The Board
The Board
Dominic J Burke
Chairman Dominic Burke retired from his position of Vice Chairman of Marsh & McLennan Group in 2022 having previously spent more than 14 years as Chief Executive of Jardine Lloyd Thompson.
He co-founded and is Chairman of Aptia Group, a Professional Services firm operating in the Healthcare and Pensions sectors in the USA & UK.
He is a member of The Jockey Club and is a keen breeder. Dominic races his horses in partnership with his wife, Valda, and Tim & Charlotte Syder.
Shaun Hinds
Shaun Hinds has been Newbury Racecourse PLC Chief Executive since June 2024.
Shaun joined the Racecourse after seven years as CEO at Manchester Central, the UK’s largest city centre convention, exhibition and events complex.
With over 25 years of experience leading businesses in the events, hospitality and travel sectors; Shaun grew up in Newmarket and has been a keen follower of horse racing ever since.
Mark Leigh
Mark Leigh has been at Newbury Racecourse since 2020, in the role of Finance Director.
Prior to joining the team at Newbury, Mark spent three years as CFO of Longleat and ten years at global visitor attractions and hotel operator, Merlin Entertainments, in various senior finance roles.
This spell included five years as Finance Director at Chessington; Mark is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
Lady Lloyd Webber
Non-Independent
Madeleine Lloyd-Webber is a former international three-day eventer who owns Watership Down Stud and Kiltinan Castle Stud in Tipperary.
Madeleine – a Member of The Jockey Club – has enjoyed numerous Group successes as an owner and breeder.
She is a Director and Deputy Chairman of Really Useful Group and Lloyd Webber Theatres and brings a wealth of experience to Newbury’s Board.
The Hon Harry Herbert
Harry Herbert is the Chairman and Managing Director of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Limited, a racehorse syndication company.
Highclere has enjoyed many successes and including Epsom Derby winner, Motivator, as well as six other European champions; Lake Coniston, Tamarisk, Delilah, Petrushka, Memory and Harbinger.
In 2022, they enjoyed further success when Cachet won the Group One QIPCO 1,000 Guineas.
John Dodds
John Dodds was Chief Executive of Kier Group, the international construction business, until retiring in March 2010 after nearly 40 years with the Company.
John’s extensive experience in the construction and house building industry sector proved a vital asset in Newbury Racecourse’s property development programme.
This development included the option for up to 1,500 residential properties.
Matthew Thompson
Matthew Thompson most recently held the position of Managing Director of Benugo, the leading food and beverage hospitality business in the visitor attraction sector.
Previously, Matthew led the Services business for Mitie Group, and spent eight years leading the Sports & Leisure business for Compass Group, both in the UK and globally.
Matthew has also held senior management positions at Centrica, Glaxo Wellcome and Zenith.
Bryan Burrough
Bryan Burrough was a Managing Director of BlackRock Inc and subsequently a Senior Investment Director at Investec Wealth & Investment until he retired in 2017.
An Investment Manager specialising in charities, Bryan has also been High Sheriff of Essex and Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers.
He is an owner, mainly over jumps, and his successes include Corbiere winning the Grand National.
Sofia Watson
Non-Independent
Since 1999 Sofia Watson has worked for Christies, the auction house, and has a keen interest in racing and regularly attends the racecourse.
Sofia studied at University of Lund, Sweden where she read History of Art.
She lives on the Compton Beauchamp estate, near Lambourn.