The British Horseracing Authority has strengthened its Board with the appointment of two new Directors.
Nicholas Jones has been appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director and racehorse trainer Mark Johnston has been appointed as the Horsemen’s Member Nominated Director, with Justin Wadham moving from this position to become a third Independent Non-Executive Director.
All the appointments had the unanimous support of the Nominations Committee, current Board members and the Authority’s four Member organisations.
Nicholas Jones is a Steward of the Jockey Club and owns Coln Valley Stud near Cirencester where he has nine mares and also several horses in training. He was a Managing Director and Vice Chairman of investment bank Lazard until June 2010; Chairman of The National Stud from 1991 to 2000 and until May 2010 he was the senior Independent Director and Deputy Chairman of Ladbrokes plc as well as Independent Director of both Candover Investments plc and Newbury Racecourse plc.
Mark Johnston is well known as one of the country’s leading flat trainers. He is also a veterinary surgeon by profession, having qualified from Glasgow University Veterinary School in 1983 and he worked in general practice for three years before obtaining a licence to train. His interests and involvement stretch into all aspects of horseracing with him currently holding a post as a director of Hamilton Park and his company, Mark Johnston Racing Limited, as well as owning mares, young-stock, and horses in training. He has written on a variety of racing’s issues over many years for The Sporting Life, The Racing Post, The Times, Horse and Hound, and now his own monthly magazine, Kingsley Klarion.
Paul Roy, Chairman of the BHA, said:
“These two new appointments bring a broad range of skills and experience to an already experienced Board. Nicholas has spent years in senior positions in the worlds of finance and betting. As a breeder and owner, and a former director of one of Britain’s premier racecourses, he understands the sport from many viewpoints and I am delighted that he has agreed to become a Director.
“Mark needs little introduction and he has strong views on a wide range of subjects, It is testament to his passion for the sport and for the horse that he is finding the time to take up this position. His experience and knowledge will be an asset to the Board.
“I am also pleased that Justin has agreed to become a third Independent Director of the Board.
“Changing the Authority’s constitution to allow for the appointment of a ninth director was supported by all of our stakeholders as the right solution to enable both Nicholas and Mark to join us.”
Nicholas Jones said:
“It is a privilege to join the Board of the regulator of Britain’s second biggest sport and to help with the challenges ahead.
“Apart from the BHA’s continuing role in ensuring the highest standards of integrity in racing, there is the need to implement reform of decision making structures within the industry; the racing industry must be an attractive sport in which to participate and must preserve its international competitiveness.”
Mark Johnston said:
“I think it is vital in any business to have a very strong understanding of the product and I hope I can bring this to the BHA board. I am looking forward to the challenge.”
