Sally Rowley-Williams

Sally has spent more than 35 years working internationally in business as both an entrepreneur and within large companies. She began working in banking in New York and continued to develop her career with multinational investment banks when she moved to London in 1986. She has worked for 17 years in banking, complemented by 18 years in executive search. Having been a Senior Partner in the largest global executive search firm and leading the Financial Services practice, she started up her own search and career consultancy business five years ago (www.rowleywilliams.com). Since 2005, she has also owned a commercial property business in the United States, employing a management team to operate the business on a daily basis.

Sally became involved in racing as an owner and has been on the Council of the Racehorse Owners Association (2004-2012) and served on its Executive Committee from 2007-2011. She created the Gold Standard and Free Lease Schemes as well as participated in a variety of cross-industry groups. She has also been a small breeder. A National Hunt enthusiast as heart, Sally has been lucky enough to own Grade 1 and Grade 2 steeplechasers. She has also owned flat horses as a sole owner and in partnerships.

She founded Women in Racing (WiR) in 2009, believing that more women on the various governing boards could only help racing improve its corporate governance, financial condition and develop healthier relationships across the industry. She remains the Honorary President of WiR.

Sally graduated from Williams College and possesses an MBA from New York University, having also studied at London Business School. In January 2012 she was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. She has served on the board of Oxford Brookes Business School and has also served on the board of the International Women’s Forum, UK and as a Trustee of The Pony Club.