Bath Racecourse appoints new Mentoring Lead

Bath Racecourse’s Emily Dinning has been appointed as the new Mentoring Lead for Women in Racing.

The role places her at the centre of one of the sport’s key initiatives aimed at supporting and developing women across the horse racing industry.

Emily, who works as a Business Co-ordinator at Bath Racecourse, will oversee the organisation’s entire mentoring programme – managing applications, interviewing prospective mentees and matching them with suitable mentors from across the sport.

Her appointment reflects her broader experience within racing, having spent four years at Bath after joining initially as a university intern.

“I thought it was a really good opportunity to network, meet new people within the industry and help young women progress their professional development,” said Emily.

As racing undertakes its biggest week of the year – the Cheltenham Festival (March 10th to 13th), the first-class honours graduate in International Equine and Agricultural Business Management from the Royal Agricultural University, believes the sport is changing.

A horse rider herself, Emily believes the industry has altered significantly in recent years, particularly in terms of opportunities for women.

That is something she says she has seen progress first-hand at Bath, where two senior positions are currently occupied by women – Executive Director Hannah Chree and Financial Controller Stephanie Geer.

Emily continued, “There may have been an image in the past that it wasn’t an industry for women, but that has not been my experience at all.

“Everyone in the industry has been so welcoming. Men and women are treated the same, absolutely. Everyone just wants to teach you and help you develop.

“Women in Racing is such a powerful network of women who are absolutely smashing it in their careers. It’s really inspiring to be part of.”

Women in Racing was established in 2009 with the aim of connecting women working in all areas of the industry, providing personal development opportunities and raising their professional profiles.

Independent of racing’s governing bodies, it works alongside stakeholders to encourage long-term cultural change and improve career pathways for women.

Emily’s appointment comes after a year of involvement with the organisation. Her move into the mentoring lead position followed internal committee changes and reflects her growing reputation within the network.

Her responsibilities include assessing enquiries from members seeking guidance, conducting one-to-one interviews to understand their ambitions, and pairing them with mentors who best match their goals and experience.

She added, “Just being part of the buzz on race day and meeting new people, ensuring that everyone has a great time enjoying the sport, there’s no better feeling.

“I just get to know about them, which enables me to see what they want within the industry long term,” she explained.

“Then, we’ve got a list of mentors, I suggest suitable people, and we work out a top three.”

“We have just introduced some male mentors as well, which is exciting to add to people’s opportunity. We’re open for everyone to give their experience and expertise.”

Emily is herself a mentee within the programme, currently being mentored by Pip Kirkby, the former chief executive of The Pony Club.

Pictured above: Emily Dinning is the new mentoring lead for Women in Racing