Chepstow Racecourse manager moving to pastures new (From Free Press Series)

Chepstow Racecourse manager moving to pastures new

7:20pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in News

THE general manager of Chepstow Racecourse is moving on to a new challenge.

Rebecca Joy is heading to Windsor Racecourse in January to become its executive director.

The move comes after the group which Chepstow is part of, Northern Racing, merged with another called Arena Leisure to make Arena Racing Company.

Ms Joy, 34, begins her promotion in January, a year since she began at Chepstow.

In that time she hasmoved up from the assistant general manager role and brought a number of new racedays to the venue.

The British Street Party fixture, which coincided with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and this month’s ‘All About the horse’ meeting are two examples. Ms Joy said hospitality bookings have increased dramatically since 2011, by 20 per cent and despite losing six race meetings to the weather, like-for-like admissions are up 12 per cent on the previous year.

In her newrole, she will be in charge of Windsor’s inhouse catering, a challenge she is looking forward to, as outside company Lindley run Chepstow’s.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. As regards to this opportunity it was too good to turn down,” she said.

In a structure change to the business following the merger, Ms Joy’s replacement, who has yet to be appointed, is due to become executive director for the south west region.

Her last meeting is the course’s biggest, the Coral Welsh National, on December 27.