BHA appoints Simon Cox as Chair and David Williams to HBF role amid regulatory battles
2026-07-22
Source: SBC News
The BHA has appointed Simon Cox as its new Chair, effective October 2026, and David Williams as Chair of the Horseracing Bettors Forum, as the authority continues to lobby against affordability checks and tax increases that threaten the sport's income.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has refreshed its top leadership team during a period of intense lobbying over gambling regulation and taxation. Simon Cox will take over as Chair on 1 October 2026, succeeding Interim Chair David Jones, while David Williams has been appointed as Chair of the Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) with immediate effect.
Cox brings decades of experience in the brewing industry, having spent much of his career at Coors and Molson Coors, including serving as President and CEO of Molson Coors Europe. His political engagement includes involvement in the successful campaign to abolish the beer duty escalator in 2013. Jones described Cox as a “very well-established and deeply respected figure within our industry” who possesses “steely determination and decisiveness”.
Cox has been a long-term participant in British racing as an owner, breeder, and investor for 15 years. He sits on the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Board of Trustees and chairs the BHA’s Jump Pattern Committee, as well as being a former board member of the Professional Jockeys Association.
The BHA is currently fighting on two fronts: against the planned introduction of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) and against tax increases that are squeezing horse racing’s revenue streams. Though racing secured an exemption from the recent Remote Gaming Duty hike to 40% and the coming General Betting Duty rise to 25% after its #AxeTheRacingTax campaign last year, operators are reducing marketing spend, hitting the sport indirectly.
Cox said: “British racing and breeding is a worldwide success story.” He added that his focus will be on growing participation, the customer base, and income streams, noting that “we face significant challenges” but that there is “much to do to set our industry up to thrive for generations to come.”
On the bettor engagement front, David Williams takes over the HBF from Sean Trivvass after a four-year term. The HBF has been active in mobilising punters to oppose FRAs, including an open letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Williams stated: “As a recreational punter myself, my chairmanship will be about … restoring common sense and fairness for the millions of recreational backers.” The BHA also noted the appointment comes after the publication of the HBF’s latest survey and the opening of its 2026 survey window.