Horserace Betting Levy Board

Roger Devlin has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as the Chair of HBLB for four years from 1 July 2025.

He commented:

“I am honoured to be invited to chair the Levy Board at a time of considerable challenge, but also opportunity, for racing. My focus will be consistent with the Levy’s key objectives – to promote investment and employment in racing; to enhance racehorse welfare wherever possible; to improve the reputation of the sport and thereby generate increased interest. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and the wider team, as well as racing and betting organisations, in pursuit of these goals.

“I am very mindful of building on Paul Darling’s considerable legacy to the Levy Board and would also like to thank Anne Lambert for her good work as Interim Chair.”

Government’s announcement can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/roger-devlin-appointed-as-chair-of-the-horserace-betting-levy-board

Notes

1. Roger Devlin is currently Chair of Persimmon, the FTSE housebuilder, as well as a Director of the Sutton Trust, the leading social mobility charity. Previous non-executive roles have included Senior Independent Director of the Football Association and Chair of Marstons. He also chaired Sunningdale and served on the board of the R&A. In an executive capacity Roger was a director of merchant bankers Hill Samuel (1978-1993) and Hilton International (1994-2008). In roles linked to horseracing he was Chair of William Hill until its sale to Caesars in 2022; Chair of Gamesys, the fast growing online gaming company; and Chair of SiS, the media rights business. Roger owns horses in training with Anthony Honeyball and William Muir. He was co-owner and bred Pyledriver, the winner of the King George and Coronation Cup.
2. Paul Darling OBE KC served as Chair of HBLB from 2020 until his untimely death in August 2024. Anne Lambert CMG, a Government Appointed Member of the Board since 2020, was appointed as Interim Chair in September 2024.

For further information please contact Alan Delmonte, HBLB Chief Executive, on 07931 701536