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RaceTech Chairman Tom Phillips has announced his intention to step down from the position on 30 September, after a ‘distinguished career’ of 15 years.
Having first joined RacingTech as a non-executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee in 2006, Phillips has overseen a number of major initiatives and milestones whilst serving as Chairman of the organisation.
The outgoing Chairman will be replaced by Bevan Gibson, who has worked as a non-executive Director at RaceTech since 2016 and current Chief Technology Officer at EuroMediaGroup, in addition to amassing considerable experience of outside and remote broadcasting.
Under Philips’ leadership, RaceTech established itself as a provider of outside broadcast and integrity services to British racecourses, currently maintaining coverage of 100% of racing venues, and also providing stalls handling, photo finish and PA services to tracks throughout the UK.
Additionally, Phillips oversaw the implementation of HD broadcasting and secured an agreement which resulted in RaceTech providing cameras for ITV Racing’s secondary broadcasting sites on important race days, whilst developing a remote stewarding operation.
“It has been such a privilege being Chairman of RaceTech. We have achieved much as a team these past years and I’ve enjoyed working with such talented and professional colleagues,” Phillips remarked.
“I wish everyone at RaceTech well under the future leadership of Bevan. He is someone I’ve worked closely with these past five years and I have no doubt RaceTech will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
Owned by the Racecourse Association (RCA) since 1997 and a regular partner of the Arena Racing Company (ARC) and British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the RCA thanked Phillips for his services at RaceTech, whilst confirming that he would remain involved with the organisation as Chairman of the RCA Pension Scheme Trustees.
“I am extremely grateful for Tom’s outstanding contribution to RaceTech and British racing,” said Maggie Carver, Chairman of the RCA,. “It was under Tom’s stewardship that RaceTech saw exponential growth, including securing the contract to offer outside broadcast facilities for all British racecourses.”
“I am pleased to see such an exceptional candidate as Bevan Gibson named as the new Chairman of RaceTech. Bevan’s outstanding reputation and knowledge in this sector will be invaluable as we look to navigate the way out of the pandemic and capitalise on significant growth and innovation within the organisation over the past few years.”
Incoming Chairman Gibson has also had a varied career which has seen him take on senior roles at technology and broadcasting organisations including Sky and ITV.
At Sky he took on the responsibility of conducting a strategic review of Sky Creative’s operational and commercial procedures, and at ITV developed a sports business portfolio and worked to unlock unattainable markets.
Discussing his new role, Gibson commented: “I’m delighted to be taking up this position of Chairman following Tom’s superb leadership of RaceTech.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time to be leading such a prestigious organisation within the racing industry, and I’m very much looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead.”
