ROA Board
The ROA has a Board of 13 members, plus the ROA chief executive. Elected Board members are required to stand for re-election every four years. Most Board members are elected through an annual ballot amongst all members of the ROA, and there is an opportunity for the Board to co-opt members to widen the skillset and knowledge of the team.
Every 6 months individual Board Member’s compliance with the ROA’s Articles of Association is reviewed with respect to meeting attendance and qualifying owners’ criteria. We confirm that at present all current Directors are in full compliance.
To get in touch with any of the ROA Board members, please email [email protected]
Charlie Parker
Joined Board: 2015. Elected President: 2021
Positions and companies: Elected to Board 2015 Owner of Crimbourne Stud Limited and Director of various other leisure and insurance businesses. Chief Executive the Club Company and the Country Club Group.
Years as owner: 25
Roles and responsibilities: BHA Board Member, BHA Audit Committee, BHA Nominations Committee, Chair - The Thoroughbred Group, ROA Finance Audit and Risk Committee, ROA Nominations Committee, ROA HR Committee, ROA Ownership Working Group, ROA Industry Funding Working Group.
Alan Spence
Joined Board: 2017. Elected Vice President: 2022
Positions and companies: Chief Executive, Britannic Travel 1970 - 2006
Years as owner: 46
Roles and responsibilities: ROA Finance Audit and Risk Committee, ROA Nominations Committee, ROA HR Committee, ROA Industry Funding Working Group
Mark Albon
Joined Board: 2022
Position and companies: Retired Oil and Gas Trading Manager
Years as owner: 9
Roles and responsibilities: Ownership Working Group
Stephen Appelbee
Elected 2023
Positions and Companies: Non-executive Chairman, Chief Executive and serial entrepreneur in the healthcare industry
Years as Owner: 34
Khalid Almudhaf
Joined Board: Co-Opted 2021
Positions and companies: Board Member of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, Board member of the Public Authority of Industry Chairman of Hygiene Products Industries Company, Vice Chaiman of MTC Group Holding Company.
Years as an owner: 26
Philip Davies
Joined Board: 2021
Positions and companies: Member of Parliament, Officer of All Party Parliamentary Group on Racing and Bloodstock (2007 – current) and Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Betting and Gaming (2010-2020)
Years as owner: 18
Celia Djivanovic
Joined Board: 2018
Positions and companies: Solicitor at Lovell White Durrant, Lay member Avon & Somerset Police Authority, Events Committee of British Horse Trials, Trustee of The Horse Trust.
Years as owner: 9
Roles and responsibilities: ROA Ownership Working Group, ROA Equine Welfare Working Group, ROA Raceday Working Group
Tom Goff
Joined Board: 2019
Positions and companies: Director – Blandford Bloodstock, Epsom Downs Race Committee
Years as an owner: 19
Roles and responsibilities: Bloodstock Industry Forum, ROA Nominations Committee, ROA HR Committee, ROA Communications Working Group, ROA Bloodstock Working Group.
Mouse Hamilton-Fairley
Joined Board: 2021
Positions and companies: Dual purpose trainer 2000 - 2011
Years as owner: 35
Roles and responsibilities: ROA Communications Working Group
Gay Kelleway
Joined Board: 2020
Positions and companies: Trainer, company director Gay Kelleway Racing, Trainer and jockey
Years as owner: 30+
Role and responsibilities: ROA Ownership Working Group, ROA Equine Welfare Working Group, ROA Raceday Working Group
Ken McGarrity
Joined Board: Co-opted 2021
Positions and companies: Group Finance Director (non-executive), Nairns Oatcakes Group
Years as owner: 15
Roles and responsibilities: ROA Finance Audit and Risk Committee, ROA Industry Funding Working Group, ROA Scotland Representative
Dr Jim Walker
Joined Board 2023
Positions and Companies: Chief Economist, Managing Director
Years as Owner: 24
Chris Wright CBE
Joined Board: 2016
Positions and companies: Co-opted to ROA Board 2016. Co-founder and Chairman of Chrysalis Group 1968 to 2011. Previous TBA Board Member.
Years as owner: 35
Roles and responsibilities: Industry Brexit Steering Group, ROA Industry Funding Working Group, ROA Bloodstock Working Group