Former Jockey Club and Ladbrokes execs launch new consultancy service
Simon Bazalgette, Paul Fisher, Sarah Hordern and Nick Rust unveil GVS EQ in pivot to provide expert advice to equestrian and gaming industries
A collection of gambling and horseracing industry experts have launched a new consultancy service to support the development of the equestrian and gaming sectors.
GVS EQ, an offshoot of advisory business GVS, has been launched by former Jockey Club CEO Simon Bazalgette and ex-Jockey Club MD Paul Fisher alongside several other stalwarts.
Former British Horseracing Authority (BHA) CEO Nick Rust and former joint CEO of Newbury Racecourse Sarah Hordern as also founding members of the new venture.
The quartet are joined by Will Lambe, a former director at the BHA from 2003 until 2021, ex-Shadwell stud director Richard Lancaster and former BHA director of equine health David Sykes.
GVS was originally launched in 2020 and has since worked alongside the likes of PwC, KPMG and the organisers of the Saudi Cup.
GVS EQ will provide specialist consulting services for both the equestrian and gaming sectors via its partners, with an extensive portfolio of individual and corporate associates joining the founding members.
Speaking on the launch of the new venture, Bazalgette said the chance to formalise previous working relationships into a new project was too good an opportunity to turn down.
He said: “Since the launch of GVS we have developed a terrific network of highly expert and skilled consultants, all with distinguished careers in the equestrian and gaming sectors.
“Paul Fisher and I developed strong relationships with a wide range of great people from around the world during our time running the Jockey Club tighter. Having worked with a number of them on some major international projects, we felt there was a real opportunity to formalise the relationship and open up our services,” he added.
Former Ladbrokes retail MD Rust commented: “I’m excited to be part of GVS EQ following a period of working with GVS on a couple of international governance and regulation strategy projects.
“Together we have seen the opportunity to bring together a range of top class leaders and experts to provide strategic advice to the global equestrian and gaming sector.”