BRITISH SHOWJUMPING BOARD – ANNOUNCEMENT

 

 

Working within the Voluntary Code of Good Governance, an initiative backed by the Minister of Sport and the Olympics, British Showjumping are now best positioned to maintain funding from UK Sport and Sport England. In addition, the sport is now in a solid position to be moved forward positively whilst still ensuring it is able to proactively meet its membership’s needs.

 

The appointed Chairman and Non-Executive Director positions are as follows:

Chairman & Non-Executive Director
LES HARRIS 
Chairman of Fresh Direct Holdings Ltd, a company which Les founded in 1970 and has built into the international company that it is today with a turnover approaching £200m, a staff count of 1200 and 8 depots nationwide including one in France.

The company has also diversified to include nine other associated trades that encompass fresh food preparation through to a catering partnership with an extremely high profile chef.

 

Les has been actively involved in the sport since his son Colin started competing as a young rider some twenty five years ago. Fresh Direct has sponsored Tim Stockdale for the past ten years, a sponsorship that has proved mutually beneficial and successful.   In 2011 Les joined the British Showjumping Management Board and assisted in implementing changes to the constitution, the purchase of the sports new Head Office in Meriden and the ongoing streamlining of the sports existing structure.

 

Commenting on his appointment Les said “It is a great honour to accept the position of Chairman. I have been on the Board now for 18 months during which time I’ve been extremely motivated by the changes that have come into play allowing us to progress the sport forward.   The responses from other sporting associations in respect of the changes we’ve made have been extremely positive with many of them wanting to follow our lead. To be in a position where we now have a Board of highly regarded and enthused professionals looking after the governance of the sport, in addition to a Members Council that represent the membership puts us in an extremely fortunate position. I feel privileged to be accepting the role of Chairman in a sport that is both accessible and approachable to its members whilst also at the top of its game following the superb achievement of the team at the London Olympics”.

Non-Executive Director – Finance
NICKY ROCHE CBE 
In 2007, Nicky took the role of Director of Operations, Government Olympic Executive, London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She supported the Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt (and previously Tessa Jowell) and Minister for Sport, Hugh Robertson, on the operational side of the Games. Alongside helping to ensure that the logistical delivery of the Games was met, as a member of the senior leadership team Nicky also helped ensure the budget of £9.3bn was managed and outcomes were on time and to quality.
 

Prior to this Nicky held the post of Director of Sport and Main Board Member for the DCMS where she drove the implementation of Government strategy on public participation in sport. In this role, Nicky helped secure over £500m public funding for Olympic and Paralympic sports in addition to leading for DCMS on the early Olympic construction programme and setting up the Olympic Lottery Distributor with a revenue raising target of £750m.
 

A member of the Prime Minister’s high level advisory panel to Rio 2016, Nicky was awarded a CBE for services to the staging of the London 2012 Games.
 

On accepting the appointment Nicky commented “I have always had a strong interest in competitive sports and have a passion for equestrianism whereby I ride as often as time will allow each week. Having been extensively involved in both the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, I am looking forward to using the knowledge gained during this time to benefit the sport wherever I can”.

 

 

Qualifying as a solicitor with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 2004, Erin’s focus has been on working with the corporate sector with her core focus being on Sports Policy, Governance and corporate strategy. In 2011, Erin furthered her qualifications with a Masters in Law (LLM) which she passed with Distinction.

 

Erin has a proven track record of providing high quality legal and commercial advice in addition to delivering strategic, commercial and operational objectives. In addition to being responsible for the legal requirements of Sport England, Erin is also responsible for advising their subsidiary company, The Sports Council Trust Company on all areas of law and in respect of their governance issues. 

 

Further, Erin also co-lead’s with UK Sport and the Sport & Recreation Alliance the establishment of the National Governing Body Legal Panel Framework which was set up to support governing bodies of sport with access to legal advice.

 

Commenting on her appointment Erin said “I am pleased that I have been appointed in the position of Legal and Governance for the sport and am also looking forward to working with the Board and Management Groups to modernise the sport”.

Non-Executive Director – Sponsorship & Commercial
ISABELLA VON MESTERHÁZY 
Holding the position of Head of Marketing for the Animal Health Portfolio at Allianz Insurance UK since 2011, Isabella has a track record of delivering brand strategy and positioning across e-commerce, CRM and both campaign and channel marketing.

