RANDOX GRAND - Key Persons
Dido Harding was appointed to our Board of Stewards in December 2017. She is a Peer in the House of Lords and sits on the Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee. She was Deputy Chair of the Court of the Bank of England; is a Board Member of MyAgro, a West Africa-based social enterprise providing saving schemes for farmers; a Member of the Advisory Board for The Fore Trust, a charitable trust that supports early stage social enterprises and charities; a non-executive director of the Holocaust Memorial Foundation.
Until October 2021 she was Chair of NHS Improvement and played a central role in the UK's Covid response as Executive Chair of NHS Test and Trace. She was previously Chief Executive of TalkTalk Telecom Group plc, having held senior and customer-focused executive roles at Sainsbury's plc and Tesco plc. Previously she served on the Board of The British Land Company plc, was a racecourse committee member at The Jockey Club's Cheltenham Racecourse and was a director of Racecourse Holdings Trust, which was later rebranded Jockey Club Racecourses.
Harding's racing interests have included more than 25 career wins as an amateur jockey and owning Cool Dawn, the winner of the 1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup. She was appointed as a Member of The Jockey Club in 2004.
Charlie Boss - Chief Commercial Officer
Job Titles:
- Regional Head of Conference & Events
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Operations and Events Executive
Colin started working at Carlisle Racecourse in October 2014. He previously worked within the hotel industry for 10 years. He brings a wealth of operational and customer service knowledge to the team. Colin has two Collies by the name of Tia and Bella who keep the office in line. Colin loves roller-coaster's and a tasty Gin & Tonic.
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- PROMOTIONS CAR BOOT SALES
Job Titles:
- Regional Director, North West
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
Dickon qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1997 and is a Partner at a leading firm of surveyors. He has spent his career in Capital Markets both in London and Newcastle where he currently heads up the North East investment team. Dickon rode as an amateur jockey for 10 years, is a point to point committee member, and has been involved as an owner with both Ralph Beckett and Rose Dobbin.
Duncan is married with one daughter and lives in Clyst Hydon. He is a partner at Foot Anstey LLP specialising in corporate law. Duncan is a keen participant and follower of many sports including horse racing, cricket, golf and fly fishing.
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Raceday Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Hospitality and Event Coordinator
Helen moved over from Newcastle 2 and a half years ago to join the team here at Carlisle Racecourse after previously working as an Event Manager for the Marriott Hotel for 10 years. Prior to her career in the UK, Helen lived in Istanbul for 19 years where she worked as a private tutor. Helen loves working for The Jockey Club as it has given her a real insight into the racing world and it's a privilege to be part of a company that puts the welfare of the horses above everything. Helen speaks fluent Turkish and is the best tea maker in the North!
Job Titles:
- Chief People Officer ( CPO )
Being the Clerk of The Course, my main duties on a raceday are to oversee the smooth running of racing. Other than providing Going Reports I am responsible for the safety of all the participants including horses and jockeys. This involves management of our Medical, Veterinary and Groundstaff teams. I am also the first point of contact for the BHA should there be any regulatory issues.
Job Titles:
- REGIONAL MARKETING MANAGER
John Inverdale has been one of the country's leading broadcasters for the past 35 years, and for 31 of those, up until 2019, he presented the Cheltenham Festival for BBC Radio.
A National Hunt fan all his life, he has part-owned a battalion of horses that have so far failed to make any material difference to the sport's record books. He once almost owned the winner of the Champion Hurdle, but it's a long story.
A member of the RFU Council, he is also president of a leading spinal injuries charity Aspire, and regional president of the rugby charity Wooden Spoon.
Carolyn Warren was appointed to the Board of Stewards in December 2021.
She is one of the leading racehorse breeders in Britain as a Director of Highclere Stud, which she ran in partnership with her husband, John Warren, who was Bloodstock and Racing Advisor to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
They have bred, reared and consigned many top performers including recent world champion miler, Palace Pier. Carolyn was also responsible for running the Highclere Sales Consignment business, leading the vendors table on numerous occasions at both Tattersalls and Goffs UK. Carolyn was appointed a Member of The Jockey Club in 2005.
Job Titles:
- Catering General Manager, Haydock Park
Having worked as Sports Editor for Archant Regional newspapers for 25 years, Lee is interested in many sports but horse racing has always been a passion.
Having ridden in point to points, Lee went on to steward at established Pony Racing in Devon and Cornwall, and currently trains three point to pointers from her home in South Devon.
