BHA outlines requirements for new CEO as search begins for “next-generation leader”
Julie Harrington will leave her post at the end of 2024 after four years at the helm, with racing’s governing body tapping specialist recruitment firm MBS for support
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has begun the search for a new CEO ahead of Julie Harrington’s departure at the end of the year, with the governing body on the hunt for a “next-generation leader”.
A listing for the vacancy is now live on its website, with the job description revealing that the BHA’s preferred candidate will be able to implement a long-term strategy for the group.
As a result of the changes seen during Harrington’s tenure, the BHA described itself as a key figure when it comes to the commercial success of the sport, as well as being a regulator.
The new CEO will also be required to lead on participant welfare, diversity and inclusion, improving operational capacity and maintaining a “healthy” relationship with betting companies.
The job spec reads: “The BHA therefore now has a significant opportunity to bring in a chief executive who understands deeply what it is to lead and implement long-term, sustainable, transformation inside an organisation – how to make it happen, how to embed it, the role of culture and perhaps, most importantly, how to pace it.
“The appointee will therefore be a proven senior leader, with experience in leading complex stakeholder environments, with the ability to influence external stakeholders, such as government, while representing the BHA in the consumer facing environment.”
The organisation is expected to review all candidates that submit applications between now and 11 September, while the successful applicant will be based out of the BHA’s London offices.
The MBS Group, an executive search firm based in London, will act as advisers to the BHA over the course of the appointment process.
The end of the year will see Harrington’s reign come to an end, nearly four years after it began in January 2021.
Her appointment was announced in October 2020 after her predecessor Nick Rust announced his decision to leave nine months earlier.
A former British Cycling and Football Association exec, Harrington conceded that the end of 2024 marked the “right time to move on” and allow someone else to help spearhead the sport’s next chapter.
She is not the only notable departure expected within the next 12 months, as the BHA will also bid farewell to chair Joe Saumarez Smith in May 2025. The recruitment process for his replacement got underway this May.
Saumarez Smith confirmed in June 2023 he would remain in his role of BHA chair despite his cancer diagnosis.
Reflecting on her tenure in June, Harrington declared: “I am proud of the progress the industry has made over the past three years, especially in improving the governance structure, and I hope that racing’s stakeholders will continue to work together cooperatively to attract new audiences, further improve the customer experience and grow the sport.”
Whoever does succeed Harrington will be greeted with a horseracing industry that is facing its fair share of difficulties.
Last month, Flutter Entertainment UK and Ireland CEO Ian Brown expressed his concerns over the state of British horseracing, urging those within the sport to embrace significant changes or risk further decline.
Amid the bleak assessment, Brown did single out the BHA for praise and backed Harrington’s claim that horseracing needs to “try new things”.
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.