Australian Jockey Club (AJC) chief executive Norman Gillespie will leave the club this week, ending speculation about his tenure and following a tumultuous time at the AJC after Ross Smyth-Kirk was voted off the board on the eve of the recent autumn carnival.
Newly elected AJC chairman Ron Finemore announced that Gillespie and the board had come to a mutual and confidential agreement and he would step down on Friday 1 May.
Just a few weeks ago, Richard Freedman resigned his position as director of racing after a controversial 12 months with the club.
Gillespie, who does not have a racing background, was appointed to the Chief Executive’s role in mid 2007.
"The board appreciates the commitment Norman has shown throughout his tenure as CEO which has coincided with a challenging time for the entire NSW racing industry, with the outbreak of equine influenza in late 2007 and the disruption caused by World Youth Day last year," Finemore said.
Darren Pearce has been appointed acting chief executive, with Tony Crawford the chief strategy officer.
