Racing Victoria’s board will continue to serve with eight, rather than the full complement of nine directors for the foreseeable future.
The RV board, whose members are appointed in a process run by Racing Minister Anthony Carbines, has yet to have its full capacity of nine members since former chairman Brian Kruger stepped down in June 2023.
Over the past 12 months, there have been two new members appointed to the board - Tim Rourke and Mark Player - after Greg Nichols and interim chairman Mike Hirst both departed.
It was strongly rumoured that former AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan was going to take the chairman’s position, but he had to reject that opportunity after coming under consideration for the vacant CEO job at Tabcorp, a role he subsequently took.
Tim Eddy was subsequently appointed chair of Racing Victoria, ending 12 months without a permanent head of the board.
Those changes occurred after an attempted but unsuccessful spill of five positions on the board last February, led by Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners’ Association boss Jonathan Munz.
Currently, there are eight directors on the board, Eddy, Rourke, Player, Sharon McCrohan, Paul Guerra, Kate Joel, Ross Lanyon as well as CEO Aaron Morrison, who was appointed to the permanent chief executive role in August.
Under the Racing Victoria constitution, the board can contain up to nine members, leaving the option open for the current board to have additional resourcing and expertise.
The back end of the year after the spring carnival is usually when racing boards look to refresh, change or add members. Racing NSW, for example, is due to have two of its seven directors either re-appointed or replaced by December 19.
However, it appears there has been enough change at 400 Epsom Rd in 2024.
A spokesperson for the Racing Minister confirmed that there were no current plans to appoint any further members to the RV board.
The process, which involved using a selection panel to advise the Minister, is inactive.
The Minister believes the board is well-resourced and functioning effectively and there is no intention to consider additional appointments at this stage.
Racing Victoria recently announced a $11.8 million loss for the 2023/24 financial year. ending a decade-long run of positive results.
Warwick Barr
Morrison has promised to address the organisation's cost base and is restructuring the media business in which broadcast and digital outlet Racing.com and radio station RSN reside.
Two key executives will leave that business which will now come under the direct control of the RV executive, rather than under its own board.
