Bha Appoints British Cycling’s Harrington As New Ceo
British Cycling’s, Julie Harrington, will become the new CEO of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), beginning her new role in January 2021.
Harrington will have spent almost four years in the top role at British Cycling by the time she departs, having taken up the role in May 2017, and will replace the departing Nick Rust at the head of the BHA, who announced in January that he would stand down at the end of 2020.
During Harrington’s tenure at British Cycling, she has overseen the organisation’s drive to reach a goal of two million cyclists by 2020 as well as its relationship with Headline Partner HSBC.
A former member of the BHA Board, she spent eight years in senior roles at Northern Racing, including a spell as Managing Director of Uttoxeter. She has also served as Operations Director, The FA, where she was responsible for Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park.
“I’m so excited to be coming home to racing and playing my part helping this great sport to achieve a prosperity from which everyone benefits,” said Harrington.
“I know how important collaboration across racing has been over the past few months and I look forward to working with colleagues from all parts of the sport.
“The BHA and its team of dedicated officials do a great job in keeping racing safe, clean and fair. I am proud to take on this leadership role in such a well-regulated sport, which enriches the lives of horses and people, and has a special place at the centre of national life and our rural communities.”
British Cycling Chair Frank Slevin congratulated Harrington on her new role, and stated confirmed that the organisation is now actively looking for a replacement to take up ‘one of the best jobs in British sport’.
“Julie will leave with the good wishes of the Board and everyone at British Cycling. With Julie as Chief Executive Officer, and thanks to a strong leadership team, British Cycling has made great strides towards our ambition of becoming a world-leading governing body.
“We have bolstered our integrity and compliance processes, strengthened our regional structures to better develop grassroots cycle sport and established a firm financial footing with a sound cost base, thanks to the support of our members, Sport England, UK Sport and our commercial partners.
“While we wish Julie well in her new role, I am excited to now recruit for one of the best jobs in British sport. The right candidate will be inspired by the potential of an organisation that enjoys a unique role in this country: we support some of our greatest athletes to achieve their best and that inspiration is driving the transformation of Britain into a great cycling nation.”
BHA Chair, Annamarie Phelps, added: “I am delighted that Julie is coming back to the BHA and to racing, and the Board and I are looking forward to working closely with her.
“This is a vital leadership role for the organisation and British racing. Julie’s hands-on knowledge of horseracing, coupled with her governance and business experience, make her the ideal person to carry on with the task of restoring sustainable prosperity after the COVID crisis. We’ve got the right person, for the right job, at the right time.”
