Annamarie Phelps to step down as BHA chair at the end of May

Annamarie Phelps will leave her position on the BHA board at the end of May, with the outgoing chair revealing on Tuesday that the controversial tripartite decision-making committee which effectively governs racing will be reviewed as part of governance changes.

The BHA appears set to retain its role as both governing body and regulator despite radical plans unveiled last autumn to give racecourses and horsemen, the other constituents of the tripartite Members' Committee, a more dominant position. The BHA board, meanwhile, is set to expand its powers by leading the strategy for industry growth.

Joe Saumarez Smith, currently an independent non-executive director at the BHA, will take on the position of chair in June until the end of his term in September next year and described the agreement of a number of core governing principles as "potentially a defining moment for the industry".

Saumarez Smith's focus will likely be on levy reform – he chairs the steering group devoted to exploring the matter which was set up in 2020 – and the modernisation of the governing body.

Phelps said: "We are at a key stage of discussions around a new governance structure that will provide clarity on the BHA's role as governing body and regulator.

"I'm delighted I have been able to develop the following core principles with the BHA shareholders prior to my departure. Firstly, recognition the BHA board will maintain responsibility for regulation and governance matters with an additional responsibility for leading the strategy for industry growth on behalf of our shareholders.

"That it will retain the same level of independent representation as at present, in line with governance best practice. Alongside this, we have agreed the tripartite decision-making structure will be reviewed.

"There is much to do over the next three months to ensure these measures are fully and firmly in place for my successor before I step down, which I hope will provide a more appropriate, democratic and effective decision-making structure for the future."

Phelps, a former Olympic rower, was appointed as BHA chair in April 2019, arriving with a wealth of experience in the world of sports regulation. She had previously spent five years as chair of British Rowing until stepping down in 2018 and was also elected as vice-chair of the British Olympic Association the previous year.

Annamarie Phelps: 'This is a very important time for racing'Credit: Bryn Lennon (Getty Images)

Phelps, who earned a CBE for her services to rowing in 2016, was the fourth chair of the BHA since the governing body transitioned from the BHB. The position was previously filled by Paul Roy, Steve Harman and, on an interim basis, Atholl Duncan.

She said: "Following discussions with the board of the BHA I have decided not to extend my time as BHA chair beyond the end of the current term.

"This is a very important time for racing, with the recovery from the pandemic and the imminent publication of the Gambling Act Review white paper still very much on the sport's agenda. A significant review of the BHA is also under way, which will ensure the BHA is future-proofed, efficient and has sufficient resource to serve racing's needs.

"It has been a great privilege to lead the BHA during this challenging period for the sports sector, and to have recruited a fantastic CEO in Julie Harrington. I am immensely proud of what racing has achieved collectively in this time.

"I want to thank the amazing BHA team for navigating the pandemic and for keeping the show on the road behind the scenes, a role that is rarely acknowledged. It is a remarkable achievement that no fixtures were lost to Covid once British racing had become the first major sport to resume following the initial 2020 lockdown."

She continued: "We have also dealt successfully with some serious and complicated ethical and integrity matters that have set important precedents for the future, laid the foundations for greater diversity and inclusion across the sport, enhanced the industry's educational resources and safeguarding provisions and further increased our focus on the welfare of our horses and our people; all of which are essential to the sustainable health and prosperity of racing.

"I want to thank all those who have welcomed and supported me over the last three years, in particular those racecourses, trainers, owners, jockeys, stable staff and breeders who have shared their insight, aspirations and opinion, both here and overseas. I have loved the people, the racing and especially the horses."

Saumarez Smith, the chair of British racing's gambling strategy group, joined the BHA board in 2014 and is CEO of Sports Gaming Limited, a London-based management consultancy to the gaming industry, and chairman of Bede Gaming, a technology supplier to operators and lotteries.

Steve Harman: former BHA chair backed the appointment of Joe Saumarez SmithCredit: Edward Whitaker

Harman, who was BHA chair from July 2013 to November 2018, backed the appointment. He said: "Joe joined the BHA board and was one of the best directors hired. He is well respected in many circles, balanced, practical and a real doer. He is very easy to work with and the ideal leader to get the next stage of the levy [reforms] back on track and to build key external relationships.

"It is a pivotal appointment at this difficult time, when investors in the sport have choices to go elsewhere."

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