Honour for races boss
Hamilton course chief’s joy at MBE
Hamilton Park’s chief executive has been honoured with an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
Vivien Currie receives the prestigious award for her services to racecourse management, business and charity in Hamilton.
The recognition comes after an incredible period of success as she enters her 12th year at the helm of the Bothwell Road venue.
She said: “The horse racing industry is such a wonderful sport to work in.
“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 that I enjoy so much makes me one of the luckiest people ever.”
Under Vivien’s management, Hamilton Park has developed an awardwinning reputation within both the business and horseracing communities, scooping multiple accolades and awards alongside record attendances and major growth in its conference and event business. Most recently Vivien has continued her ambitious plans for the venue with the completion of a £10million on-site hotel last summer, a project that she has worked tirelessly to deliver in just three years.
Offering 118 rooms, the new development 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 surrounding 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 continued development of Hamilton Park.
Vivien is also a member of the development board at Marie Curie Cancer Care, leading the Hamilton Park team in raising more than £35,000 in the last four years.
In addition, she also proactively supports numerous charitable causes through both her business and personal interests.
Prior to her role at Hamilton park Vivien was part-owner of and chief executive of Livingston Football Club having bought the club and taken it out of administration.
She also sat on the Scottish Football League Management Committee where she was the first female to hold such an appointment in its over 100-year existence.