RCA appoints former Wasps rugby chief David Armstrong as new CEO

David Armstrong has been named as the new chief executive of the Racecourse Association (RCA) and will take up the position in March.

Armstrong, 54, succeeds Stephen Atkin, who stepped down after 18 years at the helm of British racecourses' trade body last October.

He said: "I am delighted and honoured to be joining the RCA at such an important time in the evolution of the sport. I hope I can bring my varied experiences from across the sporting landscape to bear in developing our racecourses and the sport in general."

As group chief executive, Armstrong played an integral role in helping Premiership Rugby club Wasps relocate to Coventry's Ricoh Arena by overseeing a retail bonds scheme which raised £35 million to pay off debts owed to Coventry City Council.

Armstrong, who has owned horses with William Muir, has served as a non-executive director at Wasps since stepping down as CEO in June 2017. He has also held senior roles at catering giant Compass Group and PepsiCo, as well as being chairman of Pentathlon GB, the governing body for modern pentathlon in the Britain.

RCA chairman Maggie Carver added: "David brings extensive and valuable experience across the sports and leisure industries as well as a background in finance.

"I am confident David will be a vital asset in the future development of racecourses as well as the sport as a whole. The full RCA team is looking forward to welcoming him and to working together."

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