British Horseracing Authority appoints British Cycling chief as new CEO
Former Northern Racing exec and Uttoxeter Racecourse MD Julie Harrington will assume role in early 2021
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has appointed British Cycling head Julie Harrington as its new chief executive.
Harrington, who is an ex-BHA board member, will take up the role on 4 January 2021 after nearly four years at the helm of British Cycling.
The former Football Association operations director was also a senior executive for Northern Racing for eight years, as well as spending time as the MD of Uttoxeter Racecourse.
Harrington was appointed by the NHA Nominations Committee, which comprises of BHA chair Annamarie Phelps, BHA senior independent director Andrew Merriam, Racecourse Association representative Maggie Carver and Horsemen’s Group representative Nicholas Cooper.
Incumbent chief executive Nick Rust, who announced his decision in January 2020 to step down after six years in the hot seat, will remain in the post until Harrington completes her notice period with British Cycling.
Commenting on her arrival at the racing’s governing body, Harrington said she was “proud” to be taking on the role.
Harrington said: “I’m so excited to be coming home to racing and playing my part helping this great sport to achieve a prosperity from which everyone benefits. I know how important collaboration across racing has been over the past few months and I look forward to working with colleagues from all parts of the sport.
“I am proud to take on this leadership role in such a well-regulated sport, which enriches the lives of horses and people, and has a special place at the centre of national life and our rural communities,” she added.
Phelps said Harrington was “the right person for the right job at the right time”.
Phelps added: “I am delighted that Julie is coming back to the BHA and to racing and the board and I are looking forward to working closely with her. This is a vital leadership role for the organisation and British racing.”