Key points:
- Lord Allen will start the position in June
- He worked on London’s 2012 Olympics bid, and has experience in a range of industries
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has appointed Lord Allen of Kensington as the new Chair of the authority, a position he will assume on 1 June 2025.
Lord Allen brings experience within a variety of sectors including financial and commercial, government, broadcast, international companies and global sports events.
This has included overseeing London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics where he was also the Board Director on the organising committee. Also, within sport, he is currently Chairman and Trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation and was previously Chairman of the Manchester Commonwealth Games between 2000 - 2003.
His roles within the UK Government have seen him work as a Chief Advisor to the Home Office and with Ed Miliband's Labour Party as Chairman of the Management Board.
On top of this, Lord Allen has worked with the likes of Granada TV, EMI, Virgin Media and Endemol within the broadcasting and media industry, an industry where he is also currently Chairman of Global Media and Entertainment Limited.
Good to know: The BHA announced in June that Julie Harrington will be stepping down as Chief Executive by the end of 2024
His other work has seen the soon-to-be BHA Chair serve as Advisory Chairman to Moelis & Company, Chairman of Balfour Beatty PLC and Chairman of e-commerce retailer THG.
Up until taking on the position fully in June, Lord Allen will work alongside the current Chair Joe Saumarez Smith to ensure a smooth transition.
Lord Allen himself said: “I am honoured to be appointed to the role of Chair of the British Horseracing Authority at this important time for the organisation.
“I look forward to building a strong relationship with the new CEO and the Board and all our stakeholders, delivering the vision of building the commercial and reputational aspects of the sector.
“My love of horses stems from learning to ride as a youngster and enjoying the sport of horseracing over many years.
“My knowledge, skills and experience from various sectors, including media and entertainment, and having led many regulated and sporting organisations will hopefully stand me in good stead to bring a fresh perspective to this incredible sport.”
Chair of the BHA Nominations Committee and the BHA’s Senior Independent Director David Jones added: “Lord Allen is a very experienced Chairman, and I am delighted that we have appointed a candidate of such outstanding calibre.
“His record speaks for itself and his impressive leadership skills, financial and commercial acumen, broadcast experience and an understanding of Government will bring a fresh and independent perspective to the BHA’s work.
“Combined with his wealth of experience in global sporting events, Lord Allen impressed the committee with his perceptive grasp of the challenges facing racing and will be a powerful advocate for the sport.”
In other news from the authority, last week, the BHA unveiled new online safeguarding and human welfare education for licence holders, which replaces and builds on the existing training.
