Camelot UK Lotteries, operator of the UK National Lottery, today announced that Sir Hugh Robertson has been appointed Chairman, with immediate effect.

Sir Hugh is currently Chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA), having previously served as Olympics Minister during London 2012 before becoming the Minister of State at the Foreign Office responsible for the Middle East, North Africa and Counter Terrorism.

The company also announced the appointment of Robert Walker as Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director, also with immediate effect. Robert is currently Chairman of Ei Group (formerly Enterprise Inns), the largest portfolio manager of pubs in the UK, and has an extensive track record of chair positions at large public companies, with recent appointments including Chairman of Travis Perkins, WHSmith, BCA Europe and Williams Lea.

These appointments further strengthen the governance of Camelot’s Board in accordance with the Board Governance Review process that the company is currently undertaking.

Camelot’s outgoing Chairman Jo Taylor said: “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to serve as Camelot’s Chairman for the past two years. In Sir Hugh and Robert, we have appointed two individuals of exceptional calibre who will bring extensive commercial and stakeholder experience to further strengthen Camelot’s Board.

He continued: “I would also like to thank Sir Patrick Brown and Tony Illsley, who are standing down from their roles as Independent Non-Executive Directors, for their expertise and wise counsel over the past few years.”

Sir Hugh commented: “I am delighted to be joining as Camelot’s Chairman. I have been privileged to see first-hand the enormous difference The National Lottery makes to the fabric of the UK, not least through its funding of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as the 2016 Games in Rio, and its ongoing support for our elite athletes. When I heard that Camelot was seeking a new Chairman, I actively sought the role – and am delighted to be joining a business that plays such an important role in today’s society.