The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Watts to the newly created role of Head of Integrity Assurance.
The role will provide strategic leadership on integrity based-functions, ensure effective management, enhancement and oversight of investigative and licensing processes and greater accountability for performance in line with newly-established service levels and key performance indicators.
The creation and timely fulfilment of the position, which will be a new senior level resource within Integrity & Regulatory Operations at the BHA, was an important recommendation of the integrity review published in March 2016.
Chris Watts joins the BHA from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) where he is currently Anti-Corruption Manager. He was central to the establishment of the ECB Anti-corruption Unit in 2011, addressing serious corruption issues in Cricket.
His appointment at the ECB followed a three year attachment to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary as a Major Crime expert.
Prior to this Chris enjoyed a thirty year career with the Metropolitan Police Service, achieving the position of Detective Superintendent – Homicide & Serious Crime.
Chris is a member of the Sports Betting Group and is also the current joint Chair of the Sports Betting Integrity Forum.
Chris will bring a well-rounded background in intelligence management, investigation and sports integrity to the role and will join the BHA at the end of July.
Chris Watts said: “Through my work within sports integrity over the past six years, I have developed some understanding of the work of the BHA integrity unit.
“I was brought up with horses; I am passionate about sport; and I am very much looking forward to transferring my skills and experience into this new role.”
Brant Dunshea, Director of Integrity and Regulatory Operations at the BHA, said:
“We’re delighted to have appointed someone with Chris’s wealth of experience in intelligence management, investigations and sports integrity to what will be a very significant strategic role.
“This appointment was a key focus for the BHA following our integrity review, and we’re excited for Chris to begin his new role which will ensure greater accountability for the performance of our Integrity teams.”
Notes to editors:
- Chris Watts, 56:
