BHA appoints candidate of 'outstanding calibre' as Lord Allen is confirmed as its next chair

Lord Allen has been confirmed as the successor to Joe Saumarez Smith as the next chair of the BHA, with one former political colleague hoping he will provide a "breath of fresh air". The Racing Post had revealed on Tuesday evening the governing body was poised to appoint Allen to the position.

Allen, 67, is a City veteran, including a spell as chief executive of ITV, with experience of the financial and commercial sectors, government, broadcast, international companies and global sports events.

His current roles include serving as chairman of Global, the largest commercial radio group in Europe founded by Ashley Tabor-King, the son of leading owner Michael Tabor, although he will step down from that role in March 2025. Allen is also chairman of international infrastructure group Balfour Beatty and e-commerce retail company THG plc, and serves as advisory chairman at global investment bank Moelis & Company.

He oversaw London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics and was board director on the organising committee. 

Allen was also chief adviser to the Home Office from 2006 to 2008, while in 2012 he was appointed by Ed Miliband to the position of chairman of the management board of the Labour Party. The following year he was made a Labour life peer, taking the title Baron Allen of Kensington.

He said: “I am honoured to be appointed to the role of chair of the British Horseracing Authority at this important time for the organisation. I look forward to building a strong relationship with the new CEO and the board and all our stakeholders, delivering the vision of building the commercial and reputational aspects of the sector.

“My love of horses stems from learning to ride as a youngster and enjoying the sport of horseracing over many years. My knowledge, skills and experience from various sectors, including media and entertainment, and having led many regulated and sporting organisations will hopefully stand me in good stead to bring a fresh perspective to this incredible sport.”

Allen is due to take over as BHA chair on June 1 next year and will work closely with Saumarez Smith in the months ahead to ensure a smooth transition.

Joe Saumarez Smith: will work closely with Lord Charles Allen to ensure a smooth transition

He is expected to be involved in the later stages of the recruitment process for the BHA's new chief executive, with Julie Harrington set to step down at the end of the year.

The BHA's senior independent director David Jones, who chairs the governing body's nominations committee, said it was delighted to have appointed a candidate of such "outstanding calibre".

Jones added: “His record speaks for itself and his impressive leadership skills, financial and commercial acumen, broadcast experience and understanding of government will bring a fresh and independent perspective to the BHA’s work.

"Combined with his wealth of experience in global sporting events, Lord Allen impressed the committee with his perceptive grasp of the challenges facing racing and will be a powerful advocate for the sport."

Racehorse Owners Association president Charlie Parker and Racecourse Association chair Wilf Walsh are also members of the nominations committee.

They said in a joint statement: "On behalf of the shareholders we undertook an exhaustive search for the new BHA chair. We are delighted to have secured Charles Allen. He brings experience of an exceptional business career as well as overseeing successful international sporting events. 

"Alongside his business acumen, his political experience will be a significant asset as the BHA engages with the new government on a range of pressing issues for the sport and the industry of horseracing including its funding."

Betting and Gaming Council chair Michael Dugher offered his congratulations to Allen. He said: "I knew and worked with Charles when he was involved in Labour a number of years ago. I think bringing an outsider into the sport and into the BHA is a smart move and hopefully it will be a breath of fresh air.

"This is a sport in desperate need of a helicopter view. There are too many in the sport who have been in denial of basic facts and all of us who have a profound love of the sport need to work to bring the sport together and reverse its current decline. There is no point in being in denial of the huge challenge the sport faces and there is no point thinking that there is some kind of quick fix.

"I am sure this is something Charles will grasp quickly and personally I hope he will work closely with betting on that shared agenda about how we better market the sport, grow the sport and fundamentally reform the sport so it is fit for purpose for the 21st century. In doing that he will need to bring his members with him and that is a Herculean task given how much vested interest there remains in the sport."

Read these next:

BHA poised to announce Labour peer Lord Charles Allen as its next chair 

From 'upstart caterer' to 'consummate' chairman, Lord Allen will need all his skills at the BHA   

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