Mike Barnes
Eventing’s Businessman
Age: As old as my teeth
Location: Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire
Other interests: Fly Fishing, spaniel training, shooting things
Favourite Eventing moment: Too many to list
What is your favourite one day event? As a BE employee, they are all good
What is your favourite International event? As above
Which four team members would be in your multi-national fantasy Olympic eventing team? The best ones
Website: Click here
Favourite quotations: If it ain’t broke, break it
Essential piece of kit: Brompton folding bicycle to get around the course
People and horses who inspire me: Anybody who is optimistic, enthusiastic, interesting and asks the questions. Never been inspired by a horse and they cannot ask questions
Biog:
Currently Commercial & Marketing Director for British Eventing as the day job. A role that was created three years ago and puts me in charge of marketing, branding, PR, sponsorship and all the communication channels from web to magazine. I also have to drive new streams of revenue.
Before that I was a Director of Marketing for the Direct Marketing Association in London and before that a Marketing Director and Publisher for Emap (now Bauer) consumer magazines. I started life after University working for British Gas. Oh yes, and I spent a couple of years being a consultant. I do not have an equestrian background which sometimes makes me feel like an Alien. The upside is I can look at something quite differently.
By night I fidget and do everything. Current interests include sailing, canoeing, rough shooting, rifle shooting, stick making, fly fishing and cycling. I have also just bought a cruiser on the local river called Sweet Pea. You should see my garage.
I live in Rutland and spend more time in a car than I do in bed. Accompanying me is a twenty month old spaniel called Binley, who I try my best to train.
Why eventing you might ask? What a challenge. It is a fabulous sport and has massive potential to attract more interest and grow its profile. It should be a priority sport with media and sponsors and it isn’t. I might not ride or compete but I do have a passion to change this and there are not many senior practicing marketing folk in the sport to do this.
