Issued on behalf of the Horseracing Bettors Forum

The Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) is currently inviting applications from the racing and betting community to replace outgoing members as part of a planned periodic refresh of its membership.

The HBF was established in September 2015 to represent the views of those who bet on British horseracing, and to act on behalf of bettors with the bodies who make policy decisions in this area. Since its inception the HBF has been responsible for some significant positive changes on behalf of horseracing bettors.

Sean Trivass, Chair of HBF, said:

“The HBF remains an important voice for punters within horseracing at this pivotal moment for the sport. Once again, we are looking to renew our membership, and ensure we have new blood and new ideas in the forum.

“The forum is keen to receive applications from people with a wide range of interest and experience in betting, and we would welcome applications from those who have traditionally tended to be under-represented within betting and horseracing.

“I would be delighted to speak to anyone interested in applying to join the HBF if they would like more information before submitting an application. I can be contacted at [email protected].”

Preference will be given to applicants who:

• Demonstrate a proven interest in matters of concern to the British horseracing betting public.
• Provide evidence of understanding/experience of topical subject matters impacting the British racing betting landscape.
• Have daily access to the necessary technology to communicate online (using Slack) when needed, and the willingness to respond to messages in a timely manner.
• An ability to assist with work on our website using WordPress would be an advantage but is not an essential requirement.
• Are prepared to commit to assisting the HBF, such as through internal discussion and case-study work, in addition to being available to meet four times a year (usually in London and although in-person attendance is encouraged, there is generally an option to attend remotely via MS Teams or similar).

Those interested and who consider themselves in possession of appropriate knowledge and experience are kindly requested to contact HBF via email at [email protected] specifying in no more than 500 words why they would like to be considered for the role, including contact details (a CV is not required).

The closing date for applications is 22nd November 2024, with a view to new members joining HBF from the 1st January 2025 after they have been notified their application has been successful.

Successful Forum applicants will be notified by the Chair before the end of December 2024 with our next in-person meeting planned for mid-January 2025.

The HBF recruits by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Applications from a broad range of the public to ensure the group is as diverse and inclusive as possible will be welcomed by the HBF. All those who have previously applied are welcome to apply once again.

Background Information

The HBF was created with the assistance of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), and maintains a good working relationship with the sport’s governing and regulatory body, but is independent of it.

HBF comprises up to nine voluntary members, chosen for their knowledge of the horseracing betting environment and their ability to represent the betting public. Forum members will be required to meet four times a year plus a monthly online meeting, attend meetings with external stakeholders when required, and to communicate and contribute via Slack, often on a daily basis between meetings. Successful applicants will be asked to serve a four-year term on the Forum.

All positions with HBF are unpaid, though reasonable travel expenses to official HBF meetings may be claimed by members, by prior agreement. This is an opportunity to represent a group that is key to the future prosperity of the sport of horseracing and to further the positive impact HBF is having on behalf of UK horseracing bettors.

Further information about the activities of the HBF, current members, and its remit can be found on its website at https://ukhbf.org/.

Notes to editors:

1. The Horseracing Bettors Forum was created in August 2015, with the assistance of the BHA to represent the interests of those who bet on British horseracing. HBF actively solicit views from punters via the HBF’s annual survey, the results of the survey then allow the forum to prioritise these views which are used to form our annual agenda.
2. The HBF seeks to ensure that those interests are understood and taken into account in relevant decision-making processes, for the good of both bettors and the sport of horseracing in Britain.
3. The HBF consists of nine members – all voluntary and unpaid – who convene roughly once every three months to discuss issues that they feel are relevant to British horseracing punters and liaise on a daily basis as required. While the HBF has no mandatory powers it seeks to influence in accordance with its stated objectives and policies with other industry bodies.