Greyhound Racing Victoria’s continued emphasis on integrity and animal welfare has been reaffirmed with the appointment of Shane Gillard as GRV’s first General Manager of Integrity.
Under previous GRV structures, integrity, racing and animal welfare had fallen under the one umbrella.
Following recommendations from the Perna review, there will now be a separate integrity arm as part of the priorities of the new GRV.
Mr Gillard brings more than 20 years experience in management and leadership across a variety of sectors including engineering, manufacturing, construction, training, recruitment and labour hire.
He has spent the last 12 years as the regulator of workplace health and safety with Australia’s leading Occupational Health & Safety regulator WorkSafe Victoria in various compliance and enforcement roles.
Mr Gillard will oversee a team of dedicated officers who will stop at nothing to ensure Victorian greyhound racing is run according to the highest possible standards of integrity.
He said he was thrilled about the challenge that lay ahead as Victorian greyhound racing continued to embark on its significant reform agenda.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to join the team at GRV at such a critical time in its history,” Mr Gillard said.
“The chance to influence and navigate the industry through an important period of reform is something that I’m excited and very optimistic about.”
Mr Gillard’s appointment comes shortly after Dr Gavin Goble was appointed to the role of GM Animal Welfare.
He is the latest in a series of key appointments made to bolster GRV’s integrity resources, including Charlie Bezzina, one of Victoria’s most experienced and commended police detectives.
This renewed focus on integrity was highlighted in the recent Review of Integrity Structures of the Victorian Racing Industry that praised GRV for its investment and dedication to integrity and welfare services over the past 12 months.
“I’m keen to work with the industry to improve the welfare of greyhounds, to develop and implement best practice when it comes to operational integrity and importantly hold those to account that operate outside the rules,” Mr Gillard said.
“I have been a regulatory environment for more than a decade and make no apology for holding those to account who disregard the rules.
“I’m enthusiastic about working with the Greyhound racing community to make the changes necessary that ensure welfare of the animals and integrity is at the forefront of the industry.”
GRV CEO Alan Clayton said Mr Gillard would play a vital part in implementing GRV’s reform agenda.
“Part of this role is to reinstate confidence of the Australian community that the greyhound racing industry is a legitimate sport and one that deserves its place in Victoria,” Mr Clayton said.
“It is a great opportunity to influence change in an industry that is an important part of the Victorian economy and ensure it remains so for many years to come.
“I’d like to also take this opportunity to thank Charlie Bezzina for stepping up as the acting GM Integrity and I look forward to him continuing to work in our integrity unit.”