SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has informed that Rod Street has chosen to step down as CEO of Great British Racing Limited (GBR).
Street will depart GBR at the end of April, concluding his 12-year tenure leading the promotional and marketing duties of British racing.
GBR Limited is the sport’s marketing and promotional body and is a 50/50 joint commercial venture between the Racecourse Association and the Thoroughbred Group and serves as a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Horseracing Authority.
Street will continue to be involved in racing, confirming plans to “launch a new venture in coaching and mentoring leaders of the future, which many people know is a passion of mine.”
Ending his tenure as CEO of GBR, Street cited that racing stakeholders should “come together to address declines in revenue and engagement.”
“Racing is not alone – most sports outside football face precisely the same challenge – and we are competing for customers’ attention in a fiercely competitive environment. The principle of leading with our best quality products through Premier Racing is the right one. I remain optimistic for the sport because we have history, heritage, and a level of coverage that other sports would die for.”
The BHA confirmed that Street will continue to lead British Champions Series Limited, where he has been CEO since 2011, until later in the year.
Julie Harrington, Chief Executive of the BHA, thanked Street for his unwavering dedication to promoting British racing, stating: “In all, Rod has worked in racing for over 30 years so far and his contribution has been vast, both in terms of his professional achievements and through the positive influence of his trademark optimism and vivacity.
“We are sincerely sorry to lose him but respect his decision and on behalf of racing’s stakeholders, thank him for all he has done, including the energy and passion he has brought to every task. Rod has made a big difference to how racing is promoted, compared to when he joined GBR in 2010. I’m sure we will continue to see lots of him in the future.”
