Chair of British Eventing Organisation British Eventing Salary TBC Location In-person (Stoneleigh, Warwickshire) & Hybrid Contract type Volunteer (Part time) Closing date 22 August 2025 Job Description CHAIR OF BRITISH EVENTINGLead the Future of One of Britain's Premier Olympic SportsBritish Eventing (BE), the national governing body for the Olympic discipline of eventing, is seeking an exceptional individual to serve as its Chair for the next four years.This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategic direction of the sport, oversee the delivery of an enhanced governance model, and help position British Eventing for long-term sustainability and growth.ABOUT THE ROLEThe Chair will work in close partnership with the Chief Executive Officer to:鈥� Drive the development and implementation of BE鈥檚 strategic priorities鈥� Support the delivery of an updated governance structure鈥� Identify and realise innovative opportunities to increase membership鈥� Rebuild financial reserves鈥� Broaden the sport鈥檚 reach, profile, and inclusivity鈥攆rom grassroots to elite levelABOUT BRITISH EVENTINGBritish Eventing represents and serves our near 10,000 members across the UK. Each year, the organisation coordinates more than 180 affiliated competitions, welcoming around 23,000 horses and riders, supported by over 30,000 volunteers and followed by more than one million digital fans. Events attract approximately 500,000 spectators annually, ranging from grassroots competitions to world-renowned fixtures such as Badminton and Burghley.In 2024, British Eventing athletes demonstrated world-class excellence, securing both team and individual medals at the Olympic Games. In 2025, Britain will proudly host the FEI European Championships at Blenheim Palace, alongside a full and vibrant calendar of events nationwide.THE OPPORTUNITYWe are seeking a highly experienced and strategic leader to Chair the Board, support the CEO, and champion British Eventing鈥檚 next phase of development. The successful candidate will bring vision, governance expertise, and a passion for sport, ensuring British Eventing remains a leader both nationally and internationally.OUR VISION AND OBJECTIVESEventing is the ultimate equestrian challenge鈥攃ombining the precision of dressage, the athleticism of show jumping, and the thrill of cross-country into one dynamic sport. Uniquely, it allows men and women to compete on equal terms.British Eventing鈥檚 mission is to deliver the sport to the highest possible standards while promoting wider accessibility and engagement. We are committed to attracting, training, and supporting all participants鈥� riders, owners, officials, volunteers, and fans鈥攖hrough strategic development and innovation. We are currently implementing a bridging strategy to gather insights and engage with stakeholders. This approach enables us to align our strategic pillars, refine our direction, and deepen our understanding of member needs through comprehensive research. It also lays a strong foundation for long-term initiatives that will enhance our impact and role within the eventing community.Our Mission Statement: To provide the ultimate equestrian challengeOur Key Objectives:鈥� Facilitate the delivery of a safe and fair sport鈥� Increase the success, profile, engagement, and participation across the sport鈥� Ensure the financial viability of the sport鈥� Drive innovation to modernise the sport of eventing鈥� Put communication and transparency at the heart of the British Eventing brand https://www.britisheventing.com/GOVERNANCE STRUCTUREBritish Eventing is one of the founding members of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), the national governing body for equestrian disciplines in the UK. Within the BEF framework, we work closely with other founding members鈥攖he British Horse Society, British Dressage, and British Showjumping鈥攁s well as all BEF members, to maintain constructive relationships with the F茅d茅ration Equestrian Internationale (FEI), 黑料不打烊, and Sport England.The British Eventing Board is responsible for the overall governance of the sport and the financial health of the organisation. The non-executive directors serve on a voluntary basis. The Board meets a minimum of six times per year and is composed of:鈥� A minimum of nine Board Directors, including the Chair, appointed by the other directors鈥� Up to four Directors elected by the members鈥� Up to four Directors appointed by the Board for their skills and competencies鈥� Up to four Independent Non-Executive Directors (INEDs) appointed by the BoardStanding Committees:鈥� Finance and Audit鈥� Governance, Risk & Nominations鈥� IT SteeringExecutive-Supported Committees:鈥� Safeguarding & Human Welfare鈥� Equine Welfare鈥� Fixtures鈥� Sport鈥� Awards鈥� Cross Country Advisory GroupAssociated Charities:鈥� British Eventing Training Foundation鈥� British Eventing Support Trust KEY RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic