The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) today announces that Carole Goldsmith has been appointed as Director of People and Development, in a role effective from 1 November.

Goldsmith has been working for BHA as interim Director of Human Resources (HR) on a part-time basis since February 2014. Her new role will encompass the three areas of Industry Recruitment, Training and Education (IRT&E), Industry Welfare, and the HR requirements of BHA.

Prior to joining BHA, Goldsmith spent eight years at the Goodwood group of companies, as Group People and Organisational Development Director. She has over 20 years’ experience working in business in various people related disciplines, including running her own successful training enterprise.

The creation of this new role within BHA is in line with the work being undertaken as part of the Participant Welfare and Training pillar of the ongoing Industry Strategy, and also follows an internal review of BHA’s own HR function. As part of this review, current Head of HR Claire Dale will be leaving BHA at the end of year to seek new challenges, following eight years with the organisation successfully developing her career.

BHA Chief Executive Paul Bittar said:

“We are delighted to have Carole on board into this broader role as she brings with her a great deal of expertise, and has been an asset to BHA throughout this year. Personally, I am very pleased that over the past two years we have moved Industry Recruitment, Training and Education, and participant welfare up the agenda at BHA. There is still a lot to be done given the needs of our workforce and to ensure that British Racing, and those employing people within our sport, display all the hallmarks of a modern employer in the future.”

Carole Goldsmith said:

“This is a fabulous opportunity to work with both an exciting industry that’s experiencing vast amounts of change and a governing body that’s on the verge of a new chapter. I’m really looking forward to working with the range of excellent organisations in Racing that perform such a vital function. I’ve always maintained that I would only work somewhere that I felt I could make a difference and I believe this position provides that opportunity.”