THE board of Horse Racing Ireland has been increased to 14 members following two new Ministerial appointments.

Yesterday Minister Creed appointed corporate communications expert Elizabeth Headon and banking professional Peter Nolan to the board. In August the Minister appointed Downpatrick Racecourse board member Robert Nixon to the HRI board. All three are expected to serve four-year terms on the board.

From Dublin, Headon is currently a non-executive director of Kenmare Resources and a corporate affairs adviser at Coolmore Stud. She has worked with several Irish public relations companies, as well as Bord Bia.

Peter Nolan is an accountant and treasurer with extensive experience in risk management in the banking sector and has a proven track record in debt funding. He worked with Rabobank and Coronet Finance.

Robert Nixon is from Newcastle, Co Down. An accomplished businessman, he has previously owned racehorses.

The new members join chairman Joe Keeling, Meta Osborne, Bernard Caldwell, Noel Cloake, William Flood, John Moloney, Eimear Mulhern, James Gough, Francis Hyland, John Powell and Michael Halford on the HRI board.