Atholl Duncan, formerly Senior Independent Director of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Board, has today taken up the role of interim BHA Chairman.
This follows Steve Harman, the previous BHA Chairman, formally stepping down from the role on Monday 12 November.
Atholl’s appointment is on an ongoing basis with no fixed term. In the meantime the BHA and its members remain in constructive dialogue regarding the makeup of the BHA Board and the remit of the BHA Chairman.
Atholl Duncan said:
“Over the past few weeks, I have spent a lot of time listening to our key stakeholders and participants. This has been hugely helpful in focussing my thinking on what the priorities should be over the next few months.
“I have also had the pleasure of watching the BHA teams at work on the racecourse and at head office. I have been hugely impressed by their professionalism, passion, and commitment. It is through their efforts, working with many others across the sport nearly every day of the year, that Britain is able to consistently deliver the best racing in the world.
“I would like to thank Steve Harman for all that he has done for racing over the past six years. I now look forward to working together with the leaders and participants at the heart of our sport to ensure that racing meets the challenges and takes the opportunities that we face now and in the future.”
Steve Harman said:
“It has been a privilege to Chair the BHA and the Members committee over recent years. This is a great sport which is turning the corner financially and is developing well in many other ways.
“This sport has much to be proud of; and there has been some marked progress in various areas of the BHA. I have been touched by the support I have received in this job and indeed in supporting the grassroots of this sport. There is still lots to do however and I look forward to helping the sport in years to come.”
Notes to Editors
1. About Atholl Duncan:
An experienced non-executive director in sports organisations, Atholl was a senior executive at the BBC for many years. He spent four years as Director of Corporate Affairs with Scottish Water and since 2011 was Executive Director of ICAS, the professional body of Chartered Accountants. Atholl joined the BHA Board in December 2014.
Atholl was also a non-executive director of Sportscotland for nine years, sat on the Scottish Sports Council Trust and the Hibernian Football Club Community Foundation. He has been a regular racegoer for nearly 40 years; is a Trustee of the Caledonian Racing Society; has been an owner in several syndicates; and has horses in training in syndicates with Lucinda Russell and Richard Hughes.
2. Atholl’s appointment was recommended by the BHA’s Nominations Committee, which reports to the BHA Board and contains representatives of the BHA’s members – the Racecourse Association (RCA), and the Racehorse Owners Association, Licensed Personnel and the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
