Bha Appoints Ladbrokes Director As Ceo
The British Horseracing Authority has appointed Nick Rust, retail director of bookmakers Ladbrokes, as its new chief executive.
Rust, who has been in his current role at Ladbrokes for three and a half years, will replace Paul Bittar – who announced his intentions to step down from the role earlier this year.
Ladbrokes CEO, Richard Glynn, said in a statement: ‘Nick has played a significant role in Ladbrokes since he rejoined us in 2011 to help transform our retail offer.’
‘He has created a strong team who have been running the day-to-day business for some time and who have a clear view on what needs to be done to keep the retail offer highly competitive.’
‘We wish Nick well in what is an important role for horse racing at an important time. With his lifelong passion for racing, his knowledge of the industry and the threats posed to it from the growing popularity of other sports he has a lot to deal with and a lot to offer.’
Rust, 47, has 27 years of experience in the betting and gaming industry, and in his current role has oversight of around 2,500 betting shops and 13,000 staff. He rejoined Ladbrokes in 2011, having started at the firm as a cashier in 1987, and held roles at BskyB between 2002 and 2007, including as Managing Director of SkyBet, and at Gala Coral from 2007 to 2010, including as Managing Director, Remote Gambling and Coral Retail.
Speaking of his appointment, Rust added: ‘Given my lifelong passion for British Racing, I am thrilled and honoured to be taking up the role of Chief Executive at BHA.’
‘Racing is a huge sport, and critical to many areas of the economy. It has many exciting opportunities ahead and I know that the Racing industry can grasp these. I look forward to working with the new Board, and the wider team, as well as our many stakeholders, to build on what has already been achieved across Racing and by Paul and his team.’
