Exclusive: Spotlight Sports Group adds ex-News UK MD as COO
Chris Duncan joins the Racing Post parent company’s C-suite ahead of 40th anniversary of paper’s launch next year
Spotlight Sports Group (SSG) has named former News UK exec and Bauer Media UK Publishing CEO Chris Duncan as the affiliate’s new COO, EGR can exclusively reveal.
With a 25-year background across media, content and digital, Duncan joins the Racing Post parent company’s senior team alongside CEO Mark Renshaw.
Duncan will play a key role as the business continues to “scale and invest in areas of long-term growth”, the business said.
He will oversee strategy, growth and external relationships, with Renshaw remaining focused on leadership and execution.
Renshaw himself stepped up from COO to become Spotlights Sports Group CEO in November 2022, replacing Alan Byrne.
Duncan most recently co-founded two consultancy businesses in the shape of Seedelta and Atlas Sports.
He previously served as CEO of the Bauer Media UK Publishing business where he managed 80 brands and 800 staff.
Bauer publishes major UK-facing media brands, including Heat and Closer, as well magazine titles such as Grazia and Empire.
The new Spotlight Sports Group COO spent more than 12 years with News UK across various roles.
He served as chief customer officer, as well as managing director of The Times and for platform partnerships.
Duncan has also sat on the boards of several entities, including supply chain giant Frontline.
His appointment comes as the Racing Post prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026.
On his new role, Duncan said: “I’m excited to join the team as they continue to drive an already impressive business forward. The combination of sport, media and technology was an irresistible one for me, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Renshaw added: “As we move into the next chapter for the business, it’s important that we continue to strengthen our leadership team.
“Chris brings significant experience from senior roles in media and will play an important role as we focus on execution and driving the next phase of profitable growth across the group.”
This year, Spotlight Sports Group came fifth in the EGR Power Affiliates ranking.
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.