BHA takes on two hires to support social and environmental strategy

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has appointed Katie Carr as Head of Environmental Sustainability and Tom Baker as Head of Social Impact.

Funded by the Racing Foundation and overseen by the Industry Programme Group, the new roles look to support British horseracing’s long-term strategy by enhancing racing’s positive role in local communities and strengthening the sport’s response to environmental challenges.

BHA Director of Strategy and Change, Alison Enticknap, commented: “I’m very pleased to welcome Katie and Tom to their new positions. Both bring subject-specific knowledge, understanding and expertise, alongside valuable experience of working in the racing industry – essential qualities for these cross-industry coordination roles.”

In further detail, Carr is set to lead on developing an industry-wide approach to future-proofing racing and breeding against existing and emerging environmental challenges.

This includes how racing mitigates the risks presented by a changing climate, adapts operations in line with evolving legal responsibilities and public expectations, and harnesses existing expertise, particularly in managing the natural environment, to ‘shape a positive future’ for horses and people.

She joins the BHA from the Goodwood Group, where she was responsible for planning and delivering the sustainability strategy across the 11,000-acre estate. 

She also held various commercial, partnership and community engagement roles within the Goodwood Group, having previously spent five years at The Jockey Club.

“Environmental sustainability and social impact have been identified as priority areas for British racing as we continue to develop the industry’s long-term strategy,” Enticknap added.

“There are many people, organisations and charities doing a huge amount of good work in this space and, thanks to support from the Racing Foundation, we can work to establish what needs to be done at industry level to bolster and accelerate progress.”

Similarly, Baker joins the BHA on a year-long secondment from The Jockey Club where was responsible for developing the group’s community and social impact strategy. 

Prior to this he spent a decade working in Olympic and Paralympic sport, building partnerships with charities and sponsors to create programmes for positive change.

He will now work with those already playing a leading role in this area, including Racing Together and Racing to School, to agree what British racing collectively wants and needs from its social and community activity and where the sport can have the most positive impact.

CEO of the Racing Foundation, Tansy Challis, stated: “Environmental sustainability and community engagement, and the way they are inextricably linked to the wider social impact agenda, are two of the Racing Foundation’s four key areas of focus alongside equine welfare and racing’s people.”

Challis also expressed that the BHA is delighted to be funding two roles that will ‘coordinate much of the great work taking place in these areas across the industry’ as well as drive progress as part of an ‘aligned approach’.

Carr commented on her appointment: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help shape British racing’s approach to addressing and adapting to the various environmental challenges we face.

“Racing and breeding have a direct relationship with the natural environment and I know how much activity is already underway in this space, as well as the extensive expertise that exists.”

Baker also said on his new role: “From initiatives that open up development opportunities in our sport to underrepresented groups, to partnerships that help address loneliness in our communities, British racing and breeding already has a positive impact across the country. 

“These are activities that have a direct benefit, but also help us attract the more purpose-driven recruits, participants and fans into the industry.”