Martin Radvan to succeed Johnny Weatherby as chair of Weatherbys

Sir Johnny Weatherby is to step down as chair of Weatherbys at the end of the month, when he will be succeeded by Martin Radvan.

Weatherby, who had followed his father Christopher as chair of the business in 1993, will remain on the Weatherbys board as a non-executive director.

Radvan will become the first person from outside the Weatherby family to head the company, which is primarily responsible for providing racing services to the BHA, since it was founded in 1770.

Weatherby, who was also the founding chair of Weatherbys Bank, will continue as chair of the trustees of the Weatherbys group of companies and Weatherbys Ireland, with the company saying he would spend more time helping to oversee the group’s international ambitions.

He said: "I am delighted that Martin is becoming chair at an exciting time for the business. He will add a new dimension to our operation which will benefit not just Weatherbys but, most importantly, our customers and partners as well."

Radvan retired in 2019 as deputy group chief executive of food and drink company Mars Inc. and president of Mars Wrigley.

He had spent more than 30 years at Mars, with Weatherbys saying he brought them "very strong family business and governance experience, combined with both large and smaller business acumen".

Radvan said he welcomed the opportunity to join Weatherbys.

He added: "I have spent most of my professional life working for a successful family business, and I hope to be able to use that experience to continue Johnny and his team’s great work.

"Weatherbys is an impressive business, with impeccable heritage, but also with a strong appetite for future growth and impact. I look forward to working with the whole Weatherbys team to deliver an exciting future for all."

Read more

A £1,000,000 opening bid? Yep, the Goffs London Sale is back

The mare of a lifetime with not one but two stakes runners at Ascot on Tuesday

Coventry contender Bradsell out to become banner name for consignor Mark Grant

From the Queen to first-season sires, some pedigree angles at Royal Ascot