Patron
Gillian Wilmot CBE
Chair Zoo Digital plc, Xpediator plc,
JISP, Synalogik
Boardwave Patron
Awarded a CBE in the King’s 2023 New Year Honours List for services to business, to entrepreneurship and to the prevention of problem gambling, Gillian is a skilled Chairman, Mentor and Advisor with 35 years Board experience. Gillian brings a huge breadth of strategic, financial, and operational experience drawn from multiple sectors; Technology/Digital, Media/Entertainment, Logistics, Energy, Sport, Retail, Leisure, Financial Services.
Her approach to the role of chair is characterised by total engagement, a rapid grasp of “the big picture” and an inclusive approach coupled with clear communication both internally and externally. Experience as chair covers all ownership models - quoted companies, founder entrepreneur led, private equity and public service. As chair of Senet (an independent body promoting responsible gambling) she re-framed the organisation’s remit, subsequently persuaded multiple CEOs to sign up to the Safer Gambling commitments and led the complex multistakeholder work of aligning the industry. She demonstrated a clear sense of purpose, resilience, strength of character, a collaborative mentality and an appreciation of partnerships. Roger Devlin, Chair Persimmon and William Hill said, “she did an outstanding job in very difficult circumstances” Lee Willows YGAM + ESG “donations into our sector for education and
prevention is in no small part down to you”. The CBE citation reflects the significant contribution made to the prevention of problem gambling.
Gillian has an excellent understanding of complex regulated markets and the intellectual acumen and mental agility to align commercial imperatives with regulatory compliance. She has considerable experience of working constructively with government and regulators including over 5 years with Senet, 9 years on a Statutory Board - IDAB, the energy market with Elexon, financial Services on the board of Admiral insurance and as MD of Mail Markets at the start of Royal Mail regulation in the early 2000s.
Intellectually curious and open minded, embracing diversity across cultures/geographies. Significant international experience, both operationally and with investors, including with Zoo (USA, EMEA, India, SouthEast Asia), Jisp (with Norwegian investors) and Xpediator (Central and Eastern Europe).
