Julie Harrington is the Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the governing and regulatory body for horse racing in Britain, a role she has held since October 2020. She succeeded Nick Rust and has become a leading voice in racing's relationship with the betting industry and UK gambling policy.
Before joining the BHA, Harrington was Chief Executive of British Cycling from 2017 to 2020, leading the national governing body for cycling. Earlier, she spent a significant period in sports media at ITV, where her final role was Director of Sport, overseeing sports rights, production and broadcasting, including coverage of the London 2012 Olympics, the FA Cup, the Grand National and the Tour de France.
At the BHA, Harrington has been centrally involved in horse racing's engagement with the UK's gambling regulatory landscape, including debates around the post-2023 gambling white paper, affordability checks, the betting levy, and the broader relationship between racing and bookmakers.
Career History
| Company | Role | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| British Horseracing Association | Chief Executive | – present |
| British Horseracing Authority | Chief Executive | – present |