Grainne Hurst
About Grainne Hurst
Grainne Hurst is the Director of Corporate Affairs at Entain, where she has worked since 2018. She has extensive experience in corporate communications and public affairs, having held various roles in government and the private sector.
Work at Entain
Grainne Hurst has served as the Director of Corporate Affairs at Entain since 2018. In this role, she focuses on aligning the company's corporate objectives with evolving industry standards. Hurst works across international teams to implement responsible gambling and player protection initiatives. She has been involved in significant projects, including collaborating with Harvard Medical School’s Division on Addiction Research to develop ARC technology. Hurst also plays a key role in corporate partnerships through the Entain Foundation, which is committed to investing £100 million in good causes through 2024.
Previous Experience
Before joining Entain, Grainne Hurst held several positions that contributed to her expertise in corporate communications. She worked as the Head of Public Affairs at Ladbrokes Coral from 2015 to 2018. Prior to that, she was a Consultant at Luther Pendragon for eight months in 2012. Hurst also served as a UK Government Special Adviser for ten months in 2014-2015 and worked as a Parliamentary Researcher in the House of Commons from 2010 to 2012. Her early career included a role as a Public Affairs Intern at The Royal British Legion in 2010.
Education and Expertise
Grainne Hurst holds a Master’s degree in War Studies from King's College London, which she completed in 2008. She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Modern and Contemporary History from Queen Mary University of London in 2007. Hurst possesses expertise in handling high-profile matters, including Brexit, technology and entertainment, business transformation, consumer rights, and retail. Her background includes both in-house and agency experience in corporate communications.
Advocacy and Industry Involvement
Grainne Hurst is actively involved in advocating for the advancement of women in the gaming industry as a Board member of Global Gaming Women. She has built relationships with international political stakeholders and CEOs throughout her career. Hurst has contributed to significant industry changes, such as ending advertising during live sports, excluding racing, and halting gambling sponsorship on the front of football shirts in the UK. Her commitment to responsible gambling is evident in her work on industry-leading safer gambling initiatives.