UK
Julie Harrington to Step Down as BHA Chief Executive at the End of 2024
Julie Harrington has announced that she will leave her job as Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) at the end of the year after four years in the role.
Julie has overseen significant changes to the BHA and British Horseracing including a new governance structure, achieving cross-industry support for the sport’s long-term Industry Strategy and setting its underpinning architecture securely in place, structural and operational changes at the BHA itself, work on a new People Strategy with the introduction of the Horseracing Industry People Board, and a renewed focus on improving commercial opportunities.
Commenting on her decision to step down, Julie said: “With so much now in place to develop and grow the Industry Strategy, which will secure a brighter future for British horseracing, it felt like the right time to move on and let someone else steer the sport through its next exciting phase.
“It has been a huge privilege to lead the BHA during what has been a period of real change as the sport has developed and implemented shared strategies for a sustainable future, and an ability to speak with one united voice.
“I love working in horseracing, it is an amazing sport to be involved in. I will always be a fan and you can expect to see me at the races in the years ahead. I am proud of the progress the industry has made over the past three years, especially in improving the governance structure, and I hope that racing’s stakeholders will continue to work together cooperatively to attract new audiences, further improve the customer experience and grow the sport.
“I am confident that if the sport continues to foster the sense of unity and shared purpose that we have developed over the past few years then great things can be achieved.
“My future plans are likely to include a move to a varied non-executive career. Although I took the decision to stand down some time ago, I have agreed to stay on until the end of year to allow a smooth transition to a new CEO.
“The BHA Board is already engaged in the search for Joe’s successor as Chair and informing the Board of my intentions now gives the nominations committee the opportunity to plan an orderly handover, consider the complementary skills of candidates and allow the new Chair to be part of the final stages of CEO recruitment.
“British Horseracing is one of the cornerstones of our sporting and cultural heritage. I will be forever thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it, both during my tenures at Northern Racing, on the BHA Board and most recently as CEO of the BHA. I wish it every success in the years to come.”
Joe Saumarez Smith will step down as Chair of the BHA at the end of May 2025 and the recruitment process for his replacement commenced last month.
Joe Saumarez Smith said: “Julie has been a fantastic chief executive for the BHA and has done a huge amount for the industry since her appointment. We have been lucky to have her in charge and she will be difficult to replace. I am grateful she has agreed to stay on to the end of the year to allow us to recruit her replacement and to ensure a smooth transition.
“During Julie’s tenure we have completely changed the governance of the sport and the BHA’s role within it. Her influencing skills, often behind-the-scenes, have been key to that change and also in the positive adjustments made to the Gambling Act White Paper that posed such a threat to our sport.
“Four years at the top of any sport demands total focus, concentration and enormous amounts of energy and Julie has delivered all of these, in what at times has been a challenging stakeholder and political environment. I, and the BHA Board, fully understand why she has taken this decision now and wish her every success in her future roles.”
Julie also paid tribute to her executive team and the BHA staff, stating: “We have a hugely talented and passionate team at the BHA. From the executive leadership team, those working day in, day out on course or from our new smaller HQ in Holborn Gate, it really is a team effort. It is a team that has undergone a great deal of change in the past few years and one that is dedicated to delivering for our sport. With a busy period ahead, the whole BHA will remain focused on delivering a great service.”
The post Julie Harrington to Step Down as BHA Chief Executive at the End of 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
CopyBet has joined the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), increasing its integrity monitoring coverage in the UK and globally, covering current and future markets. The collaboration will enable integrity data from CopyBet’s online betting platform to be shared with IBIA’s global monitoring network, which includes over 80 companies and 140 sports betting brands monitoring over $300bn per annum in betting turnover.
Anton Ivanov, Business Development Director, CopyBet UK, said: “Responsible gambling, and looking after our customers, is part of our core values at CopyBet, and joining the International Betting Integrity Association will enable us to continue providing safe gambling conditions for our players. We look forward to working with IBIA and support its mission of protecting the integrity of the industry.”
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “IBIA is pleased to welcome CopyBet as our newest member to our growing association. This partnership strengthens our global monitoring network and reinforces our shared commitment to protecting the integrity of sport and regulated betting markets. We look forward to working closely with CopyBet to detect and deter betting-related corruption and to protect the integrity of the markets offered to consumers.”
CopyBet operates under the UK Gambling Commission Licence and Class B bookmaker’s licence in Cyprus, and is a unique bookmaker that allows customers to copy the bets of top tipsters alongside a traditional Sportsbook. CopyBet is the Official Front of Shirt Partner of Queens Park Rangers Football Club in the EFL Championship, as well as AEK Larnaca, PΑC Omonia 29M, Enosis Neon Paralimni, and Aris Limassol in the Cyprus First Division.
IBIA is a not-for-profit body that has no competing conflicts with the delivery of commercial services to other sectors and was established by operators, for operators, to protect regulated sports betting markets from match-fixing.
