Desi Dillingham, MBE
Chair
Desi was Founding Chair of British Dressage (1997-2007), President of the British Horse Society (2007-2011) and Chair of the Animal Health Trust ‘British Equestrian Awards’ 2002-2012. Her career spans all equestrian circles including having a major involvement in British breeding and playing a central role in fundraising for the Equestrian section of the British Olympic Team since the 1980’s.
Andrew Dowden
Vice Chair
Andy was born in Bristol and grew up in the south of the city. He has a long career in construction and civil engineering and has run his business, Brandwells Construction Co Ltd since its formation in 1973. He now lives in North Somerset and in his spare time enjoys golf, gardening and walking in the countryside.
Annette Newman
Annette is the Managing Director of Exeter based KOR Communications, a strategic communications consultancy which she founded in 2006, specialising in publicity, reputation management and engagement. Annette joined the HorseWorld Board of Trustees in 2017 and is proud to support this long-established charity with her professional experience and lifelong interest in horses and their therapeutic benefits.
John Newman
John has been a trustee of HorseWorld since 2007 and was appointed Chairman from 2009-2020.He retired in 2006 after a career at senior and general management levels in corporate and merchant banking with mainstream UK and continental European banks and in latter years as a consultant to the commodity trading subsidiary of a major French bank. John is also a director of the charity’s trading subsidiary.
Duncan Ballard
BVM & S Cert EP MRCVS
Duncan qualified from Edinburgh University in 2000. After working in equine practice in Derbyshire and Yorkshire, he moved to the Royal Veterinary College to build their equine practice. Duncan moved to the B&W Equine Group in 2006 and become a Director in 2009. Duncan is based at their Failand Clinic.
Nigel Daniel
Nigel retired in 2015 from National Westminster Bank after 39 years; most recently he was a Relationship Director for large not-for-profit organisations, primarily in the Care and Education sectors. Nigel, a Bristolian, is a non-executive Director and Treasurer for a number of Charities and other Community Bodies.
Mike Neale
Mike was a Director of Assurance and Business Services at accountancy firm, Evelyn Partners. He qualified with the firm in 1978 and was made a partner in 1983.He specialised in advising owner managed businesses in the small to medium sized enterprise (SME) sector. Mike acted for a diverse range of clients and his depth of knowledge allowed him to advise on all aspects of the client’s business and assist with the growth of the company.
Kerry Gwyther
Kerry is a Partner in the National Law Firm TLT and is Head of its Regulatory team. Kerry advises businesses of all shapes and sizes, Directors and Trustees on all aspects of Regulatory Compliance such as Environmental duties, Health and Safety and Corporate Governance. Kerry has been involved with HorseWorld since the 1980’s as an advisor to the Board and has been involved in many of its key decisions and changes over the year. He is currently a Trustee of the main Board of HorseWorld and lives in the South West.
Steve Webb
OBE
Following a two year spell in the Bristol Police Force Steve pursued his sporting interests by joining The Bristol Federation of Boys Clubs, where he was responsible for creating and developing a comprehensive Activities and Arts programme for the young people of Bristol.
He became Chief Executive of The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Association of Boys Clubs, responsible for the wellbeing of over one hundred clubs and assisting the National Association with its comprehensive Nationwide support programme. Some years later he focused on expanding his family property and hotel portfolio whilst retaining voluntary support for the NABC. He subsequently became National Chairman, a position he held for eight years until 2015.
In 2014 he was awarded an O.B.E. for services to young people.