Key
(C) – Chair
BHA – British Horseracing Authority representative
HG – Horsemen’s Group representative
NTF – National Trainers Federation representative
PJA – Professional Jockeys Association representative
RCA – Racecourse Association representative
ROA – Racehorse Owners Association representative
TBA – Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association representative
Last updated on: 12 May 2021
BHA Committees
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee meets twice per year with the BHA’s external auditors, BDO LLP, to ensure the integrity of the BHA’s financial statements.
The Audit Committee reports to the BHA Board.
Joe Saumarez Smith – BHA (Chair)
Laura Whyte – BHA
David Armstrong – RCA, appointed by BHA Members
Charlie Parker – HG, appointed by BHA Members
People & Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee meets twice per year to determine the framework and policy on terms of engagement (including remuneration) of the directors and senior management of the Company and the specific remuneration of each executive director.
The Remuneration Committee reports to the BHA Board.
Laura Whyte (C) – BHA
Joe Saumarez Smith – BHA
David Jones (BHA)
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee meets on an ad hoc basis to make recommendations to the Board on suitable candidates for appointment to the Board and the role of Chief Executive.
The Nominations Committee reports to the BHA Board.
Annamarie Phelps (C)
Wilf Walsh – RCA, appointed by the RCA
Charlie Parker – HG, appointed by horsemen
Rules Committee
The Rules Committee meets on an ad hoc basis and has the following purpose:To consider and agree, alter or reject proposed modifications to the Rules of Racing,
To propose to the Board modifications to the Rules of Racing,
To monitor the appropriateness and effectiveness of penalties for breaches of the Rules and,
To make recommendations to the Board regarding penalties contained in the Guide to Penalties.
The Rules Committee reports to the BHA Board.
David Jones (C)
Adrian Grazebrook
Raj Parker
Brant Dunshea
Julie Harrington
Camilla Dutton
Flat Pattern Committee
The Flat Pattern Committee advises and makes recommendations to the BHA Board on matters relating to maintaining and improving the programme of Flat Pattern and Listed races.
The overarching remit of the Committee is to foster a framework of Pattern and Listed races, over a range of distances, within which the breeding of quality bloodstock and the progression of the thoroughbred are stimulated. In addition, the Committee needs to have due regard to the Ground Rules of the European Pattern Committee.
Members are appointed by the Board for their personal knowledge of and expertise in the areas within the Terms of Reference of the Committee, and are therefore appointed as individuals, not to represent any particular stakeholder or group.
The Flat Pattern Committee meets at least twice per year and reports to the BHA Board.
Lydia Hislop (C)
Emma Berry
Andy Clifton
Julian Richmond-Watson
Rishi Persad
Harry Charlton
Nick Smith
Nicholas Wrigley
Philip Freedman
Ruth Quinn
Simon Crisford
William Haggas
Jump Pattern Committee
The Jump Pattern Committee advises and makes recommendations to the BHA Board on matters relating to maintaining and improving the programme of Jump Pattern and Listed races.
The overarching remit of the Committee is to foster a framework of Pattern and Listed races, over an appropriate range of distances, to test the best Jumping horses over Steeple Chases, Hurdles races and National Hunt Flat races, whilst also having consideration of the race programme generally with regard to the progression of the best horses, and the effect that any implemented recommendations may have on the progression of the breed.
Members are appointed by the Board for their personal knowledge of and expertise in the areas within the Terms of Reference of the Committee, and are therefore appointed as individuals, not to represent any particular stakeholder or group.
The Jump Pattern Committee meets at least twice per year and reports to the BHA Board.
Hopper Cavendish (C)
Ruth Quinn
Paul Nicholls
Amy Murphy
Emma Lavelle
Anthony Bromley
Steve Mellish
David Cleary
Ed Arkell
Sam Hoskins
Richard Aston
Richard Norris
Members’ Committee
The Members’ Committee is a tripartite industry committee and is responsible for the high-level strategic decisions for the sport.
The Members’ Committee meets three times a year and reports to the BHA Board.
Voting Members
Annamarie Phelps (C) – BHA
Julian Richmond-Watson – TBA
Wilf Walsh – RCA
Charlie Parker – ROA
Paul Johnson – Licensed Personnel
Non-Voting Members
David Thorpe – RCA
Julie Harrington – BHA
Sandy Dudgeon – RCA
Invited Observers
Charles Barnett – RCA
Jonjo Sanderson – RCA
Jon Holmes – PJA
Tony Langham – GBR
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is a tripartite industry committee and is responsible for taking executive decisions and implementing the strategy set by the Members’ Committee. Two meetings have full representation from industry Chief Executives.
The Executive Committee meets eight times per year and reports to the Members’ Committee.
Executive Representatives
Julie Harrington (C) – BHA
Charlie Liverton – HG, appointed by horsemen
David Armstrong – CEO
Non-Voting Attendees
Rod Street – GBR
Racing Group
The Racing Group advises and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee on matters relating to the race programmes for Flat and Jump racing.
The Racing Group reports to the Executive Committee.
Brian Finch (C) – Independent Chairman
Charlie Liverton – ROA
Ed Arkell – RCA
Jon Pullin – RCA
Lee Mottershead – BHA
Lydia Hislop – BHA
Philip Newton – TBA
Ralph Beckett/Seamus Mullins– NTF, Flat/Jump, one shared vote
Richard Norris – RCA
Richard Wayman – BHA
Invited Observers
Andy Clifton – RCA
Dale Gibson – PJA
Fixtures Group
The Fixtures Group acts as a forum for the development of fixture and funding related initiatives, having due regard for the wider Fixture List strategy and agreed annual objectives as set by the BHA Board.
The Fixtures Group reports to the Executive Committee.
