Larkin resigns as IGb Ceo

Nowso

There was a massive pre-Christmas development in the greyhound world today when Chief Executive Officer Geraldine Larkin stepped down from her position. The news was confirmed in a statement issued by the Irish Greyhound Board last this afternoon.

THE IRISH GREYHOUND BOARD STATEMENT
The Irish Greyhound Board today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Geraldine Larkin, has advised them that she is stepping down from her position.
The Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board, Mr. Phil Meaney, commended Ms Larkin’s stewardship of the Greyhound Board and her work with the Board in steering the organisation and the industry through the response and implementation of actions recommended by the Indecon Report, the Government-commissioned review of the greyhound industry. The Indecon Report included recommendations on Governance, Finance, Regulation and Welfare with any outstanding recommendations to be implemented requiring legislative change.
Ms Larkin said that the progress achieved during her tenure would provide a stable platform to grow and develop the industry so that its many supporters can remain involved and prosper from the sport.
On financial matters, Ms Larkin said that by the end of December 2016 bank debt at IGB will have been reduced by circa €2.0 million. In addition, the anticipated income from the internationalisation of Tote is now live with ongoing co-mingling wagering from several US based customers. The contract for the broadcast of TV pictures from Mullingar, Youghal & Tralee was signed in June 2016 and has been a regular income stream since February 9th 2016 with returns being made to the wider greyhound industry.
She added that the number of race meetings was calibrated by 5.5% during 2015 and this had been maintained. While some headline turnover figures were reduced as a result, the overall costs of these meetings resulted in an improved return from the tracks affected.
Funding proposals towards the resolution of the liability in the defined benefit pension scheme have been accepted by the Pensions Authority in September 2016. Implementation of these proposals will be completed by the end of 2016 which would remove another issue of financial concern to the Board.
She added that significant measures had been taken to strengthen corporate governance, to reorganise the subsidiary structure; to address procurement challenges and to enhance risk reporting within the organisation.
WELFARE ISSUES
“I am particularly proud of the achievements in the area of regulation. Following on from the commissioning by the Board of a separate report into anti-doping and medication control were new regulatory measures to strengthen the anti-doping and medication controls within the industry.
These included the publication of all adverse analytical findings and the prohibition of greyhounds from racing until a clear test is returned. Further measures included the establishment out of competition testing, publication of all decisions of the Control Committee and the Control Appeal Committee, testing informed by intelligence and links to other sporting bodies.
“A critical part of the progress has been the investment by the IGB in new laboratory equipment which is to be commissioned in early January. Underpinning this activity is the specialist Scientific Committee on Doping and Medication Control which is advising the IGB on scientific matters relating to anti-doping and medication control in greyhounds”, she said.
In the area of welfare, the IGB broke new ground with successful prosecutions under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. The Board issued exclusion orders against individuals who did not uphold the welfare of greyhounds and increased the number of requests to the ICC for fines.
Ms Larkin said that prize money had increased by 25% and along with other supports paid to greyhound racing participants it is forecast that an additional €1.3m will be paid in race grants by the end of 2016. These supports include a new breeders’ incentive scheme as well as supports for those who raced multiple greyhounds on a continuous basis. This year also saw the introduction of the very positive initiative from the Board of unraced sales which culminated in a series of specific unraced stakes.
She said she was leaving the industry at a time of critical change and while there had been tough decisions during her tenure, going forward if the industry is to survive and prosper, it would require further tough decisions, ongoing assessment of the business model, the development of further new income streams, and an openness to new approaches right across the sector.
Ms Larkin said that in her time with the Greyhound Board she had met many wonderful passionate people in all aspects of greyhound racing from owners, to breeders, to trainers, to those involved in syndicates and those involved in rehoming. She acknowledged the commitment of all stakeholders in their support of a unique and thrilling sport.
Finally Ms Larkin thanked the Board and staff of the Irish Greyhound Board for their work during her tenure and hoped for their success into the future.

I said

Now a few more should follow her and put in people who care about the sport.