Former-BT Sport and Sky executive Delia Bushell has been named as the new Jockey Club group chief executive, due to begin the new role in September.
Bushell will take over from outgoing group chief executive Simon Bazalgette, who will step down in October.
Bushell will be responsible for overseeing the development of the company in terms of audience growth, as well as finding new revenue streams to counteract declines in media revenues.
Bushell commented: “The years to come will be critical for the sport, as we embrace the opportunities and challenges of innovating for fans and racegoers, appealing to new and more diverse audiences, broadening revenue streams, and driving inward investment.”
Previous to gaining the new job, Bushell held a three-year tenure as the managing director of BT Group’s £1bn TV and Sport division, Bushell oversaw the takeover of premium sports rights, including the English Premier League, Uefa Champions League, Premiership Rugby and the Ashes.
In addition to this, Bushell currently holds a non-executive director position on the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Commonwealth Games England and is on the Advisory Board of The Telegraph Media Group.
Sandy Dudgeon, senior steward of The Jockey Club, celebrated Bushell’s appointment: “His leadership helped us to grow commercial revenues significantly, enabling us to return record sums back to British Racing.
“We have improved our facilities considerably, none more so than our flagship £45 million development at Cheltenham. His vision was pivotal to a range of achievements by the industry, including the growth of media rights value, our terrestrial broadcast relationship with ITV, Levy Reform and the creation of QIPCO British Champions Day.”
