Entain director Simon Clare joins Levy Board as bookmaker representative

There will be a new face at the table of the Levy Board (HBLB) from this week with the news Entain's Simon Clare has joined the body having been appointed to represent bookmakers. He succeeds Mike O'Kane who has carried out that role since 2017.

Clare, who has been appointed to the position by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), is customer communications director for Entain's UK brands which include Ladbrokes and Coral. It represents a return of sorts to the organisation for Clare, who had a placement with the HBLB as part of what was then the Jockey Club's graduate scheme in the 1990s.

He said: “Mike O’Kane will be a hard act to follow, and I would like to thank him for the great contribution he has made in his time in the role. I have been fortunate to have enjoyed a long and varied career within the betting industry with Coral, now Entain, alongside a lifelong passion for horseracing and all major sports, so will hopefully be able to make a valuable contribution to the board."

The HBLB operates with seven board members, three appointed by the government, three by racing and one by the BGC.

BGC chief executive Grainne Hurst said of Clare: “He brings an unrivalled wealth of experience from his many years with Ladbrokes and Coral, where he has become respected as a vocal and passionate champion of the sport. I know his wisdom and knowledge will be crucial assets to the HBLB over the coming years. I would also like to pay tribute to Mike O’Kane who has been an excellent representative to the HBLB on behalf of BGC members."

The HBLB, which collects funding from bookmakers and distributes it to support horseracing in areas including prize-money, has been working with six board members following the sudden death of chair Paul Darling in August.

Anne Lambert has been named as interim chair until June.

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