Ascot Racecourse announced on Tuesday that Felicity Barnard has been appointed as chief executive, with Alastair Warwick set to stand down from the role at the end of the year for personal reasons. Barnard currently serves as deputy chief executive at Ascot, alongside her role as commercial director.
Sir Francis Brooke, chairman and His Majesty's representative at Ascot Racecourse, said, “Alastair has played a major role in the success of Ascot Racecourse since he joined the business in 2008, most recently as chief executive where he has overseen two very important and successful Royal Meetings in the new reign of King Charles III.
“We are all grateful to him on so many levels and thank him for his dedication to Ascot over the past 16 years. For personal reasons Alastair has expressed a wish to step down from his role at Ascot. This will allow him time to consider other opportunities for the next stage of his career and we all wish him well.
“I am delighted that Fliss Barnard has accepted the Board's invitation to become chief executive,” Brooke continued. “Fliss has already brought considerable commercial expertise to the racecourse and the wider industry. Additionally, she has led on initiatives which have seen a significant expansion of Ascot's global profile.”
Warwick said, “It has been an absolute privilege to work for and then lead this organisation over the past 16 years. Ascot and Royal Ascot is only ever something you are a custodian of but during my time it has been a pleasure to see Ascot flourish and grow so much whilst supporting the community that it is a part of.”
Before joining Ascot, Barnard spent four years as CEO of Tie Break Tens, where she launched the new short format of tennis internationally. She also worked at Arsenal Football Club, both in London and Singapore, and at West Ham United as their commercial director.
Barnard added, “I am very excited to have been appointed to lead the business and look forward to working alongside the rest of the racing industry to promote the sport in an increasingly competitive environment.”
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