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The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, today announced that he has appointed Mr. Nicky Hartery as Chair of Horse Racing Ireland. Minister Creed said;

I am delighted to appoint Mr. Hartery to the post of Chair of Horse Racing Ireland and I am confident that he will provide innovative strategic leadership and direction to the horse racing sector.

Mr Hartery was appointed following a competitive process conducted by PAS.

The Minister added

The next five years will see major challenges for Ireland, particularly in the context of Brexit, and Horse Racing Ireland will benefit from continuity in strong leadership. I wish Mr Hartery every success in this leadership role in promoting a sustainable horse racing industry, one that will expand employment and create the maximum contribution to the Irish economy.

Minister Creed went on to pay tribute to the outgoing Chair, Joe Keeling.

I wish to place on the record my deep appreciation of Joe Keelings commitment in chairing Horse Racing Ireland over the last 5 years. His business experience, effective chairing of the Board and work with the organisation has delivered tangible results. Joe has done an outstanding job at the helm of HRI and he has been steadfast in his commitment to the HRI mission of “developing and promoting Ireland as a world centre of excellence for horseracing and breeding”, throughout his tenure. I wish him every success in all his future endeavours. 

Biog/Info on new Chair

Mr Hartery has a lifelong interest in horses and is the owner of a stud farm in Co Limerick where he breeds mainly thoroughbred horses for flat racing, selling foals, yearlings and broodmares at sales such as Goffs, Tattersalls and Arqana, France. In addition, he races horses in Ireland, the UK and France having winners in Group 1, 2 and 3 races.
Mr. Hartery is the current Chairman of Cement Roadstone Ireland (CRH) having been appointed in 2012 following a period as director (2004 – 2012). He is also the Chairman of the Musgrave Group, an Irish food wholesaler (2009 to present). He is also the current President and CEO of PRODIUM, a consultancy and business advisory firm (2009 to present). In the past Mr. Hartery has held senior management positions with a number of international companies including Dell Computers, Eastman Kodak, EMEA, Verbatim Corporation and General Electric.

Note for editors:
The position is for a period of 5 years and the appointment has been made following a competitive process managed by the PAS (Public Appointments Service).