contribution to moving the UK lottery industry forward.
Why This Matters
The lottery industry sits at the intersection of entertainment, technology, social responsibility and community funding. Understanding who drives this sector helps players, stakeholders and policymakers recognise the expertise required to balance commercial success with social good. These 100 influencers collectively shape millions of pounds in good causes funding, influence how technology protects and engages players, and set standards for responsible operation in the broader gaming sector.
Coming Soon
When complete, each influencer profile will include their current role and organisation, key achievements and industry contributions, notable innovations or initiatives led, their vision for the lottery sector's future, and exclusive insights on emerging trends. We'll also feature special categories recognising rising stars under 40, digital transformation champions, responsible gambling leaders, and good causes heroes.
Why give?
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Name Position Company
George Collins CEO / Chair Leads Navigator / Lotteries Council Jim Curry Founder Better Gaming Show David McMorrow Chief Executive MC ELM / The Scottish Children's Lottery. Trudi Ogden Head of Trading (Lottery) /Chair St Ann's Hospice / HLA William Floyd Lottery Manager Age UK Enterprises Clare Graham Senior Operations Manager Cancer UK Abena Bentum Head of Committed Giving GOSH Stacey Conway-Jones Interim Group Head of Individual Giving Dogs Trust Richard Lee Director of Fundraising Marie Curie Weekly Lottery Jon De Keysern Director of Fundraising Thames Valley Air Ambulance Carmel Hudson Lottery and Legacy Manager Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust Lottery Jonathan Pannaman Compliance Manager Health Lottery Richard Desmond Owner Health Lottery Jon Eserin Assistant Director - Public Fundraising & Mass Engagement RSPCA Lottery - Big Animal Lottery Fiona Meyers Head of Individual Giving Barnardo's Children's Charity Lottery Lorna Fallon Chief Supporter Officer Oxfam Weekly Lottery Richard Dixon Managing Director Sterling Denise Williams Director of Business Strategy Sterling Aaron Mildren Founder Bee Ethical Perveen Virdee Director of Operations ZenterPrize Michael Scully CoFounder Britevox/Zenterprize Brad French Head of Innovation Donr James Rose Society Lottery Compliance Specialist Lottery Advisory Joe Beswetherick Head of Client Services ZenterPrize Phil Wright General Manager and Director Gatherwell Martin Wildsmith Chief Commercial Officer Sue Ryder Weekly Lottery Jordan Sumner Everton Kevin Kay Head of Ancillary Sales Wolves Baroness Fiona Twycross Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Museums, Heritage and Gambling[ UK Government Chris Lyman COO Allwyn Alan Artz CFO Allwyn Andria Vidler CEO Allwyn Rt Hon Lord Manford President Lotteries Council Lord Paul Boateng Board of Directors Lotteries Council Jason Haigh-Ellery Chairman CFP Lottery & Raffle Limited Julian Naylor Director Tower Lotteries Helen Daw Head of Data Strategy & Insights Woods Valldata Nick Cook Deputy Head of Public Affairs People’s Postcode Lottery Clara Govier Managing Director and Chair People’s Postcode Lottery David Pullan Managing Director People’s Postcode Lottery Nuala Kennedy-Preston Chief Data Officer People’s Postcode Lottery Laura Chow Head of Charities People’s Postcode Lottery Martin Ellice Joint Group Managing Director Health Lottery Melissa de Vos Product & Business Development Manager Bee Ethical Andrew Rhodes Chief Executive & Commissioner Gambling Commission Sarah Gardener Deputy Chief Executive Gambling Commission Ross Wiggan
National Fundraising Development Manager The Fundraising Partnership Simon Judd Head of Individual Giving and Supporter Engagement East Anglian Air Ambulance Craig Fordham Director of Public Fundraising Macmillan Weekly Lottery Susan Fozaes General Manager/Director StarVale Management & Technologies Limited Sir Iain Duncan Smith Chairman APPG Gambling Reform Lord Foster of Bath Officer APPG Gambling Reform Dr Beccy Cooper Officer APPG Gambling Reform Dawn Butler Brent East MP APPG Gambling Reform Wendy Chamberlain North East Fife MP MP Mike Taylor Commercial Director British Heart Foundation (Weekly Flutter Lottery) Belinda Ellis CEO Hospice Lottery Partnership Dragan John Mladenovic Director of Marketing and Communications and Lottery Ty Hafan (Crackerjack) Gary Hawkes Chief Executive Officer Local Hospice Lottery Dame Julia Cleverdon Chair National Lottery Community Fund David Knott CEO National Lottery Community Fund Ryan Pattison CEO Smile Fundraising Martin Arnold CEO Engage and Connect Jayne Clarke Director of Fundraising and Marketing London's Air Ambulance Charity Colin Cawood-Campbell Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance Holly Marchant Head of Supporter Development. Royal British Legion Weekly Lottery Steve Mosley Lottery Manager Leeds Hospital Chairty Fundraising Regulator National Lottery Heritage Fund Gambling Harm Cats Protection Lottery
Want to nominate an influencer or suggest someone for our list?
We welcome industry input as we finalise our rankings.
Contact us with your recommendations and let us know who's making waves in the UK lottery sector.