Jockey Club Racecourses chief executive Paul Fisher to leave post next month

Paul Fisher, chief executive of Jockey Club Racecourses (JCR), is leaving next month after 19 years with the racing group.

Just as the BHA revealed chief executive Nick Rust is leaving at the end of the year, JCR announced Fisher's departure.

Fisher said: "After 19 fantastic years at the Jockey Club, and more than ten of those running Jockey Club Racecourses, I’ve decided it’s time for a fresh challenge.

"I'm proud of the commercial growth, record prize-money contributions and significant improvements to our facilities and the overall customer experience we've been able to deliver."

Fisher joined JCR, when it was known as Racecourse Holdings Trust, at the start of 2001 as finance director of its three London racecourses, Epsom, Kempton and Sandown.

He was promoted to managing director at Kempton in 2005 and became JCR’s chief operating officer in 2008. He was made managing director in 2013 before becoming chief executive in 2017.

In these later roles, Fisher has been involved in racing's signature events of the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National and the Derby.

Fisher added: "I’ve really enjoyed introducing a range of innovations and launching successful ventures, such as Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Services, Jockey Club Live and Rewards4Racing, as well as our Racecourse Bond that attracted £25 million of investment from racing fans and enabled us to successfully redevelop Cheltenham.

"But most of all I'm proud of how we've developed so many talented people, including through the management academy I introduced."

Sandy Dudgeon, the Jockey Club's senior steward, said: "I would like to thank Paul for the huge contribution he has made to the Jockey Club and to the evolution of British racing over a sustained period."

Delia Bushell, Group chief executive, added: "Paul has led an outstanding period of commercial growth and raised the bar on our quality of service."

Need help with any aspect of racingpost.com? Click here