- New role created with remit to improve welfare provisions for the sport’s participants
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today announced that Matt Mancini has been appointed as Welfare Development Manager, a new full-time role within its Industry Recruitment, Training & Education team. He will start on Tuesday 5 May, joining the BHA from The Racing Centre in Newmarket where he was Director.
Reporting to Director of People and Development Carole Goldsmith, Matt will be responsible for implementing a cross-industry strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of Racing’s participants, in collaboration with stakeholders and existing training and welfare providers.
He will also implement a strategy to help Racing’s workforce deal with personal issues that might adversely impact on their health and performance, and ensure support is available for injured individuals returning to work as safely and quickly as possible, working alongside BHA Chief Medical Adviser Jerry Hill.
Carole Goldsmith, Director of People and Development for the BHA said:
“The creation of this position represents a big step forward for the industry in terms of the welfare services we provide for our participants. It is also a crucial role in terms of implementing the recommendations which arise from the ‘participant welfare and training’ pillar of the ongoing Strategy for Growth.
“British Racing directly employs around 22,000 people, many of whose job it is to provide the first-class levels of care, attention and horsemanship expected within British Racing for our equine stars. Without these individuals there would simply be no British Racing so as an industry we should always strive to deliver more in terms of the support and welfare standards that these people receive.
“Matt’s experience, knowledge and overwhelming passion for developing an occupational welfare service for the industry made him the ideal candidate the role.”
In addition to his time at The Racing Centre Mancini also recently founded Racefit, a fitness and rehabilitation service for stud and stable staff in Newmarket.
Matt Mancini commented:
“I am very excited to be joining the BHA in this new role. A lot of effort has gone in to creating this position which demonstrates the industry’s commitment to supporting Racing’s people.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to apply my skills and experience to develop new initiatives and work with the variety of stakeholders across the sport.
“I have enjoyed my work in Newmarket immensely and will still have some involvement in the area. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the people I have worked with at The Racing Centre and the Newmarket community for their support.”
Notes to Editors
1. Matt is currently the Director of The Racing Centre – where he has worked since August 2011 – and recent founder of RACEFIT; a fitness and rehabilitation provision for the racing industry workforce based in Newmarket.
Matt has over 20 years’ experience of working in racing, including a spell as a jockey riding on both the flat and over jumps.
A Sociology Graduate from De Montfort University Leicester, Matt has combined his experiences in Racing and social work to develop specialist services for stud and stable staff in a unique setting, recently relaunching the historic New Astley Club as a modern hub for Racing’s people.
