Meet the Team

Helen Yeadon MBE - Co-Founder and Managing Director

Helen was awarded an MBE in 2023 New Years’ Honour List in recognition of her services to disadvantaged young people and to former racehorses.

Ben Ferris BA Hons, QTS – Head of Education

Ben has been teaching for over 20 years in primary schools in London and Wiltshire. His family have a small holding in the New Forest, so has grown up with horses, cows, pigs, chicken and sheep. Ben says: "This job is perfect because I can combine my love of animals with my passion for education and helping people make a positive change in their life".

In his spare time Ben loves watching and playing sport and taking the family dog ‘Fred’ for long walks in the countryside.’

Sasha Thorbek - Chief Operating Officer

Sasha took over the role as fundraiser at Greatwood in 2012 and continues to combine this with her work as a freelance radio broadcaster working as BBC Berkshire’s Horse Racing Expert since 2008. After graduating from Leeds University with a BSc Hons. in Animal Science in 1998, Sasha started working in the horse racing industry. Sasha juggles work with a busy home life as mother to five.

Vicky Candy - Charity Administrator

Vicky has joined Greatwood as Charity Administrator in 2023. Since graduating with a Master's degree from the Royal Agricultural College, Vicky has worked within the agricultural supply trade and in equestrian event organisation. When not working she enjoys spending time with her horse, Ebby and supporting her son's rugby team.

Susie Vigar-Smith - Head of Equine

A familiar face at Greatwood, Susie started her career here over 20 years ago. Keen to avoid a second attempt at competing in the camel race at Cheltenham, Susie will now be carefully considering the tasks our Managing Director sets her. Susie has spent 15 years working in breeding and bloodstock and has enjoyed doing sales for some of the largest consigners. Susie also has experience in eventing and show jumping and we were delighted that she returned to us as the Senior Rider Groom. A mum of 2 children, Susie has recently gained the ‘TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement’ qualification.

Karen Helliwell MSc(psych) B.Ed 
Head of Psychological Wellbeing

Karen’s previous job, after graduating with a British Psychological Society recognised MSc (psych), was as an assistant educational psychologist in the London Borough of Redbridge, with her main role coordinating the emotional literacy support assistant (ELSA) training programme for over 180 ELSAs. Prior to that, she had been a teacher and special educational needs coordinator for almost 30 years in primary schools across Northamptonshire. Two years ago, Karen relocated with her partner to the New Forest and began looking for the ideal job, combining her passion for psychology and wellbeing with inclusivity and bespoke interventions for children and young people, and found it at Greatwood. Karen became a horse owner, after seeing the impact of horses giving confidence to her daughter, who has had a severe hearing loss since birth. Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her partner Alan, Bailey, their labradoodle adopted from a rescue charity, and Pigeon, their adopted cat. She enjoys running (occasionally completing half marathons), and learning new skills including gardening, crochet, sewing, crafting and cooking.

Ellie Carter - Groom

Ellie graduated in 2023 with a first class degree in Equine Science, she has been riding for over 15 years and a riding instructor for 5 years. Ellie likes to attend the races frequently going to Ascot each year and Newbury. When not busy with the horses, Ellie like to takes her dog Alfie for walks.

Jo Smith - Groom

Jo has been riding for over 30 years. As a child she had 3 horses Folly, Flicka and Bunty and spent her childhood showing and jumping her beloved horses. Jo at the age of 18 married a soldier and spent the last 19 years travelling all over the country and some of the world working with horses in places such as Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Germany, with the last 5 years as a polo groom. Jo's hobbies are taking part in various running events such as half marathons and walking her 2 dogs and is a mother of 2 children and 1 horse.