Rachel Medill MBE
Founder and Patron of Ride High at Ride High- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Phil Zeidler
I was fortunate to meet Rachel 10 years ago in the early days of her establishing the amazing charity and business that is Ride High, and I have witnessed her extraordinary capabilities that has enabled her to lead it to be the huge success it is today. It is rare to meet someone that has both the broad strategic vision and the ability to execute in the toughest environments. Rachel is a brilliant communicator, exuding passion and clarity of focus to build teams of capable individuals who will do her bidding willingly to deliver brilliant outcomes. Her drive and energy are peerless, and I have never seen any challenge defeat her. Equally I have witnessed transition seamlessly from leader to supporter/advisor, and I believe Rachel would be a great asset to any team be that in a leadership role or in a Non Executive capacity
Jane Horridge MBA FCMI
Rachel is the very embodiment of "inimitable". I have such respect for her determination, tenacity and persuasiveness in the setting up and ongoing success of Ride High, a really quite phenomenal achievement. Rachel has great experience in the commercial world, and had a strategy for the development of the charity throughout and it is incredible that the charity now occupies its own equestrian centre with a commercial arm, thanks to her strong leadership of the brilliant and committed team there. Her powers of influencing and communication skills are amazing and she is able to achieve where others could not. Her strategic and change management skills combined with a charismatic leadership style have brought Ride High to great heights.
Phil Zeidler
I was fortunate to meet Rachel 10 years ago in the early days of her establishing the amazing charity and business that is Ride High, and I have witnessed her extraordinary capabilities that has enabled her to lead it to be the huge success it is today. It is rare to meet someone that has both the broad strategic vision and the ability to execute in the toughest environments. Rachel is a brilliant communicator, exuding passion and clarity of focus to build teams of capable individuals who will do her bidding willingly to deliver brilliant outcomes. Her drive and energy are peerless, and I have never seen any challenge defeat her. Equally I have witnessed transition seamlessly from leader to supporter/advisor, and I believe Rachel would be a great asset to any team be that in a leadership role or in a Non Executive capacity
Jane Horridge MBA FCMI
Rachel is the very embodiment of "inimitable". I have such respect for her determination, tenacity and persuasiveness in the setting up and ongoing success of Ride High, a really quite phenomenal achievement. Rachel has great experience in the commercial world, and had a strategy for the development of the charity throughout and it is incredible that the charity now occupies its own equestrian centre with a commercial arm, thanks to her strong leadership of the brilliant and committed team there. Her powers of influencing and communication skills are amazing and she is able to achieve where others could not. Her strategic and change management skills combined with a charismatic leadership style have brought Ride High to great heights.
Phil Zeidler
I was fortunate to meet Rachel 10 years ago in the early days of her establishing the amazing charity and business that is Ride High, and I have witnessed her extraordinary capabilities that has enabled her to lead it to be the huge success it is today. It is rare to meet someone that has both the broad strategic vision and the ability to execute in the toughest environments. Rachel is a brilliant communicator, exuding passion and clarity of focus to build teams of capable individuals who will do her bidding willingly to deliver brilliant outcomes. Her drive and energy are peerless, and I have never seen any challenge defeat her. Equally I have witnessed transition seamlessly from leader to supporter/advisor, and I believe Rachel would be a great asset to any team be that in a leadership role or in a Non Executive capacity
Jane Horridge MBA FCMI
Rachel is the very embodiment of "inimitable". I have such respect for her determination, tenacity and persuasiveness in the setting up and ongoing success of Ride High, a really quite phenomenal achievement. Rachel has great experience in the commercial world, and had a strategy for the development of the charity throughout and it is incredible that the charity now occupies its own equestrian centre with a commercial arm, thanks to her strong leadership of the brilliant and committed team there. Her powers of influencing and communication skills are amazing and she is able to achieve where others could not. Her strategic and change management skills combined with a charismatic leadership style have brought Ride High to great heights.
