Nigel Railton will become chair of Racecourse Media Group on October 1, 2026. He will succeed Conor Grant as the company manages broadcast, betting and official race-data rights used by betting operators in Great Britain.

Racecourse Media Group announced the appointment on September 18. Grant will remain with the business until November 1 to support a one-month handover.

Why the appointment matters

Racecourse Media Group is owned by 37 racecourses. It manages and distributes rights covering live racing content, betting services and official race data. The company says 100% of its operating profit is returned to its racecourse partners.

Its data and media products support betting activity around British racing. Racecourse Media Group says its content reaches licensed betting offices in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its wider distribution network also serves international markets.

Railton’s appointment comes as the racing industry depends on the commercial value of its broadcast rights and official data.

The chairmanship therefore affects more than boardroom leadership. Racecourse Media Group’s commercial performance influences the income available to its racecourse shareholders and the value of the services supplied to bookmakers.

Railton’s regulated-sector experience

Railton has been chair of Post Office Ltd since May 2024. Before that, he was chief executive of Camelot UK, the former operator of the National Lottery.

Racecourse Media Group said Railton led Camelot through a business turnaround, expanded its digital operations and oversaw increased returns to good causes. He also previously led Camelot Global, which developed lottery contracts outside the United Kingdom.

The appointment gives Racecourse Media Group a chair with experience in highly regulated consumer markets. It does not change the licensing position of betting operators or represent a new decision by the Gambling Commission.

What changes on October 1

  • Railton becomes chair of Racecourse Media Group on October 1, 2026.
  • Grant will support the transition until November 1, 2026.
  • Nick Mills will remain chief executive.
  • Racecourse Media Group will continue to manage and commercialise media and official race-data rights for its racecourse shareholders.

Racecourse Media Group said Railton will work with the board and Mills on audience growth, commercial partnerships and long-term returns for racecourses.

The immediate challenge is commercial rather than regulatory. The company must protect the value of racing content and data as betting operators face tighter player-protection duties, changing customer habits and continued pressure on the economics of British racing.