Incoming British Horseracing Authority (BHA) chair Lord Charles Allen will take up his position on 1 September after a three month delay.
Allen was due to take up the position from interim chair David Jones on 2 June, but this was delayed after Allen proposed significant changes to how the sport is governed, which has led to several weeks of discussions.
The board of the governing body met on 28 July to consider the wide-ranging changes, and following the meeting, the board agreed that work should now start towards the establishment of a single independent board of directors.
This newly created board will include experienced individuals from the industry, led by a CEO, and will oversee a single BHA executive.
The BHA board will now work closely with Lord Allen to begin the transition period, with further updates on any governance changes to come in the coming months.
On the confirmation of his new role, Lord Allen said: “I am delighted we have agreed to a process towards a new independent BHA Board, and I look forward to formally starting in September.
“Horseracing has a strong future. There is work to do, but I am in no doubt as to the passion and commitment of the many thousands of people who make up our industry.”
Jones added: “The BHA Board has made clear its commitment to pressing ahead with the establishment of an independent board of directors. We look forward to working with Lord Allen to support the industry as it takes this important step forward towards a strong future.”
In response to the news of Allen’s appointment, Betting and Gaming Council chair Michael Dugher said: “I strongly welcome the fact that Lord Charles Allen has agreed to take on the role of Chair of the BHA. The sport is desperate for new leadership but also a new strategy. Too often, racing feels like a case of lions led by donkeys.
“I’ve been hugely impressed by Charles’ determination to drive big changes. His appointment must mark a shift to a more hard-headed commercial approach – and an end to the internal divisions and vested interests that have plagued the sport and held it back.
“I hope we see less of the politics of entitlement and that the sport finally gets real about the serious challenges it faces. Racing needs a growth strategy, not more delusional special pleading or petulant demands for handouts.
“There is a symbiotic relationship between betting and racing,” Dugher added. “BGC members contribute over £350 million a year to horseracing through sponsorship, media rights, and the betting levy. Racing should be working with the gambling operators, not with the anti-gambling lobby, and nor should some within its ranks indulge themselves by denigrating other parts of our regulated business, including on the threat of higher taxes.
“We want to work collaboratively with racing to help reverse the current decline of the sport. I am looking forward to personally working with Charles and I wish him every success in what is undoubtedly a Herculean task.”