AFTER due consideration by the respective Boards of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA) and the SA Equine Trade Council, it has been decided that Peter Gibson would return to the Trade Council from 1 July, assuming the role of CEO, a position which he has held since 2003.

The Trade Council, established in 2001, is one of 19 export councils officially supported by the Department of Trade & Industry with a view to growing the country’s exports, facilitating trade and encouraging foreign direct investment. Although an independent, non-profit company, the Trade Council was housed and managed under the Horseracing South Africa (Pty) Ltd umbrella when the latter organization was still operational.

Peter Gibson.

Following the closure of Horseracing South Africa (Pty) Ltd last July, Gibson accepted a position with the TBA in September to direct functions pertaining to Breed Affairs and provide support to Bloodstock South Africa, the TBA’s sales arm. During this time, he acted as caretaker CEO of the Trade Council whilst a suitable replacement was being sought.

However, with conditions appearing more favourable for South Africa to negotiate new and improved horse export protocols, it made sense to utilize Gibson’s extensive past experience in the field of international trade and to channel most of his energies in this direction.

On behalf of the TBA, he will retain certain Breed Affairs functions including supporting the breeding industry’s transformation programme, breeder education and regional club liaison. He will thus have dual roles for the TBA and the SA Equine Trade Council, but will no longer have any involvement with the operations of Bloodstock South Africa.