Former FDJ exec appointed Prize Competition Council director amid rapid membership growth

The UK trade body – the Prize Competition Council (PCC) – has appointed Tom Banks as its inaugural executive director, to lead the newly formed group, representing the burgeoning prize draws sector in the UK.

Banks brings over 13 years of experience in public affairs, corporate communications and reputation management. His career has included advisory roles across various gambling businesses and political parties. 

Prior to joining the PCC, he spent four years as a consultant at Public First, supporting Kindred, and then he spent a further four years in-house, most recently serving as head of external relations at parent FDJ United. 

Complying with DCMS Code remains ‘priority’

George McGregor, the independent chair of the PCC, expressed confidence in Banks’ appointment, noting: “Tom brings experience in explaining complex regulatory issues to government, regulators and the media across the UK and Europe. He understands the scrutiny facing businesses that serve the public and the need to support what they say with evidence.”

McGregor emphasised that supporting members in complying with the DCMS Code remains the council’s “immediate priority”.

Other board members include Chris Jennings from Winvia Entertainment, who recently acquired Giveaway Guys and Punit Shah from Seven Days Performance. 

Banks himself highlighted that his “first priority would be listening to members and supporting their work under the DCMS Code”.

He added: “I also want us to make a confident case for the sector by showing the standards responsible operators uphold, explaining how prize competitions work and representing the people who choose to take part.”

Purpose and priorities 

The PCC was created in July of this year to give the prize-competition market a unified voice and support operators in adhering to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators. 

The Code was designed to ensure transparency about terms and conditions, entry methods and prize fulfilment, while preventing misleading or exploitative practices.

An August Rokker white paper report reported that roughly 195 operators had signed the newly introduced Code as of late July 2026, supplemented by 31 service providers labelled as “other relevant signatories”.

Rokker estimated that signatories represented less than 20% of the sector’s estimated active operators at the time.