Lee, along with dairy farmer husband Lawrence, has recently set up Surfing Cow Devon Ice Cream as a farm diversification. They have two daughters, Zoe and Pippa.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Member of Committee
Louise has an impressive track record in the Racing and Breeding Industry and is well known for her work whilst occupying the position of CEO at the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.
Louise now divides her time between running Elms Bloodstock from her stud farm in Northamptonshire and supporting Cheltenham Racecourse.
Louise is also Secretary-General of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents (GB) Ltd.
Marcus is a Partner in Moore Scarrott Chartered Accountants and has an extensive knowledge of rural based businesses and is the Partner responsible for a number of agricultural businesses, Estates and equine clients. He has previously lived and worked in Yorkshire, Channel Islands and Australia. His client base includes a number of people with equine interests with his sporting hobbies including horse racing, golf, cricket and skiing.
Margaret has had a huge interest in racing for some years, when she moved to Cheltenham, her enjoyment for jump racing grew. Margaret has been an Annual Member of Cheltenham Racecourse for almost 30 years and has been involved in syndicates of both jump and flat racing with several trainers over a similar period.
Margaret is married, with three children and has been based in Cheltenham since 1990. She has volunteered for many years for different charities, most recently with Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees, where also being a governor of a local state primary school for over eight years.
Margaret is also a keen cricket fan and regulary plays tennis.
Martin was born in Yorkshire. He graduated from Durham University in 1979 and went on to obtain his MBA in the USA.
In 1980 he started The Saint Group a private office equipment company which was sold to Danka plc in 1993. From then until 1999 he was CEO of Danka's International Operations. During this six-year period he acquired over 50 companies in 30 different countries. Danka grew to be the world's second largest photocopier company with sales in excess of £1bn.
In 2000, he founded another company Azzurri Communications, a UK based Voice & Data Integrator, which grew to 700 staff and £150m turnover in 6 years. In 2006 Azzurri was sold for £180m to The Prudential Group. In recognition of his achievements at Azzurri Martin was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003.
In a 30 year career he has acquired over 70 companies and integrated these businesses to create two groups of companies both of which were subsequently sold.
Martin is currently a Non Executive Director of 6 other companies including Gloucester Rugby Club where he is Chairman. He lives in Cheltenham with his wife and 4 children.
Martin spent his career in the City as a Stockbroker, picking up a love of horse racing in Australia after leaving school. He has been involved as an Owner and a long-standing Member of Cheltenham along with other courses and a keen cricketer, and followes of Gloucester Rugby Club. Martin has also been an Auctioneer at many charity events over the last 30 years.
Michael is a part of a Syndicate with two Jumpers being trained with Jamie Snowdon. Michael was brought up on a diet of racing at Bangor-on-Dee as a child and has always been a passionate follower of Jump racing.
After nearly 35 years at Boodles, Michael says he has never thought of doing anything else. As the Managing Director of the company he has an interest in all aspects of the business - from product creation and delivery, to the shops and staff and through to the more strategic issues such as the future direction and expansion of the company.
Michael is very aware that his father preserved and kept the business for himself and his brother Nicholas and he too feels the business is something to be looked after for future generations. His son and daughter are already expressing an interest in a working life at Boodles.
Michael's favourite places in the world are Cheltenham Racecourse and Royal St Georges Golf Club.
Job Titles:
- General Manager, Haydock Park Racecourse
As the General Manager of the racecourse I oversee all areas of the businesses. Whether its business planning, supporting the grounds team or organising maintenance schedules, you'll find that I'm involved somewhere along the way. This often results in challenging moments but can also be very rewarding.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Group Chief Executive Officer
Job Titles:
- CHAIRMAN
- Member of Committee
I grew up in Herefordshire and worked as a cook while training and riding point to pointers for several years' and I even had the odd ride under rules with varying degrees of success. I moved to the North after marrying. I trained point to pointers for our four children over a course of 12 years. I ride regularly and have endless pleasure in exercising Baby Run and Hello Bud who have retired to my home near Carlisle from my brother Nigel Twiston Davies' yard. I still do catering and have just retired from helping run the family farm.
