Horseracing Industry People Board secures £759,000 to strengthen workforce
The Horseracing Industry People Board (HIPB) has secured over £759,000 in funding to support its workforce development strategy for 2025. The investment, backed by the Racing Foundation and the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), will fund a series of new and existing initiatives aimed at improving recruitment, training, wellbeing, and career progression across British racing and breeding.
Major funding boost for workforce strategy
The funding follows the launch of Our People, Racing’s Future, a three-year workforce strategy focused on attracting, developing and retaining skilled individuals in the horseracing industry. The Racing Foundation has committed up to £489,929, while the HBLB is contributing up to £269,438. Together, these grants form part of a wider £4.2 million investment into people-focused initiatives within the sport.
Alan Delmonte, Chief Executive of the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), said, “The Horserace Betting Levy Board has awarded grants of up to £269,438 for (HIPB) staff costs and the ‘Workforce Analysis and Forecast Project’. The Board has supported the HIPB since its inception and has agreed further support during the implementation phase of the workforce strategy.”
This financial support enables HIPB to introduce several new projects while continuing to fund key existing programmes.
New projects in 2025
One of the major initiatives launching in 2025 is a substance misuse pilot, expanding on ongoing work currently taking place in Newmarket. The pilot aims to provide better support and awareness around addiction-related issues in the horseracing workforce.
Another key project is a mentoring training pilot, which will focus on creating standardised mentoring qualifications. This move seeks to ensure consistency in the quality and delivery of guidance offered to new and existing industry workers.
Additionally, HIPB will conduct a comprehensive workforce analysis and forecasting study. This project will help identify recruitment priorities, skills shortages, and training needs across the sector, beginning with a focus on training yards.
Ongoing support for existing programmes
The funding also secures the continuation of successful initiatives already in place. This includes Racing Home, which supports working parents and carers, and JETS, a jockey coaching programme designed to assist current and former riders with career development.
These programmes play a vital role in improving the wellbeing and career sustainability of people working in horseracing.
New leadership to drive strategy
Jon Pett has been appointed as Programme Director to lead the implementation of the workforce strategy. Pett will officially join HIPB in May 2025 and brings extensive experience from senior roles at Pentathlon GB, British Cycling, and Table Tennis England.
As Programme Director, Pett will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of workforce strategy objectives. His remit includes expanding vocational training, developing a clear rider pathway, and driving improvements in mental health support and employment standards across the industry.
