Paul Darling returns to Levy Board as new chairman of racing's funding body

The government has turned to a familiar face to be the new chairman of the Levy Board, with Paul Darling returning to the organisation to succeed Paul Lee.

British racing's central funding body will also have a full complement of board members for the first time in nearly three years with Anne Lambert set to fill the government-appointed seat that has been vacant since Neil Goulden left the Levy Board in April 2017. Both appointments are for four-year terms.

Darling, 60, brings valuable experience to the role at a time when racing's finances are being rocked by the coronavirus outbreak, having been a board member of the Levy Board between 2008 and 2014.

A Queen’s Counsel specialising in commercial and construction law at 39 Essex Chambers, London, Darling was also a board member of the Tote between 2006 and 2008 and chairman of the Association of British Bookmakers from 2014 to 2019. In 2015 he was awarded an OBE for services to safety at sports grounds and horseracing.

Darling said: "I'm delighted to be returning to the racing world at a time when I hope I can do real good to help."

Lambert has worked for 30 years in government, focusing on public policy relating to the European Union and regulation. She is a board member of the Civil Aviation Authority and a governor of Portsmouth University.

Lee steps down having been chairman of the Levy Board since August 2009, during which time the organisation was due to be abolished by the government only for those plans to be reversed last year.

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