About Us
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is the governing and regulatory body for British horseracing, which seeks to ensure the effective regulation, integrity and success of the sport. The BHA’s mission is to build a brighter future for the sport of horseracing, for the people working in the industry and for the horses.
The BHA has become responsible for leading the development of an industry strategy, including commercial matters that affect the whole sport. This is a new dimension to the organisation and therefore the appointee will need to be able to think commercially as well as lead on all regulatory and government affairs.
The BHA's role is to act for and on behalf of the whole sport, ensuring that the highest standards apply on and off the racecourse. It aims to be a global leader in racing regulation and works with stakeholders to promote the sport in order to make Great Britain the home of the most compelling racing in the world. Currently up to 80% of its workforce is deployed in the field to deliver this aim.
The BHA, together with British racing’s other leading organisations, has published an “Industry Commitment” to diversity and inclusion, to ensure racing truly is a sport for everyone and to help the sport grow and thrive in the future. As part of this, the BHA has committed to increasing its Board diversity across all protected characteristics, and in particular, in relation to gender and ethnically and culturally diverse communities. We recognise the wide benefits that greater depth and breadth of experience and perspective can bring, in terms of accountability, innovation, engagement and growth, and are keen to bring these to bear for the benefit of our sport. Applications from these candidates are therefore particularly welcomed and encouraged, and we would be pleased to discuss our commitment to inclusivity with interested candidates.
About the Role
Julie Harrington is stepping down as Chief Executive at the end of 2024 and therefore the BHA is looking for a ‘next generation’ leader to take the organisation forward, ensuring racing is a sport for everyone and to help it grow and thrive in the future. Julie has led significant changes at the BHA, meaning that the role has recently evolved to include responsibility for setting the long-term industry strategy for horse-racing; the BHA is no longer just a regulator, but also plays a role in the commercial success of the sport.
In addition, the new Chief Executive will have to continue to lead the conversation on issues such as participant welfare (including mental health and safeguarding), the sport’s efforts on diversity and inclusion, improving stakeholder consultation, delivering greater operational capability and efficiency, being a voice on the global racing stage, and maintaining a healthy relationship with betting operators.
The BHA therefore now has a significant opportunity to bring in a Chief Executive who understands deeply what it is to lead and implement long-term, sustainable, transformation inside an organisation – how to make it happen, how to embed it, the role of culture and perhaps, most importantly, how to pace it.
The appointee will therefore be a proven senior leader, with experience in leading complex stakeholder environments, with the ability to influence external stakeholders, such as government, whilst representing the BHA in the consumer facing environment.
This individual will have an excellent track record delivering financial results, driving operational and workforce best practice and creating long-term value. The international landscape in racing is driving huge commercial returns in the sport. This individual will need to bring experience in engaging with international markets to deepen the BHA’s connections globally and represent Britian in the sport.
The BHA is Racing’s Governing and Regulatory body, and the Chief Executive therefore oversees a diverse set of related activities, including race-day regulation, integrity, licensing, corporate governance, race planning, fixture list management, safeguarding, people welfare, diversity & inclusion, public affairs and government relations, equine welfare, stewarding, disciplinary and handicapping.
The BHA also oversees the commercial activity of the sport; therefore, the role requires a good understanding of the commercial and economic context within the sport and its stakeholder groups. The Chief Executive will need to understand commercial motivations across the industry, including the important relationship between racing and betting, as betting is one of the main finance mechanisms for the sport and its future growth.
The Chief Executive will lead the BHA’s strategy and operations, dealing day to day with stakeholder relationships, and managing the formal parts of the “Members Agreement” with the shareholders. In addition, they must play a significant figurehead leadership role within the sport, often heading up industry-wide issues in Parliament and with the media, as well as on the international stage.
To be successful, the role requires an individual with the leadership, adaptability, humility and credibility to manage a complex and not always aligned group of stakeholders and drive through the necessary change to ensure the sport continues to flourish
Further Information
The MBS Group (MBS) has been retained to support this appointment, which will be made by the Board of the British Horseracing Authority. Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview with The MBS Group from week commencing 23rd September, following which, interviews with the BHA Nominations Committee will take place week commencing 24th October, in person.
To apply, please submit your application via email with the subject line “Application for the role of CEO” to bha@thembsgroup.co.uk by noon on Wednesday 11th September.
Your application should consist of:
• A short covering letter of no more than two A4 sized pages explaining why this appointment interests you and how you meet the appointment criteria and competencies as detailed in the candidate information pack
• Your current CV with educational and professional qualifications and full employment history, explaining any gaps in your employment history and highlighting relevant achievements in recent posts
• A completed Equality Monitoring Form (EMF), which is available in the appendix below. The British Horseracing Authority is committed to achieving a workforce that reflects the society it serves, at all levels of seniority. All applicants are therefore invited to complete this form to assist the British Horseracing Authority with monitoring its commitment to equality and diversity within its recruitment processes. All information collected in the EMF is reported anonymously and will not be disclosed to anyone involved in assessing your application
If your application is progressed after the Longlist meeting, you will be invited to attend an hour-long, competency-based interview with the MBS team ahead of a Shortlist meeting, where a small number of candidates will be chosen to appear before the selection panel.
If you would like to discuss the opportunity in more detail prior to making an application, please contact tori.birkenshaw@thembsgroup.co.uk to arrange a call with a member of the MBS team.
For more information on the role and to apply, click here.
