‘I am confident that Racing Australia will take some significant steps forward’
Ex-Tasracing CEO takes up post following lengthy recruitment process
Incoming Racing Australia chief executive Paul Eriksson says he will bring a strong working relationship with key stakeholders to the peak thoroughbred body, an organisation which has stagnated in recent years as its membership struggles for a united focus in the industry’s national interest.
The former Tasracing chief executive, who worked at Racing NSW for five years as general manager of finance and information technology in the mid-2000s, was yesterday announced as the successor to Myles Foreman at Racing Australia following a lengthy recruitment process undertaken by the board of directors, elected from the nation’s principal racing authorities.
“I honestly say, it felt like coming home because back in 2007-08 I was involved with the technical platform of RISA, as it was back then, so I did a bit of work with Myles and at that stage I was at Racing NSW as the IT and finance manager,” Eriksson told ANZ Bloodstock News yesterday.
“This role perfectly fits my background in terms of IT, in terms of finance, in terms of governance. I was the guy who moved most of Racing NSW into Druitt Street [in the Sydney CBD] back then. It just ticked all the boxes and it was a great opportunity to give something back to racing.
“I am confident that Racing Australia will take some significant steps forward. I’ve got a lot of confidence that I’ve got good relationships with both NSW and Victoria and I am really looking forward to working with both of them and the rest of the PRAs.”
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys’s ‘innovation’ of the Sydney spring carnival, in particular, and the jurisdiction’s attack on the once sacrocant spring carnival period of October and November coveted by Victoria has been blamed for the breakdown in cooperation between the PRAs.
As a result, Racing NSW’s The Everest (1200m) – a rich slot race which has to be deemed a highly successful addition to the spring calendar – has been unable to attain Group 1 status due to the warring factions.
Eriksson cites his experience working under V’landys in the early part of the administrator’s unbroken 18-year reign in charge of Racing NSW as a positive for him and Racing Australia.
“Yes, very much so, as is my relationship with Greg Nichols [Racing Victoria board member] and Rob Rorrison [Racing SA board member] and Brendan Parnell [Racing Queensland chief executive],” he said.
“I’ve worked with these guys on a number of different levels and I think they know me and they know how I work and I see it as quite positive.”
In March, Racing Australia’s first independent chair John Messara stepped aside, citing his inability to reconcile the differences between the PRAs, particularly Racing NSW and Racing Victoria.
Eriksson was not keen yesterday to be drawn on whether he believes Racing Australia will become a more potent organisation under his leadership.
But he addressed the question this way: “One thing that I will say, you were asking about getting assurances that people will come to the table, my understanding is Racing Australia has conducted meetings recently.
“I think this is an opportune time and I think Racing Australia is poised to make some great strides forward and really represent the industry well.”
The structure of the Racing Australia constitution means Racing Victoria and Racing NSW have virtual power of veto over any decisions made by the body, leading to the smaller PRAs often being pushed aside in the so-called battle of the major states.
Eriksson, however, says the smaller PRAs, including Tasmania, remain integral members of Racing Australia.
“Every jurisdiction has a part to play. The smaller ones still have very good racing; are very good contributors to the sport and to the industry. There’s some very good breeding in Tasmania, for instance, and each state has a critical and important part to play,” he said.
“Let’s be honest, I need to get my feet under the desk, I need to talk to the board and understand the nuances of where they want to go and where they think they should go.”
Resigning as Tasracing CEO in early July, Eriksson has already returned to Sydney to be with his wife who remained in NSW when he took on the Tasracing chief executive role in March 2019, a year before Australia was inflicted with Covid-19, where he oversaw the management of three codes of racing: thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing.
“I will be honest, three years in Tassie was pretty tough because my wife didn’t come down and the borders closed, so we pretty much only saw each other for a couple of weeks in two years,” he said.
“Covid was hard on everybody, let’s not beat around the bush, but pulling up stumps and coming home was great and to have this opportunity, I feel very privileged.”
Eriksson replaces Foreman who quit in March after being appointed to the role in October 2020, having served in an acting capacity for the previous 11 months.
Foreman, who is establishing a sports consultancy business and had been with Racing Australia (previously RISA) for 16 years, continues to provide advisory services to the organisation to help ensure a smooth transition.
A chartered accountant, Eriksson also gained experience working as a chief financial officer for Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Clubs and Cronulla Sharks National Rugby League Club in its property development department.
He also served as acting CEO of Cronulla Sharks and he was the founding CFO of the Australian Football League’s GWS Giants.
Racing Australia is still to recruit a chief information officer and a chief operations officer.
Eriksson will start with Racing Australia on September 26.