Racecourse Media Group appoints Nigel Railton, former CEO of Camelot, as chairman

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has appointed Nigel Railton, former Chief Executive Officer of both Camelot Global and Camelot UK, as Non-Executive Chairman. The appointment takes effect on October 1, succeeding Conor Grant, who will undergo a one-month transition until November 1. Grant announced his decision to leave the position in April, citing an increase in his work and travel commitments related to his role as President of Gaming at Fanatics Betting and Gaming.

Nigel Railton at the helm of RMG: background and experience

Railton comes to RMG after a distinguished career in the gaming and regulated sectors in the UK. He currently serves as chairman of the Post Office, a position he has held since May 2024 after being called to lead the entity following the dismissal of Henry Staunton, related to the fallout from the Horizon IT scandal. In that episode, hundreds of sub-postmasters were prosecuted for software errors that caused alleged fund losses.

In the gaming sector, Railton served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Director of Strategy at Camelot Group from April 2005 until November 2014. He then took over as Chief Executive of Camelot Lottery Solutions until November 2017 and returned as CEO of Camelot Group, a position he held until his departure in February 2023. This departure came after the acquisition of Camelot by Allwyn, in the lead-up to the award of the fourth license for the UK National Lottery.

"Nigel brings an exceptional combination of business leadership, governance experience, and strategic vision, gained from leading some of the UK's most renowned and regulated organizations," stated James Sanderson, Non-Executive Director of RMG.

Business environment and challenges for RMG under Railton’s presidency

RMG faces a challenging business environment as its revenues are directly dependent on betting volumes. Factors such as affordability checks and regulatory intervention have curtailed revenue flows, despite the group achieving a record £118.4 million in payments to its 37 shareholder racecourses in 2025, representing a 4.8% year-on-year increase. Railton will need to coordinate the group's strategy in this tightly regulated context, seeking to consolidate RMG’s position in media rights and engagement with fans.

Managing audiovisual rights in British horse racing remains a central focus for RMG, with agreements ranging from signal production to content distribution to betting houses and other platforms. In this new leadership cycle, a renewed focus on commercial innovation and strengthening the relationship with shareholder racecourses is expected.

Leadership transition at RMG and Conor Grant’s legacy

Conor Grant took over from Roger Lewis in October 2023. During his tenure, the company maintained its leadership in the media sector for British racing. Grant stepped down to focus on other projects related to Fanatics Betting and Gaming. According to RMG CEO Nick Mills, "Conor’s guidance, support, and leadership have been invaluable to the organization and the shareholder racecourses."

Grant and Railton will work closely together during the formal transition period, ensuring continuity in the company’s operations and strategic contacts.

Outlook under the leadership of Nigel Railton

Nigel Railton expressed his enthusiasm regarding the future of RMG and noted his intention to build on recent successes, strengthen alliances, and bolster sustainable growth for the British racing sector. The board and shareholders expect Railton's experience in innovation and institutional relations to be pivotal in addressing current regulatory and market challenges.

Arnold Ash serves as an executive recruitment partner in the process, assisting RMG and other organizations to identify top-level talent in the industry.

For further analysis on the regulatory challenges in British gaming, visit the regulation section.