Business at Bolesworth
Business networking & hospitality
For over a decade, Business at Bolesworth has been a premier platform for forging lasting connections, discussing the latest industry trends, and unlocking new business opportunities.
These exclusive networking events offer the rare chance to engage with top business leaders, equestrian professionals, and key influencers—all in the context of world-class international sport. Whether you’re here to enjoy elite showjumping or expand your professional network, Business at Bolesworth is where industry leaders converge, ideas flourish, and partnerships are formed.
Choose from three tailored sessions: Women in Business Day, Business at Bolesworth Day & Equestrian Excellence Day.
Woman in Business
Friday 26th June
Hosted by journalist & broadcaster Lucy Meacock, our Women in Business session features a dynamic panel discussion that highlights the achievements of influential women in the business world.
Guest speakers include:
- Karen Smith | Owner & CEO of Bill Smith Motors
- Jane Weitzmann | Concours Judge
Speakers
Lucy Meacock
Award-winning Broadcast Journalist & ITV News Presenter
Multi-award-winning journalist and one of the UK’s most trusted broadcast voices, Lucy Meacock is best known for her distinguished career at ITV Granada Reports, where she has spent over three decades delivering authoritative, clear and compelling news coverage.
Renowned for her engaging interview style and ability to bring depth and context to major national and international stories, Lucy has interviewed leading figures across politics, business and culture throughout her career. A highly respected figure in British journalism, she brings a wealth of experience, insight and credibility to the Bolesworth speaker programme, contributing to a line-up that blends world-class sport with meaningful conversation and premium live entertainment.
Karen Smith
Owner & CEO of Bill Smith Motors
Karen Smith is the Owner & CEO of Bill Smith Motors, where she has built a reputation for strong leadership, commercial acumen, and a people-first approach in a traditionally male-dominated industry. With a passion for empowering others and driving business growth, Karen has successfully expanded the company while championing innovation and customer experience. As a speaker at she brings honest insights, practical experience, and an inspiring perspective on resilience, leadership, and carving your own path in business.
Jane Weitzmann
Respected Concours Judge, Curator, and Lifelong Automotive Enthusiast
Jane Weitzman is a respected concours judge, curator, and lifelong automotive enthusiast with a private collection of over 50 exceptional classic vehicles, ranging from a £1.2m Toyota 2000GT to a rare one-off Vanwall. Her collection reflects a deep-rooted passion for design, engineering, and the stories behind iconic automobiles. Renowned for her discerning eye and authentic love of driving, she brings a unique perspective on following your passion and building a life around what you truly love
Equestrian Excellence
Monday 29th June
Hosted by Richard Davison, Olympian Dressage Rider & Coach, the day is dedicated to industry networking, with inspirational insights from top industry leaders whose success stories speak for themselves.
Guest speakers include:
- Richard Davison | Olympian Dressage Rider & Elite Coach
- Matt Sampson | International Showjumper
- Lieselot Hamerlinck | CEO of Pegasus Holding
Speakers
Richard Davison
Olympian Dressage Rider & Elite Coach
Olympic dressage rider and highly respected coach, Richard Davison is one of Britain’s most accomplished and influential figures in the sport of dressage, representing Great Britain at multiple Olympic Games and international championships throughout his career.
With decades of experience at the highest level of competition, Richard has played a key role in shaping British Dressage success on the global stage, both as an athlete and as a mentor to the next generation of elite riders. Alongside his sporting achievements, he is a passionate advocate for horsemanship, performance development, and the continued growth of equestrian sport, bringing deep insight and expertise to the Bolesworth speaker programme.
Matt Sampson
International Showjumper
Sheffield-born international showjumper Matthew Sampson is currently ranked around 60th in the world and is a 2025 European Team Silver Medallist.
Matt regularly competes on Nations Cup teams for Great Britain and has enjoyed considerable success at Spruce Meadows, Canada where he was part of the gold medal-winning Team GB last September. His CSIO5* winning streak began there in 2022, when he recorded 17 victories at the venue and was named Rider of the Year. Since then, he has gone on to be Leading Rider at the Horse of the Year Show and has secured multiple other five-star wins around the world.
Alongside his competition career, Matt and his fiancée, Canadian showjumper Kara Chad, run a training and breeding operation, Maplepark Farms, from their base in Sussex, where they produce and develop both horses and riders. Matt also has a long-standing relationship with Bolesworth and its owner Nina Barbour, having first competed at the venue as an international rider in 2017.
Lieselot Hamerlinck
CEO of Pegasus Holding
Lieselot Hamerlinck grew up on a professional horse breeding farm, where her passion for horses began. Alongside competing in show jumping, she gained valuable experience through her father’s studfarm, Van de Heffinck, including time spent grooming at top-level events.
After earning a degree in Business Management (Marketing), she joined Cavalor in 2003 and spent nearly 20 years building an international career, including a decade expanding the brand in North America. Today, Lieselot is CEO of Pegasus Holding, a group focused on innovation in the equestrian industry. She is also a certified career coach, combining her entrepreneurial expertise with a passion for developing people and leadership
Business at Bolesworth
Thursday 2nd July
Hosted by Mike Bushell, this session discusses current trends in the business world. Business at Bolesworth Day welcomes experience-led perspectives on growth & leadership.
Guest speakers include:
- Mike Bushell | Professional Sports Presenter
- Alex Loven MBE | Founder of Net World Sports
Speakers
Mike Bushell
Professional Sports Presenter
Mike Bushell is one of the UK’s most recognisable sports broadcasters, best known for his role on BBC Breakfast. With a career spanning over three decades, he has covered major global events including the Olympics, Paralympics and FIFA World Cups.
Renowned for his energetic and hands-on approach, Mike holds a world record for trying nearly 400 different sports, reflecting his passion for making sport accessible to all. A popular figure beyond broadcasting, he reached new audiences through his celebrated appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. As a speaker, Mike is engaging, humorous and inspiring, sharing insights on the unifying power of sport and the importance of finding activity for every individual.
Alex Loven MBE
Founder of Net World Sports
Alex Loven is the founder of Net World Sports, a globally recognised e-commerce business supplying sports equipment to customers in over 180 countries. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a multi-million-pound enterprise, known for its innovation, digital excellence and customer-first approach.
Alex brings sharp insight into entrepreneurship, scaling a global brand, and building high-performing teams, alongside a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing modern businesses. As a speaker, he shares honest, experience-led perspectives on growth, leadership and driving success in a competitive landscape.
