Baroness Julia Neuberger has been appointed at the Chair of the new independent Strategy Board, announced the Gambling Commission in the United Kingdom today, December 3, 2008.  The Strategy Board is in charge of minimizing the risks associated with gaming – online and off – and it is the main body that advises the Gambling Commission and the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) on the research, education, and treatment strategies necessary to support a national responsible gambling scheme.

The Baroness is well versed in public health issues, and according to the Gambling Commission has extensive experience in public health and the effective treatment for addictions.  Between 1993 and 1997 she served as the Chair of Camden and Islington Community Health Services Trust Fund and from 1997 to 2004 as the Chief Executive of the King’s Fund.  Aged 58, the Liberal Democrat Neuberger is an ordained rabbi with her own synagogue who received her title of social reformer in 2004 after showing commitment to the cause.  She was appointed the Prime Minister’s champion for volunteering in 2007, being recognized for her wide range of voluntary and philanthropic roles.

Brian Pomeroy, the Chairman for the Gambling Commission, stated that the Baronesses extensive experience in the public health industry, her understanding of medical research, and her understanding of addictions would be extremely valuable to the new Strategy Board.  According to the Baroness herself, “I have a longstanding interest in research methodologies and outcomes across the sciences and social sciences, and have had a considerable interest in addiction in the past from alcohol to illegal drugs and from cigarettes to gambling.  I look forward to this challenging role and hope to be able to help to bring some coherence to national research, education and treatment programs related to gambling.”

The Strategy Board was created by the Gambling Commission to work on developing and determining a national program for England, Scotland, and Wales.  The program is to help work out and implement plans that will minimize the risks problem gambling poses in the three countries.  The Strategy Board will also advise the Gambling Commission on how much funding will need to be put into place to accomplish their goals, based on a three-year rolling period.

Neuberger is married to Professor Anthony Neuberger and is the mother of two grown children.  She was created a life peer in the House of Lords as Baroness Neuberger of Primrose Hill in the London Borough of Camden in 2004.