RELEASE: New industry-wide leads appointed on environmental sustainability and social impact

29 Jul 2024

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced the appointment of Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact.

Funded by the Racing Foundation and overseen by the Industry Programme Group, the new roles will support British horseracing’s long-term strategy by enhancing racing’s positive role in local communities and strengthening the sport’s response to environmental challenges. 

Katie Carr joins the BHA from the Goodwood Group, where she was responsible for planning and delivering the sustainability strategy across the 11,000-acre estate. She also held various commercial, partnership and community engagement roles within the Goodwood Group, having previously spent five years at The Jockey Club.

Building on the findings and recommendations from the sport’s environmental audit and current best practice, Katie will lead on developing an industry-wide approach to future-proofing racing and breeding against existing and emerging environmental challenges.

This includes how racing mitigates the risks presented by a changing climate, adapts operations in line with evolving legal responsibilities and public expectations, and harnesses existing expertise, particularly in managing the natural environment, to shape a positive future for our horses and people.

Head of Social Impact, Tom Baker, joins on a year-long secondment from The Jockey Club, where he has been responsible for developing the group’s community and social impact strategy. Prior to this he spent a decade working in Olympic and Paralympic sport, building partnerships with charities and sponsors to create programmes for positive change.

Tom will work with those already playing a leading role in this area, including Racing Together and Racing to School, to agree what British racing collectively wants and needs from its social and community activity and where the sport can have the most positive impact.

With a focus on racing’s role as a force for good, both in local communities and across wider society, the work will consider the moral, reputational and commercial benefits of a socially responsible approach, especially as the sport looks to attract the next generation of employees, investors and fans. Tom will join the cross-industry Racing Together sub-committee group and work alongside the Racing Charities Group.

The Environmental Sustainability and Social Impact projects have been funded by the Racing Foundation, with the latter being supported the Racing Post and Godolphin, on an initial one-year basis. They will be based in the BHA’s Strategy and Change directorate, and the work will be overseen by racing’s Industry Programme Group.

BHA Director of Strategy and Change, Alison Enticknap, said:

“I’m very pleased to welcome Katie and Tom to their new positions. Both bring subject-specific knowledge, understanding and expertise, alongside valuable experience of working in the racing industry – essential qualities for these cross-industry coordination roles.

“Environmental sustainability and social impact have been identified as priority areas for British racing as we continue to develop the industry’s long-term strategy. There are many people, organisations and charities doing a huge amount of good work in this space and, thanks to support from the Racing Foundation, we can work to establish what needs to be done at industry level to bolster and accelerate progress.”

Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation, Tansy Challis, said:

“Environmental sustainability and community engagement, and the way they are inextricably linked to the wider social impact agenda, are two of the Racing Foundation’s four key areas of focus alongside equine welfare and racing’s people. 

“We are delighted therefore to be funding two roles that will coordinate much of the great work taking place in these areas across the industry and drive progress as part of an aligned approach.

“It’s great to have two experienced and strategic individuals delivering this important work; we are looking forward to seeing the results of Tom and Katie’s efforts in the months to come.”

Katie Carr said:

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help shape British racing’s approach to addressing and adapting to the various environmental challenges we face.

“Racing and breeding have a direct relationship with the natural environment and I know how much activity is already underway in this space, as well as the extensive expertise that exists.

“I’m looking forward to working with stakeholders as we continue to make progress, building on the initiatives already in place and sharing best practice to help ensure the long-term sustainability of our sport.” 

Tom Baker said:

“From initiatives that open up development opportunities in our sport to underrepresented groups, to partnerships that help address loneliness in our communities, British racing and breeding already has a positive impact across the country. These are activities that have a direct benefit, but also help us attract the more purpose-driven recruits, participants and fans into the industry.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to work with individuals, organisations and volunteers to agree our social impact priorities and help drive positive change at an industry level, so that we can continue to showcase our sport as a force for good.”