Tim Husbands appointed new Leopardstown chief executive

Tim Husbands, who has held many major positions in the leisure and tourism industry in Northern Ireland over the last 25 years, has been appointed by Horse Racing Ireland as chief executive of Leopardstown racecourse and will take up the role in January.

Husbands, who succeeds Pat Keogh after he became chief executive at the Curragh this year, was managing director of Belfast’s Waterfront Hall and the Ulster Hall, Head of City Events and Venues for Belfast City Council and, most recently, chief executive of Titanic Belfast.

He said: “I’m delighted to accept the role as CEO of Leopardstown and am really looking forward to working with the team there. It is a racecourse that showcases the best of Irish racing and is also a popular sports and leisure venue in a vibrant European capital city.

"The redevelopment of the site, which will be completed next year, will significantly improve Leopardstown as a racing facility and Pat Keogh deserves great credit for the job he has done there.

“I am also looking forward to connecting with those individuals and businesses which already support Leopardstown throughout the year, meeting prospective new partners and making a positive contribution to the Irish racing industry.”

Brian Kavanagh: 'As CEO, he will bring an extremely high level of experience in event management and tourism to Leopardstown'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of HRI, said: "We are delighted to welcome Tim Husbands to Leopardstown. As CEO, he will bring an extremely high level of experience in event management and tourism to Leopardstown, and is a strong addition to the very innovative team at Leopardstown.

“Not surprisingly, when the role became vacant, it attracted a strong level of applicant both from inside and outside the horseracing industry, and we sincerely thank all of those who took part in the process.

“We look forward to an exciting future for Leopardstown, which is completing a significant redevelopment that will further improve the facilities for both racegoers and professionals alike.”

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