With the racing season at York in full swing, York Racecourse continues to collect prestigious Awards, the most recent being the success of Jane Richardson in the Yorkshire PA Awards organised by The PA Hub and held at The Pavilion, Leeds United on 2 July.  A vital member of the Knavesmire team, Jane collected the title of “The PA Hub Member’s Member York Award” as voted for by her fellow Personal Assistants.

Well known in both the York business and racing communities, Jane is an invaluable member of the team in her role as Personal Assistant to Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, William Derby.  Her roles are many and varied from being the vital link to trainers and owners preparing to race at York, to organising events, lunches and the many charity and community activities that York Racecourse supports.  As an example, she masterminds the famous Gimcrack Dinner which is in its 245th year, held annually in December - it is to racing what the Mansion House Dinner is to the City.

Congratulating Jane on her award, William Derby said, “This award is richly deserved, Jane’s dedication to the many aspects of her role is hugely to her credit and she is a great asset to the organisation - she certainly makes my life easier!  The recruitment and appointment of Jane in 2002 was one of my first decisions when I joined York and it has certainly been one of my best.”

Speaking after the ceremony in Leeds on Thursday evening, Jane herself said, “I am York born and bred and was an Annual Badgeholder at York before William asked me to join the team.  I love York Racecourse, especially the people who work here, and it is a thrill to be recognised for just doing a job that I enjoy.  Being recognised by my fellow PA Hub Members, who understand the role, is both an honour and a thrill.”

This latest honour follows recent successes for the Racecourse in the Visit York Tourism Awards and the York Design Awards.