'I've loved every second' - William Woodhams to step down as chief executive of bookmaker Fitzdares

William Woodhams is to step down as chief executive of boutique bookmaker Fitzdares on Friday after seven years, saying he had "loved every second" of his time at the firm.

Woodhams joined the business, which has a strong focus on horseracing, in 2018 having worked for French Connection and French luxury brand group LVMH.

He said on Monday: "Seven years in racing is like dog years, it's the equivalent of 70 years in a normal job, and I think I have been through probably one of the most tumultuous periods of bookmaking, specifically in reference to horseracing.

"It has been fantastic and fun and I am very pleased we passed our Gambling Commission assessment and all of that but it is bloody hard work and I think it is time to let someone else have a go."

Woodhams said he believed the relationship between racing and betting had turned a corner during his time at Fitzdares.

He added: "Racing would engage with bookmakers with their fingers clamped firmly on their nose and I think they've realised in a nice way where their bread is buttered.

"I think the Racing Post has been brilliant in engaging around the affordability issues but racing as an organisation was too slow to and that's probably due to there being 4,000 committees running racing where there should be two.

"I think racing has woken up and smelled the coffee but it has been a bit slow to engage and I think the fact we are short of leadership at BHA and the Jockey Club at the moment is a sign there is still lots more to be done."

Dylan Johnnston riding Vincenzo clear the first fence down the back straight during the return of jump racing to the course after a near twenty year absence at WindsorCredit: Alan Crowhurst

As for the future, Woodhams said he would sit on the board of marketing agency Marble and had some things "on the back burner".

He added: "I've loved every second of it. I have dealt with football and cricket and all these different sports and casinos and there is no warmer group of people in the world than in racing."

Fitzdares' chair Balthazar Fabricius, who founded the bookmaker in 2006 with the support of high-profile backers such as Ben and Zac Goldsmith and was chief executive until Woodhams' arrival, is to take on those duties again.

He said: "William has been a great chief executive and an absolute pleasure to work with. The industry and racing has been lucky to have him."

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