Phil Zeidler
I was fortunate to meet Rachel 10 years ago in the early days of her establishing the amazing charity and business that is Ride High, and I have witnessed her extraordinary capabilities that has enabled her to lead it to be the huge success it is today. It is rare to meet someone that has both the broad strategic vision and the ability to execute in the toughest environments. Rachel is a brilliant communicator, exuding passion and clarity of focus to build teams of capable individuals who will do her bidding willingly to deliver brilliant outcomes. Her drive and energy are peerless, and I have never seen any challenge defeat her. Equally I have witnessed transition seamlessly from leader to supporter/advisor, and I believe Rachel would be a great asset to any team be that in a leadership role or in a Non Executive capacity
Jane Horridge MBA FCMI
Rachel is the very embodiment of "inimitable". I have such respect for her determination, tenacity and persuasiveness in the setting up and ongoing success of Ride High, a really quite phenomenal achievement. Rachel has great experience in the commercial world, and had a strategy for the development of the charity throughout and it is incredible that the charity now occupies its own equestrian centre with a commercial arm, thanks to her strong leadership of the brilliant and committed team there. Her powers of influencing and communication skills are amazing and she is able to achieve where others could not. Her strategic and change management skills combined with a charismatic leadership style have brought Ride High to great heights.
Experience
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Ride High
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United Kingdom
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Health, Wellness & Fitness
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1 - 100 Employee
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Founder and Patron of Ride High
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Jan 2020 - Present
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Response
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Oxford
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Trustee and Director
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Nov 2020 - Present
Response is the largest charity in the Oxfordshire, Bucks and Berkshire region providing support and housing for people with mental health problems. Response is the largest charity in the Oxfordshire, Bucks and Berkshire region providing support and housing for people with mental health problems.
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Riding for the Disabled Association
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United Kingdom
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Chair Of The Board Of Trustees
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Jun 2021 - Mar 2023
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Ride High Equestrian Centre
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United Kingdom
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Spectator Sports
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1 - 100 Employee
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Managing Director & Group CEO
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Aug 2017 - Jan 2020
I established this commercial subsidiary to drive the financial independence and long-term sustainability of the charity. • Acquired a commercial riding school on an urban site of 37 acres involving extended and complex negotiations, stakeholder engagement and a campaign to raise £1.2m • Mobilised a cross-functional volunteer team including architects, planners, property developers, accountants, and tax advisors to support the acquisition • Grew the centre to profitability, set to account for 50% of the charity’s funding by 2025. Show less
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Ride High Limited
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Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
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Chairperson & CEO
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Nov 2008 - Jan 2020
I set up this award-winning charity which transforms the lives of disadvantaged children through the provision of long-term programmes which include horse-riding and associated training to develop social, communication and literacy skills. • As Chair and Chief Executive, I provided strategic leadership, recruited the board of trustees, established strong governance and later recruited a Chair and served as a director on the board. • Spearheaded growth from a start-up to a sustainable social enterprise which supports 90 children per week. • My work was recognised by a number of awards including ‘Best Milton Keynes Charity’ by the Business Achievement Awards, ‘Best Company Supporting the Local Community’ by the Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce and ‘Best Community/Arts/Sports Programme’ by the Pride of Milton Keynes Awards. In 2016 I was awarded an MBE for services to children. Show less
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British Equestrian
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United Kingdom
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Spectator Sports
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1 - 100 Employee
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Non Executive Director
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2004 - 2010
NED of the national governing body for equestrian sports with a particular focus on marketing and communications activity. The BEF represents the interests of 3 million riders via 18 independent member bodies. • Addressed disjointed communications between the 4 Olympic equestrian sports, leading to poor coverage in the 2004 Games. • Advised on the development and delivery of a professional communications operation, achieving strong coverage in the 2008 Games. NED of the national governing body for equestrian sports with a particular focus on marketing and communications activity. The BEF represents the interests of 3 million riders via 18 independent member bodies. • Addressed disjointed communications between the 4 Olympic equestrian sports, leading to poor coverage in the 2004 Games. • Advised on the development and delivery of a professional communications operation, achieving strong coverage in the 2008 Games.
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M&G Group PLC
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London, United Kingdom
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Director of Corporate Communications and Director Marketing
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1997 - 1999
I managed a market spend of £12m and oversaw retail sales of £368m in the UK’s largest retail unit trust company • Led direct marketing and corporate communications including press and stakeholders. • Managed a major corporate rebranding of the group. • Launched the first corporate bond fund personal equity plan, attaining the highest PEP sales in 1988. I managed a market spend of £12m and oversaw retail sales of £368m in the UK’s largest retail unit trust company • Led direct marketing and corporate communications including press and stakeholders. • Managed a major corporate rebranding of the group. • Launched the first corporate bond fund personal equity plan, attaining the highest PEP sales in 1988.
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Natwest Stockbrokers
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London, United Kingdom
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Stockbroker
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1987 - 1989
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Education
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1983 - 1986
Durham University
Anthropology -
1979 - 1981
Rendcomb College
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The Open University
Honorary Masters Degree
Community
