Guy Lavender Appointed CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse
Lavender joins Cheltenham Racecourse from Marylebone Cricket Club
The Jockey Club has announced that Guy Lavender has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cheltenham Racecourse.
Lavender joins Cheltenham Racecourse from Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), where he has served as Chief Executive and Secretary since 2017.
His career began in the British Army, where he spent 18 years in the Parachute Regiment, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2006. Before his tenure at the MCC, Lavender was the London 2012 Director for the South West of England and Managing Director of Wave Hub, a £42m renewable energy project in Cornwall. He later became the Chief Executive of Somerset County Cricket Club, where he enjoyed a six-year tenure.
Additionally, Lavender is a lifelong racing enthusiast and has been a Committee Member at Exeter Racecourse, also part of The Jockey Club, since 2022.
Lavender will assume his role at Cheltenham Racecourse in early 2025. He is expected to work alongside Ian Renton, the current Managing Director of Cheltenham, to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities ahead of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. Renton will continue in an advisory role, including involvement with The Festival.
Guy Lavender expressed his excitement: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the next CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse and very much look forward to playing my part in the long-term success of the Racecourse and The Festival.
“There is an excellent platform to build upon and whilst there will be much to learn I have a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities in racing through my tenure on the Committee at Exeter Racecourse.
“Cheltenham is a great British sporting institution, and I am determined to ensure it goes from strength to strength.”
Nevin Truesdale, Group Chief Executive of The Jockey Club, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to announce Guy Lavender as the new CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse.
“Guy’s deep and wide-ranging experience in sports events and administration will prove invaluable in his new role and should also ensure the continued advancement of the Home of Jump Racing and the Cheltenham Festival.
“Ian Renton has overseen a period of huge change at Cheltenham Racecourse following the 2014-15 redevelopment, which he led, and we look forward to his continued contribution as he and Guy manage a smooth leadership transition at the beginning of 2025.”
Martin St Quinton, Chairman of Cheltenham Racecourse, added: “Following a very thorough recruitment process, Guy was the candidate who really stood out. As a racing fan with significant experience of leading other sports organisations he brings a wealth of experience and I would like to extend a warm welcome to him from everyone at Cheltenham Racecourse.
“I would also like to thank Ian Renton for his years of dedication and commitment to leading the team and I know he will play an important role in supporting Guy when he joins us next year.”
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