Newman will be responsible for helping The Pools continue to adapt to a period of regulatory change, supporting the iconic British brand to sustain responsible growth while ensuring strong governance and compliance practices.
She has over a decade of experience within the compliance sector, holding recent positions at Entain as Head of Anti-Financial Crime and MLRO for UK and Ireland and four years with Midnite as Head of Compliance and MLRO.
At Midnite, Newman was the first compliance hire by the UK betting operator, where she was responsible for building its compliance programme, embedding practical and effective frameworks.
Newman previously held compliance roles with B2B industry brands Inspired, Playtech and Odobo.
The news follows on from the recent appointment of former LeoVegas Group Head of Safer Gambling and Anti-Money Laundering Joseph Carter-Bell as The Pools’ Director of Customer Success and Operations, as well as a major rebranding campaign last year.
The new hires have been part of a wider restructuring drive for the brand with a number of appointments announced across the last 18 months, including Gemma Strath-Billington as Head of Group Marketing, Phillip Donegan as Chief Technology Officer, Chris Williams as Head of Product and Matt Knowles as Head of CRM.
Caroline Newman, Director of Regulatory Compliance, said: “I’m excited to bring everything that I’ve learned throughout my career to The Pools.
“The Pools is an iconic, century-old brand with so much prestige and nostalgia – something very few organisations are able to say. The Pools holds a special place in people’s memories and it’s really exciting to see the company going through a transformative period, while still remaining loyal to the traditional customer base.
“Moving forward, the focus is on innovation and modernisation. I want to support The Pools in upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance and player protection, especially in a landscape that continues to evolve.
“I want to work with colleagues to ensure compliance stays embedded in the culture of The Pools, reaffirming the company’s commitment to responsibility, customer care and doing things the right way – values that resonate with me.”
James Arnold, The Pools CEO, said:
“We’re delighted to kick off 2026 with the appointment of Caroline Newman as our new Director of Regulatory Compliance.
“Caroline brings a wealth of experience to the organisation thanks to her time at Entain and Midnite, impressive credentials that will bring an immediate positive impact to both our team and our loyal and new customers.
“At The Pools, we hold the highest compliance standards and with Caroline on board, we will be able to navigate a changing landscape with an industry-leading approach.”
Industry Perspective
Newman’s appointment reflects The Pools’ commitment to strengthening regulatory compliance during a period of significant change in the UK gambling market. Her experience building compliance frameworks from the ground up at Midnite, combined with her anti-financial crime expertise from Entain, positions her well to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape facing UK operators.
This appointment forms part of a broader strategic restructuring at The Pools, with multiple senior hires across compliance, customer operations, and technology over the past 18 months. The focus on compliance leadership signals the brand’s recognition that robust governance frameworks are essential for sustainable growth in an increasingly regulated market.
For a heritage brand like The Pools, balancing modernization with regulatory rigor presents unique challenges. Newman’s track record of embedding practical compliance programmes at both established operators and newer entrants like Midnite suggests she brings the versatility needed to support The Pools’ transformation while maintaining the trust associated with its century-old reputation in the UK market.
