I was deeply saddened to hear of Helen’s passing.

Helen was hugely respected across the equine sector, and everyone at the British Horse Council and the British Equine Veterinary Association valued her judgement, advice and support enormously. She combined knowledge and expertise with a rare ability to work positively and pragmatically through complex challenges, difficult stakeholders and often frustrating bureaucracy; she made practical things happen but, most importantly, she did so whilst winning friends along the way.

Helen was a genuine ally to the equine sector; she was warm, approachable and generous with her time, and she consistently looked for sensible, workable solutions to problems. People with Helen’s combination of intelligence, kindness, integrity and quiet effectiveness do not come along very often.

Some of those who benefited from her work may never even have known her name, but her influence made a real and lasting positive difference to many people, animals and organisations. Losing her so early is a tragedy for all of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with her as well as for the wider animal sector.

Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues.

David MountfordChief Executive, British Equine Veterinary AssociationChair, British Horse Council