IBIA’s global monitoring and alert network is a highly effective anti-corruption tool, detecting and reporting suspicious activity in regulated betting markets. Through the IBIA monitoring network it is possible to track transactional activities linked to individual customer accounts. Additional functionality was added in 2024, with that technological upgrade enhancing the association’s ability to detect and report suspicious activity on its members’ betting markets.
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Conferences in Europe
Inaugural iGaming Event for Technology Leaders: Technology in Gaming Conference 2025
The iGaming industry is getting a dedicated space for its most forward-thinking technical leaders with the launch of the Technology in Gaming Conference 2025 (TiG 2025) — an exclusive new event created specifically for CTOs, CIOs, and senior technology stakeholders in the iGaming world.
Taking place on 1st July 2025 as part of London iGaming Week in partnership with iGB Live!, this specialist conference will bring together some of the most innovative minds in technology to explore the future of cybersecurity, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, compliance, and scalability. TiG 2025 is designed to give technical leaders a forum tailored to the real challenges and opportunities shaping iGaming today and in the years to come.
“I am delighted to see other organisers bringing their own events that meet the need of specialist verticals within the industry as part of London iGaming week. The team at iGB L!VE are pleased to be able to support this event, and encourage iGaming senior IT professionals to join what we know will be an event that offers excellent content and networking opportunities for them” said Naomi Barton, Portfolio Director at Clarion – Organiser of iGB Live!
Topics on the agenda include:
- Scalable architecture & infrastructure
- AI & machine learning in iGaming
- Compliance & security in regulated markets
- Future-ready platform innovation
- Engineering teams, DevOps, and automation
“As an industry driven by technology I think it’s important to create a space that speaks specifically to the leaders developing and driving the change that has such a big impact on the growth and development of such an exciting sector” commented Shona ODonnell, Event Director.
Pretty Technical, a leading provider of iGaming software and platform solutions, is proud to be named the headline sponsor of this inaugural event. The company’s commitment to innovation and modern architecture makes it a natural fit for an event designed to shape the next chapter of gaming tech.
“As a business that thrives on building technology designed for the next decade, not the last, we’re thrilled to support TiG 2025 and connect with the talented tech leaders shaping the future of iGaming,” said Emma Blaylock, CEO Pretty Technical.
The event is also sponsored by Claranet, experts in modernising and managing critical applications and infrastructure 24×7, and Marshall Wolfe, a dedicated hiring consultancy specialising in digital and technology sectors.
Registration is now open with tickets currently discounted by £200 until 31st May.
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EveryMatrix Press Releases
EveryMatrix goes ‘back to where it all began’ with new London office opening
EveryMatrix has opened a new central London office, 17 years after it was founded in the UK capital.
Located in the heart of the city on the 25th floor of the newly opened 258,000 sq ft HYLO building in Old Street, London, the premium office space is home to various EveryMatrix teams, including several members of its OddsMatrix sports platform division.
The HYLO has been described as one of London’s most exciting new buildings, boasting a high rise tower and large, efficient podium floors plus roof gardens and new public spaces all within the popular Shoreditch area.
Team members include UK-based ex FSB Technology employees who have successfully integrated into EveryMatrix, following its acquisition last year. Many of the team have been responsible for delivering the Group’s new horse racing product.
Built from the ground up in just six months, the EveryMatrix racing product is fully managed by the expert, award-winning former-FSB trading team in London. The solution offers a wide range of global content, round the clock streaming, multiple derivative markets, granular price management and dynamic cross-product bonusing.
Designed to appeal to core racing markets such as the UK & Ireland and South Africa, customers also benefit from integration into EveryMatrix platform technology, offering increased scale, next generation user experience, enhanced bonusing and increased automation.
The new EveryMatrix London office is the third new global location to be opened this year with Chang Mai in Thailand and Cebu in the Philippines welcoming teams in March. This takes the total number of global EveryMatrix offices to 15 employing more than 1,400 staff.
The EveryMatrix workforce has increased by 40% since last March when the company announced its 1,000th employee while simultaneously cutting the ribbon on a state-of-the-art, sustainably developed and built office for more than 500 staff in Bucharest.
Ebbe Groes, Group CEO and Co-Founder, EveryMatrix, said: “We’re back where it all began when Stian [Hornsletten] and I co-founded the business in 2008. This new opening brings back so many fond memories and I’m personally delighted to see the business come back full circle.
“The space is magnificent and one of the best I’ve ever seen offering our teams here superb working conditions, multiple benefits and the ideal central London location.
“Our growth is showing no bounds and this new UK location highlights just how ambitious we are to continue growing and working with premium, tier-1 customers who we can now host in one of Europe’s best cities.”
The post EveryMatrix goes ‘back to where it all began’ with new London office opening appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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