Cover image courtesy of Inglis
Hutch joined Inglis from his previous role at Coolmore Australia three years ago and has worked as General Manager Bloodstock Sales and Marketing, helping the iconic sales company negotiate the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and grow the business into new areas.
Inglis has been searching for a successor for Webster, who initially announced he would step down from the Managing Director role at the end of 2018, for some time and Hutch was lured from Coolmore at that time with a view to him possibly developing into the role.
The progression has now been confirmed with Hutch to step into his new role immediately. Webster, who has been Managing Director since 2007, will focus on other Inglis-owned entities such as The William Inglis Hotel, Ardex Technology, Inglis Rural Property, while continuing to serve on the Inglis Board.
Mark Webster | Image courtesy of Inglis
Hutch, who arrived in Australia from his native Ireland in 2008, was understandably humbled by the opportunity.
“I am very grateful for the opportunities afforded to me by Mark, the Board and the Inglis family during my time at Inglis," Hutch said.
“Working for people like Arthur and Charlotte Inglis, Jamie and Sarah Inglis, John Coates and Steve Gregg as part of a company with such a fantastic history and reputation is a real honour.
“Mark Webster has done an amazing job as Managing Director and CEO for the past 15 years and I assume responsibility of the bloodstock business at a very exciting time."
"Mark Webster has done an amazing job as Managing Director and CEO for the past 15 years and I assume responsibility of the bloodstock business at a very exciting time." - Sebastian Hutch
Hutch's time at Inglis has coincided with a significant growth in the digital market, several record results at major sales as well as changing of the guard in terms of personnel at the company. He said he is looking forward to continuing to work with the Inglis team.
“Our team is a fantastic mix of experience and enthusiasm and the determination amongst the group to continue to progress the quality of the service that we offer is very stimulating," he said.
“Customer service is of the utmost importance to us as a group and our focus at all times is on working with our clients to help them to achieve outstanding results in their interaction with Inglis.
Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We are particularly excited about our 2022 Yearling Sales Series, the standard for which looks like being incredibly high, and we look forward to buyers and investors attending those sales in person to buy better with Inglis."
'A perfect candidate'
Webster said Hutch was the perfect candidate for the role having made a strong impression since joining the company in late 2018.
“Since joining Inglis three years ago Sebastian has proved to be an employee of the highest quality and he’s 100 per cent made for senior management," Webster said.
“He is very passionate about his work and is a great complement to what is an exceptionally hard-working, talented and determined Inglis Bloodstock team.
“He (Sebastian Hutch) is very passionate about his work and is a great complement to what is an exceptionally hard-working, talented and determined Inglis Bloodstock team." - Mark Webster
“I wish Sebastian all the best in his new role as Chief Executive and look forward to seeing him flourish as he takes our bloodstock business into the future. I look forward to providing my ongoing support to Sebastian and our entire group of companies but in a different capacity."
From Kanturk to Warwick Farm
Hutch, 36, grew up in Kanturk in County Cork, and undertook business and legal studies at the University College of Dublin, qualifying him to work as a solicitor.
But it was the thoroughbred industry, which he had become familiar with through his father's work as a veterinarian, that drew him in and after time spent in the stables of legendary trainer John Oxx in Ireland as well as Neil Drysdale in the United States, he worked with Coolmore in Ireland.
John Oxx | Image courtesy of Racingfotos
In August 2008, he arrived in Australia for a stint with the global powerhouse at Jerrys Plains in the Hunter Valley. Initially planning maybe a four-month stay, he joined the nominations team on a permanent basis when James Harron left to break out on his own.
Hutch would spend the next decade at Coolmore, during which time he would set further roots down in Australia by marrying and starting a family.
With Webster set to depart his role and Inglis looking for young leadership material in the industry, Hutch took the role of General Manager Bloodstock Sales and Marketing in late 2018.
He has become a public face for Inglis alongside Webster during this time, while overseeing a renewed bloodstock and marketing team.
