David Holmes of Great Britain has been appointed to the key position of FEI Executive Director, Sports. In this role, Holmes will lead the FEI Sports Departments and manage their planning, financial, and operational activities. He will monitor the liaison with the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the Organizing Committees in charge of the Olympic, Paralympic, and Youth Olympic Games and will coordinate the FEI World Equestrian Games, Regional Games, and Championships.

Chief Executive Officer of British Dressage for the last nine years, Holmes has in-depth knowledge of equestrian sport at the highest level, associated with proven management abilities. Having held senior positions in the British Ministry of Defense, Holmes brings to the FEI his extensive leadership and organizational expertise.

Said FEI Secretary General Alex McLin, “The appointment of David Holmes as Executive Director, Sports is an important step forward for the FEI. I am very satisfied that the selection process, conducted with input from the National Federations, has yielded such a positive result. It is a pleasure to welcome David to the team. I look forward to working with him and am convinced that a professional of his ability will prove to be a real asset.”

“I encouraged David to apply for the job,” commented British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Chairman Hugh Thomas. “I am convinced he will make an excellent Director of Sport for the FEI; the BEF and British Dressage are very sorry to be losing him.”

“I am very pleased to be taking up this exciting role at the FEI,” David Holmes declared. “This is an important time with so much change occurring within the FEI. I very much look forward to working with the National Federations and the team in Lausanne in order to achieve the challenging goals for our sport as set out in the FEI President’s manifesto.”

Holmes will join the FEI on September 1, but will be at the Olympic Games in Hong Kong in order to meet with FEI’s key partners.