Racehorse owner and Chartered Accountant, Tim Syder, will join the main board of The Jockey Club, the largest commercial organisation in British horseracing, it was announced today.
He will become a ‘Steward’ from 1st January 2020 for a term of three years and succeeds James Westoll, who has completed his own term in the role.
Tim has had a 30-year career in private equity. He was a founder of Electra Partners, a specialist investor in medium sized unquoted companies.
Today he sits on the Board of The Jockey Club’s racehorse training grounds and land management arm, Jockey Club Estates, and is a Racecourse Committee Director at The Jockey Club’s Epsom Downs Racecourse. He was appointed as a Member of The Jockey Club in December 2016. He has Jumps horses with trainers including Emma Lavelle and Oliver Sherwood.
At its Winter Meeting held in London today, The Jockey Club also confirmed the re-appointments of Justin Dowley and The Hon Peter Stanley as Stewards for further terms of three years, through until 31st December 2022.
The Jockey Club stages the Randox Health Grand National, the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and The Epsom Derby. Founded in 1750, it is governed by Royal Charter to operate for the long-term benefit of British Racing, which includes reinvesting all profits back into the sport. Its Patron is Her Majesty The Queen.
Sandy Dudgeon, Senior Steward of The Jockey Club, said:
“I would like to welcome Tim to the main Board of The Jockey Club. He brings terrific experience both as a racehorse owner and with 30 years’ experience in business. He already understands our operations through his other roles within our Group and I’m sure he will be a real asset as a Steward over the next three years.
“I would also like to place on record the Club’s thanks to James Westoll for his excellent contribution as a Steward, which has been most appreciated.”
Tim Syder said:
“I’m delighted to join the Board of Stewards. As someone passionate about our sport and its long-term prosperity, it’s an honour to be asked to contribute in this way, and I look forward to doing so. I believe this is quite a defining period for British Racing, with some headwinds we need to face-down on the one hand and some real opportunities for growth on the other.”
The Jockey Club operates under a modern commercial structure, with its executive – headed by new Group Chief Executive, Delia Bushell – reporting to its Board of Stewards. The historic titles of ‘Stewards’ are a reminder of The Jockey Club’s 269-year heritage and today relate to its more recent role in the commercial stewardship of British Racing.
The Jockey Club’s wholly owned businesses are: the 15-strong Jockey Club Racecourses; Jockey Club Estates, which includes racehorse training centres at Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom Downs; The National Stud; and Jockey Club Services. Its joint ventures are Jockey Club Catering and Jockey Club Live, and its shareholdings include Racecourse Media Group, QIPCO British Champions Series, Rewards4Racing and City Racing.
The Jockey Club’s 2020 Board of Stewards will be:
v Sandy Dudgeon (Senior Steward)
v Julia Budd (Deputy Senior Steward)
v Justin Dowley (Steward)
v The Baroness Harding (Steward)
v The Hon Rose Paterson (Steward)
v The Hon Peter Stanley (Steward)
v Tim Syder (Steward)
Notes to Editors
About The Jockey Club
The Jockey Club stages thrilling sporting occasions including the Randox Health Grand National, the Cheltenham Festival presented by Magners and The Investec Derby. With Her Majesty the Queen as its Patron, The Jockey Club is governed by Royal Charter to act for the long-term good of British racing. Founded in 1750, today The Jockey Club is the largest commercial group (2018 turnover: £214.6 million) in Britain’s second-biggest spectator sport, operating 15 racecourses nationwide, The National Stud, Jockey Club Estates, Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Live, Jockey Club Services and our charity, Racing Welfare. Every penny The Jockey Club makes goes back into the sport to help to make it the best in the world. For more information please visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
