Arena Racing Company (ARC) has named Brendan Parnell as the group’s new Managing Director of its Media and International units.
Parnell, the former Chief Executive of Racing Queensland from 2018-2022, will join the ARC executive leadership team in spring next year.
Having had three decades of leadership experience in broadcast media, sports betting, retail and international trade affairs, he will take charge of the company’s media rights strategy for domestic and international markets.
Joining ARC’s leadership ranks, Parnell stated: “I am delighted to take up this role at ARC, and look forward to getting underway in early 2023.”
“I have enjoyed a long career across media, wagering and international business, especially my time at Racing Queensland, but the opportunity to get involved in British horse and greyhound racing, on an international level, is hugely exciting.”
ARC underlined Parnell’s proven experience in negotiating media rights contracts as the Chief Operating Officer for Wagering at Tatts Group and as former Managing Director of International at Tabcorp.
ARC Chairman, David Thorpe, added: “Brendan brings with him a wealth of experience in both the racing and betting worlds in Australia. His senior leadership roles across both industries, as well in broadcast with Sky will be hugely valuable to ARC, and we look forward to welcoming him to the team.”
The position will see Parnell relocate to the UK, where he will be based from ARC’s Head Office in central London.