Peter Wright appointed Chief Executive of the PPA

Retired soldier Peter Wright will look to rally the troops once he begins his role as Chief Executive of the Point-to-Point Authority this Autumn. 

Peter, who lives a stone’s throw from the PPA Swindon office in nearby Highworth, will be the third person to hold the role since the PPA’s creation in 2008. 

As a Lieutenant Colonel, Peter spent much of his previous career working in or on Africa, including time in Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. During that period he acquired a wealth of experience and skills that look set to serve him well in his new career, including strategic analysis, planning and diplomacy. 

A lifelong pointing enthusiast, Peter has acted as Clerk of Course at Larkhill racecourse and has led on recent innovation and improvements at the Wiltshire venue. Improving profitability for their fixtures and enhancing the overall racegoer experience has also been high on the agenda during Peter’s time on the Combined Services Point-to-Point Organising Committee. 

 Peter said: “I’ve been an official, owner and racegoer at point-to-points, which has given me a wide perspective and experience to draw upon which I hope will serve me well for the challenge ahead. I’ve been pointing since I was a baby and try to go racing between 25 and 35 times a season, I’m incredibly passionate about the sport. I cannot wait to get started at the PPA and it is a privilege to be given the chance to take a leading role in securing the future and sustainability of British pointing.” 

Chairman of the PPA Andrew Merriam said: “Some fantastic individuals came forward for the Chief Executive role, not surprisingly as there are so many passionate supporters of point-to-pointing out there already involved with the day-to-day running of our sport. The PPA Board had a difficult job to sort through a long list of candidates, but what swung it Peter’s way were the great ideas he presented and his infectious enthusiasm for the sport.”