NEWMARKET - Key Persons


David Hall

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Member of the Executive Team
  • Engineer and Scientist at Cambridge University
Trained as an engineer and scientist at Cambridge University, David was awarded a PhD in Metallurgy and Materials Science. He has held board-level appointments in a range of industries, including oil and gas, electronics, university sector, before becoming Chief Executive at the Horseracing Forensic Lab in Newmarket in 2001. David left HFL soon after it was acquired by LGC to form the Ideas Centre Ltd in 2011, born out of a passion for creativity and innovation and with a proven leadership track record. He has also received a number of accolades, including E-on Award for the "UK's Most Energetic Boss", became Visiting Professor in Business Creativity at the University of Bedfordshire, and has ridden John O'Groats to Lands End twice… but never again! David lives in Ashley with his wife Anne-Louise, 3 dogs, 2 cats and 3 children all of whom have long left home.

James Crowhurst

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Team
  • Trustee
James graduated in 1978 from the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge. Having worked in Queensland, Kentucky and New South Wales, he returned to the UK to work with Professor ‘Twink' Allen at ARC before joining Greenwood Ellis & Partners in 1981. He became a partner in 1984 and is now a Consultant Equine Veterinary surgeon with Newmarket Equine Hospital, also managing a small Stud in Newmarket, where he was born. James is also a Trustee of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Chair of their Veterinary Committee, and served as a Trustee of the Animal Health Trust. James's principal interest is stud medicine and he was Chairman of the Newmarket Stud Farmers Association between 2001 and 2006.

Kevin Hancock

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Team
  • Trustee
  • Managing Director of Yutree Insurance
Kevin is Managing Director of Yutree Insurance, a Chartered Insurance Brokerage based in Newmarket. He is also the chair of the Society of Insurance Broking, with a core objective to improve consumer confidence and trust in the profession. Kevin is a former Director of the British Insurance Brokers Association and was chair of BIBA's General Insurance Brokers Committee, the Smaller Brokers' Advisory Board and also the national Broker Panel for Pool Re. He founded the local business networking group, the Newmarket Network and, more recently, the Anglia Business Club. Kevin lives near Newmarket with his wife, Laura, with three children, a giant cat and some normal-sized chickens.

Laraine Moody

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Team
  • Trustee
  • Member of the Council of Governors
  • Principal of Strategic Growth and Partnerships at West Suffolk College
Laraine Moody is the Principal of Strategic Growth and Partnerships at West Suffolk College which incorporates the College's work with businesses across East Anglia and beyond to use education as a catalyst for positive change. Laraine is a member of the Council of Governors at West Suffolk Hospital, the Board of the West Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, the Board of the Smart Manufacturing Alliance Laraine has worked in Further Education for over 30 years and although she was not born in Newmarket, both of her children were and it is the town she is very proud to call home.

Nick Patton

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Team
  • Trustee
Nick joined Jockey Club Estates as Training Grounds Manager in 2010, taking over as Managing Director in 2017. Previously Nick was Clerk of the Course at Market Rasen and Nottingham Racecourses (Jockey Club Racecourses) for 6 years. He has a degree in Rural Estates Management from Royal Agricultural University. He also undertakes outside consultancy work advising racecourses internationally and private trainers nationally. Nick lives in Norfolk with his wife, Victoria, three children and a variety of pets.

Noel Byrne

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Team
  • Trustee
  • CEO of Review Hotels Ltd
Noel is CEO of Review Hotels Ltd, - Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa in Newmarket, one of only four Red Star hotels in East Anglia. He is also a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and Eastern board member of UK Hospitality. Previously he was a trustee of the Animal Health Trust and currently holds the position of Chairman of the Discover Newmarket Group, containing all the attractions in Newmarket, such as the National Horseracing Museum, the National Stud, Jockey Club Rooms and the two Racecourses. Noel has also worked on many collaborative projects for the Town of Newmarket, many of which have been charity based, including being Chairman of the Newmarket Open Weekend Food and Drink Festival, raising funds towards Newmarket's Open weekend charities. Noel lives near Newmarket with his wife Alison and their dog Betty. He has two daughters and one grandson, with another grandchild on the way.

Rachel Flynn

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Team
  • Trustee
  • Law Partner
Rachel Flynn is an employment law partner with ground breaking alternative business law firm Keystone Law, having worked at Cambridge-based Taylor Vinters and before and during that working in the horseracing industry for 30 + years. Rachel first came to Newmarket in 1987, working in a racing yard before going to University and gaining work experience with several local firms. She now assists her husband Rae Guest who trains a medium sized team on Hamilton Road, rides out most days and remains personally involved in racing as an owner, breeder and former amateur jockey.

Sarah Howard

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Team
  • Trustee
  • Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce
  • Independent Chair of the West Suffolk Alliance
Sarah Howard is Chair of the British Chamber of Commerce and a local business owner. She received an MBE in 2015 for services to the local community. With a background in recruitment and management, Sarah has worked for high profile organisations including JP Morgan and KPMG. Sarah runs a small software consultancy called Sarand Business Software with her husband Andy in Haverhill. Sarah is also the Independent Chair of the West Suffolk Alliance, which works together to improve the health and care system in West Suffolk for all people, and Chair of Trustees for Abbeycroft Leisure.