The British Horseracing Authority regrets to announce that Lord (Charles) Allen has resigned as Chair.

Lord Allen had been nominated as Chair late in 2024 after a search. He took up his post in September 2025.

Lord Allen took the role after the member organisations of the BHA (Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and Licensed Personnel) unanimously agreed that there should be a completely independent board and that the BHA should have a commercial remit.

The members, who currently nominate representatives to the Board, have not been able to reach agreement between themselves on changing the rules of the BHA to allow the achievement of those two goals as a change to the Articles requires unanimous support. Accordingly, Lord Allen has resigned.

David Jones the senior independent director of the BHA said: “The Board would like to thank Charles for the time and effort that he has put into the role helping us to develop a vision that is aspirational and achievable, and we regret that we were unable to put in place at this time the governance changes that would have enabled us to progress this. I have enjoyed working with him and wish him continued success.”

Lord Allen said “Horseracing is an amazing sport with great potential and over the last year I have met some incredibly passionate people who love the sport who believe to survive and prosper that change is needed. I also want to pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated BHA team. I wish the sport well for the future.”