BETA executive director

Claire Williams on handling anything from safety garments to prohibited substances, helping BETA members through the pandemic and advising on camels...

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I was born in New Zealand, left on a two-year contract and never went back.

I was employed by a New Zealand sheepskin tannery to do their market development in Europe and came over at the start of 1991.

The tannery was the biggest in the world, processing more than a million sheepskins a year. We had contracts with Ikea, Mothercare, Walmart, we sold to Ugg boots and for paint rollers, coats, dog beds, rugs – it’s amazing what you can do with a sheepskin! I zipped around Europe, which was fascinating. I adored it.

I lived in a fabulous place in northern Germany until 2000, on a Hanoverian stud – it was a dream come true.

Then I met Bob, now my husband, and we had a long-distance relationship.

But I left that wonderful job because the company was starting to change.

This is where H&H had a role, as Bob, who lived in Somerset, got a copy through the post and there was an advert for the BETA job. He thrust it at me and said, “This job is made for you.” It was great, so thank you to H&H!

I was employed in effect as secretary, then a couple of years later, they rejigged it and I became executive director of the group; BETA, Equestrian Management Consultants, Equestrian Trade News and the trade fair.