With the exciting news that Racing to School is taking on and developing the great work that Racing Together has achieved to date, and that Sean O’Connor, Racing Together’s Community Engagement Manager has moved on to take on the role of Chief Executive of The Racing Centre in Newmarket, Pip Kirkby is now in place as the Interim Manager for Racing Together.

Her background is in racecourse management, having managed both Market Rasen and Nottingham Racecourses for The Jockey Club. This experience is bolstered by time spent as Chief Executive of The Pony Club, taking on experience of charity work, and the NFP sector: and the skills and lessons learnt will be put to good use at her time with Racing Together. She is combining this with work for the Racehorse Owners Association.

Pip said: “I’m loving the role – which is so varied and wide ranging. It is so important to maintain the momentum that has been established, and to ensure that the communication channels with all of those involved in the work of Racing Together are kept open as we head towards the transition of Racing Together working with Racing to School.

“A key element of my role is to maintain the valuable relationships that Sean established with third parties, whether the Active Communities Network, the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Flying Futures or Laureus, the partnerships that have been established across these, and many other organisations have been key in developing the community engagement programmes across wide areas.

“I’m also here to help with any Racecourse queries, and to work closely with the Racecourse Association, as we consolidate and share the amazing community projects that are being undertaken across Racecourses.

“I’m going to be keeping you all up to speed with my work here, but Tthe message is very much that I’m here to help – if you haveanyone has any queries about any aspect of Racing Together, or wants to share exciting news of your own community engagement projects with in racing, just contact me at [email protected].”