Simon Michaelides to lead Great British Racing as Rod Street resigns after 14 years

Simon Michaelides will be leading GBR on an interim basis for six months, reporting to BHA chief executive Julie Harrington and the BHA board. His main focus will be to review the industry’s promotion and marketing.

Questions have been raised about the budget for promoting the Premier racing concept, which was launched in January. Michaelides has a background in consumer goods, having started his career at Procter & Gamble, and has worked for UKTV/BBC Studios and Riviera Travel.

He has recently established his own consultancy, Cactus Solutions. Street, the departing chief customer officer, stated that Michaelides will be undertaking a review of the resources needed to promote and market the sport, with a focus on customer needs.

He emphasized that the term “customers” extends beyond raceday consumers and punters to include owners and investors in the sport. Street is expected to remain as chief executive at British Champions Series until the end of the year.