Though he will not officially resign as a director of the Tasracing Board until next week’s Annual General Meeting, today’s Board meeting was the last for Deputy Chairman Des Gleeson.
The highly respected and experienced racing administrator, former chairman of stewards for the Victoria Racing Club, former director of Integrity Services and former chairman of stewards for Racing Victoria, Des joined the Tasracing Board in January 2010 before being appointed Deputy Chairman at the end of 2015.
Des’ contribution to board discussions and deliberations has been significant.
During the 2015/16 financial year, he chaired the Racing Policy and Rules Committee of the Board, and as the thoroughbred code’s director, attended Thoroughbred Advisory Network meetings.
He was also Tasracing’s nominated director for Racing Australia, where he was the chairman of the Integrity and Welfare Executive Committee.
Along with other Directors, during his tenure he was focused on resolving the important issue of industry sustainability.
The racing industry funding realignment, announced in July 2015 that placed Tasracing on a sustainable financial basis for the first time since the company was established in 2009, was clearly a significant milestone and achievement during a period of remarkable change and unique challenges.
Tasracing and the Tasmanian racing industry have been well served by Des whose abilities and experience have been so important during his six-year tenure on the board.
Interim CEO
Mark Tarring