The BGA Team
This is your voluntary Board of Directors who have all worked as grooms at some stage, but have since moved into different careers and so bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to run the British Grooms Association.
 |
BRIGADIER JOHN SMALES - CHAIRMAN John has a wealth of equestrian experience and is an experienced horseman who is ex King's Hussars and whose comprehensive equine experience includes show jumping, racing and drag-hunting. John has ridden all over the world, from Afghanistan to Argentina. John was the Chief Executive for the ILPH for six years. |
 |
LUCY KATAN - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Lucy was a dressage groom for eight years. Following a speech on behalf of groom recognition at the 2003 Equine Forum, she became the BEF's Grooms Representative. She is the brainchild behind the BGA and will be running the office and coordinating all BGA developments. She also works at LOCOG (the Organising Committee of London 2012 Olympics). |
 |
ZOE TAYLOR – MARKETING DIRECTOR Zoe runs consultancy ElliottEQ, specialising in marketing and project management for the Equine Industry and she works extensively for the British Horseracing Authority. Zoe has worked as a polo groom and as an equine veterinary nurse. Sharing three horses with her husband she is no stranger to ‘doing her 3’ before work and therefore stays very much in touch with the realities of a life working with horses |
 |
GILL GREEVES - SKILLS AND TRAINING DIRECTOR
During her equestrian career, Gill worked in training, competition and racing yards. She regularly evented, showjumped and hunted her own horses. She worked for the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust for 15 years, developing qualifications and training courses, latterly as Executive Director. Sharing family event horses she now enjoys the role as exercise rider and unpaid groom! |
 |
LIZ DANIELS - COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR & BRITISH GROOMS MAGAZINE EDITOR Based in Scotland, but originally from Staffordshire, Liz has worked with horses for many years on a variety of yards, including spending time as a show jumping groom for Geoff Billington. Liz now spends most of her time as a freelance equestrian journalist as well as looking after her baby girl, two horses, two dogs and riding out when ever she can! |
 |
FI BOUGHTON - MEMBERSHIP OFFICER Fi Boughton owns and runs a Virtual PA business based in Wiltshire. She has worked with horses since leaving school in a wide variety of yards. She has worked with Team Fredericks and Pippa Funnell as well as in racing, showing and veterinary convalescence. In her role as unofficial groom for her daughter she is staying in touch with the industry. Despite not having a horse of her own she exercises for a number of owners. She is delighted to be able to work with the BGA to help increase the profile of grooms. |