Allwyn Appoints Mark Hughes as Chief Security Officer for The National Lottery
Allwyn, a prominent name in the lottery and gaming industry, has today announced the appointment of Mark Hughes as its new Chief Security Officer. Hughes will be responsible for leading all security aspects of The National Lottery, a critical role as Allwyn prepares to take over its operation on February 1.
Mark Hughes brings a wealth of experience to Allwyn, having previously served as the Chief Information Security Officer at Smart DCC, a key player in the UK’s smart meter rollout. His tenure at Smart DCC involved overseeing the secure communication network integral to this national project.
Prior to that, Hughes had a significant 16-year career at Vodafone, including 12 years as Chief Corporate Security Officer for its UK business. His responsibilities at Vodafone included leading Corporate Security operations and the Security compliance program, collaborating extensively with Central Government and British Intelligence Agencies to implement security controls and best practices.
Critical Role at a Pivotal Time
As Allwyn prepares to take over the operation of The National Lottery on February 1, Hughes’ role will encompass information security, game platform security, and physical security. This comes at a time when Allwyn is embarking on ambitious plans to transform The National Lottery, making it more modern, digital, and engaging for players.
Andria Vidler, Allwyn’s UK CEO, expressed her enthusiasm about Hughes joining the team: “Preserving the security of The National Lottery at all times is of critical importance, especially as we roll out our ambitious plans for the transformation of The National Lottery… I’m delighted to welcome Mark to our team.”
Mark Hughes also shared his excitement about the new role: “I’m thrilled to be joining Allwyn and being part of the next chapter in the journey of the National Lottery. Working for an organisation that literally makes dreams come true and contributes to good causes is a huge privilege and I can’t wait to get started.”
Our Comment on the Article
The appointment of Mark Hughes as Chief Security Officer is a strategic move by Allwyn as it gears up to take over The National Lottery operations. Hughes’ extensive experience in security, particularly in critical national infrastructure, positions him well to handle the security challenges of The National Lottery.
This appointment underlines Allwyn’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security as it embarks on transforming The National Lottery into a more digital and player-centric platform. It reflects the growing importance of comprehensive security strategies in the gaming and lottery industry.
