Devlin appointed Chair of Levy Board

11 June 2025

Roger Devlin has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as the Chair of Horserace Betting Levy Board for four years from 1 July 2025. He is currently Chair of Persimmon, the FTSE housebuilder as well as a Director of the Sutton Trust, the leading social mobility charity.

His previous non-executive roles have included Senior Independent Director of the Football Association and Chair of Marstons. He also chaired Sunningdale and served on the board of the R&A.

In roles linked to horseracing he was Chair of William Hill until its sale to Caesars in 2022; Chair of Gamesys the fast growing online gaming company; and Chair of SiS, the media rights business. Roger owns horses in training with Anthony Honeyball and William Muir and was co-owner and bred Pyledriver, the winner of the King George and Coronation Cup.

He commented:

 “I am honoured to be invited to chair the Levy Board at a time of considerable challenge, but also opportunity, for racing. My focus will be consistent with the Levy’s key objectives – to promote investment and employment in racing; to enhance racehorse welfare wherever possible; to improve the reputation of the sport and thereby generate increased interest. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and the wider team, as well as racing and betting organisations, in pursuit of these goals.

 “I am very mindful of building on Paul Darling’s considerable legacy to the Levy Board and would also like to thank Anne Lambert for her good work as Interim Chair.”

Related resources