Kate Carnell AO

Non-Executive Chair

Kate Carnell is an experienced company director and CEO. Kate has held positions at the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, and the position of CEO at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Beyond Blue, Australian Food and Grocery Council, Australian General Practice Network, and National Association of Forest Industries.

Kate is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Queensland.

Gary Crispe

Executive Director and Chief Commercial Director

Gary Crispe is a co-founder of Racing and Sports and a highly respected thoroughbred industry expert.

Gary heads the executive team within Racing and Sports, driving strategic growth and overseeing the expansion of the business model globally, with a specific immediate focus on the UK and US markets.

Gary has been part of the executive team that has led Racing and Sports since 1999 and has developed the strategy that has seen the overseas expansion.

Gary holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and civil engineering.

Greg Nichols

Non-Executive Director

Greg Nichols is an internationally renowned leader within thoroughbred horseracing, sport and wagering, with global prominence as a senior executive for more than 30 years.

Greg is a Director of Racing Australia, having previously also held the position of Chairman. Greg is currently a Non-executive Director of Racing Victoria and Chairman of the AFL Coaches’ Association.

Greg was formerly the Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Board and has also held the position of Managing Director for Sporting Affairs at Betfair UK.

Greg holds Graduate Membership of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Sophie Karzis

Non-Executive Director

Sophie is a qualified legal practitioner specialising in ASX Listing Rules and corporations law.

Sophie has provided general counsel and company secretarial services to a number of ASX-listed companies,  including currently as, Gale Pacific Limited, and Maggie Beer Holdings Limited.

Sophie currently holds non-executive directorship roles at Touch Ventures Limited and Collingwood Football Club Foundation. Sophie holds bachelor degrees in law and jurisprudence from Monash University.

James Palmer

Non-Executive Director

James is an experienced CFO and Board Director, currently providing CFO advisory services to early-stage, fast growth companies and serving on the boards of Lava Blue Ltd, Epicorp Ltd and the Royal Australian Mint (Chair of Audit & Risk Committee & Member of the Advisory Board).

James’ previous experience includes CFO of ArchTIS (ASX:AR9), CFO of Seeing Machines Ltd (AIM:SEE), as an audit partner at Ernst & Young where he was also managing partner of the Canberra audit practice for six years, and as a board member for a series of private and not-for-profit organisations.

James is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. James holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from Manchester University.

Stephen Crispe

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Stephen is an experienced c-level executive with a background in leading and growing businesses. He is a strategic thinker and has a strong focus on technology with emerging global trends. Stephen has previously spent over 10 years building and ultimately selling a business in the security and intelligence sector.

Over the past 20 years, Stephen has held various positions at Racing and Sports, across technology, strategy and business development, providing him with an extremely comprehensive perspective in his role as Chief Executive Officer.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science from the Australian National University (ANU) with majors in software engineering and information systems.

Carolyn Steele

Independent Non-Executive Director

• Carolyn is a professional director with extensive experience in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and investment management.
• Carolyn is currently a director of Ultrafast Fibre, Green Cross Health, the Halberg Foundation, Oriens Capital GP 2 and WEL Networks.
• Carolyn has previously served as a director for Datacom and Metlifecare.
• Carolyn was Portfolio Manager at Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, the Crown entity that manages the New Zealand Superannuation Fund.
• Prior to this, Carolyn spent 10 years in investment banking at Credit Suisse and Forsyth Barr.
• Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Management Studies (Honours) from the University of Waikato.