British horseracing unveils new Diversity in Racing Advisory Group
Body to be chaired by Scottish Racing Academy CEO, with members to feed into diversity and inclusion best practices for industry stakeholders
The British horseracing industry has launched a new Diversity in Racing Advisory Group to better support inclusion in the sport.
The launch, which coincides with International Women’s Day, will see the new advisory group replace the existing Diversity in Racing Steering Group.
The Diversity in Racing Advisory Group will report into the Horseracing Industry People Board and its members will provide “valuable input around areas relating to equality, diversity and inclusion”.
The advisory panel will also support the British Horseracing Authority and other stakeholders with planning and delivering diversity initiatives to encourage wider participation in the sport.
The group has already launched a recruitment toolkit to help employers across the industry embed inclusive practices into their hiring processes.
The Diversity in Racing Advisory Group will be chaired by Scottish Racing Academy CEO Dr Eleanor Boden, who will be supported by a further seven members.
Those members include The British Racing School’s HR director Carol Bramhill, founder of The Third Culture Emily Foster and UK Tote Group comms director Susannah Gill.
The group is completed with the additions of Great British Racing’s Dr David Letts, Brand Dynamics’ Gareth Wesley, Grace Carter and All-in Diversity’s Christina Thakor-Rankin.
Boden said: “I am honoured to lead the Diversity in Racing Advisory Group and work alongside a dedicated team committed to driving positive change in our industry.
“The toolkit we have developed provides practical guidance for employers, encouraging them to adopt inclusive recruitment practices and contribute to a more diverse and vibrant racing community.”
Julie Harrington, British Horseracing Authority CEO, added: “Racing is everyone’s sport, and it’s important that we build on progress to ensure our industry is an attractive prospect for people from all backgrounds and that everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive.
“The formation of a revised advisory group is another step on this journey, with the group incorporated into racing’s new governance structure and therefore able to play a more effective role in providing strategic direction, expert guidance and support to decision makers and organisations across British racing.”