{"id":19,"date":"2026-07-24T12:03:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T12:03:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grosvenorcasinoss.xyz\/?p=19"},"modified":"2026-07-24T12:03:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T12:03:58","slug":"british-horseracing-authority-names-new-non-executive-chair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grosvenorcasinoss.xyz\/?p=19","title":{"rendered":"British Horseracing Authority names new non-executive chair"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Simon Cox, an experienced racehorse owner-breeder and former global drinks executive, has been named the new independent non-executive chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).\u00a0<\/p>\n

The body announced his appointment on Wednesday<\/a>, confirming that Cox would take up the role on 1 October 2026 for an initial three-year term.<\/p>\n

Experience<\/h3>\n

Cox brings over 15 years of experience in horse racing, having owned more than 10 broodmares at Shade Oak Stud.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His industry roles include trustee of the Thoroughbred Breeders\u2019 Association (TBA) since November 2021 and chair of the BHA\u2019s Jump Pattern Committee. He also participates in the High Quality Horse group, which aims to enhance the calibre and volume of horses bred, owned, trained and raced in Britain.<\/p>\n

Outside horse racing his professional background spans more than 30 years in the global beer and beverage sector, notably serving as European president and CEO of Molson Coors from 2014.\u00a0<\/p>\n

During his leadership, that company recorded a turnover of approximately \u00a32 billion and managed 6,500 employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The looming cost of a tax hike<\/h3>\n

Cox described his appointment as \u201can honour\u201d and underscored the strategic moment for British horse racing and breeding.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no secret that we face significant challenges and my focus will be on ensuring racing works together to address these, with a particular emphasis on growing participation in the sport, our customer base and critically our income streams,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One pressing concern for the BHA has been the UK government\u2019s raising of Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) tax from 21% to 40%<\/a> that came into action in April of this year. The BHA implemented strike action<\/a> last September against this tax hike.<\/p>\n

The organisation said that such a change in policy could cost the racing industry \u00a3330 million ($447 million) in the first five years after implementation. In addition, the BHA said up to 2,752 jobs could be lost in the first year alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tackle the sport\u2019s challenges<\/h3>\n

Kyrsten Halley, chair of the interim Nominations Committee responsible for the recruitment, praised Cox\u2019s \u201cin-depth knowledge and understanding of British racing and breeding\u201d along with his \u201cclear and compelling plan\u201d to tackle the sport\u2019s challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHis strong vision for how we make progress in key areas like the sport\u2019s governance, growth strategy, equine and human welfare and government relations left us in no doubt that he has the credentials to provide exceptional leadership at a critical time for our industry,\u201d she noted.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cox to resign from trustee position to remain impartial<\/h3>\n

David Jones, the BHA\u2019s interim chair, described Cox as \u201ca very well-established and deeply respected figure within our industry\u201d with \u201csteely determination and decisiveness\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Betting and Gaming Council also embraced Cox\u2019s appointment<\/a>, emphasising that \u201chis appointment provides an opportunity to build on the work already under way to strengthen the sport through strong leadership, a clear commercial focus and closer collaboration across the industry\u201d.<\/p>\n

The appointment followed a thorough and open recruitment process overseen by the interim Nominations Committee, which included independent members as well as nominees from the Racecourse Association, the Racehorse Owners Association and the Thoroughbred Breeders\u2019 Association (TBA).<\/p>\n

To maintain impartiality, Cox will resign from his trustee position at the TBA, and relinquish his roles as chair of the Jump Pattern Committee and member of the High Quality Horse group before formally joining the BHA board.<\/p>\n

BHA pushes back against FRAs<\/h2>\n

BHA has been at the forefront of the backlash against the Gambling Commission\u2019s Financial Risk Assessment (FRA) rollout<\/a> in recent months. The FRAs, according to the Gaming Commission, are designed for customers exhibiting problematic spending behaviours. Initially as part of the measure, players whose net deposits exceed \u00a35,000 within a rolling 24-hour period will be flagged and credit checks will be triggered.<\/p>\n

Following the announcement, BHA CEO Brant Dunshea described the FRAs<\/a> as \u201cself-harm on an immense scale\u201d. He warned of potentially severe financial consequences for British racing and the wider UK economy.<\/p>\n

He described the checks as \u201csevere\u201d and likely to impose \u201cunwarranted levels of intrusion\u201d on racing bettors.<\/p>\n

Dunshea expressed concern that, contrary to the Commission\u2019s stance that the checks would be frictionless, the pilot actually revealed practical difficulties. He believes the measure will instead drive customers to the illegal market.<\/p>\n

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\"Kathryn<\/div>\n

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Kathryn Evans<\/a><\/h3>\n

Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan \u2013 long before Hollywood came calling.<\/p>\n