Hamilton Park supremo takes up the reins at the Racecourse Assocation

Aug 5 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON Park supremo Vivien Kyles has taken up the reins at Racecourse Association Limited.

The Racecourse Association Limited (RCA) has appointed her to its board.

The appointment takes effect from August 1 for a term of two years and Kyles will represent the independent racecourses, alongside Clive Buckle and Christopher Tetley.

Qualified accountant Vivien Kyles joined Hamilton Park Racecourse as chief executive in the summer of 2008, having previously been chief executive at Livingston FC, and is actively involved in the Racing for Change project, as a member of the RCA Raceday Experience Group.

Upon her appointment, Vivien Kyles said: “I’m absolutely delighted to take up this role and to be able to play a part in helping to shape the industry going forward.

“There are echoes with my experience in football when I joined the SFL management committee just two years after becoming chief executive at Livingston.

“By my own admission, I was a newcomer to racing when I was recruited by Hamilton Park in 2008 but I’ve implemented many new ideas since then which have benefited the venue and the business and it is new ideas I hope to bring to the table at the RCA.

“There will be many opportunities for racing in Great Britain to develop in both traditional and new areas in the years ahead and I’m confident my sporting and business experience will help me play a major role in making that happen.”

Stephen Atkin, the RCA chief executive, said: “We are pleased to welcome Vivien to the RCA Board.

“With her background and knowledge she will bring new and innovative ideas to the table, which we are looking forward to.”