Outgoing. Rob De Kock is set to retire.
The National Horseracing Authority is bracing itself for a change at the helm in 2013.
In view of the retirement of the current Chief Executive Officer, Rob de Kock, on 31 July 2013 and the need for succession planning, the National Board has announced the appointment of Mr Denzil Pillay as Chief Executive Designate and as a Director on the National Board with immediate effect.
The appointment was made in terms of Clause 15.1.3 of the Constitution of The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa.
Mr Pillay has worked for The National Horseracing Authority as Racing Control Manager for the past 18 months and prior to joining the NHA was Manager: Racing and Betting at the National Gambling Board.
The core function of the NHA Racing Division is to ensure that thoroughbred racing is provided with a competent and efficient racehorse and jockey control & monitoring service.
The Jockey Club, which regulates horseracing in Southern Africa, moved ahead in its strategy to position itself more appropriately within the context of modern horseracing some years ago.
New Man. Denzil Pillay has been appointed CEO Designate.
Following a strategy meeting in September 2003, the Board of Directors placed some significant changes before the Members for voting on at the Special General Meeting held on 19 January 2004.
Letting go of 122 years of tradition, the Members took a bold step by voting to change the name from “The Jockey Club of Southern Africa” to “The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa”.
Bringing to an end months of deliberation, the National Board took the view that the name should be changed to more descriptively reflect the organization’s role within an industry where the responsibilities of the different role players can be more than a little confusing to the racing public.
In order to streamline decision-making and reporting channels, the Board and Management structures were changed into a more businesslike and efficient corporate structure with a single National Board of Directors overseeing Executive Management.
This resulted in the abolition of Regional Boards. As a result thereof, the various regional offices report directly to Management and have been granted more authority, such as the consideration and approval of colour applications.
De Kock has overseen much of the change in a period of enlightenment and progress to corporate values.
