British Horseracing Authority chair Lord Allen exits
Announcement comes following speculation last week, with no immediate replacement named by the governing body as yet
The British Horseracing Authority has announced that Lord Charles Allen has resigned as chair after less than seven months in the post.
Lord Allen was nominated as chair in November 2024, before taking up the post in September 2025.
He replaced the late Joe Saumarez Smith in the role, who had planned to eventually step down due to his battle with cancer.
Saumarez Smith departed the BHA in January 2025 and passed away a month later in February.
Last month, the Racing Post reported Lord Allen was poised to leave the BHA amid raceday data rights issues.
In a statement, the BHA said: “Lord Allen took the role after the member organisations of the BHA (Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and Licensed Personnel) unanimously agreed there should be a completely independent board and that the BHA should have a commercial remit.
“The members, who currently nominate representatives to the board, have not been able to reach agreement between themselves on changing the rules of the BHA to allow the achievement of those two goals, as a change to the Articles requires unanimous support. Accordingly, Lord Allen has resigned.”
The push for an independent board first emerged in June of last year.
Following the announcement of the resignation, The Jockey Club, Ascot, Goodwood, Newbury and York have called for an “urgent review of the Racecourse Association governance to support industry change”.
Lord Allen said: “Horseracing is an amazing sport with great potential and over the last year I have met some incredibly passionate people who love the sport and who believe to survive and prosper that change is needed.
“I also want to pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated BHA team. I wish the sport well for the future.”
David Jones, BHA senior independent director, added: “The board would like to thank Charles for the time and effort he has put into the role helping us to develop a vision that is aspirational and achievable, and we regret we were unable to put in place at this time the governance changes that would have enabled us to progress this.
“I have enjoyed working with him and wish him continued success.”
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.
Have Your Say
Take our short customer survey on EGR’s content and data offering for the chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. It will take less than three minutes, with the findings used to inform our plans to improve the platform.