Posted: 11th October 2017 | Back to news feed
The Equestrian Focus at Farm Business Innovation 2017 has been designed to support Rural Entrepreneurs wishing to start up in the sector or those searching for new ways to evolve their existing equestrian business. Whether you are looking to generate more visitors or to improve an established equestrian facility, discuss funding opportunities, or explore diversification opportunities, the Equestrian Focus at the Farm Business Innovation Show will put you in touch with suppliers and business specialists to meet all of your equestrian needs.
As part of Farm Business Innovation’s outstanding service to the industry, the show offers exclusive Live Debates gathering together a number of acclaimed authorities to discuss, debate, and analyse a variety of the industry’s current key trends and issues. The Equestrian Business Panel will take place on Thursday 9th November and comprises a team of four top experts who combine to discuss, debate, answer questions and give tips on starting, running or growing an equestrian business.
Speakers confirmed for the panel to date are Panel Chair Amanda Watson, , Anne Clarke, Christina Jones, As rural entrepreneurs in their own right, these panel members offer a comprehensive and extensive knowledge across the sector and are on hand to offer realistic business support and guidance.
Amanda Watson says of the event, ‘This is an outstanding event for equestrian businesses that are genuinely looking to expand, improve, innovate or diversify their existing offer. Farm Business Innovation offers a well organised, vibrant atmosphere for serious business networking as well as hosting free to attend, relevant, insightful speakers encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and providing real solutions to business dilemmas.’
View full information on panel members below. To see a full line-up of live panel discussions/debates at the event and to submit your questions for the panel click here
Amanda Watson is Managing Director at specialist publisher and consulting business Watsons Directories Ltd. Amanda holds a BSc(Hons) Equine Science, is a qualified Instructor, has run equestrian facilities in the UK and overseas, lectured to degree level in equestrian subjects, worked in sector development, been industry representative on the National Council for School Sports and supported over 200 hardworking volunteers. She has also operated as a business consultant in the equine field. Skills outside the sector include editing, content writing, sales and marketing, market research and business development.
Watsons Directories’ publication The Equestrian Index, was launched in 2013 as a database of Equestrian Businesses and now hosts over 18,000 free to access business listings relating to the UK Equine sector. The database is managed by a team based in Watsons’ offices in Herefordshire who ensure the information is both up to date and relevant to our user base. The Index has been used to generate over 130 million search results, a figure which illustrates the usefulness of such a specific tool to equestrian consumers and businesses alike.
The Equestrian Index acts as a B2C and B2B marketing platform, industry consultants on a wide range of projects including highly targeted geographical contacts to international product imports, route to market, specialist research projects to identify market sectors, strategic marketing planning and implementation, copy writing, and media advertising planning.
Anne Clarke has worked in the equestrian sector for 17 years. Her roles have spanned PR & marketing, sponsorship, event management and bid writing.
She worked for the British Equestrian Federation, developing their 2012 Legacy project to support equestrian businesses. Her passion for protecting equestrianism at grassroots, led her to set up Connected Thinking.
She runs a 5 month group coaching programme that many previous attendees from FBI have taken part in. This is a cost effective way to access her network and expertise to get quick and effective results.
What her clients say:
A big thank you to Anne for her 5 programme. I never expected to have two business both making a profit by the end of it. I’ve had enough money to invest in things I only thought I would ever dream about.
Tessa Frost - Hall Farm Stables
I cannot thank Anne enough for the help she has given me. I would not have got to this point without the knowledge and guidance of Anne and the fabulous course members. Carolyn Bourchier - Black Pig Retreats.
Christina Jones is the founder of the Equine Business Association. Her background lies in digital marketing, as the MD of the specialist agency Blacktype Digital which works with some of the biggest brands in the equine, rural & veterinary sectors. She’s also the owner of an ecommerce store in the equine industry which has been trading since 2001 so sees things from the other side of the table too.
Christina is the geekiest horse person you’re likely to meet but takes pride in making digital marketing accessible, easy to understand & most importantly, profitable! She is based in Gloucestershire & is originally from Snowdonia, so understands the unique challenges (& benefits) of running a rural business. Outside of work, she’s normally to be found at the stables with her 2 horses or at a horse show (which is technically work but never feels like it!).
The Equestrian Index newsfeed is compiled from articles submitted by advertising members and expresses the opinions of those members. Watsons Directories Ltd shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies or mis-statements therein.