Robertson To Chair Racing Authority

Sir Hugh Robertson has been appointed as independent Chair of the Racing Authority, the BHA announced on Monday. The Racing Authority will replace the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) as the distribution body for channelling Levy income for the improvement of horse-racing in April 2019, at which point Robertson's three-year term as Chair will commence. In the meantime he will start his induction in January when he becomes Chair of the Shadow Racing Authority. Following 10 years in the Army, Sir Hugh Robertson worked with Schroders before becoming the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent in 2001. In 2010 he took up the post as Minister of Sport and the Olympics, followed by a position as Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office responsible for Middle East, North Africa and counter-terrorism. Since exiting politics in 2015, Robertson has worked for Falcon Associates and currently chairs the British Olympic Association.

The key roles of the Racing Authority will be to make expenditure decisions on behalf of British racing, ensure fair and transparent distribution of funds and consult with the betting industry and wider stakeholders and following his appointment Sir Hugh said, “I am delighted to be taking on this new role in British racing. I hope that my independence, experience of the wider world of sport and knowledge of sports finance will help racing make the most of this exciting new opportunity.” Echoing this was BHA chairman Steve Harman who added, “Sir Hugh has worked tirelessly for British Olympic sport for more than 10 years, and was both an advocate and supporter in the Levy reform process. He is keen to grow the Racing Authority's income and to drive the health and growth of the sport. He also brings a healthy independence to the Racing Authority, and significant governance experience.”