Theo Bertram

Theo Bertram is the Director of the Social Market Foundation (SMF), a leading cross-party think tank in Britain, a position he assumed in February 2024. In this role, he leads research and policy recommendations across various economic and social policy areas, notably contributing to discussions on gambling taxation and harm reduction. He has advocated for increased taxes on online gambling, particularly online slots, and for local councils to have the power to restrict Adult Gaming Centres, highlighting the disproportionate harm these activities can cause, particularly in deprived areas.

Before his appointment at the SMF, Bertram held significant public policy and government relations roles in the technology sector. From 2019, he served as Vice President for Public Policy and Government Relations at TikTok, focusing on European and global technology policy issues. Prior to TikTok, he spent eight years at Google, where he led public policy teams across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Russia, addressing key public policy matters including telecommunications.

Bertram's career also includes extensive experience in politics and government. He began as a regional organizer for the Labour Party and rose to become a Special Adviser in Downing Street to Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2006. He continued his advisory role under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, becoming Head of Research and Information at No. 10. After leaving Downing Street in 2010, he worked as Head of Public Affairs at Telefonica O2 UK before transitioning into the technology industry.

Academically, Theo Bertram studied at the University of Cambridge before completing a PhD on Samuel Beckett at the University of Bristol. His diverse background across government, corporate public affairs, and think tanks positions him as a prominent voice in policy debates, particularly concerning technology regulation and social policy, including the iGaming and gambling landscape.