DEBORAH Grey has been named as the successor to Sarah McNicholas, who will step down as chief executive of the Irish Equine Centre at Johnstown in Co Kildare at the end of this year.

Grey comes into the job having been head of operations at the Injured Jockeys Fund in Britain.

She was raised and studied in South Africa before moving to Britain in 1999. After a spell as a recruitment specialist she spent 12 years as a consultant and moved to Newmarket in 2016 which led to her becoming more involved in racing.

Grey worked for the National Association of Racing Staff and, during that time, she completed an MBA in The Horseracing Industry from the University of Liverpool.

She has owned, bred and competed horses in Britain and South Africa.

Grey said: “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to join the Irish Equine Centre, which has a great reputation and does an outstanding job in protecting the health of the Irish equine population.

“I look forward to working with what I know is a very talented team and contributing to the further development of the Centre.”

IEC chairman John Malone said: “I am pleased that someone of Deborah’s background and experience has agreed to undertake the role of chief executive. I have no doubt that she will make a major contribution towards the further growth and development of the Centre, which is such a valuable asset for the Irish equine sector.

“I would like to thank Sarah McNicholas for her excellent contribution to the Centre over the past nine years.”