Richard Wayman (C) – BHA
Charlie Liverton – HG
Chris Ward – RCA
Claire Sheppard – HG
Dale Gibson – HG
Jack Connor – BHA
Jon Pullin – RCA
Pat Masterson – RCA
Paul Johnson – BHA
Richard Norris – RCA
George Noad – HG
Tom Byrne (HBLB)
Invited Observer
Andy Clifton – RCA
BHA Operational Committees
The following Operational Committees work under the auspices of the BHA and assist with both operational and policy matters. Most Operational Committees report into a member of the BHA Executive but the both the Disciplinary Review Group and the Ethics Committee have reporting lines into the Board.
Non-BHA members of the Operational Committees are not remunerated by the BHA, but may claim reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings, in accordance with the BHA expenses policy.
Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee advises the Board on the ethical implications of BHA activities, both in specific issues that may arise in racing and in scientific research that is being conducted and/or funded by the BHA (equine or human).
Prof Mahon O’Brien (Chair)
Prof Alistair Macmillan
Prof James Burton
Matthew Johnson
Dr Vivienne Tut
Hetta Stevens – BRS
James Given – BHA
Catherine Beloff – BHA
Dr Jerry Hill – BHA
Veterinary Committee
The Veterinary Committee advises on all veterinary matters affecting racing and the health and welfare of racehorses. This includes consideration of anti-doping developments, infectious disease control and surveillance, equine research requirements and welfare developments, specifically those affecting regulation during racing and in post racing careers.
James Given (C) – BHA
Alasdair Topp – Association of Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons
Amanda Piggot – BHA
Antony Clements – British Equine Veterinary Association
Clive Hamblin – NTF
Charlie Pinkham – ROA
Dr Richard Newton – Animal Health Trust
James Wigan – Independent
John Spencer– TBA
Simon Knapp – RCA
Medical Advisory Committee
The Medical Advisory Committee works with the BHA Chief Medical Adviser to develop, approve and implement medical standards and policies on both Licensed and Point to Point racecourses.
Dr Jerry Hill (C) – BHA
Caroline Davies – RCA
Dr Guy Staight – BHA
Dr Iain McNeil – RCA
Dr Peter Johnson – Point-To-Point Authority
Dr Andy Simpson – RCA
Drs Heathcock/Wroe/Worthington/Hewitt – Member of SRMO Advisory Group
Edward Stroud – Injured Jockeys Fund
Dale Gibson – PJA
Disciplinary Review Group
The Disciplinary Review Group is a committee comprising the Independent Disciplinary Officer, the Independent Regulatory Director, the Chief Executive and up to three members appointed by the Board. Its purpose is to enable the Independent Disciplinary Officer to provide a reporting line to the Board on matters within his terms of reference.
Patrick Russell (C)
Jeremy Gompertz
Julie Harrington – BHA
Raj Parker – BHA
Racecourse Committee
The Racecourse Committee reviews and recommends policy on all matters relating to a) the on-course professional and participant facilities required and b) the safety measures necessary for the conduct of racing. Particular emphasis is placed on track-related matters and turf management.
The Committee also both considers and approves course-related Research and Development projects funded by a dedicated annual budget.
The scope of the Committee’s considerations does not extend to racecourses’ compliance with legislation or government guidance relating to Public Health and Safety issues, which are wholly the responsibility of racecourse Managing Executives.
Paul Johnson (C) – BHA
Nicole Thompson – BHA
Richard Linley – BHA
Kate Maxwell – BHA
Caroline Davies – RCA
Dale Gibson – PJA
George Noad – NTF
Jon Pullin – ARC
Kirkland Tellwright – JCR
Advisory Groups
The BHA works closely with a small number of working groups who advise on strategic matters for both the BHA and the sport. Members of Advisory Groups are not remunerated by the BHA, but may claim reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings, in accordance with the BHA expenses policy.
Horseracing Bettors Forum
The Horseracing Bettors Forum is independent of the BHA and represents the perceived interests of those who bet upon, or who might bet upon, British Racing, and to do so in a manner which aims to be to the benefit of both bettors and the sport itself.
The Horseracing Bettors Forum was created in 2015 with the assistance of the BHA.
The Forum meets quarterly. Membership applications are typically invited on an annual basis to serve three-year terms.
More information can be found on the Horseracing Bettors Forum website here.
Colin Hord (C)
Colin Magee
Martin Hughes
Paul Johnson
Sean Trivass
Jayne Leggett
Ben Fellows
Simon Rowlands
George Ryley
Stakeholder Integrity Forum
The Stakeholder Integrity Forum operates as an advisory group to the BHA on integrity matters.
The Stakeholder Integrity Forum provides a means by which the BHA can conduct preliminary high-level consultation and obtain input from the sport in relation to proposed integrity initiatives. The Forum also serves to help identify areas for further improvement and development as far as the integrity of the sport is concerned.
The Forum meets at least twice a year.
Brant Dunshea – BHA
Dawn Bacchus
George McGrath
James Knight
Martin Cruddace
Matt Bisogno
Dale Gibson
Rodi Greene
Tarik Shamel
Diversity in Racing Steering Group
The Diversity in Racing Steering Group works collaboratively to champion and support the industry in its efforts to enhance its diversity and inclusivity.
The Diversity in Racing Steering Group is the sport’s first-ever industry steering group focused on diversity and is led by the BHA on behalf of the sport.
Catherine Beloff
John Berry
Linda Bowles
Eleanor Boden
Dr Cedric Chan
Guy Disney
Zoe Elliott
Di Farrell-Thomas
Susannah Gill (Chair)
Debbie Grey
Rose Grissell (Head of D&I for British racing)
Lee Mottershead
Rory Palmer
Rishi Persad
Harriet Rochester
Suzy Smith
Gareth Wesley
Laura Whyte
