Security Appointments

Published: 3 November 2003

The Jockey Club has today significantly strengthened its hand in policing the integrity of the sport with the announcement of two key posts central to the Club’s Security function. The Jockey Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Scotney as their new Director of Security, and Ben Gunn as the Chairman of the Security and Investigations Committee in succession to the late Gurney Sheppard.

Paul, who will begin his role from 24th November, is 48 and has been a police officer for 27 years working his way up from Constable to his present rank of Detective Chief Superintendent. He joined the Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 1976 and in 1998 transferred to the Metropolitan Police serving in Central London in a variety of senior management positions. These included Operations Manager in Westminster with specific responsibility for all crime operations and being the senior investigating officer for a number of serious investigations. He also co-ordinated the introduction of the current CCTV system for Westminster.

He is currently the Staff Officer to Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, and is responsible for organising and carrying out inspections of police forces around the country. He has a great deal of experience in intelligence-led policing and, as such, an integral part of his present role is advising police forces on how to improve their intelligence structures and processes.

Paul has followed horse racing since he was a boy and has maintained his interest throughout his professional career.

Christopher Foster, Executive Director of the Jockey Club, said: “There were a number of exceptional candidates for the position, but Paul’s ambition and enthusiasm for working in racing stood out. He has enjoyed a very distinguished career with the police and the experience he brings from the wide variety of roles he has undertaken will be of great value to Racing.”

Paul Scotney added: “It has been an emotional wrench for me to leave the police force after 27 years but I have long held a wish to work in racing and the opportunity to take on the role of Director of Security for the Jockey Club was not one I intended to let slip. Obviously, I am aware that the role will be a challenging one and I am looking forward to meeting that challenge.”

As Director of Security, Paul will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of the Security Review Group, published in July 2003.

That Security Review Group was, of course, chaired by Ben Gunn, who has also served as an independent member of the Jockey Club’s Integrity Review Committee. Ben specialised in counter-terrorism, subversion and security issues during his 26 years with the Metropolitan Police’s Special Branch, before finishing his career with the police as Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire, a post he held for eight years.

The Security and Investigations Committee, which he will chair, was set up to review the work of the Security Department and to ensure that it conducts its operations within the law and the Rules of Racing. The expertise on the committee also ensures that the Department has access to additional professional advice where needed. This is the first time that a non-Jockey Club member has held the post of Chairman.

Christopher Foster added:

“We are delighted that Ben Gunn has accepted this position. His expertise and ability was evident for all to see, through his comprehensive Security Review Report, and we are fortunate to have obtained his services in this specialist role.

“These two appointments signal clearly our intent to strengthen our Security team to ensure they are best placed to deal with the continually heavy workload and expectations placed on them.”

24th October 2003

Notes for Editors:

1. As part of the selection process for the Director of Security, the Jockey Club established an Interview Panel which included representatives from both BHB and the Levy Board. The panel was chaired by the former High Court Judge, Sir Michael Connell. He was joined by Christopher Foster (Jockey Club Executive Director), Fiona Birt-Llewellin (BHB Recruitment and Training Director) and Rodney Brack (Chief Executive, Horserace Betting Levy Board). The recruitment firm Odgers Ray & Berndtson assisted the Jockey Club in identifying the best candidate for the position, which was publicly advertised.

2. The other members of the Security and Investigations Committee are: Christopher Foster, Executive Director, Philip Blacker, a Jockey Club Member, and Jeremy Gompertz QC.

3. The Terms of Reference for the Security and Investigations Committee are as follows:

– To review and monitor the work of the Security Department, ensuring that its operations are conducted within the law and the Rules of Racing.

– To review cases prior to referral to the Police or other Law Enforcement agencies.

– To monitor progress in cases which have been referred to outside agencies.

– To review from time to time the resource needs of the Security Department to ensure that it can operate efficiently and effectively.

– To authorise and issue warrants in respect of requests for information and records from persons bound by the Rules of Racing, as set out in Rules 241 and 242.

– To authorise private formal warnings to licensed or permitted persons when appropriate.

– To advise the Director of Security, as appropriate.

– To report from time to time to the Regulatory Board.