Senior executives to leave as Rust restructures team

Two senior figures are set to depart the BHA following a shake-up of his executive team by CEO Nick Rust.

Director of people and development Carole Goldsmith and Gavin Jefferies, the director of communications, are leaving the BHA later this year and their roles will not be replaced.

Corporate affairs director Will Lambe, who played a key role in the sport's efforts to bring about reform of the levy system, has been promoted to the new position of executive director.

The search for a candidate to fill a second new role of communications and corporate affairs director has begun.

Rust said the restructure had been carried out to meet the organisation's strategic objectives, save costs and also reduce the number of direct reports he receives, "which allows me to be more focused in supporting and leading my team to help make sure the BHA delivers".

In discussions for some time

He continued: "I've been in discussions with Carole and Gavin for some time about some thoughts they had and I had with regard to the shape of the executive team and our responsibilities.

"One of the factors in mind when looking at communications and corporate affairs was that now the levy is out of the way I wanted to consider joining up the two functions under one leader."

Rust said Goldsmith had expressed concerns about the "onerous requirements" of responsibility for both BHA human resources and the staffing issues in the wider industry.

Will Lambe: has been promoted to executive director in the BHA shake-up

He said: "She talked to me about the ability of anyone, frankly, to maintain focus across both at the levels she was doing. I factored that into my thinking about what I wanted to do next with my team.

"With Gavin I talked with him a couple of months ago around what I was thinking with regards to communications and corporate affairs, and he decided he did not want to throw his hat into the ring."

Goldsmith will remain in place for the next three months before beginning to hand over her responsibilities, while Jefferies will leave the BHA in September.

'They leave with my best wishes'

Rust said: "They leave with my best wishes. We'll miss them and I'm pleased that in reaching agreement in how to proceed both of them will be here for at least three months."

Responsibility for BHA HR matters will move to chief operating officer Richard Wayman, while Lambe will lead on the effort to improve industry people matters.

Lambe's new role also includes strategy, stakeholder liaison and betting and funding issues.

Rust said: "It's a promotion for Will, a recognition for him, and I think he'll now have the confidence to go on and lead on a number of key areas for us.

"His thinking and strategic planning will help continue the work Carole has started."