BetBlocker hires Monica Shafaq as director of strategy and partnerships

With over two decades of experience across charity, health, housing and football sectors, Shafaq brings a strong track record of leading organisational transformation, navigating regulation and implementing equality, diversity and inclusion strategies. She was previously the CEO of Gordon Moody, a leading UK charity providing support and residential treatment for severe gambling-related harm, and the chief executive for the health and wellbeing charity The Kaleidoscope Plus Group between 2010 and 2024. 

Sharing the news on LinkedIn, BetBlocker founder and trustee Duncan Garvie described Shafaq as “a principled and compassionate person of rare calibre” and revealed that she had been supporting the organisation over the last six months, working with the team to improve funding applications, building out strategic positioning and growing relationships with UK stakeholders. 

Currently, Shafaq also serves as a non-executive director at Sporting Equals, Manchester United Foundation, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Birmingham County Football Association, as well as co-founder at South Asian Football Collective and equality & diversity standard panel member at The Premier League. 

Garvie added: “I still find myself a little disbelieving that someone of Monica's standing and talent would consider taking a role on our team. ‘Can't believe our luck’ would seem an appropriate description.”

“Yet I could say that about each of the members of our team. I have consistently been blessed to work with amazing people. And without that, BetBlocker would not be where it is today.”

Recently, BetBlockers also expanded its support to Syrian Arabic and Slovakian users. 

Image from Manchester United Foundation.