Nigel Smith has announced that he is to leave his position as BHB’s Managing Director Commercial after an appropriate transition period. Explaining his decision, he said:

“When I joined BHB in January 2002, the principal objective was to protect and exploit the value of BHB’s database. I was proud that, in April that year, a data deal was signed with bookmakers worth around £100m annually to the sport.

“It was anticipated that all the key commercial objectives would be achieved prior to the establishment of British Horseracing Enterprises (BHE). I therefore intimated to BHB in the summer of last year that, once BHE had been established – in what would largely be confined to a compliance and collection role – I would be looking for fresh challenges.

“This was on course until the ECJ Judgement in November made life somewhat more complex and so I have agreed to stay on for a period of time to help BHB through a transitionary period.”

BHB Chief Executive Greg Nichols said today: “Nigel has made an outstanding contribution to raising the sport’s income through the exploitation of data. He joined BHB in the midst of the development of its commercial policy, and within three months had played a pivotal role in securing Racing’s most valuable-ever funding deal.

“Nigel first suggested in the middle of last year that he would be seeking to move on when BHE was established in 2005 and I fully understood his desire to do so. I am pleased that we will continue to have the benefit of his knowledge and experience for a period of time as we focus on the Court of Appeal hearing and ensuring the protection of BHB’s database.”