Vivien Kyles wants to improve Hamilton Racecourse's facilities

Vivien Kyles, Hamilton racecourse's new chief executive, aims to broaden its uses beyond simply race meetings.

The former chief executive of Livingston FC was speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Sports Weekly programme.

"I want to provide some extra opportunities for people to use the facilities outwith the race meeting," said Kyles.

"Maybe they can have weddings there, parties, use the facilities for the 340 days a year it doesn't have racing."

Kyles was one of the first female chief executives of a football club and has since made the jump to horse racing.

"The team that were already at Hamilton are doing a superb job. What I'm trying to bring to it is an extra dimension," she said.

"When I took over at Livingston, the club was in administration, so anything I did was going to make it better. Going into Hamilton Park is slightly different.

"Once I was on site and had a look round Hamilton Park, it was a pretty impressive sight. It's quite hard to resist on a sunny day.

"I know some people would wonder why anyone would move from football to racing.

"But it's the event management and putting on a super show for the general public and hopefully they go home a lot happier than they did when they watched football.

"When I went into football, I realised that it was a bit of a novelty factor for some people, being a female.

"I think they soon realised I wasn't afraid to speak up and say what I thought.

"But I was made very welcome, particularly in the SPL, and just had to learn very quickly what it was all about, what the politics were in football and dealing with agents, the SPL, the SFL, clubs and the Scottish Football Association.

The amount of people we get through the gates at Hamilton are, thankfully, larger than we got at Livingston and, when you please them, it gives you a huge buzz Vivien Kyles, Hamilton Racecourse chief executive

"Even back in my accountancy career, I've never had the whole glass ceiling concept and still don't understand what that means.

"It doesn't matter what sex or age you are. If you've got the drive and enthusiasm to do it then you will get on."

Kyles was looking forward to Hamilton's next big night.

"On Wednesday night, I'll be in at the deep end, as we have the Lanark Silver Bell, the oldest trophy in horse racing history, on the race card," she said.

"That, coupled with Cash for Kids night, means it going to be a superb event with plenty of celebrities.

"The amount of people we get through the gates at Hamilton are, thankfully, larger than we got at Livingston and, when you please them, it gives you a huge buzz."