Neilan announces raft of top level IGB appointments

ADRIAN NEILAN, the recently-appointed CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board, has completed a top-level review of the organisation and yesterday announced a number of appointments as part of the board’s strategic goal of improving operational efficiency and providing greater value to the industry.

The Board has created a Deputy Chief Executive position with responsibility for Control, Regulation, Racing Operations and Welfare as well as making other significant organisational and reporting changes.

The new Deputy CEO is D. J. Histon. He joined Bord na gCon 1983, became Control Steward attached to Limerick track in 1990 and remained in this position for 13 years. In 2003 he was appointed Racing & Promotions Manager. Two years later was appointed as Racing Operations & Welfare Manager and has continued in that position to date.

Commenting on the appointment, Chairman, Dick O' Sullivan said. “It is to his great credit that D. J. has worked his way through the ranks of the greyhound industry. It is very important that this position is led by a person who understands, not alone the greyhound industry, but also greyhound people.”

Echoing those sentiments Neilan added: “We want to further improve greyhound welfare and DJ's leadership in this domain was most significant. This appointment should send a clear message to the industry that the needs of our very important stakeholders, namely greyhound owners and trainers, will be upheld in the best possible way by the selection of DJ”.

The new marketing manager is Michael Drummey, who held the same position in the Kerry Group and who is very highly regarded in the public relations field for the level of innovation associated with his marketing plans.

Patricia Griffin has been appointed as Head of Tote principally for the very significant contribution she made in dramatically improving Tote performance in Dublin as well as her gaming industry knowledge.

The Financial Controller will be Michael Foley, whose brief will be advising on overall cost reduction opportunities across the organisation as well as equipping functional and stadium managers with timely, accurate and relevant information to drive performance.

Commenting on the changes Neilan said that “the top-level reorganisation of IGB is now complete and I will be driving a systemised and professional performance management approach with my management team in order to ensure we get the results to move the greyhound industry forward”.

Other organisational changes announced are:

Stadium Managers reporting to CEO: John Ward, Noel Holland, Gus Ryan, Pat Herbert, Orla Strumble, Fintan Monahan, Paddy Ryan, Pat O'Donovan, Patrick Flynn.

Head of Legal Affairs: Daniel O' Leary

Human Resources Manager: Jim O'Dwyer

Head of Information Technology: Vinny Barrett

Stadia Commercial and Operations Manager: David Morgan.