Steve Harman, a highly experienced executive in the oil and gas industry, has today been confirmed as the next Chairman of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the sport’s governing and regulatory body.
Harman, 56 and currently a Vice President in Shell, will succeed Paul Roy and take up the role in July 2013 following an extensive recruitment process led by British Racing’s stakeholders. He has spent most of his career with Shell, working and living in Europe, Asia and the Americas, where recently he was CEO of Pennzoil.
He has been a racehorse owner for over 20 years and is also a Director and Trustee of Help for Heroes.
Speaking of the appointment, current BHA Chairman Paul Roy, who will stay in post over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and induction for Harman, said: “Steve has had a long and extremely successful career in industry, and it is to British Racing’s great credit that he has been attracted to this role. His impressive track record in regulated and consumer focused markets made him an outstanding candidate and he has extensive experience of dealing with multiple stakeholders and governments.
“Steve has a clear and long-standing enthusiasm for the sport, that will be evident to all those that he comes into contact with.”
Harman said today: “I am extremely excited about this opportunity, and the chance to play a central role in what I consider to be one of the world’s great sports. My love of horseracing has been with me throughout my adult life and I have a firm belief that we can make British Racing even greater, building on its international reputation for quality and integrity and using its assets to take an increased share of the growing leisure market.
“I am positive about the sport’s future and cannot wait to get started in the role. However, existing commitments over the coming months will preclude me from being able to devote sufficient time and energy to the role so the BHA Board have kindly allowed me to wait until July before formally taking on the Chairmanship. In the meantime, I will immediately seek to develop constructive relationships right across British Racing, and look forward to supporting the work of the BHA Board, and its Executive led by Paul Bittar.”
The recruitment process was led by BHA’s Nominations Committee, comprised of Ian Barlow, Chairman of the Racecourse Association, and Rachel Hood, President of the Racehorse Owners Association, with support from the BHA Executive and Executive Search firm Korn/Ferry Whitehead Mann.
Notes to Editors:
Steve Harman Biography
Personal
Age 56, born and brought up in Durham within a mining and teaching family.
Married with three children, all keen on Racing.
Educated at Durham University (BA Hons) and Warwick University Business School (MBA).
Career
1977-79 Dowty Mining (coal)
Shell 1980-98 various jobs in Downstream Oil and Gas in Europe and Asia, including working and living in HK and China.
1999-2004 CEO Shell Marine
2005-9 CEO Pennzoil (USA and Americas)
2010-current leading Downstream Joint Ventures
Extensive experience on corporate Boards and a variety of executive and non-executive positions in the UK, America and Asia.
A Director and Trustee of Help for Heroes, Member of Durham University Council from 2013, and a supporter and mentor to a number of small business start-ups.
Racing Interests
An owner for over 20 years – on the Flat and over Jumps – mostly in small partnerships with a variety of trainers. Currently has an interest in three horses in training with Martin Keighley and four with Philip Hobbs (including two with ‘Owners for Owners’), plus various shares in Flat horses through Thurloe Thoroughbreds and Highclere Thoroughbred Racing and also with John Hammond in France.
Other interests
Playing golf and tennis, an enjoyment of most sports.
For more information contact:
Will Lambe
British Horseracing Authority
t:0207 152 0028
m:07816 914409
e: [email protected]