 

Taking the lead on the marketing strategy and brand needs for Petplan, Petplan Equine, Petplan Sanctuary and Scottish Equine Insurance Services whom collectively have an annual turnover in excess of £250m, Isabella is focused on delivering market share growth across all four companies with her team of twenty.

 

With a strong focus on delivering complex marketing programmes that drive both market awareness and commercial growth, Isabella is a highly trained marketer who has driven sales growth year on year for Petplan since her appointment and their full relaunch.

 

Prior to joining Allianz Insurance UK, Isabella has worked as a consultant where she oversaw the strategic brand planning and change management for Grandstand Media in respect of Horse of The Year Show. She has also held the role of Global Head of Marketing for an international sportswear brand in addition to holding the post of Senior Brand Manager for Nestle Purina UK.

 

On announcement of her appointment, Isabella commented “It is a real honour to join the Board and I am very much looking forward to working with such a strong team.   It is wonderful to be able to combine my passion for the sport with my commercial experience and it will be an exciting new challenge to build on the success in London 2012”.

 
 

Non-Executive Director – Public Relations & Communications
ANDREW BALDOCK 
Rugby Union and Equestrian Correspondent for the Press Association, Andrew is a highly respected sports journalist whom has also taken on the role of Chairman of the British Equestrian Writers Association since the end of last year.

 

Appointed as the Rugby Union correspondent in 1998 for the Press Association, Andrew has a strong working relationship with national and regional newspaper and works closely on delivering features and reports of national and international interest. He has been a journalist for 30 years.

 

In 2009, Andrew also took the post of Equestrian correspondent for the Press Association just prior to the European Championships being hosted in Windsor. Since securing the post of Equestrian writer, Andrew has worked closely and proactively with British Showjumping resulting in a marked increase in coverage at both a national and regional level.

 

Andrew has an in depth knowledge of the three Olympic disciplines both as a journalist and as a parent of a daughter who is an event rider.

 

Commenting on his appointment Andrew said “I am really thrilled to have the chance to make a contribution and am looking forward to building on the success of last year. We need to ensure the Nation’s enthusiasm for the sport is not only maintained but increased and I will be doing everything I can to assist with that”.

Non-Executive Director – Showjumping Specific
 Julia Biddle 
A member of the British Showjumping Management Board since 2011, Julia is a Law Graduate, a 2 Star Judge, a competing member and also a successful international owner with horses that have represented Great Britain at Nations Cup level in addition to having enjoyed considerable wins at both International and National level. 

 

Prior to joining the Board in 2011, Julia served British Showjumping on a number of committee’s where she was relied upon to make informed decisions about the sport. Julia has a passion for ensuring the sports needs are met whether it be at a grass roots through to the elite level, a passion that was all too evident with the opportunities that she ensured were made available at her venue, Norton Heath Equestrian Centre, until it’s sale in 2007.

 

Having actively been involved as a venue owner, show organiser, owner and competitor in addition to having served the Board and various committees, Julia brings tremendous value and is ideally placed to represent all stakeholders within the sport.

 

Talking after her appointment had been confirmed Julia commented “I am really excited to have been appointed and to have the opportunity to be working on such an impressive Board. We have the opportunity to put British Showjumping back where it used to be and to say I’m thrilled to be part of it would be an understatement”.

 

 

Non-Executive Director – Showjumping Specific
Kirsty Pearce 
Working as a Sales and Financial specialist with over 20 years of experience of delivering commercial results, Kirsty also has a longstanding and successful alignment with the sport.  

Initially competing on ponies, Kirsty progressed through the pony ranks regularly qualifying for Horse of the Year Show.   Moving on to horses, Kirsty has produced numerous young horses from novice through to graded levels.

 

A UKCC Level 2 coach, Kirsty feels it is important to give time back to the sport if it is to continue moving forward.   With a strong belief that as many opportunities as possible should be made available to both our existing and prospective members, Kirsty is committed to ensuring our sport is in a position to embrace all levels of competitor

 

On her appointment Kirsty said “I am really thrilled to be appointed and feel fortunate that I am able to play a part in the development of British Showjumping’s future and what I believe will be a new era for the sport”.

 

 

Iain Graham, Chief Executive for British Showjumping who retains his position as a Director commented “It is extremely exciting for the sport to have attracted such a high calibre of individuals who are all voluntarily committing their time and expertise for our benefit.   I would also like to thank the Sport & Recreation Alliance for their assistance throughout the change in our governance structure. We have set the standard for other sports to follow.”