Nevin Truesdale is to leave the Jockey Club by the end of the year after more than a decade with the organization, the last four of which have been spent as chief executive.
Truesdale said it has been a “true privilege” to work for the Jockey Club, British racing’s largest commercial group, adding that he would remain in his role while a successor was found.
He said: “The Jockey Club has a unique role; being run solely to invest the money it makes back into our sport. It has been a true privilege and my career highlight to work for and then lead this organization over the past 11 years.
“Its achievements are down to the world-class people at its heart, without doubt, the strongest team the business has ever had. Together we have faced some of the most significant challenges imaginable over the last four years, but our people have remained steadfast in their commitment to help build a thriving sport for the benefit of all.”
Prior to joining the Jockey Club as group finance director in 2013, Truesdale had worked in finance roles at the AA and British Gas. Having advanced to chief financial officer at the Jockey Club, he was thrust into the position of interim chief executive in August 2020 following the resignation of Delia Bushell after a report upheld claims of bullying against her.
Truesdale’s appointment was made official at the start of 2021. During his tenure, he oversaw the running of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival and 2021 Derby (G1) behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the challenges created by the Gambling Act review, rising cost of living and animal rights protesters.
Last year, the start of the Grand National was delayed by 14 minutes after protesters from Animal Rising accessed the course. This prompted the Jockey Club to seek an injunction against persons associated with the organization prior to last year’s Derby, where a significant sum was also spent on additional security and fencing. Nevertheless, one protester did make it on to the track after the classic had started.
As well as leading racing’s response to the protesters, Truesdale played an instrumental role in rallying the sport against affordability checks proposed under the government’s review of gambling legislation and regulations. A petition he launched on behalf of the industry received more than 100,000 signatures from the public in less than a month resulting in a debate by MPs on the subject in Westminster Hall.
Truesdale was praised for his work by Sandy Dudgeon, the Jockey Club’s senior steward, who will be replaced in the role by Dido Harding following the conclusion of the July meeting at Newmarket next month.
Dudgeon said: “Over the last decade Nevin has made an outstanding contribution to the Jockey Club and horse racing, not just in his time as CEO but also as chief financial officer before that. Nevin took over the role of chief executive at an extremely challenging and unprecedented time both for the business and the whole racing industry and steered us successfully out of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis. He has also overseen a period of significant business transformation and improvement, as well as the building of a very strong team, for which the board of stewards and I are immensely grateful.
“He will leave our business and sport in a better place thanks to his leadership, with a new long-term plan to strengthen and grow our business and sport.”
