Royal award for queen of Hamilton Racecourse
Vivienhonouredwithmbe inceremonyatcastle
The chief executive of Hamilton Park Racecourse was presented with an MBE this week at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Vivien Currie was given the prestigious award by the Duke of Cambridge in recognition of her incredible period of success at the helm of the five-star resort.
She told the Advertiser: “This is a very special moment for me and my family and I am incredibly honoured and humbled.
“The horseracing industry is such a wonderful sport to work in.”
Under Vivien’s leadership and management, Hamilton Park has developed an award-winning reputation within both the business and horse racing communities.
That has seen the venue scoop multiple accolades and awards, alongside achieving record attendances and major growth in its conference and event business.
Vivien’s ambitious plans for the venue saw the completion of a £10million on-site hotel, a project she worked tirelessly to deliver in just three years.
Offering 118 rooms, the development has created more than 20 new jobs and is projected to generate an additional £5.9m in annual visitor expenditure as well as deliver significant economic impact for the area.
As an early member of the Racecourse Association’s Raceday Experience Group, Vivien was at the forefront of bringing the sport together to share best practice, before a six-year appointment to the RCA board as vice-chair saw her continue to influence the direction of the industry.
She was a non-executive director of the British Horseracing Authority between 2016 and 2019, and continues to have a major impact on the industry at the highest level whilst overseeing the development of Hamilton Park.
Vivien was also a member of the development board at Marie Curie Cancer Care, which raised more than £1m to fund the workings of the Glasgow Hospice.
She also supports numerous charitable causes through both her business and personal interests.
Vivien said: “Every day is different and I have been so fortunate to work alongside so many great people from so many different organisations within it.
“My career has been so rewarding thus far – it doesn’t feel like work. To be honoured for doing something I enjoy so much makes me one of the luckiest people ever.”
Vivien was a named as an MBE recipient last year but the ceremony was postponed due to Covid.