Sebastian Hutch will take over as Managing Director of Inglis from January 4, 2027, marking the next stage in a carefully planned leadership transition at one of the most established names in the bloodstock industry.
Hutch joined Inglis from Coolmore in November 2018 and has held a succession of senior positions during his eight years with the company. He began as General Manager – Bloodstock Sales before moving to General Manager – Bloodstock Sales & Marketing and then Bloodstock CEO, a position he has held from 2021 through 2026.
He will succeed Mark Webster, who has led Inglis as Managing Director since 2007. Webster made history when he became the first person outside the Inglis family to hold the position and will now oversee a gradual handover before stepping away from the role.
Under the transition arrangements, Webster will continue as a part-time Executive Director working on special projects until July 2027. By then, he will have completed 20 years of service with the company. Following his retirement from the executive role, he will continue as Chair of Ardex Technology and remain involved with Inglis’ US digital and other projects.
The Inglis Board has also confirmed that Webster will become a Non-Executive Director, allowing the company to retain his experience and counsel.
Sebastian Hutch Begins a New Chapter at Inglis
Hutch said the appointment was a significant honour and described Inglis as a company with a remarkable history and a strong sense of continuity.
He credited the Inglis family, shareholders and Board for the opportunities he has received during his time with the company and said he was honoured to take responsibility for its next chapter.
The incoming Managing Director also highlighted the strength of the existing team, pointing to its commitment, experience and pride in representing the Inglis name. He said he was looking forward to leading the business with optimism and building on the foundations already established.
Hutch also paid tribute to Webster, describing his predecessor as a transformational leader whose influence extended well beyond the domestic bloodstock sector. He praised Webster’s integrity and the manner in which he had conducted his work throughout almost two decades.
For Webster, the opportunity to lead Inglis for such an extended period represented an extraordinary privilege. During his tenure, the company underwent significant development, including the expansion of its digital auction operations and the development of Riverside Stables.
He also congratulated Hutch on his contribution to the bloodstock business and expressed confidence that his successor was ready to take the wider company forward.
Arthur Inglis, Deputy Chair and a fifth-generation member of the Inglis family, paid tribute to Webster’s tenure while backing Hutch to guide the company through its next phase.
Arthur highlighted Webster’s role in a number of major developments, including the relocation to Riverside, the establishment of the William Inglis Hotel and innovations that have subsequently influenced the wider industry.
He also pointed to Hutch’s work ethic, industry knowledge and leadership of the bloodstock operation as key reasons for the Board’s confidence in the appointment.
Inglis Chair John Coates AC said the succession process had been developing for several years, beginning with Hutch’s appointment in 2018. During that period, Webster remained responsible for the wider Inglis group while Hutch increasingly assumed responsibility for the bloodstock business.
Hutch’s record as Bloodstock CEO, combined with his experience across sales and marketing, has positioned him for the broader leadership role. The Board believes that experience will provide continuity while allowing the company to enter a new phase under his direction.
The appointment therefore represents more than a change at the top. It is the culmination of a long-term succession plan that preserves the experience of Webster while handing responsibility to a leader who has spent much of the past decade working within the organisation.
For Inglis, January 2027 will mark the formal beginning of the Sebastian Hutch era, with the company seeking to build on a substantial legacy while continuing its development across the international bloodstock landscape.
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