The Team

HEROS Charity is underpinned by an incredible team that bring passion, experience and professionalism to all aspects of their individual roles. We are always striving to improve knowledge, education and skills among our team and encourage openness and communication in order to achieve the excellent standards we expect.

We are also very grateful to our diverse team of professional that make up our Board of Trustees. Thank you to our Patrons, Ambassadors and HEROS Club members for every single element of their support. We quite simply couldn’t do it without them all and certainly not without the generosity of the supportive public.

HEROS Management

GRACE MUIR

Chief Executive and founder of HEROS Charity

Grace Muir grew up with horses on her father, David John (Ian) Muir’s, Fawley Stud which he owned and ran as one of the most successful studs of its time. He foaled in excess of 95 mares each year and stood up to five stallions at any one time.

She expanded her knowledge of thoroughbreds and the racing industry whilst working for Kim Brassey, Jenny Pitman and Richard Hannon, before moving on to KBIS, the equine insurance specialists where she worked in the claims department. She has gained a wealth of knowledge throughout her involvement with horses from a very young age and was appointed Stud Manager at North Farm Stud in 1998. She has continued to expand the business and evolve with the times so that North Farm Stud is in a position to offer a full range of services.

Grace’s knowledge of the veterinary/rehabilitation side is extensive; at a young age she wanted to become a vet but now is doing the next best thing, nursing horses back to health and getting to the bottom of veterinary issues they have to get them back on track to enjoy a healthy life. This is an invaluable asset when assessing horses and their ability to do other jobs after racing, it enables her to get them back on track following their injuries.

Grace has always had a keen interest in the welfare and future of ex-racehorses and her interest in the rehoming side has grown since 1989. Fully supported by her parents and the team at North Farm Stud she has successfully rehomed more than 500 horses over the years.

Grace founded HEROS Charity in 2006 and it was granted charitable status in July of that year and is supported by RoR (Retraining of Racehorses) which is the British Horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of racehorses leaving training.

In 2008 Grace was honoured to receive the Pride of Racing Award in recognition of her outstanding devotion and commitment to caring for ex-racehorses and her success in rehabilitating sick and injured racehorses back to full health. Following that in 2009, HEROS was chosen by the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) to be the charity to benefit from funds raised at their annual dinner. Grace and her Trustees are extremely proud that HEROS achieved this recognition in such a short space of time. Grace also received the BHS Welfare award in 2015.

She is determined to make HEROS Charity a self-sustainable, dynamic charity and trustworthy charity with an excellent reputation for welfare and changing lives.

The new Education initiatives at HEROS will continue to evolve to give added focus to Education and Training for people as well as creating stability and opportunity for the former racehorses .

Contact Grace

STEPHANIE COLLETT

HEROS Education Programme Manager

Steph has a 30 year background in health and social care, and has supported people in many different environment and settings including educational establishments. She also has a lifelong love and fascination for all things equine and has 2 of her own. Stephanie started at HEROS in 2022 and is a huge asset to The Education team. Her keen interest and passion for the Equine side of HEROS and her involvement in the strategic side of that area is also growing. For Steph the joy of working at HEROS is that it combines helping people and horses realise their personal potential and achieve success. Steph says: ‘North Farm is the most beautiful calm place, where everyone can take a breath. I just love being here and everything the Charity stands for‘.

Equine Team and Administration

SALLY PRESTON

Accounts and HR Manager

With no equine experience, Sally started at North Farm Stud in 2007 working on the yard progressing to Yard Supervisor. After 7 years working on the yard she started working in the office where she enjoyed working with figures and learning on the job. Sally now deals with the daily financials for both North Farm Stud and HEROS as well as doing general HR. Sally enjoys all aspects of her job.

IZZY BUSH

Office Administrator & PA to CEO

Izzy started at HEROS in 2023 as Office Administrator and PA to CEO.  Her background is in competition grooming and stud work but she has a passion for owning and retraining ex-racehorses especially for the show ring. Izzy says “I love HEROS values towards education and the horse and enjoy organising my end to contribute to the smooth running of HEROS and NFS”.

HILARY PARSONS

Hilary worked at HEROS charity for 15 years after volunteering several years before that.  She retired in 2023 but is thankfully now back with us 1 day a week helping to keep things moving in the busy office. Hilary also does the home visits so people with HEROS horses on lease will continue to see her as part of our follow up procedure.

Contact Hilary

The HEROS Education Team

ALEX BURDETT

Forest School Lead Tutor

Al, was born and raised in Norfolk, he joined the RAF and served 13 years as a Parachute Training Instructor.  He is married to Nicci and has a son called Harry.  Al has been running forest schools since 2013 both in Europe and across England. He is extremely excited about this new venture and can’t wait to get started at HEROS and develop this provision. 

JENNI DIMBYLOW

Education Co-Ordinator and Enrichment Lead Tutor

Jenni start at HEROS in 2020 Education Co-ordinator and Enrichment Lead, she is a point of contact for new Enrichment referrals and in assessing group dynamics and training new Enrichment staff. Her background in education and working with secondary age school students makes her a great source of information. Jenni enjoys her role because every day is different, the team is a strong one and of course it is so beautiful here.

ANGELA IRVIN

Education Tutor (Diploma Lead)

Angy has been at HEROS since 2020, starting originally in the Enrichment group. She soon moved over into Diploma (post 16) firstly supporting the programme and since 2022 leading the group. Angy also volunteers with the RDA. Angy is organised and loves her role at HEROS as she enjoys teaching and seeing the students progression.

MICHELLE SUTTON

Equine Tutor (Enrichment Group Lead)

Michelle has been with HEROS since 2022 she uses her kind and caring approach to be an effective tutor and a session lead. She also takes a lead in our arts and crafts – organising materials and activities. She takes great care to ensure this part of the programme is fulfilling and therapeutic as well as good fun. Michelle also volunteers with the RDA. 

The Diploma Education Team

The Equine Enrichment Programme Team

Consultant Team

EIMEAR GRANT

Social Media & Sponsorship Co-ordinator

Eimear grew up in the Horse Racing industry, as the daughter of a National Hunt Trainer. Since graduating from university, she has pursued a career primarily in marketing and event planning in the Horse Racing industry. Before starting her own consultancy company, she worked for Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Great British Racing International and Windsor Racecourse. In addition, she has experience in the Charity sector working in the Special Events team at Cancer Research UK. Eimear is now helping to make a difference in HEROS Social Media and sponsorship/marketing area.

KATE MILLS

Part-Time Fund Raising Consultant

Kate spent many years in the IT industry successfully marketing software and hardware solutions.  She has always had a love of horses and owned several riding horses and racehorses herself.  Horse racing is her passion, so she is thrilled to be able to combine her skills in an industry she loves to help HEROS achieve and evolve the incredible work they are doing at an especially exciting time as HEROS grows from strength to strength. In her spare time Kate is also President of a not-for-profit dog training society.

JESS TEAGUE

Creative Design Consultant

Jess began working with HEROS in 2023. She’s been a keen horse rider since she was a child and currently owns an ex-racehorse. Jess is delighted to have joined forces with HEROS, assisting them with the running of their website and using her creativity to design visual content.