Shock and sadness as CEO and chair resign from major equestrian organisation
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The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has “with great sadness” announced the resignations of its new chief executive and its chair.
The RDA confirmed that both Kathryn England, who had recently started as CEO, and Rachel Medill, who had been in her role for nearly two years, are both stepping down.
“We know that this news will come as a shock to many of you, particularly given Kathryn’s recent appointment and it clearly creates a challenge for all of us within RDA,” a spokesman for the charity said.
The spokesman added that over the past few months, “a significant difference of opinion and concern around changes that have been made and the approach to change taken within RDA over the past couple of years” had become apparent. She said that for “varying reasons”, it was this difference in opinion that had led to Ms England’s decision last week, and Ms Medill’s this week.
“The board is committed to understanding this challenge in full and to learn any lessons about how we take RDA forward,” the spokesman said. “We will keep everyone informed of developments.”
The charity is looking to appoint Neil Goldie-Scot as interim chair and Lincoln Clarke has been asked to “pick up leadership responsibility in the meantime”. The RDA is holding a board meeting today (30 March) and will give an update tomorrow.
Ms England said she had resigned “with huge regret”.
“You all know that I took up this role with real pride and enthusiasm,” she said. “However, I have decided that I am not the person to take the organisation forward at this time. I have met with the board who, whilst deeply saddened by my decision, have listened at length and taken my feedback seriously and I am pleased to hear that they are taking forward an action plan.”
Ms Medill said she told the board of her decision with “great sadness”.
“I’m proud of the steps we took to build a foundation for its long-term future and I hope that the forward-looking approach the board has taken will continue.
“I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary nature of RDA – it improves the lives of thousands of people every day through the efforts of over 13,000 people. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to meet so many of these inspiring people and I wish the organisation every success in the future.”
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