Gordon Moody Appoints Monica Shafaq, Ex-CEO of The Kaleidoscope Plus Group

Gordon Moody, a prominent UK charity focused on severe gambling harm interventions, has named Monica Shafaq as its incoming Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2024. The announcement follows a rigorous selection process managed by the organization’s board of trustees over a span of several months.

Monica Shafaq, equipped with 13 years of experience in the charitable domain, transitions to Gordon Moody from The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, an eminent organization centered on mental health and wellbeing. She held the CEO position at The Kaleidoscope Plus Group since 2010. During her tenure, Shafaq led the organization’s transformation from Sandwell Mind to its present identity and consistently secured a position on the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For list from 2015 onwards.

Monica is set to follow Matthew Hickey, the interim CEO at Gordon Moody. Hickey, in his interim role, expanded the charity’s treatment capacity, initiated the first women-only residential treatment facility in the UK in 2021, and initiated a new treatment center project in the West Midlands slated for 2024. He will continue to assist the Gordon Moody leadership team to ensure a smooth transition until Monica formally assumes her role.

Gordon Moody’s data indicates a 43% rise in treatment applications last year, marking an increase from 619 to 885, indicating an upward trend in individuals seeking assistance. Nevertheless, challenges persist. A recent study by GambleAware suggests that the number of individuals at potential risk of gambling-related issues may be substantially higher than industry estimates, potentially nearing 1.5 million.

Commenting on her appointment, Monica said: “It is a huge privilege to have been appointed the new CEO of Gordon Moody. It’s an honour to lead an organisation that is committed to making a positive impact to the lives of those affected by gambling harm and to work with the remarkable team of passionate individuals. Together, we will work tirelessly to raise awareness, provide support, and a path to recovery. I am excited to collaborate with existing partners and stakeholders as well as forging new relationships to drive meaningful change.

“I am leaving The Kaleidoscope Plus Group with a heavy heart but filled with pride for what the team has achieved over the past 13 years. We have done some extraordinary work together fighting for mental health equality and I know that we will remain strong allies going forward.”

Gordon Moody trustee, Claire Arnold, said: “We are delighted to welcome Monica to the Gordon Moody team as our new Chief Executive Officer and we would also like to express our sincere thanks to our departing CEO, Matthew Hickey, who has worked tirelessly to advance our cause over the past four years.

“Monica brings a wealth of experience from her work in the charity sector, most recently from The Kaleidoscope Plus Group and her energy for achieving social change will be a huge asset to Gordon Moody.

“We look forward to the new era of leadership under Monica Shafaq’s guidance and are confident that her expertise will contribute significantly to our mission of addressing gambling harm and its profound impact on individuals and families.”