Simon Cox has been appointed as the new independent non-executive chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), taking on the role effective October 1, 2026, for an initial three-year tenure. The BHA announced his appointment on Wednesday.
Cox, who has over 15 years of experience in horse racing, owns more than ten broodmares at Shade Oak Stud. He has served as a trustee of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) since November 2021 and chairs the BHA’s Jump Pattern Committee. Cox is also involved with the High Quality Horse group, which is focused on improving the quality and number of horses in Britain’s racing industry.
His professional history spans more than three decades in the global beverage sector, most notably as the European president and CEO of Molson Coors starting in 2014. Under his leadership, the company generated a turnover of approximately £2 billion and employed 6,500 people.
Cox described his new role as "an honour" and emphasized the strategic significance of this moment for British racing and breeding. He stated, "It’s no secret that we face significant challenges and my focus will be on ensuring racing works together to address these, particularly regarding increasing participation in the sport, expanding our customer base, and critically, boosting our income streams."
A pressing issue for the BHA is the UK government's decision to escalate the Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) tax from 21% to 40%, effective April 2023. This move led the BHA to consider strike action last September. The organization warned that this policy shift could impose a £330 million ($447 million) cost on the racing industry within five years and potentially result in the loss of up to 2,752 jobs in the first year.
Kyrsten Halley, chair of the interim Nominations Committee that facilitated the recruitment process, commended Cox’s profound industry knowledge and his strategic vision for tackling current challenges in governance, growth, welfare, and government relations. "His strong vision for how we make progress left us in no doubt that he has the credentials to provide exceptional leadership at a critical time for our industry," Halley remarked.
David Jones, the interim chair of the BHA, referred to Cox as “a very well-established and deeply respected figure within our industry” known for his "steely determination and decisiveness". The Betting and Gaming Council welcomed Cox’s appointment, noting it brings an opportunity to strengthen the sport through strong leadership and enhanced collaboration.
Cox's appointment followed a meticulous recruitment process, overseen by the interim Nominations Committee, which included both independent members and representatives from the Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, and the TBA.
To ensure impartiality, Cox will resign from his trustee position at the TBA, plus he will step down from his roles as chair of the Jump Pattern Committee and member of the High Quality Horse group before officially joining the BHA board.
The BHA has also been active in opposing the Gambling Commission’s rollout of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs), which are aimed at identifying customers with problematic spending patterns. The BHA’s CEO, Brant Dunshea, criticized the FRAs, suggesting they could lead to severe financial repercussions for the sport and the UK economy, and raised concerns about potential overreach and practical difficulties with the implementation of these measures.
