Panellists announced for upcoming Racing Together webinar
The three panellists and host have been announced for the upcoming Racing Together webinar on Thursday, 26th January at 1pm. Episode Three with the second series of the popular series sees host Dani Jackson joined by BHA Head of Inclusion Naomi Howgate, Racing Post digital journalist Maddy Playle and new General Manager of Epsom Racecourse James Crespi.
This free webinar that runs from 1 – 1.45pm will focus on the importance of ‘Keeping racing’s good news out in front’.
Host Dani Jackson holds a unique position in the sport as the first woman to commentate on a racecourse, at Newbury as part of their Female Commentating Initiative. Danni is a freelance journalist and broadcaster who regularly presents William Hill Racing Radio, Racing Post Greyhound TV and the “Gone To The Dogs” podcast. Her talent and passion for commentating is evident as, after an initial visit to commentate at Turf Paradise, Arizona, she has been asked back on a yearly basis to fill in for a regular announcer.
The panel will discuss the importance and power of good news stories from racing’s diverse community and education activity. They will focus on how best to promote a narrative that often gets overlooked. We will hear about some existing and emerging good news stories that resonate directly with the racing communities, as well as those that capture a larger audience.
Joining Dani is Maddy Playle, who has been a digital journalist at the Racing Post for six years. As well as writing regular columns for both the Racing Post and its sister publication the Weekender, she also hosts her own popular video series ‘Maddy Meets’. Her passion and love for the sport shines through and she has a considerable social media following, as well regularly appearing on Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday. Maddy is also a member of the Racing Together subcommittee.
Naomi Howgate, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at the BHA also joins the panel. In Naomi’s current role she is responsible for helping the BHA with both internal policies and looking at racing as a whole, with the aim of creating a more diverse and inclusive sport. In 2017, she become manager of the Ebony Horse Club, a riding school in Brixton, London that works with young people in the community providing riding lessons and youth support. Naomi also sits on the Welfare Committee for Racing Welfare and is a Trustee of the White Stuff Foundation, and was recently appointed to the Board of the British Equestrian Federation
The final panellist is James Crespi, the recently appointed General Manager of Epsom Racecourse. James spent 10 years working on the Goodwood Estate delivering projects such as the Festival of Speed and the Revival Meeting, two of the biggest events of the motor sport calendar. He then went on to head up the Goodwood Racecourse team, developing the course to become a world class venue. After a stint as Chief Operating Officer for the West Wittering Estate, a visitor attraction and conservation area attracting over a million people per year, James has now returned to horseracing. In 2022, he was appointed General Manager of Epsom Racecourse where he is looking forward to not only delivering the Epsom Derby but also increasing the racecourse’s work within the surrounding communities.
The Racing Together webinar series is now in its second season and has covered topics ranging from attracting future fans and workforce to the power of sport as an agent for change.
The series has brought together contributors from across the racing community and panellists from a variety of sports and charities, such as the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Marylebone Cricket Club and Motor Neurone Disease Association.
To book your place for Thursday’s free webinar and to catch up on previous episodes click here
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