Board of Directors

British Showjumping Non-Executive Board Directors

Kirsty Pearce – Chair

Having previously been on the board as a Showjumping Specific Director,  Kirsty brings that experience and her own insight from over four decades of competing both nationally and internationally into the role as Chair.  

Having worked closely with many stakeholders within the sport, including the BEF, Kirsty has a diverse knowledge to add to her corporate expertise of managing her own businesses and multimillion-pound companies. 

Iain Graham – Chief Executive
Starting within the Pharmaceutical Industry in 1993 with an Honours degree in Pharmacy, Iain’s career changed paths when he was appointed as Technical Advisor to British Eventing. Shortly afterwards Iain accepted the position of BE Regional Director for Scotland and the North of England where he remained until joining British Showjumping bringing a depth of knowledge from the equestrian industry. Iain also has a wealth of experience from the commercial sector in respect of formulating and delivering change on strategic planning and re structuring. Iain was appointed as a member of the EEF Jumping Working Group in 2014 and is an FEI Technical Delegate for Eventing.

Chris Johannson BVMS CertEP MRCVS  - Equine Welfare 
Chris qualified from Glasgow University in 1992, and in 2000 was a founding partner and now Clinical Director at Western Counties Equine Hospital in Devon which has evolved into a busy first opinion and referral hospital. Clinical work is largely focussed on horses in training and sports horses alongside duties as an emergency surgeon. A senior vet at National Hunt racecourses and a FEI official veterinarian responsible for veterinary service provision at Bicton Arena Horse Trials including the one off 5* event and the BS Summer Tour. Chris is also a former BEVA council member. 

Chris has a wealth of experience at all levels of sport and is acutely aware of the importance of prioritising the welfare of the equine within sport and providing visible veterinary care.

Jenny Quirke – Finance
Jenny is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and qualified in 2001 whilst working for Zurich Insurance.  She has held senior finance and risk roles with financial services organisations, including Santander and Nationwide.

Jenny is Chair of the Audit Committee for The Vernon Building Society, Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee for the Council for Licensed Conveyancers and Chair of the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board.

Jenny maintains a keen interest in all equestrian sport.

Julie Smyth – Legal & Governance
Julie is a highly experienced lawyer who has worked in international law firms and in-house in the heavily regulated Aerospace industry for over 25 years, most recently as the General Counsel of GKN Aerospace. She has extensive experience in advising on, and managing, complex, multi-jurisdictional legal, governance and reputational matters.  Her focus is on working with very senior teams to deliver practical solutions, champion positive change, and help organisations have robust governance and assurance controls in place so that they can grow and develop their strategy in a sustainable way.    

Edward Bunn – Showjumping Specific
Edward has been involved with showjumping for over 40 years. He started at Hickstead as the Showground Manger in 1983, becoming a Director in 1998 moving up to Executive Director in 2009 on the death of his father Douglas Bunn, in 2009.

He project managed the refurbishment of the International Arena in 2010 as well as the addition of our all-weather facilities, ground care is my speciality.  He is currently an owner and his daughter Lucy Townley rides for the Billy Stud

Matthew Broome – Showjumping Specific
Matt Broome joins the Board having been the Rider representative on the Members Council and served two terms on the National Sport Committee.

Probably best known for his involvement in running shows of all levels up to CSI 2* with his family at Wales and West.
Matt competed successfully in the Youth European Championships where he won Junior Team Gold in 1999 and Young Rider Team Gold in 2002. In recent years Matt has also produced horses who have gone on to compete at top level which include the home-bred Kandleford and Diskoboy DN who won medals at Children on Horse and Junior European Championships.


Values

British Showjumping strives to achieve excellence and fairness in everything we do, supporting all people and horses to enjoy our sport.

Inclusivity: Open and welcoming to all wanting to be involved
Respect: For each other, our horses and the contributions made at all levels
Excellence: In everything we do from broadening participation to winning medals
Integrity: Demonstrating conduct that is ethical, honest, kind and sustainable
Welfare: The welfare of horses must be paramount