BHA may install interim replacement for Steve Harman

The BHA may appoint an interim chair when Steve Harman steps down from the role in November as the search for a full-time successor has been delayed while the sport discusses what the remit of the position should be.

It was announced in May that Harman would be leaving the BHA several months early following a crisis stemming from accusations he had a conflict of interest over his contact with Alex Frost, the chief executive of the Alizeti consortium that is investing in the Tote, at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The BHA board discussed whether Harman had brought the body into disrepute but that was "set aside" by the governing body, whose independent review also found there had been no conflict of interest. However, Harman apologised for "inaccuracies" in his initial explanations about the meetings to the board.

At the time the BHA said the formal process of finding a new chair of the board would start shortly. It is understood head-hunters have been appointed.

However, it now appears likely there will be an interim period before a new full-time chair is appointed, during which the BHA may put in place an interim replacement for Harman, possibly from within its own ranks.

A BHA spokesman said: "The BHA is liaising with its shareholders to ensure there is broad agreement on the criteria we will apply in the selection of any future chair and the remit of the role, prior to the recruitment process beginning in earnest."

Steve Harman to step down as BHA chairman to take new role

The remit of the chairman is in question following the Harman affair, with Horsemen's Group chairman Philip Freedman having called for a fundamental review of the BHA and suggesting that its regulatory and governance roles be separated.

Some of the shareholders of the BHA – comprising the Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders Association and licensed personnel – were also said to be unhappy about the BHA's handling of the issue.

The BHA itself has also carried out its own governance review and its shareholders met a week last Wednesday to discuss that review and what the role of the BHA should be.

It is felt that it is impossible to appoint a full-time chair of the BHA if it is not clear what the role should entail.

A statement from the shareholders said: "Shareholders are liaising with the BHA with regard to the remit of the new chair and will be initiating the search for a new chair later in the year."

Harman is set to continue to work on racing's behalf with Westminster, developing the levy to counter the threat to racing's finances caused by the government's decision to cut FOBT stakes to £2.

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