Regulation head Andrew Howell becomes latest figure to leave BHA

Andrew Howell has left his role as head of regulation at the BHA, becoming the latest figure to leave the governing body in the last 12 months.

Howell, who joined the BHA in May 2016 as a compliance adviser before advancing to head of regulation in October 2018, joined golf's European Tour Group as head of integrity at the start of the year.

He will be replaced next month by Aja Hall, an experienced barrister with a background in the healthcare sector and a longstanding interest in horses.

A BHA spokesman said: "Andy Howell has left the BHA to take up an opportunity with golf’s European Tour. Andy is an avid golf fan so this represented a tremendous opportunity for him. He goes with the best wishes of everyone at the BHA and we would like to thank him for his exceptional work on behalf of the BHA and the sport."

The BHA has been dealing with a number of changes to personnel since the start of 2021, with head of racing Paul Johnson leaving to join the National Trainers Federation as chief executive, Will Lambe leaving his post as executive director and Martin Fewell moving on from his position of director of communications and corporate affairs.

Raj Parker also replaced Sir Paul Stephenson as independent non-executive regulatory director at the start of the year following the conclusion of Stephenson’s term on the BHA board.

The BHA has also yet to fill the role of head of integrity, with John Burgess taking on the position on an interim basis following the confirmation last September of the unexplained departure of Chris Watts after four years in the job.

It is understood that the BHA is awaiting the outcome of an internal review of the organisation and what impact it might have on the structure of the integrity department before seeking to appoint a full-time replacement.

Watts had led the BHA’s investigation into the allegations of bullying and harassment made by Bryony Frost against Robbie Dunne, appearing via Zoom to give evidence during the hearing. Dunne was suspended for 18 months by the disciplinary panel, but is due before the appeals board on March 30.

Last year, the BHA categorically denied claims in a national newspaper column that Watts had been on an "Oliver Reed-style bender" in Newmarket and that these actions had led to a delay in Dunne’s disciplinary proceedings and had contributed to Watts’ departure from the organisation.

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