Paul Eriksson steps away from Tasracing after ‘personally challenging’ past two years

The state’s racing boss has announced he will step away from his job only months after being reappointed to the position. DETAILS>>>

TASRACING CEO Paul Eriksson has announced he will walk away from the organisation after more than three years at the helm.

Citing the stresses of the past two Covid-affected years, Mr Eriksson said he would be returning to Sydney to spend time with his family before looking for a new role.

A Tasracing spokesman said the board had deemed the time was right for Mr Eriksson’s resignation ahead of the “implementation of the outcomes” from the review of the 2004 Racing Regulation Act.

Appointed in March 2019, Mr Eriksson was only four months into his second term after being reappointed for another three years this March.

Jockey David Pires and TAS racing CEO Paul Eriksson during a track inspection at Elwick Racecourse. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Eriksson will conclude his duties on Friday, with Tasracing chief operating officer Andrew Jenkins appointed interim CEO.

Tasracing chair Gene Phair said Mr Eriksson had performed well in the position.

“Paul made a significant contribution to the development of the broader Tasmanian racing industry during his tenure in a number of areas,” Mr Phair said.

Mr Phair listed a number of the outgoing CEO’s achievements, including introducing significantly improved transparency around the reporting of welfare and injury statistics for horses and greyhounds, code funding growth of nearly 40 per cent and a strengthened financial position allowing Tasracing to deliver a five-year, $55m infrastructure plan.

Tasracing chief operating officer Andrew Jenkins will take over as interim CEO. Picture: LinkedIn

Labor MP and Shadow Racing Minister Dean Winter said the announcement was “very odd”.

“Mr Eriksson’s reappointment was never publicly announced, but four months later he’s leaving almost immediately,” Mr Winter said.

“Minister Ogilvie did not seem to know anything about the reappointment when asked last month.

Mr Winter said racing had been “continually let down by the government” during Mr Eriksson’s time in charge.

“We were the only state to shut down its racing industry during the pandemic – race meetings were cancelled at Elwick and Mowbray due to poor track maintenance and greyhound and harness trainers in the North West have been left with nothing after Tasracing decided to leave the Devonport Showgrounds,” Mr Winter said.

Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie applauded Mr Eriksson for “delivering sustainable prize money and industry funding increases”.

“Mr Eriksson also guided the industry through the Covid racing shutdown and then the recovery and rebuilding of the Tasmanian Racing Industry,” Ms Ogilvie said.

“This included the successful delivery of the first tri-code summer carnival in a Covid-safe environment.”

The Tasracing spokesman said a search for a permanent replacement in the $300,000 per year role would begin immediately.

Originally published as Paul Eriksson steps away from Tasracing after ‘personally challenging’ past two years