Mark Sartori appointed as new BE Chair

We head into the new season with the news that Mark Sartori has been appointed as the new Independent Chair of the Board, succeeding Interim Chair Jane Holderness-Roddam.

Mark brings a wealth of experience to the role following a successful career in Investment Banking and Capital Markets. A current Trustee for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity where he chairs the Investment Committee, Mark also coaches senior executives in multiple industries, advises boards on governance and regulation and also has a number of investments across a portfolio of sectors.

Knowledge

Alongside the depth of business expertise that Mark brings to British Eventing, he also has a deep-seated understanding of the sport, having competed up to Advanced level himself, as well as being a trustee for the British Eventing Support Trust. As an owner, Mark has a number of 5* riders based at his farm in Surrey and also co-owns the current British Open Champion, Monkeying Around, with Izzy Taylor.

“I’m delighted to be the new chair of British Eventing and would like to thank Jane Holderness-Roddam for her work as interim chair,” says Mark.

“With us currently being Olympic, World and European champions, the sport has much to celebrate. However, there are some very significant challenges facing the sport and I will be working hard. with all the stakeholders to move our sport forward.

“We need to improve our product, make it more affordable and grow our membership whilst offering more opportunities for people to try eventing.

“We need strong leadership from the board and the executive team as we face some real challenges in the short and the long term.

“I am very much looking forward to working with the board, [Chief Executive] Helen West and her team, the riders, owners, organisers, volunteers and everyone who is a part of our wonderful sport.

“We need to agree the way forward and work together to ensure that British Eventing retains its place as a world leader. We have big plans for the sport and the next few years will be very exciting for everyone involved.”

Welcome

Mark has received a warm welcome since being appointed, with Chief Executive Helen pleased to add his experience to BE’s ranks.

“I speak not only on behalf of myself but also the entire board when I say I can’t thank Mark enough for wanting to step in and assist us in the role of chair,” says Helen.

“We are extremely lucky to have him on board and I am excited about the future of the sport with him at our helm.

“The new season has just begun, entries have opened and by the rate of take-up we are seeing in membership over the past few weeks it is clearly evident that we have a thriving community wishing to compete with us.

“The future is definitely bright for British Eventing with prestigious championships for all level of competitor and I am looking forward to us rebuilding the sport into the progressive and modern one that we all know it can and will be.”

Watch out for our larger feature with Mark Sartori in the Summer 2022 issue of British Eventing Life, and you can read more now from Helen West, BE Chief Executive, on the future for BE.