- Published:
- Tuesday 27 October 2020
Minister for Racing Martin Pakula today announced the reappointment of Mike Hirst, Kate Joel and Greg Nichols to the board of Racing Victoria (RV).
Mr Hirst has been on the board since 2015 and has served as Racing Victoria Deputy Chair since 2017. The former managing director of Bendigo Bank is a member of the board’s audit and commercial risk sub-committee, the remuneration sub-committee and the thoroughbred owners and breeders advisory panel.
Ms Joel, a management and organisational change expert, has served as chair of Racing Victoria’s Integrity Council while Mr Nichols, a one-time chief executive of the British Racing Board and current chair of Racing Australia, has been a Racing Victoria director since 2012.
During their time on the board, Racing Victoria has delivered significant prizemoney increases, particularly to key Spring Racing Carnival events, and developed a $25 million Equine Welfare Strategic Plan.
Their reappointment will help to ensure that the board continues to provide strong strategic leadership as the industry continues to manage the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
The other members of the Racing Victoria board are chair Brian Kruger, RV chief executive Giles Thompson, Tim Eddy, Rowen Craigie, Ross Lanyon and Sharon McCrohan. The new deputy chair will be chosen by the board from among the directors in accordance with the RV constitution.
The Victorian racing industry contributes $4.3 billion to the economy annually and sustains more than 33,800 full-time-equivalent jobs.
Racing in Victoria has continued without crowds through the coronavirus pandemic under strict biosecurity protocols including health checks for participants entering meetings.
The Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington commences with Derby Day on Saturday.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Racing Martin Pakula
“Mike Hirst, Kate Joel and Greg Nichols are highly respected in their professional fields and have demonstrated excellence in the execution of their duties at Racing Victoria.”
“Racing Victoria has displayed great leadership in a year of unprecedented challenges and Mike, Kate and Greg will play important roles as Racing Victoria works to put the industry on a COVID Normal footing.”