Sir John Wheeler to Chair Review Group On Conflicts of Interest

Published: 5 September 2001

The Jockey Club announced today that the Rt. Hon. Sir John Wheeler, former Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, will chair the Review Group which will be asked to examine potential conflicts of interest within the activities of the Jockey Club.

Joining him on the Review Group will be two other independent members, Peter Benson and Adrian Grazebrook, as well as two Jockey Club Members, Lord Hartington and Nicholas Wrigley.

Sir John Wheeler said: “Racing is a highly important sport and industry enjoyed by a huge number of people and directly benefits the rural economy, so I am especially pleased to be invited to be the independent chairman of this review, the purpose of which is to establish the facts and to make recommendations.”

Christopher Spence, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club said: “I am delighted that Sir John Wheeler has agreed to chair this important review. We look forward to receiving the report of the group, all of whom, with their different qualifications, share an interest in and experience of the racing industry.”

As part of the Review, key industry bodies and other interested parties will be invited to make submissions to the Review Group.

September 5th 2001

Notes for Editors:

– Sir John Wheeler served as an MP from 1979 to 1997. Since 1997 he has been Chairman of the Service Authorities for National Crime Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad. From 1979 to 1992 he was a Member and then Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee and was responsible for the 1991 report on the Tote.

– The Hon. Peter Benson FCA is a recently retired partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, who has worked closely with the racing industry for many years.
– Adrian Grazebrook is a solicitor. He is also a Racehorse Owner and a member of the BHB Race Planning Committee.
– Lord Hartington is a former Senior Steward of the Jockey Club and was the first Chairman of BHB.
– Nicholas Wrigley is a Director of Rothschilds.

The four activities of the Jockey Club are:

– To regulate horseracing in Great Britain to the highest standards
– Through nominees to BHB, to support the Board’s work in the administration of horseracing in its best interests and developing the sport
– To operate racecourses to high technical standards for the benefit of racing generally
– To operate first class training facilities