HBLB chair Paul Darling passes away

Darling served as non-executive chair of the HBLB from April 2020. Prior to this, he spent time as a board member with GB racing’s funding body between 2008 and 2014.

Alongside working with the HBLB, Darling was a member of the Tote board and chaired the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB). In addition, he was chair of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority and was awarded an OBE in 2015 for services to safety at sports grounds and to horseracing.

Outside the industry, Darling worked in the legal sector. Since 2017, he had been a Kings Counsel, advocate, arbitrator and adjudicator specialising in construction, energy and procurement. He was also a bencher for The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, which calls members to serve as barristers in the English legal system, for almost 20 years.

In addition, Darling served as director of family business Darling’s Pharmacy, which spans four shops.

“His passing will leave a gap in the lives of everyone at the Levy Board,” the HBLB said. “We will miss him deeply but will remember his love of racing and all that he did for the Levy Board and for the sport over many years. 

“Our thoughts are with his family and in particular his wife Camilla.”

Betting and Gaming Council management remembers Darling

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has also shared its sorrow at Darling’s passing, with senior management paying tribute.

BGC chair Michael Dugher described Darling as a “powerful and progressive force” for British horseracing. He added: “Such an incredibly clever person, but always such great company and great fun. I will remember with much fondness a warm, wise old bear of a man.”

BGC CEO Grainne Hurst added: “Paul was an expert both legally and practically when it came to gambling regulation and was a passionate stalwart of our industry. Reliable, knowledgeable, principled and with a great sense of humour. He will be greatly missed by everyone who has ever worked with him.”

Darling’s passing “desperately sad news”

Several BGC members also spoke fondly of Darling following his passing. Simon Clare, group director of consumer PR at Entain, said his passing is “desperately sad news”. 

“Paul was a larger-than-life character, full of positivity, energy and a huge capacity for fun, as well as being a super smart and passionate contributor to British racing,” Clare said. “He will be sorely missed.”

JenningsBet managing director Greg Knight added Darling led the ABB “during a tumultuous & challenging period, often fighting against the tide but always engaging and calm”. 

“During his tenure he was always keen to campaign for the smaller operators and genuinely cared about those working on the front line in the shops. He was a pivotal figure in both the racing and bookmaking industries and he will be sorely missed.”

Malcolm George, former CEO of ABB, also said: “In his role as ABB chairman, Paul gave generously of his time and intellect to support an industry and the sports he loved. Most of all, I will remember his deep and genuine kindness to me, the ABB team and our members. 

“I feel honoured and privileged to have been able to call Paul a friend and I will miss him.”

iGB would like to pass on its condolences to the Darling family and all those who worked with or knew Paul Darling.