Horserace Betting Levy Board

Following the organisational review of the Horserace Betting Levy Board, two new director-level appointments have been made.

Rob Skeggs has been appointed Finance Director. A chartered accountant with 15 years’ post-qualification experience, Rob is currently working as Director of Finance & Property Services for the Southdown Housing Association and was previously with the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Edinburgh. Before that, he was Group Financial Controller of the Tote and General Manager of Tote Direct. Rob is married to Claire Sheppard, Chief Executive of Plumpton Racecourse.

The Finance Director will manage all the Levy Board’s funds, develop financial strategy and plans, and organise and direct all financial operations.

Alan Delmonte has been appointed Operations Director. Alan is currently Executive Director of Racing Enterprises Limited. Before that, he worked at the British Horseracing Authority as Director of Communications and Promotion and at the former British Horseracing Board as Public Affairs Director and Company Secretary.

The Operations Director will lead in making recommendations to the Board for the annual £100 million distribution of Levy Board funding, the allocation of £50 million of loans to racecourses for important capital projects and the allocation of £2 million equine veterinary grants.

Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive of the Horserace Betting Levy Board, said, “We are very fortunate to have appointed Rob Skeggs and Alan Delmonte, two very high grade individuals, both of whom have a wide and interesting experience of racing and betting.”

Both Rob Skeggs and Alan Delmonte will take on their new roles in July 2009.