Suzanne Eade
Suzanne Eade became the first female CEO of Horse racing Ireland in September 2021.
She stepped up to the role after a competitive recruitment process having previously served as Group Chief Financial Officer of the sport’s governing body.
Over the past six years, She has guided one of the largest expenditure accounts in Irish sport and overseen massive capital investment at the Curragh and Leopardstown Racecourses in particular.
She had no prior involvement with Racing prior to joining the organisation, a ‘clean slate’ approach she shares with the sports biggest asset over the past 12 months, Rachael Blackmore.
A decade ago that would have seemed unlikely but she is highly regarded across the sector and will play a huge role in guiding the sport over the seven years of her term in office.
Eade joined Horse Racing Ireland in 2015 from Boots Retail Ireland where she was Finance Director. She has also held senior roles in the multinational sector including with Procter and Gamble.
This is the ninth edition of our Sport for Business listing of 50 Women of Influence in Irish Sport.
We are proud to do so this year with a new partner in AIG, an organisation that have pledged their commitment to equality in their partnerships with Gaelic Games, Tennis, Golf and more, for whom “Effort is Equal” and with whom we have ambitious plans to extend the reach of this annual celebration of the Women who are making a difference.
They are drawn as before from the worlds of leadership, partnership, storytelling and performance.
We began this journey in 2013 when challenged that we would never be able to produce a list of twenty Influential Women in Irish Sport. The 20 stretched to 30, then 40 and 50 and it still does not do justice to the talent that is out there.
This year once more, to keep things fresh we will introduce at least 30 per cent of fresh names from last year. That will be the hardest part to have some names replaced but if it was too easy it would be of less value.
The list we will build over the coming weeks is a snapshot of those women who are making a mark on how sport is played, consumed, grown and delivered.
They are part of making the role of women in sport unexceptional by being exceptional in what they do.
Recognition of their contribution is rarely asked for but is fully deserved, and we want your help in identifying those who you feel should be among them.
We will start to publish the first of this year’s list on Sport for Business next week, and share them for all across social media in parallel.
So, who do you think should be on the list for 2021?
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