Robert Cram appointed Chairman of Stewards

Racing Victoria (RV) has today announced that Robert Cram has been elevated to the position of Chairman of Stewards with immediate effect.  

Cram, who boasts over three decades of experience as an integrity official within Victorian racing, replaces Terry Bailey, who vacated the position in July 2018.

First employed by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) as a Cadet Stipendiary Steward in 1982, Cram assumed the role of Chairman of Stewards in the South Western, Ballarat District and Northern District regions of Victoria whilst also serving as the director of the state’s apprentice jockey training program from 1991-1996.

He was elevated to the position of Senior Stipendiary Steward in 1996 before being appointed Deputy Chairman of Stewards – Non Raceday Integrity & Compliance by RV in 2005.

Cram assumed the role of Manager – Integrity Services for two years from 2008 before returning to the position of Deputy Chairman of Stewards in 2010, serving in that role since under Bailey.

Cram has shared the position of Acting Chairman of Stewards since July 2018 and has been appointed following a worldwide search.

RV Executive General Manager – Integrity Services, Jamie Stier, said, “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Cram to the position of Chairman of Stewards with immediate effect and congratulate him on his selection.
 
“Robert is a vastly experienced steward who possesses a tremendous wealth of knowledge and understanding of the sport, a strong rapport with industry stakeholders and the ability to lead and nurture our stewards panel.

“As well as working tirelessly to maintain the integrity of the sport throughout his career, Robert has also demonstrated effective change management in strategic direction which is important as we continue to evolve our integrity processes. 

“Robert was responsible for establishing our successful apprentice jockey training program early in his career and later was the driving force behind the development of our non-raceday integrity program and activities.

“Robert also led the operational review of our betting services which ultimately led to the establishment of the Control Room, the centrally located raceday hub that remotely supports the stewards officiating at a race meeting.”

Cram said upon news of his appointment, “It’s a great honour to be appointed Chairman of Stewards of Racing Victoria and to lead a really talented and committed stewards panel. 

“I’m looking forward to helping each member of the panel continue to develop, while ensuring that we oversee safe, fair, clean and competitive racing for all participants across the state and for all punters betting on our racing.

“My focus will be on maintaining our unwavering commitment to the integrity of Victorian racing, whilst ensuring the highest standards of safety and the professional presentation of our sport on raceday.”

Cram will report to Stier with Rob Montgomery retaining the position of Deputy Chairman of Stewards, a position that he previously shared with Cram.