Brian Stevenson will take the reins as chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for the next four years, during which time the club will develop a state-of-the-art training centre near Guangzhou.
Stevenson, currently the club's deputy chairman, will be named chairman at the annual general meeting tonight. He succeeds John Chan Cho-chak.
The club is working with the Guangzhou city government on the design and construction of the equestrian venue for November's Asian Games in Guangzhou. After the sporting event, the 150-hectare site in Conghua , 40 kilometres northeast of Guangzhou, will be developed into a training base for some 400 Hong Kong racehorses.
Scottish-born Stevenson, 65, has been a club member since 1984 and became a voting member in August 1996. He was chairman and managing partner of accounting firm Ernst & Young and was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star for his efforts in promoting Hong Kong service industries and community services.
During Chan's four-year tenure as chairman, the club hosted the equestrian competition of the 2008 Olympic Games and weathered the subsequent global economic downturn.
Chan, who completes his term as chairman today, said enforcement measures by authorities to combat illegal gambling and efforts by the club to enhance its services were needed to fend off growing competition and help ensure betting revenue continued to benefit the community.
