Headhunters appointed as BHA steps up process of finding Nick Rust's successor

The hunt for Nick Rust's successor as chief executive of the BHA has stepped up a gear with the role being advertised for the first time and headhunters appointed to help lead the search.

The advert appeared just days before it emerged leading trainers Ralph Beckett and Mark Johnston had called on Rust to step down with immediate effect.

It was announced in January that Rust was set to leave his position at the governing body at the end of 2020, but the vacancy only appeared on the careers page of the BHA's website at the end of last week, with SRI named as the "exclusive search partner".

The BHA said it hoped to have the successful candidate in place by the end of the year, but acknowledged current circumstances might make that more difficult.

A BHA spokesman said: "The process of recruiting a chief executive for such a high-profile position is a challenging one, especially in this environment and during a global crisis. Nick’s decision to announce his plans in January allows that process to be carried out while ensuring that the BHA can continue to operate business as usual with its full leadership structure in place.

"Timing will depend on a variety of factors, not least notice period or current commitments of any successful candidate, but it remains the case that we hope to have Nick’s replacement in place by the end of the year at the latest."

A 12-page candidate brief accompanies the advert that informs potential applicants that racing faces "a number of potentially existential threats".

It adds: "Of most obvious concern presently is the sport’s response and reaction to the Covid-19 crisis and the huge collateral impact of the current shutdown. The issue of equine welfare is another primary concern, allied most overtly to racing fatalities and growing opposition to the use of the whip."

Carrying out the Horse Welfare Board's strategy that was published in February and articulating it to the sport, government and general public will be "vital", the brief continues.

It also lists other areas where the new chief executive must lead, including participant welfare, diversity and inclusion, stakeholder consultation and maintaining a "healthy relationship" with betting operators.

The brief explicitly states the position has "no direct commercial activity or responsibility" but adds that the role "does however require a good understanding of the commercial and economic context within the sport and its stakeholder groups".

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