The head of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Anne Marie Phelps CBE, has declared that she will be departing from her position at the conclusion of her term.
Phelps has a vast amount of experience in British rowing, having participated in the Olympic Games. She joined the BHA in June 2019, having previously held roles in various governing bodies within the industry. The announcement comes before the commencement of the Cheltenham Festival.
Phelps stated: “It has been a great honor to lead the BHA during a difficult time for sports, and to appoint such a capable CEO in Julie Harrington. I am incredibly proud of the collective accomplishments of racing during this period.”
She further mentioned that she was proud of the manner in which the BHA had managed numerous significant challenges during her tenure as Chair, including the COVID-19 outbreak.
She expressed: “I wish to express my gratitude to the BHA team for their exceptional work during the pandemic, and for the often-unnoticed roles that ensure everything continues to operate. It is a role that is seldom recognized.” “British racing became the first major sport to resume competition following the initial lockdown in early 2020, and not a single race has been canceled due to the pandemic since, which is a remarkable achievement.”
The organization has effectively tackled several serious, intricate ethical and honesty concerns, which have established important precedents for the future, laid the groundwork for greater variety and inclusion throughout the sport, bolstered the industry’s educational tools and protections, and further enhanced their focus on the well-being of horses and people; all of which are essential for the sustainable health and success of horse racing.
Joe Somarez-Smith, the current independent non-executive director, will assume the role of chair when Phelps’ term concludes in May, until his own term concludes in September 2023.
Somarez-Smith is currently the chief executive officer of Sports Gaming Limited, a London-based management consultancy for the gambling industry. He has over two decades of experience in the industry, possesses shares in over 80 horses, contributes to various horse racing and gambling publications, and established Bede Gaming.
“On behalf of the BHA Board, I would like to express my gratitude to Anne-Marie for bringing a wide range of viewpoints from other sports to the BHA Board,” stated Somarez-Smith. “During her tenure as chair, she has laid the groundwork for significant changes throughout the industry in many areas and assisted us in navigating a number of challenges, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic and the BHA’s own governance issues.”
Achieving critical governance objectives could mark a significant shift for the sector. I’m enthusiastic about continuing to collaborate with Annamarie until her tenure concludes.
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