Attheraces loses top negotiator to Sky Australia.

Byline: Howard Wright 

GLYN WILLIAMS is to leave Attheraces, where he has been commercial director since the company began the process that led to it signing a ten-year media rights deal with 49 racecourses in 2001, writes Howard Wright.

Williams, a New Zealander who has been responsible for negotiating contracts to bring foreign races to the Attheraces racing channel service, is to become business development manager for Sky Australia in Sydney.

BSkyB is one of the consortium partners in Attheraces, alongside Arena Leisure and Channel 4.

Williams said yesterday his decision to leave Britain had been prompted by family reasons.

"My father has been ill, and travelling to see him in New Zealand from Sydney takes three hours, not the 26 hours it takes from England," he said.

"I'll still be available to Attheraces, as we and Sky Australia have a working understanding.

"We've brought in regular racing from France, South Africa and the States, which has presented its own difficulties."

Williams said his biggest disappointment was that 48-hour declaration of runners had not been fully introduced.

"That's held up our ambitions to launch UK racing in North America," he said.

Williams' position is not being filled immediately. The decision is expected to be left to the next chief executive, whose appointment is months away.