Comment/Statement

Election of Sam Bullard as Chair of World Horse Welfare

We announce the election of Sam Bullard as the Chair of our Board of Trustees.

Posted on 18/07/2024

Birth of first foal from rescued ‘smuggled’ Dover 26 horses

Sam Bullard has been elected the Chair of our Board of Trustees from 1^st July 2024. Sam takes over from Michael Baines who has served as Chairman for over seven years.

Sam has been a World Horse Welfare Trustee since 2018 and brings to the role a lifetime’s experience of working with horses, largely in the racing industry. He has had a long career in the breeding industry where, for 23 years, he has managed and grown the global business of Darley Stallions for Godolphin. He has worked in the US, run his own bloodstock agency and remains on the Board of Fakenham Racecourse where he was Chair. He is also a Trustee of the European Breeder’s Fund and the Thoroughbred Breeder’s Association.

It is a great privilege to have been elected as Chair of this charity which has done so much for so many horses for nearly a century. Equine welfare is something about which I care deeply, and the importance of World Horse Welfare’s work has never been greater. I have been hugely impressed with all the staff, volunteers and supporters that I have met as I have been preparing for this role and I look forward to meeting with many more as I build my understanding of all that they do. On behalf of the Trustees, I would also like to thank Michael Baines who has done so much for World Horse Welfare over the 14 years that he has been a Trustee and latterly, Chair.”
Sam Bullard

I would like to thank my Trustees, our Chief Executive Roly Owers, and the staff at World Horse Welfare for all they have done to make chairing this organisation so rewarding. I am very proud of the quality of our work, most especially the part we played in finally banning the live export of horses for slaughter earlier this year, and the ever-increasing impact World Horse Welfare is making in so many other areas to improve the lives of horses. I hand over to Sam who brings great experience and perspective to the charity as we approach our centenary in 2027.”
Michael Baines

Our Council of Trustees is comprised of 15 members whose expertise covers finance, law, marketing, veterinary medicine, equestrianism and racing, international development and IT. Current Trustees include Jane Allen, Polly Compston MRCVS, Mark Davies, Richard Davison, Rebecca Emerson-Keeler, Melissa Gray-Cheape, Saima Habib, John Jarvis KC, Caroline Nokes MP, Christopher Price, Julie Ross, Merry Smith MRCVS, Hugh Thomas and Chris Tufnell FRCVS.

HRH The Princess Royal is the charity’s President and Barry Johnson its Vice President.

To find out more, please visit our Trustees webpage.