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Conor Grant, the incoming chairman of Racecourse Media Group (RMG), has been elected. This umbrella organization represents 35 British racecourse shareholders as well as parent company Racing TV.
Grant will join the company as a non-executive director on April 1, 2023, and then he will succeed Roger Lewis on October 1, 2023.
Grant is a passionate racehorse owner and brings with him 24 years of experience in both the UK gambling sector and Ireland, which includes 14 years in senior executive positions. Most recently, he was CEO of Flutter UK & Ireland. This includes brands Sky Bet and Paddy Power tombola, and was previously Chief Operating Officer at Sky Betting & Gaming.
RMG’s racecourse shareholders received PS110m in 2021. This figure will be significantly higher for data and media revenues in 2022. RMG’s racecourse shareholders own 100% of the company and pay 100% of their operating profits back to the racecourses. This, in turn benefits the sport. RMG’s businesses have become the largest single sponsor of British horseracing through this collaborative and collective approach.
Grant stated that he was thrilled to join Racecourse Media Group during such an exciting time in the racing industry and for the business. RMG has produced outstanding results for shareholders in recent years. I want to give a special thanks to Roger and CEO Martin Stevenson for their incredible work in developing and growing the business. I look forward working with the RMG Team and continuing to deliver for all our racecourses.”
Nevin Truesdale is the CEO of The Jockey Club, and a Non-Executive Director of the RMG Board. He said that he was delighted to welcome Conor as a member of the RMG Board. “I look forward to working with Conor as we develop the business to benefit its shareholders racecourses,” he added. Conor has a wealth of industry experience that he brings to the table. This will help us shape our strategies and address our current challenges.
Adam Waterworth, MD Events at the Goodwood Estate, and Non-Executive director on the RMG Board said that Conor brings a wealth experience to the position, especially from his senior roles at Sky Betting & Gaming and then Flutter. He is well-positioned to lead RMG and build and strengthen industry relationships.
Roger Lewis, the outgoing Chairman, joined RMG Board in 2012. He was elected Non-Executive Independent Chair on January 1, 2019. RMG’s licence fees and dividend payments have increased from PS45m up to more than PS110m during his tenure on the Board. Although he was scheduled to retire in 2022, the Board asked him to extend his term to assist with the transition. Andy Anson, an independent non-executive director, will also be retiring in April after completing his entire tenure on the RMG Board. He joined it in 2017.
Lewis stated that Conor was the next Chair of RMG. This is a great tribute to RMG’s team. We all welcome Conor’s appointment. Conor will be a great leader for RMG in the future. Andy Anson has been an important friend and colleague to us all over the past six year, and has ably chaired our Audit committee with great skill.
“RMG is in excellent shape. We are set to announce record numbers for the last year, and I want to congratulate RMG’s executive team for consistently delivering the highest returns for horseracing and our racecourses.”
Truesdale said: “I would like Roger Lewis to be honoured for his very efficient and successful stewardship at RMG. This business is fundamentally important to the financial performance and the sport of horseracing.” Roger Lewis deserves our appreciation, on behalf of all at Jockey Club.
