Racecourse Media Group Appoint Simon Ellen as Chairman
January 16, 2012
Simon Ellen has been appointed Non Executive Chairman of Racecourse Media Group (RMG), anesthetist the umbrella organisation for the 30 (33 from May 1) racecourses which hold an interest in Racing UK, drugs Turf TV and GBI Racing.
Ellen, adiposity who joined the RMG Board in June 2010, brings to the role more than 30 years of experience in investment banking and capital markets, mostly at Rothschild and Warburg, before moving into asset management and insurance.
He has subsequently chaired a number of companies owned, largely, by private equity investors, including SBJ Group, which had one of the largest sports books of any UK insurance broking business.
Also a racehorse owner, Ellen said: “I am very much looking forward to working with stakeholders and a management team that have, together, developed a very successful media rights business focussed on the delivery of a high-quality racing product, the benefits of which are channelled directly back into racing.”
Ellen joins CEO Richard FitzGerald, and Non Executives Simon Bazalgette (Jockey Club Racecourses), Bill Farnsworth and John Sanderson (representing smaller independent courses), and William Derby (representing larger independent courses) on the RMG Board.
RMG CEO Richard FitzGerald said: “Simon is an experienced chairman of PLCs and private companies and brings extensive knowledge of the sports industry, so is perfectly positioned to take RMG forward in the ever evolving landscape that is media rights management. We are all greatly looking forward to working under his chairmanship.”
Ellen takes over from Will Wyatt, who joined Racing UK as a non-executive director when it launched in 2004, before being appointed Chairman of RMG in 2008.
FitzGerald added: “I would like to pay tribute to Will Wyatt, who during his tenure as chairman was instrumental in the development and success of Turf TV, the formation of GBI Racing and the expansion of Racing UK. We wish him all the best and look forward to seeing him on the racecourse.”
