Former MP Sir Philip Davies appointed British greyhound board chair
Summary
Sir Philip Davies has been named chair of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), taking up the role on 1 September. He replaces Jeremy Cooper, who has been chair since June 2018. Davies, a former Conservative MP for Shipley (2005–2024) and known gambling advocate, succeeds Russ Wiseman at Star Sports earlier this year and has a long-standing personal connection to racing.
The GBGB also confirmed Mark Bird will remain as CEO for an additional two years after previously indicating plans to retire. GBGB and Davies highlighted the need for continuity and securing sustainable funding from the betting industry as priorities.
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Key Points
- • Sir Philip Davies becomes GBGB chair on 1 September, replacing Jeremy Cooper.
- • Davies was Conservative MP for Shipley from 2005 to 2024 and is a vocal gambling advocate.
- • He has recent industry experience as chairman of Star Sports Group of Companies.
- • Mark Bird has agreed to remain GBGB CEO for two more years despite earlier plans to retire.
- • GBGB plans to focus on stable, long-term funding from the betting industry and organisational continuity.
- • The appointment comes amid uncertainty for the sport after the Welsh government moved to ban greyhound racing; the UK government has said there are no plans for a UK-wide ban.
Why should I read this?
Because this matters if you follow UK racing or the betting sector — Davies is a high-profile, pro-gambling figure whose leadership could shape funding and lobbying efforts at a tense moment for the sport. Short version: new chair, more stability at the top, and a clearer fight over the future of greyhound racing.
Context and relevance
The appointment arrives as the sport faces political pressure, notably from the Welsh government’s move to ban greyhound racing. GBGB has launched a judicial review and stresses that licensed racing remains economically and socially important to many communities. Davies and Bird’s leadership is positioned as a bid for stability and to secure industry funding amid regulatory uncertainty.