Members of Industry People Board Announced

3 May 2023

The Chair of British racing’s Industry People Board, Neil Hayward, has confirmed the appointment of eight Board members and a Programme Director to plan and deliver an industry wide people strategy.

Initiated and funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) and the Racing Foundation, the Industry People Board will lead the development of racing’s long-term plan for its workforce. The Board includes Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation Rob Hezel.

Of his appointment, Hezel said: “The Racing Foundation has had people as a key area of focus for many years which allows me to bring a true depth of insight to the Board.

“Not only do I have a detailed understanding of funding sources and mechanisms within racing, I have experienced successful delivery of HR, training and education programmes in other sectors.

“Prior to my appointment, the Racing Foundation had already committed a sum to instigating the Industry People Board thorough its Board of Trustees and I look forward to driving forward the work in the interest of racing’s people.”

Joining Hezel on the People Board are:

• Daniel Kübler, Racehorse Trainer, Kübler Racing 
• George McGrath, Chief Executive, National Association of Racing Staff 
• Neil Robertson, Chief Executive, National Skills Academy for Rail 
• Tom Scudamore, former professional Jump jockey 
• Helene Sharrock, Chief People Officer, The Jockey Club 
• Julia Tyson, former Chief HR Officer, Lloyds of London 
• Tallulah Wilson, Head of International Partnerships, UK Tote Group

Recruited through an open and competitive process, the makeup of the Board provides a strong balance of knowledge, experience and expertise from within and beyond the racing industry.

“I am delighted and enormously excited that we have been able to recruit Board members of such a high calibre and with great diversity of talent, skill and professional experience,” said People Board Chair Neil Hayward.

“The People Board has a critical role to play in planning and coordinating a bold, viable and sustainable plan to future-proof British racing’s workforce. Assembling a team of this quality is an important step in this process.

“Our aim was to attract a strong collective, with knowledge of and experience in the racing industry, together with deep understanding and expertise in key areas like human resources, diversity and inclusion, education and employment and strategic leadership.

“Above all, we wanted a group of people who were passionate about racing and seeing racing’s people flourish – and I believe we have achieved that in abundance.”

Board members will be supported in their work by full-time Programme Director, Lucy Attwood, who joins from Godolphin, where she was Head of Human Resources.

The Board will now work on an ambitious and deliverable people strategy, which will bring together new and existing projects under one coordinated approach, underpinned and informed by extensive stakeholder involvement and engagement.

The strategy will focus on the recruitment, retention, development and wellbeing of a high-performing, diverse and inclusive workforce – supporting and driving important initiatives to ensure racing is an attractive, fulfilling and enjoyable industry in which to work.

Industry People Board members

Neil Hayward (Chair). More than 25 years of experience, including in Board and Executive Team Leadership positions at High Speed Two Ltd, Post Office, BT, Ministry of Justice, Standard Chartered Bank, Gallaher Group, Serco Group and Booker, as well as in the NHS and Higher and Further Education.

Rob Hezel. Chief Executive of The Racing Foundation since 2015, with overall responsibility for setting and delivering the organisation’s strategy. Extensive business experience at Executive and Board level across racing, the private, public and third sectors, notably in the areas of education, skills, training and recruitment.

Daniel Kübler. A racehorse trainer with over 20 years’ industry experience. Together with wife, Claire, and a talented team they successfully combine horsemanship with an analytical, scientific evidence-based approach to training. Winners of the Lycetts Team Champions Award in 2020 and finalists in 2021 and 2022, they are recognised in the industry for their human resource practices.

George McGrath. Chief Executive of the National Association of Racing Staff (NARS) since 2012 representing racing staff in various industry forums and providing support, advice and guidance on employment matters. Started his career in racing as an Apprentice Jockey before holding senior positions in several racing yards.

Neil Robertson. An experienced senior leader in the public and private sectors, specialising in designing and implementing skills strategies, most recently in rail, energy and hospitality. Currently the Chief Executive of the National Skills Academy for Rail, providing expert skills and consultancy services in the transport and infrastructure sectors.

Tom Scudamore. Recently-retired Professional Jump Jockey with more than 1,500 winners – including multiple Grade 1 and Cheltenham Festival victories. Has held several ambassadorial roles within the industry and was a member of the Whip Steering Group.

Helene Sharrock. Chief People Officer at The Jockey Club since 2021, leading the people and culture team and delivering effective workforce strategies, including around talent acquisition and inclusion programmes. Previously spent 15-years in senior management roles within the media, sports entertainment and retail sectors.

Julia Tyson. Former Chief HR Officer at Lloyd’s of London. An experienced executive director, responsible for developing and delivering successful people, change and culture programmes across multiple sectors over a 40-year career. Now building a portfolio of non-executive director roles focused on skills and culture development, along with coaching and mentoring HR Directors.

Tallulah Wilson. Head of International Partnerships at UK Tote Group, responsible for building commercial relationships. Chair of Women In Racing until 2022, setting strategic direction and coordinating projects, including family support service, Racing Home. Also set up The Thoroughbred Club, a club for young people interested in participating and working in racing.

Programme Director

Lucy Attwood. Extensive career in HR and held senior management positions in pharmaceutical sales and research organisations, manufacturing and fintech and worked as a freelance consultant for SMEs. Has a degree in Psychology and a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and has worked in private practice as a therapist, executive coach and for Cambridge University Staff Counselling Service.