• The Racecourse Association has appointed Sir Philip Davies as a Member Nominated Director on the BHA Board.
• Sir Philip replaces Wilf Walsh, who concludes a five-year term representing the interests of racecourses.
• The new appointee brings extensive parliamentary experience and current leadership roles within the betting and racing industries.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced a change to its Board with the appointment of Sir Philip Davies, who joins as the Racecourse Association’s (RCA) Member Nominated Director on an interim basis. Sir Philip steps into the role previously held by Wilf Walsh, who has served as one of the two RCA-appointed directors since October 2021.

Bringing a wealth of experience to the position, Sir Philip served as the Member of Parliament for Shipley between 2005 and 2024. During his time in Westminster, he held significant positions including joint Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Betting and Gaming and Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Bloodstock. Currently, he serves as the chairman of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain and the National Horseracing College in Doncaster, while also drawing on previous experience as a Board member of the Racehorse Owners Association.

BHA Chair, Simon Cox, expressed his support for the appointment, noting that Sir Philip was a dedicated advocate for the racing and betting sectors during his parliamentary tenure. Sir Philip stated that he is delighted to represent the interests of racecourses and looks forward to contributing to the long-term success of the industry. This governance update follows the BHA Articles of Association, which dictate that the Racecourse Member appoints two individuals with relevant industry experience to the Board. Further details regarding this transition can be found in the official BHA press release.