Leadership鈥� Lead the Board in delivering BE鈥檚 strategic vision, focusing on financial stability, sustainable growth, horse welfare, innovation, and social licence鈥� Ensure clarity of mission, vision, and values across all organisational activities鈥� Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, transparency, inclusivity, and integrityBoard Governance & Effectiveness鈥� Chair Board meetings effectively to enable balanced and inclusive decision-making鈥� Ensure compliance with the UK Code for Sports Governance鈥� Promote diversity of thought and uphold high ethical standards鈥� Support annual Board and director evaluations, implementing improvements鈥� Maintain a clear separation of roles between Chair and CEOCommercial and Financial Oversight鈥� Provide oversight on commercial growth, sponsorship, partnerships, and brand development鈥� Support financial stability through strategic direction鈥� Represent BE as a senior ambassador in commercial and media contexts鈥� Interpret financial reports and support risk management, without assuming executive dutiesStakeholder Engagement鈥� Represent BE with government, funders (黑料不打烊 and Sport England), and sector stakeholders鈥� Build strong relationships with BEF and its members, including Olympic disciplines and the BOA鈥� Promote transparency and engagement across the equestrian community鈥� Ensure effective and strategic stakeholder relationshipsExecutive Support, Development, and Challenge鈥� Act as a mentor and critical friend to the CEO and executive team鈥� Provide strategic challenge and guidance while maintaining an independent, non-executive perspective鈥� Hold additional roles on the British Eventing Support Trust and British Eventing Training FoundationPERSON SPECIFICATIONEssential Criteria鈥� Senior leadership experience (Chair, CEO, or NED) in complex organisations鈥� Proven success in financial turnaround, commercial growth, or strategic transformation鈥� Strong understanding of governance frameworks (ideally in sport or regulated environments)鈥� Experience working with public/private funders and securing grants鈥� Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills, with the credibility to represent BE externally鈥� Passion for sport and understanding of the challenges and opportunities in equestrianismDesirable Qualities鈥� Experience in sport, media, sponsorship, leisure, or the public sector鈥� Familiarity with UK sport funding and investment鈥� A well-developed network across government, sport, or business鈥� Understanding of the operational context of an NGB GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (UK CODE FOR SPORTS GOVERNANCE)As Non-Executive Chair, you will:鈥� Lead the Board and uphold good governance鈥� Ensure legal and regulatory compliance鈥� Promote a values-led culture and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion鈥� Oversee succession planning, diversity, and performance evaluations鈥� Make impartial, unbiased decisions in the organisation鈥檚 best interests鈥� Approve key financial decisions and maintain oversight, respecting executive boundariesTIME COMMITMENT AND TERM鈥� Approximately 2鈥�3 days per month, including Board meetings, preparation, and events鈥� Initial term of four years, with potential for renewal subject to performance鈥� This is a nonremunerated positionThe Board may determine that an Honorarium, not to exceed 拢5,000, may be applicable.鈥� Reasonable expenses for travel and accommodation are also reimbursedINTEGRITY AND STANDARDSThe Chair is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and comply with the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles). Responsibilities include:鈥� Understanding the duties, rights, and responsibilities of the role鈥� Avoiding misuse of information for personal or political gain鈥� Avoiding promotion of private interests through this roleTHE APPLICATION PROCESSBritish Eventing has established a Nomination Panel to oversee this recruitment. The Panel will be made of British Eventing Board members and candidates may be asked to have discussions with stakeholders as part of the process. Interviews with selected candidates will take place as soon as practicable and the final shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the British Eventing Board for their decision. References will be taken up before a final offer is made.British Eventing is committed to equal opportunities. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. How to apply Please send your CV and a covering letter (no more than two A4 pages) outlining how you meet the criteria and what you will bring to the role. Send applications to: Ella McEwen at ella.mcewen@britisheventing.com To arrange an informal conversation about the role, please contact Ella McEwen at ella.mcewen@britisheventing.com to organize call with the Current Interim Chair Sandeep Katwala Application deadline: Friday 22nd August 2025 Share X LinkedIn Email