Chris Watts Appointed as BHA’s First Head of Integrity Assurance

The UKs horse racing governing body, the BHA, has made a significant move to protect the sport’s fairness by naming Chris Watts as its inaugural Head of Integrity Assurance. Watts joins the BHA after a distinguished thirty-year career with London’s Metropolitan Police, where he achieved the rank of Detective Superintendent specializing in serious and fatal offenses.

In recent years, Watts played a key role in fighting corruption within cricket, serving as the Anti-Corruption Manager for the England and Wales Cricket Board. This position provided him with invaluable knowledge in working alongside important figures throughout the athletic community.

Watts conveyed his excitement about the new opportunity, remarking, “My past work in sports integrity has given me a solid understanding of the BHA’s Integrity Department.” He further stressed his lifelong love of horses and athletics, expressing his eagerness to utilize his abilities and expertise in this new role.

Watts’s qualifications go beyond law enforcement and sports management. He is also a valued member of the Sports Betting Group and holds the position of Co-Chair of the Sports Integrity Forum.

The BHA’s Chief Regulatory Officer, Brant Dunshea, enthusiastically welcomed Watts to the team. He emphasized Watts’s vast experience in intelligence oversight, investigations, and sports integrity, stressing the critical strategic significance of this newly established position.

The UK Jockey Club has named Chris Sadler as its new Head of Fairness and Governance, with the appointment taking effect right away.