I’m a trustee who works full‑time within the industry, though not hands‑on in racing itself. Through my role at Markel, I work across global bloodstock insurance — covering racehorses, breeding stock, stallions, mares, foals and weanlings for everyone from individual owners to some of the largest operations in the world. That background gives me a strong understanding of the industry’s complexities, its pressures, and its constantly shifting demands.
But because I’m not directly involved with jockeys day‑to‑day, I can offer something slightly different: a balanced, informed and neutral voice, whether that’s in formal board meetings or informal conversations.
I’d always known about the IJF, but I didn’t appreciate the full extent of their work until I became more involved. Many people are the same — you only truly understand the depth of their support when you need it. Much of their work happens quietly, supporting people through deeply personal challenges with complete respect for privacy. Because of that, the impact they have is far greater than most realise.
My connection with the IJF grew through Olympia, where Markel sponsored the jump and flat jockeys’ showjumping challenge. It was a light‑hearted competition that showed the camaraderie between the codes to a huge audience, and as part of our involvement Markel made a donation to the IJF. It was through those events that I first got to know Lisa Hancock and the wider team.
About five years ago, when a trustee was stepping down, they asked if I might be interested. I was genuinely taken aback. To be able to give something back to an industry that has fed me for more than 30 years felt like a huge honour.
I’m committed to the role because the IJF is a charity, yes — but it’s also a highly professional organisation. To be an effective trustee, you have to understand how the charity works at every level. That means spending time at the three rehabilitation centres, visiting the hubs, and seeing the work first‑hand.
I’m lucky that my job takes me to Lambourn and Newmarket regularly, so I can pop into the centres, check in with the teams, and stay connected. We have four in‑person board meetings a year, plus events like William Norris’s retirement celebration at Ascot, which was a wonderful chance for all the trustees to come together informally.
The responsibility of being a trustee is immense. The senior leadership team, led by Lisa, sets the strategy and runs the day‑to‑day operations. Our role is to ensure the charity is well‑run, financially secure, and delivering the maximum possible impact.
We challenge constructively, support the executive, and make sure the IJF continues to evolve to meet the needs of anyone who needs support.
Looking ahead:
There are major developments underway — particularly the planned expansion of Oaksey House, which was the IJF’s first rehabilitation centre. With everything we’ve learnt from the two newer centres, this project will allow us to bring Oaksey House up to the same modern standard and increase what we’re able to offer. It’s a significant and thoughtfully designed development, and it’s exciting to see how much more the facility will be able to offer to the racing community in the years ahead.
Something you might not know:
With The Princess Royal as our Patron, the charity benefits from exceptional leadership. I sat across from her at a board meeting at Peter O’Sullevan House six or seven months ago, and I was struck by the depth of her understanding of the IJF’s work.
She is involved with so many organisations, yet her grasp of the detail — the challenges, the pressures, the realities our beneficiaries face — was remarkable. She is far more than a name on the letterhead; her contribution in the room is thoughtful, informed and genuinely valuable. We are extremely fortunate to have her guiding the charity’s direction.
With my full‑time job, I stay closely connected to wider industry politics, current issues and emerging challenges. The strength of the IJF board lies in its mix of skills — each trustee brings something distinct, and together we form a whole that is far stronger than the sum of its parts.