State governing body appoints new CEO

HARNESS  Racing South Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer.

After a nationwide search was conducted, Heath Pocock will take up the title.

The announcement is a timely one as current CEO Dean Elliott is in his final week at HRSA before commencing his new role as national Head of Industry & Commercial for Entain (Ladbrokes).

Pocock is well-known to many within the South Australian Racing Industry, where he currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at Greyhound Racing SA, and has previously sat on the HRSA Board as Finance Director during an all-important rebuilding period from 2022 into early 2023.

His focus around key pillars of Racing, Funding Models, People, Brand, Innovation, and Integrity are complementary with HRSA’s values.

HRSA Chair Dr Carlo D’Ortenzio stated “Heath is a rising star among racing administrators, and HRSA is delighted to appoint him as CEO. His excellent financial acumen coupled with existing knowledge of our unique industry were just a couple of traits that attracted the HRSA Board to him in what was a competitive field of candidates.

“With a new Strategic Plan ready to launch, and proposed new Constitution on the horizon, Heath will have a great platform to begin from.

“We look forward to Heath working with a dedicated Board and staff, key stakeholders, and participants to build on from the excellent work outgoing CEO Dean Elliott has achieved over the past three and a half years.

“On behalf of the HRSA Board I would like to thank Dean for his immense contribution to the SA harness racing industry. He commenced during a difficult period in late 2021, faced many challenges, and was able to provide widespread solutions that resulted in unprecedented growth for SA during a time of national headwinds.

“Dean will leave behind a terrific legacy, with the good news that while he’ll be gone, he won’t be lost to us, given his new national role at Entain will be centred around supporting racing bodies, including ours of which we have an existing partnership with Ladbrokes.”

Reflecting on his time at HRSA said “Firstly, can I say how delighted I was to hear the appointment of Heath Pocock as CEO.

“Heath has all the desirable attributes for this role, and I look forward to not only handing over to him but collaborating into the future under the Ladbrokes banner.

“An enormous thanks and acknowledgement must also go to the HRSA Board led by Carlo D’Ortenzio, HRSA staff, stakeholders, and participants all of whom gave effort, sacrifice, and passion to their respective crafts.

“The past three and a half years were some of the most challenging and also rewarding I’ve experienced. From survival mode to a growth phase, to a new era ahead, there is much reason to be optimistic about harness racing’s future despite ongoing challenges. I look forward to commencing with Entain as Head of Industry and Commercial – AU and continuing a relationship with the SA racing fraternity.”

Pocock will commence as HRSA CEO on July 1. In the meantime, for any correspondence to the Executive or Board please email saharness@saharness.org.au and/or board@saharness.org.au

• HRSA Media