The Irish Greyhound Board is starting the New Year by seeking a new Chief Executive following the stepping down of Geraldine Larkin in the days running into the Christmas break.
Larkin has been at the helm of the sport since 2014 and has twice featured in the Sport for Business List of the Most Influential Women in Irish Sport.
The role is to be filled on an interim basis by Dr Sean Brady, a former CEO of Irish Sugar and interim CEO of the irish Dairy Board.
IGB Chairman Phil Meany welcomed the new man saying “We are delighted with the appointment of Dr. Sean Brady as Interim Chief Executive. He brings a wealth of experience to the role across all the priority issues facing the industry and the Board.”
“The greyhound industry is rapidly changing; it faces many challenges but has great potential also.”
“We believe Dr. Brady will be an energising and positive influence for the Board and for the industry as a whole.”
Larkin’s little over two years in the role was marked by a reduction in debt of €2 million, the implementation of a number of recommendations from the Indecon Report in areas of governance, welfare, finance and regulation.
Read more of Sport for Business’ Coverage of Greyhound Racing
New television and betting deals surrounding online streaming had helped the financial position
“I am particularly proud of the achievements in the area of regulation,” said Larkin announcing her immediate departure.
“Following on from the commissioning by the Board of a separate report into anti-doping and medication control we introduced new regulatory measures to strengthen the anti-doping and medication controls within the industry.”
“These included the publication of all adverse analytical findings and the prohibition of greyhounds from racing until a clear test is returned.”
“Further measures included the establishment out of competition testing, publication of all decisions of the Control Committee and the Control Appeal Committee, testing informed by intelligence and links to other sporting bodies.”
“A critical part of the progress has been the investment by the IGB in new in laboratory equipment which is to be commissioned in early January. Underpinning this activity is the specialist Scientific Committee on Doping and Medication Control which is advising the IGB on scientific matters relating to anti-doping and medication control in greyhounds.”
Read about proposals for a new National Sports Policy for the next Ten Years
The new person taking on the mantle will at least be coming in at a time when economic conditions are stronger than has been the case for many years.
Attendances over the crucial December period have yet to be published but a number of key indicators were rising through the year.
The key sponsorship of the Irish Greyhound Derby will be high on the agenda with Boylesports having completed the initial three year term of their support for one of the highest profile events in the global Greyhound Racing calendar.
Government support from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund rose again last year for the third year in succession and Minister Michael Creed is on record as stating that this is likely to continue in the lifetime of this Government.
No time frame has yet been specified for the interim role to be undertaken by Dr Sean Brady but the search for a long term replacement for Larkin will be a top priority for the Board as it returns to face the new year under new management.
Join us for a morning of learning, networking and insight on the sporting year ahead and the sponsorship trends that will impact upon us on January 20th. Reserve your place now.
