Melbourne socialite Ann Peacock appointed to Victoria Racing Club board

Ann Peacock has been elected to the VRC board, filling one of two positions open at the club’s annual general meeting.

Ann Peacock has been elected to the VRC board. Picture: Karon Photography

Melbourne socialite and long-time racing purist Ann Peacock has been elected to the Victoria Racing Club board, along with returning director Allison Purdey.

Peacock, the Crown casino general manager community and charity, has a distinguished career in public relations, event management, media, marketing, brand and sponsorship.

She also holds long-time family interests and involvement in horse ownership, breeding and training.

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Purdey was appointed to the VRC board last September, filling a casual vacancy and bringing strong governance, extensive professional experience and significant racing interests.

VRC chairman Neil Wilson congratulated Purdey and Peacock on their election at the annual general meeting on Wednesday.

“In the short time Allison has served on the board, she has been a valued contributor to the VRC, offering expertise which is central to the Club’s future direction,” Wilson said.

“I welcome Ann to the VRC board. She will be a great asset to the Club, bringing a long term passion for thoroughbred racing and extensive senior executive experience.”

Outgoing director Vicki Canning was unsuccessful in her bid to seek re-election.

The VRC reported a loss of $16.96m after depreciation and amortisation to July 31 attributed to the ongoing effects of the pandemic and its impact the club’s core revenue from race days and events.

Significant wagering and interest in racing this year, coupled with the return of Cup Week crowds – “a turning point for the major event industry in Victoria” – has the VRC in a strong position.

“We are now looking forward to a more positive financial future and to investing in the club’s assets over the coming years,” Wilson said.

“Our club has survived a very difficult period due to your support and we look forward to you all enjoying your membership to the fullest in the coming years.”

Four candidates in running for two spots

Two new members are to be elected to the Victoria Racing Club board of directors at Wednesday’s annual general meeting.

Four candidates are running for the two positions – one which was recently created and the other vacated when Judge Katherine Bourke retired from the board in September.

Bourke had been on the VRC board since 2006 while the new director position was approved at last year’s AGM by members.

Two of the four candidates were co-opted by the VRC board in September when Judge Bourke stood down.

Those candidates, both seeking re-election are Allison Purdy and Vicky Canning and they face a challenge for the two positions from two new candidates Ann Peacock and Jason Pickles.

Allison Purdey has vast legal experience working as a deputy general counsel at a listed international mining company and is an experienced and trusted legal adviser and leader with Australian and international experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate/commercial, finance, company secretarial and compliance.

She has been involved in the racing industry for most of her life and is a thoroughbred racehorse owner and VRC member for 23 years.

Vicki Canning has spent her career working in healthcare, currently a senior executive and an experienced chief executive officer in private healthcare.

She has been involved in the racing industry since she was a teenager, including riding trackwork at Flemington, and has been a thoroughbred racehorse owner and VRC member for 20 years.

Ann Peacock has had an extensive career and deep experience in leadership, public relations, event management, media, stakeholder, brand and sponsorship management, marketing, and communications.

Her family has a long-time interest and active involvement via horse ownership, breeding and training, leading to a passion for and global perspective of the racing industry.

Jason Pickles is a human resources specialist, that also has experience in operations and business development predominantly in training organisations.