BEVA announced today that the BEVA Trust will welcome a new Chair as Julian Samuelson steps down following 12 years in the role. Sara Barker will formally take up the BEVA Trust reins on 5 January 2026.
BEVA Trust was reshaped in 2014 to enable members of the veterinary team to volunteer for projects that seek to enhance equine welfare both locally and globally. During this time, under the Chairmanship of Julian Samuelson more than 600 BEVA Trust veterinary have volunteered their services for overseas work with the BEVA Trust or have taken part in one of 57 UK clinics that have helped thousands of horses.
Julian said: “After many incredible years serving as Chairman of BEVA Trust, I have made the difficult decision to step down. I am immensely proud of everything that we have achieved, particularly in pioneering and championing the field of equine veterinary volunteering to improve equine welfare globally.
“When we first set out to refocus the Trust’s activities towards a more philanthropic purpose, we were encouraged by the idea that many vets wanted to volunteer their time to improve equine welfare but were struggling to find practical opportunities. So, we repositioned the Trust as a ‘matchmaking’ organisation to facilitate this.
“It has been a true privilege to lead such a committed team, and my sincerest gratitude goes to the countless dedicated volunteers who brought our vision to life. The time has come to hand over the reins and allow a fresh approach to the Trust's vital mission and I am delighted to hand over shortly to Sara Barker. As a representative of the next generation, she has already been an outstanding committee member, and I have no doubt will continue in the same vein.”
Sara Barker said: It is a great honour to take up the position of Chairman of the BEVA Trust. As a volunteer for both UK and overseas projects I have seen first-hand the very valuable work enabled by the Trust's support, and it has been a hugely rewarding to serve on the committee over the past six years.
“Julian's leadership, enthusiasm and dedication to the Trust, and equine welfare as a whole, has been the catalyst and driving force behind a multitude of projects which in turn have had an immeasurably positive effect on the welfare of horses, ponies and donkeys in the UK and across the world. I very much look forward to continuing the Trust’s excellent work in the years ahead.”
A core part of the Trust’s work centres on their education and welfare clinics in the UK, which are run in partnership with the British Horse Society (BHS) With practical support from several other equine welfare charities. So far, BEVA Trust volunteers have helped to treat 2435 horses and ponies at 57 clinics around the country undertaking 1128 castrations and passporting/microchipping 1854.
Millie Crane, Lead Vet Thrapston Education and Welfare Clinic 2025 said: “I was given the opportunity use my skills to do good and leave a lasting legacy, without the BEVA Trust this wouldn’t have happened.”
Meanwhile, during the past ten years 87 globetrotting volunteers have worked with international charities on a total of 43 projects in Cambodia, China, Egypt, Estonia, the Gambia, Honduras, Lesotho, Morocco, Nicaragua, Tanzania, and the Ukraine. Teaming up with local organisations they have assisted with routine equine veterinary care and education clinics, helping to make a real difference to the lives of countless needy horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.
Beth Bryant and Penny Burrows volunteered to work with Ace Animal Care in Egypt last year. they said: “This was our first BEVA Trust trip and our first time volunteering or working abroad. It was a humbling experience and made us thankful for so many things that we have available to us in the UK.”
BEVA Trust is led by a committee of volunteers who are responsible for overseeing, managing and developing the activities and projects the Trust undertakes. You can find out more about the BEVA Trust’s work here.
BEVA Trust is showcasing its work in the UK and around the globe at BEVA Congress this year with its own stand in the exhibition hall. Please visit stand D44 in the exhibition hall at BEVA Congress or contact Leaya Slater leaya@beva.org.uk