Lord Allen

Lord Charles Allen has resigned as chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) after just six months in the role, having been unable to achieve the governance change that he proposed when taking up his post on September 1. Lord Allen was first nominated as chair in November 2024, but the start of his tenure was delayed as the BHA said that he wished to "continue meeting stakeholders to better inform his vision for the sport". Three months later than was originally planned, Lord Allen stepped into his position at...

In one of his first public appearances since becoming chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in September, Lord Allen admitted that there is no "single silver bullet" to ease the significant challenges facing the sport. In a question-and-answer session with broadcaster Lydia Hislop following the 254th Gimcrack Dinner at York racecourse, Lord Allen, whose appointment to the BHA was announced in November 2024, spoke of his desire for the BHA to be a "world-leading authority". Addressing a gathering of around 200 guests on Tuesday evening, he said, "I used...

Wednesday was a dark day for British racing. Racing cancelled across the land while the sport's leaders made an empassioned stand in the country's seat of power against a proposed rise in betting tax, warning of plenty more dark days to come.  There can be no denying the intent with which the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has set about alerting the government as to the very real threat to Britain's second-biggest spectator sport. The outcome of a proposed 'harmonisation' of betting taxes, which could see the tax on horserace betting...

Lord Charles Allen has outlined his vision of turning British racing into "a modern commercial and cultural powerhouse" as he assumed his position as the new chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Monday. Allen, who also offered his backing for the cancellation of next Wednesday's racing in protest of proposed betting tax changes, believes that with the "right governance and ambition" the sport can realise its full potential. In a statement, he said, "I am delighted the industry is coming together on September 10 to say 'Axe the...

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that Lord Allen of Kensington will start work in his post as chair of racing's regulators from September 1. The Labour peer was due to take up the role on June 2, but his tenure was delayed as the BHA said he wished to "continue meeting stakeholders to better inform his vision for the sport". The BHA board currently has an independent chair, four independent directors and four member-nominated directors - two from the racecourses and two nominated by the sport's participants -...