I am honored to be a Patron of Ebony Horse Club, a charity which has been close to my heart for many years.

Ebony is a constant in many children’s lives. An ever present, loving, and secure environment offering friendship, support and crucially the opportunity to grow an attachment to some wonderful horses, (as well as plenty of laughs!)

The pride everyone takes in Ebony is clear to see when you visit. The beautifully swept stables, horses being lovingly pampered and warm smiles on everyone’s faces says it all. A truly magical urban oasis, offering wonderful opportunities for local children with an incredible team of staff and volunteers.

“I am very pleased to be a Patron of Ebony Horse Club. It has transformed the lives of so many youngsters in Brixton and nearby areas, and has involved much of the community in a good and positive way.I have always enjoyed working with and helping young people. They have such open minds! They are soaking up the discipline, courage, attention to detail and care of another living creature required like sponges, and have changed and bettered their lives, attitudes and chances as a result of their involvement with Ebony. It is hugely rewarding to feel you are helping to make a difference and giving some young people the chances and choices they deserve.”

Francis‘ professional career has been in finance. After two years as an investment analyst, he moved into fund management in 1989. He spent eight years at Foreign & Colonial Management Ltd and then seven years at Mercury Asset Management (now part of Blackrock) before joining Troy Asset Management as a director in 2004. He was an Investment Director at Troy until 31st December 2021 when he became Vice Chairman. He was appointed Chairman of Troy in March 2025. Francis became a Trustee of the Ascot Authority (which governs Ascot Racecourse) in 2011, Chairman in 2018 and is currently His Majesty’s Representative at Ascot. He lives in London and County Limerick with his wife Katharine where they breed racehorses.

“Having seen first hand the superb work that all the team do at Ebony it became apparent very quickly that this was a really special place. The club has a monumental impact on the lives of young men and women from the inner city of London and that should not be underestimated. Through the relationship with horses these young men and women are able to learn so many important characteristics such as respect, discipline, kindness, team spirit and community – many aspects of life that those more fortunate take for granted. In the case of a lot of the young riders that I met when I visited Ebony it was clear that this centre has given them a second family and given them a real sense of purpose. It was genuinely incredibly moving and had a huge impact on my own outlook towards life. To be asked to be a patron is a tremendous honour, one which I am incredibly proud of and I will do as much as I can to help this wonderful organisation. I have a strong feeling that I will learn more from the children then they will from me – in many ways, that is the beauty of Ebony. Everyone is in it together.”

“I am so proud to be a Patron of Ebony Horse Riding Club. It may be a small charity but its impact on youngsters in the local community is immeasurable. The difference the contact with horses makes to each and every child is an absolute pleasure to witness. The look of satisfaction on the children’s faces as they are riding; the discipline and self-respect they attain, and the contact with people and places they would never otherwise come into contact with, is what makes Ebony such a unique and special place.”

Sue has had a long career in the film and TV industry and ran her own production company for 15 years. She now works as a screenwriter. She grew up with horses and competed as a Junior show jumper. She came to EHC as a volunteer before joining the board, charing Ebony for 9 years. She brings her equine experience, as well as creative and business management skills to her role as Patron, along with a deep understanding and appreciation for the work of Ebony.

“Khadijah rode at Ebony Horse Club for many years and in 2019, while studying for her A Levels, trained and rode in the Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood on Haverland. Her story made headlines around the world and the documentary, Riding a Dream that followed her journey was watched by millions. She is now studying Engineering at university as well as working as an ambassador for diversity in racing. We are still pleased to see her riding at Ebony whenever she can and she is a fantastic role model for our youngsters.”

Julian White has had a long association with EHC. He is a professional and highly respected horseman and trainer with strong connections in the equine world. He has taught at EHC as a volunteer instructor since the centre opened and taken members on residential and day trips. He has personal experience of overcoming prejudice in the equine world and is especially interested in breaking down stereotypical attitudes. He can help to support those that wish to enter the equine industry and advise our equine staff when required. Having taken the reins as Chairman in 2025, Julian brings a wealth of knowledge to the role as we move into our 30th year.

Clementine has had an exciting and varied career, having worked previously as a journalist Clementine turned her hand to grassroots Eventing, founding The Cotswold Cup alongside two others. Clementine has extensive experience working with small, local charities that have a huge impact on their communities. Alongside this, Clementine is a keen horse woman, and brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Trustee of Ebony Horse Club, understanding fully the incredible impact that horses can have on young lives.

Basil has worked in Credit Management for over 35 years and is a registered member of the Credit Management institute. Basil is an active member of his community, having spent 9 years previously as Trustee for a grassroots youth charity in Chiswick. With extensive experience in campaigning for the retention of local services, Basil is incredibly passionate when it comes to helping young people to develop and meet their full potential, actively engaging in opportunities to share the wealth of experience he has gained from his impressive career journey. 

Philippa is a finance professional, that has spent most of her time in the UK, working in IT transformation projects in the banking sector. Originally from South Africa, she is mad about all animals. She is a firm believer that all children should have the joy of animals in their lives and it’s this belief in the positive impact that animals have, that was the driver to join EHC.

Dayon is an expert in community development and facilities management. With an impressive track record spanning two decades, he has been instrumental in shaping sustainable and thriving communities across South London. He has a deep-rooted passion for community development and  his vision has always been to create communities that are not just about buildings, but about the people who live, work, and thrive in them. As a seasoned professional in facilities management Dayon has a keen understanding of the importance of creating and maintaining safe and comfortable environments. His goal is to work to maintaining our EHC community that nurtures young equestrians’ passion for horses; fosters personal growth, and instills values of responsibility, respect, and empathy. Dayon joined EHC to support your people to create lifelong memories and form a strong foundation for the next generation of horse enthusiasts.

Ros is an investment banking and strategy professional with over thirteen years’ experience, working in London and the Middle East. She began her career in M&A and now works closely with the senior leadership of Evercore in EMEA, supporting strategy and leading complex projects across the business.

 Ros is a passionate advocate of Ebony Horse Club’s belief in the power of horses to build young people’s confidence, responsibility and resilience, and create opportunities for young people in South London, where she was born, to gain experiences and skills with lasting impact. She is delighted to bring her financial, strategic and organisational experience to support Ebony as it continues to grow its impact.