Racecourse Association confirms new Chief Executive and Non-Executive Director appointments

• Alex Eade confirmed as new Racecourse Association Chief Executive
• Sir Philip Davies to join RCA Board as Non-Executive Director

The Racecourse Association (RCA) is pleased to confirm that Alex Eade will become its new Chief Executive Officer.

In addition, Sir Philip Davies will join the RCA Board as a Non-Executive Director. Both Alex and Sir Philip are expected to take up their new roles in Q1 2026.

Following a comprehensive recruitment process which yielded a strong pool of candidates, Alex was selected to succeed David Armstrong as Chief Executive.

Alex is the current Vice Chair of the RCA and Secretary General of the Large Independent Racecourse Group. Prior to this, Alex held senior leadership positions at Goodwood Racecourse, Lloyd Webber Theatres and Betfair plus two spells with the Royal Engineers rising to the rank of Major. His deep knowledge of the British horseracing and gambling sectors meant Alex was the outstanding choice of the RCA’s Nominations Committee and is well positioned to lead the RCA and its members through the current challenges facing the sector in collaboration with other stakeholders in the sport.

As part of the same recruitment process, Sir Philip Davies was appointed Non-Executive Director of the RCA and will provide counsel to the RCA Board and RCA Executive.

Sir Philip’s career included 19 years as Member of Parliament for Shipley, during which time he undertook Parliamentary leadership roles including joint Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Betting and Gaming, Chair of the APPG for Customer Service, Vice Chair of the APPG for Racing and Bloodstock and a member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee. Sir Philip’s extensive expertise in the horseracing, greyhound and gambling sectors mean he is well placed to offer guidance and support to the RCA following roles as Chair of the Great British Greyhound Board and Star Sports plus a period on the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) Board.

In the period between David Armstrong’s departure and Alex Eade joining, the RCA’s Senior Leadership Team will undertake the necessary responsibilities with additional support from Chair, Wilf Walsh.