Former Ladbrokes Coral boss Jim Mullen joins Racecourse Media Group board

Leading gambling industry figures Jim Mullen and Britt Boeskov have joined the board of Racecourse Media Group (RMG) as the organisation looks to adapt to the changing betting industry environment.

RMG is the umbrella organisation for the 34 British racecourses, including those under the Jockey Club banner and independents such as Goodwood and York, which hold an interest in Racing TV. RMG said the new independent directors would help the company better understand the challenges facing the gambling industry and provide strategic advice.

Mullen was most recently chief executive of Ladbrokes Coral before their takeover by GVC Holdings, while his previous roles included senior positions at William Hill and News International.

He said: "The job allows me to indulge my passion as well as offering my experience so it was a perfect fit for us both.

"Hopefully I can give some good counsel which will help the executive team there."

Boeskov is chief experience officer for leading European operator Kindred Group – the parent company of Unibet and 32Red among others – and has been at the company since 2005 having previously been chief operating officer.

Britt Boeskov of the Kindred Group is joining the board of Racecourse Media Group

She said: "I'm an independent voice and the reason I have been asked to join is that I have experience in the online gambling industry.

"I think there has been a wish to get closer to the customer – what they enjoy, what they find engaging and how that can help RMG to make an even better product and grow and support British racing, which is of course the end goal."

The organisation has also appointed Antonia Wright to the board as company secretary and to the executive team as legal director. She is currently head of commercial legal affairs at The Stars Group.

RMG generated more than £100 million in media rights income in 2018 for its shareholder racecourses, with the final figure set to be announced this month.

However, that income is under pressure from the expected reduction in betting shop numbers caused by the government's crackdown on FOBTs.

RMG’s betting shop service, Racecourse Retail Betting, is the vehicle which represents 37 racecourses' content in the betting office market.

Chairman Roger Lewis said the appointments would enhance RMG's desire to work closer with the gambling industry.

He added: "The RMG ambition is to add as much value as we can to our shareholder racecourses, working alongside our betting and gaming partners, and these appointments are a clear signal of our intent to do so."

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