The Jockey Club has announced Nevin Truesdale is to step down as its group chief executive, with his departure expected by the end of the year.
Nevin Truesdale has led the Jockey Club as chief executive since April 2020. Prior to this, he spent time as its chief financial officer and group finance director.
Before joining the organisation, Truesdale worked at British Gas for almost five years. This included spells in various senior financial roles.
Truesdale will continue to lead the Jockey Club in the coming months. He will work with the board of stewards and executive team to manage the transition to his successor.
Under his leadership, the Jockey Club has seen growth across all revenue lines and attracted new commercial partners to racing. The organisation has also expanded its customer base and digital platforms.
Truesdale has also played a prominent role in campaigns against various issues facing the racing sector. These include leading the petition to parliament against betting affordability checks and tackling illegal protest groups in 2023.
“The Jockey Club has a unique role,” Truesdale said, “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 organisation over the past 11 years.
“Together we have laid strong foundations for the future which will enable my successor to continue to grow the Jockey Club and ensure it continues to invest for the benefit of our sport and the communities it serves.”
Truesdale praised for outstanding contribution
Sandy Dudgeon, senior steward of the Jockey Club, paid tribute to the outgoing Truesdale. She hailed his “outstanding contribution” to both the organisation and the horse racing industry.
“Nevin took over the role of chief executive at an extremely challenging and unprecedented time both for the business and the whole racing industry,” Dudgeon said. “He steered us successfully out of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and 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. Nevin 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.”
Dudgeon added Truesdale announcing his exit now will allow the Jockey Club to identify and appoint a successor ahead of time.
“By putting in place an orderly transition, we will ensure a smooth handover to new leadership and continuity in running the Jockey Club,” Dudgeon said.
“Nevin leaves with our very best wishes for success in his future career but, for now, there is much to do and it is very much business as usual.”
