Claire Williams is the Executive Director of the British Equestrian Trade Association, the leading representative body working on behalf of equestrian related businesses in the United Kingdom. BETA has 800 member companies from across the equestrian manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing sectors. It is recognised as the equestrian trade’s representative body by Government and leading riding organisations and is proud to also be a member of the British Equestrian Federation. 

Claire was born and educated in New Zealand. After completing a Masters degree in modern languages and history, she developed a career in business consultancy and export market development until taking up a Europe wide development and sales role for a NZ company based in Germany from 1991. She spent 10 years with the company in a role dealing with sales, management and marketing.

In 2000 she moved back to the UK to take up the position of Chief Executive of the British Equestrian Trade Association.  In 2004, this role was widened adding responsibility for the Association’s wholly owned subsidiary EMC Ltd and its highly successful Trade Fair, Beta International and publishing arm.

Claire is passionate about safety and convenes the European Working Group responsible for writing the standard for riding hats, and also sits as an expert on the Working Group that writes the body protector and air vest standards.

She has also continued to drive the ongoing research and insight that BETA undertakes known as the BETA National Equestrian Survey which is unique in the economic data is provides on the size, scope and value of the equestrian industry.  She looks forward to using these skills in her role with the BGA and EEA .

Alongside her BETA work she also sits as a director on the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority, the Equine Fitters Council and British Horse Council.

In her free time she rides her two horses as often as time allows and is also keen on walking, home preserving and photography.