Notes from last Board meeting

The British Eventing Board met on March 22, 2011 at Stoneleigh Park.  All Board Directors were present. 

• The Board were presented with the final audited accounts for 2010 together with a full Audit report.  Ms Karen Bartlett of Saffery Champness, BE’s auditors, presented.  The Board approved the final 2010 accounts and the BE team are congratulated on the Accounts and very good Audit report.  The final 2010 accounts will be circulated to the membership in the next issue of the magazine and online. 
• BE’s membership and horse registrations are doing well, nearing 2008 figures.  The spread Direct Debit option has proven to be popular and there is good take up on this choice of payment.
• The Board would like to update the British Eventing Memorandum and Articles of Association; in part they are difficult to interpret and have some anomalies in them.  Board Director Phil Smith has drafted a first proposal with initial recommendations and, working with legal advisers and Wendy McGowan, our company secretary, he will progress this project.      
• The 2011 Blenheim budget was approved by the Board as was the Burghley 2011 budget. 
• Express Eventing made a presentation to the Board on their competition. 
• BE’s Health and Safety protocols and processes are under review. Ray Hipkin has been engaged to work with the Executive on this project.
• BE is looking to undertake an independent Event Viability Study. It is felt that an independent person with the right qualifications (MBA level) and experience could bring a fresh approach to the subject which may provide new views and ideas.
• An initial Training and Education strategy has been drafted and more will be done as this strategy develops alongside BE’s overall strategy on its sporting and business goals.  This area is ready for further development as part of on-going developments for the membership. 
• The next board meeting will be held on June 1^st at Stoneleigh Park.