The Armed Forces Equine Charity (AFEC) marks the start of a new chapter as Dame Sue Gray formally takes up her role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), reinforcing the charity’s commitment to delivering a wide-ranging programme of equine sport, recreation, recovery, rehabilitation and learning for members of the Armed Forces community — including serving personnel, veterans, their families, and members of local communities.
As Dame Sue steps into the role, AFEC’s mission remains clear and consistent: to provide structured, supportive equine environments that enable individuals to rebuild confidence, re-establish routine and reconnect with a sense of purpose, with a strong and sustained focus on recovery and rehabilitation.
AFEC delivers its work through a network of Equestrian Centres, working in collaboration with private, public and third-party organisations. Its integrated approach creates a care pathway that supports individuals from their point of crisis to their point of recovery, offering opportunities for equine sport and recreation alongside targeted recovery and learning programmes.
Participants are actively involved in planning their own recovery, supported by our Health and Wellbeing Officer and guided through the development of Individual Recovery Plans. The charity’s approach is designed to deliver long-term, tangible benefits, providing a safe, non-judgemental space in which trust can be built and progress sustained. Working in partnership with clinicians, AFEC uses equine interaction to help individuals develop self-awareness, emotional regulation and confidence, supporting positive behavioural change and resilience.
A symbolic handover moment shared with one of our equine partners (Petee) reflects our continuity of vision as Dame Sue assumes leadership of the charity. The AFEC looks ahead to broadening access to equine sport and recreation, strengthening recovery and rehabilitation delivery, and continuing to develop learning and community-focused programmes, ensuring it remains responsive, inclusive and impactful for those it supports.
Speaking as she begins her tenure, Dame Sue Gray said:
“Having founded the Charity 5 years ago, Jamie has worked tirelessly to see his vision become a reality and as a result given so much back to the Armed Forces Serving and Veteran community. It is both a privilege and an honour to be taking over as CEO of the AFEC to continue his good work.”
Major General (Retired) Robert Talbot Rice CBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said:
“Jamie’s achievements as our first CEO have established the Charity on a very firm footing, to the huge benefit of the military community. Dame Sue Gray is a talented successor who is really well placed to build on those foundations, and the future of the Charity is in very safe hands.”
