JETS Announce Changes to Board of Trustees

At its most recent Board meeting held in May, longstanding JETS Trustee Kate O’Neill officially stepped down from her role and three new Trustees were appointed.

Kate O’Neill joined JETS as a Trustee in 2007, first as the Injured Jockeys Fund representative on the Board and then as an independent Trustee from 2009 and has helped steer the charity as it has developed over the years, witnessing a true culture shift in jockeys’ attitude towards education and training whilst also taking part in judging the Richard Davis Awards and awarding JETS scholarships.

Kate said:

“I have found the role really interesting and it has been a great privilege, albeit in some very small way, to be associated with JETS. There are so many things during my tenure that have been immensely satisfying including the variety of academic courses that have been undertaken with great success by jockeys and former jockeys proving that with ability, determination and the right support so many things are possible.

“Seeing JETS becoming a true catalyst to allow jockeys to flourish in careers both within and beyond the racing industry has been the most satisfying as it reflects not only the sheer diversity of courses undertaken across so many different fields but also the forward planning that jockeys now put in towards a second career whilst riding.”

With Kate’s departure formally noted, three new Trustees were appointed with former rugby player and racehorse re-homer Ben Cooper, Community Engagement Manager with Racing Together Lucy Gurney and former jockey David Stratton all formally joining the Board.

JETS Chair Sheila Bailey said:

“JETS is sad to see Kate’s departure after many years of dedicated service to the charity. She has made a huge impact on the post riding careers of many jockeys and taken a keen interest in their successes. Kate also sat on the Scholarship Committee and has a wealth of knowledge of the third level educational attainments of the jockeys who took this route. We are so grateful for all of Kate’s work over many years and we wish her and Séamus all the very best for the future and look forward to seeing her on a racecourse in the future.

“We were also delighted to welcome our three new Trustees to the board. Ben, Lucy and David bring a wealth of experience which will help JETS forge ahead in achieving our goal to support jockeys throughout their riding careers and beyond. I very much look forward to working with them.”

Profiles of the new Trustees can be found here