The Chair of the Horseracing Industry People Board (HIPB) has vacated his position after two years of steering the sport’s workforce and employment strategy.
Neil Hayward’s departure was confirmed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), with Julia Tyson announced as his replacement in an interim position. Hayward first took up the role in October 2022, tasked with overseeing racing’s workforce strategy.
Following his departure, the BHA has committed to support a coordinated and sustainable approach to recruitment, retention, development and wellbeing across the industry. This strategy is already ‘well advanced’, the BHA asserts, with completion planned before the end of 2024.
Commenting on his departure, Hayward remarked: “It has been a privilege to Chair the HIPB and I am proud of the progress we have made towards developing an evidence-led plan for British racing’s workforce.
“There is very rarely an ideal time to leave any position, but I know that when finalised, the implementation of the strategy will require extensive industry engagement and a time commitment that I am at present unable to fulfil.
“For the strategy to succeed, this feels like the appropriate time to step aside and let someone else lead this important work.”
Summarising the BHA’s workforce strategy, Hayward explained that the authority’s aim was to blend talent, knowledge and expertise, both from within the sport and from other fields.
With Tyson acting as interim chair with immediate effect, Hayward will continue to provide counsel to the HIPB and support the leadership transition until the end of his contract in October 2024.
Hayward is the latest senior level person to vacate the BHA after Chief Executive Julie Harrington’s departure was announced in June. Both Harrington and Hayward’s tenures coincide with the Gambling Act review and its significant consequences for UK racing – starting their roles in 2020 and 2022 respectively, with the review concluding in April 2023.
“On behalf of British racing I would like to thank Neil for his contribution and commitment over the past two years, as we have looked to take a much more coordinated approach to ensuring ours continues to be an appealing and enjoyable industry in which to work,” remarked Harrington, who will depart her own role later this year.
“This requires an ambitious and deliverable long-term plan, and under Neil’s leadership a considerable amount of work has already been undertaken in a relatively short space of time to produce a central strategy that can help future-proof our workforce and working practices.
“I look forward to working with Julia and the HIPB team as we continue to address some of the key staffing challenges, support the tens of thousands of people working in our sport and promote the myriad benefits of pursuing a career in racing.”