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
Job Titles:
- Jockey Club Catering Regional Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Raceday Committee
Richard owns the Combe Estate in Gittisham. He oversees the running of all aspects of the estate including the forestry, farms, property commercial and residential and the new enterprise Combe Garden Centre. He also takes a very active role in the running of the well-renowned shoot. His hobbies include watching (too old to play) cricket, rugby and ice hockey and racing where he has one horse in training at the moment with Dr Newland.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Raceday Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
Rowena had a year-off job in an American steeplechase yard, rode out for the late Peter Monteith while at university and rode in point to points. After completing the BHA Graduate Scheme, Rowena gained further racing experience through spells working at Kempton, Epsom, pupil assistant in a NH yard, secretary in a flat yard and in racehorse transport. More recently she was secretary of the Berwickshire point to point and now enjoys being involved at Carlisle whilst being a mother and foster carer for babies.
Job Titles:
- Finance Director, North West
Sandy Dudgeon became our Senior Steward in July 2019. This means he chairs The Jockey Club's main board, which sets the strategic direction of the organisation and oversees our executive functions.
A chartered accountant by profession, Sandy was a leading amateur jockey, even winning a race over the famous Grand National fences at Aintree and completing the 1986 Grand National itself on Gayle Warning.
He was appointed to The Jockey Club's Board of Stewards in December 2017, having previously been a Steward for four years from 2009 to 2012. He was elected as a Member of The Jockey Club in 1989.
Today Sandy has interests in a number of horses competing on the Flat and over Jumps. Sandy was a director of Schroders' private wealth management business until the end of 2021. Previously he was Managing Director of Thornhill up to its sale to Cazenove Capital (now part of Schroders Wealth). His previous directorships have included Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust plc and Man Alternative Investments Ltd.
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Regional Head of Operations
Job Titles:
- Member of the RACE COMMITTEE
- Member of Committee
As the son of a Leicestershire farmer who was a keen amateur rider, racing has always been an important part of Tim's life. Now retired from a career in publishing, he and Jenny live in Stoke Fleming, near Dartmouth. He is involved in horses with several West Country trainers and runs some racing syndicates with Mick Fitzgerald.
Tim Syder was appointed to our Board of Stewards in December 2019 following a highly successful 30-year career in private equity.
Tim founded Electra Partners, a specialist investor in medium-sized unquoted companies. Today he is a non-executive director of The Jockey Club's racehorse training grounds and land management arm, Jockey Club Estates, and is a racecourse committee member at The Jockey Club's Epsom Downs Racecourse.
His racing interests include Jumps horses in training with Emma Lavelle and Oliver Sherwood. He was appointed as a Member of The Jockey Club in 2016.
William Rucker was appointed to our Board of Stewards in December 2020. He brings a wealth of experience of financial markets, corporate finance and business strategy to The Jockey Club and is currently Chair of Lazard in the UK, Martson's plc and the UK Dementia Research Institute as well as being one of the two founders of Flint Housing, a private provider of new affordable rent and shared ownership homes in England.
Previously he chaired Crest Nicholson plc and Quintain Estates and Developments plc and Bizspace Ltd, was a non-executive of Rentokil Initial plc, and was a racecourse committee member at The Jockey Club's Cheltenham Racecourse.
William is a racehorse owner and Trustee of the Racing Foundation. He was appointed as a Member of The Jockey Club in 2013.
William Sporborg was appointed to the Board of Stewards in January 2023.
A former amateur jockey, Newmarket based Sporborg is a graduate of Magdalene College, Cambridge University and a chartered accountant. William has worked in private equity, venture capital and private companies over the last thirty years, and is currently Managing Partner at Managing Capital LLP.
William has also served on the racecourse committees at Huntingdon and Newmarket almost continuously since 2003.
William Wyatt was appointed to the Board of Stewards in December 2021.
He brings a professional lifetime of management, corporate finance and investment experience and is currently Chief Executive of Caledonia Investments plc, as well as Chair of Real Estate Investors, a non-executive director of Cobehold and a Trustee of the Rank Foundation charity.
He and his family breed predominantly Flat racehorses at Dukes Stud near Newmarket and have a number of Flat horses in training. William is Chair of The Jockey Club's Newmarket Racecourses, having been on the racecourse committee since 2015. He was elected as a Member of The Jockey Club in 2016.
Zara Tindall is a regular visitor to Cheltenham Racecourse and has owned, bred and pre-trained several racehorses, including horses currently with Cotswold-based trainer, Martin Keighley.
The British public voted Zara 2006 BBC Sports Personality of the Year after she won gold aboard Toytown at the Eventing World Championships in Aachen. She was appointed MBE in the 2007 New Year Honours for services to equestrianism.
Zara is married to former England rugby captain and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, Mike Tindall MBE. The couple live in Gloucestershire with their two daughters and one son.