Charlie Boss, the former chief commercial officer for the Jockey Club, is returning to take up the position of interim group chief executive. He starts his new job on December 9, ten days before the departure of the current chief executive Nevin Truesdale, who in June announced his intention to leave his role after 11 years with the organisation.
Boss's previous tenure at the Jockey Club was between March 2021 and April 2023 and he has subsequently been chief commercial officer for Southampton Football Club.
Baroness Dido Harding, senior steward of the Jockey Club, explained that the search for Truesdale's permanent replacement is ongoing.
She said, “The role of chief executive of the Jockey Club is unique in British racing. It requires a broad range of expertise to run what is not only the largest commercial organisation and employer in horseracing in the UK, but also a 274-year-old membership organisation which aims to support the long-term future of British racing and in doing so provide the very best for a hugely diverse customer base, from participants and owners to racing fans and the local communities we operate in.
“We have always been clear that finding the right person for the role was the most important priority, rather than appointing by a certain date. We are making good progress in this search but with most senior leaders at this level having substantial notice periods, appointing an interim CEO ensures that the organisation has clear leadership in place as we go into the busiest time of the year.”
In welcoming Boss back to the fold, she said, “He did an outstanding job as a member of the Jockey Club's executive team, which led the organisation through the unprecedented challenges of COVID 19, and those who worked with him will know him to be an extremely talented and high energy commercial leader.”
Harding added, “His deep understanding of The Jockey Club, our teams and the opportunities and challenges that we and the wider sport face will allow him to really hit the ground running. As a result, he is ideally placed to lead the executive team and the wider business through our biggest events of the year at Cheltenham and Aintree.”
A board trustee of London Sport and a member of the Sports Steering Group for the children's charity NSPCC, Boss has also run Disney's sports businesses in Europe and Africa and has occupied senior marketing roles at the Rugby Football Union and the Football Association. He is a former board member of the pool betting operator Britbet.
Boss said, “For me, racing remains a cherished and important part of British life. Not only is it an industry which contributes more than £4 billion to the British economy, it is the UK's second-most attended sport.
“My time as chief commercial officer at the Jockey Club was one of the most enjoyable, challenging and rewarding of my career and I am both proud and excited to be returning.”
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