Wednesday, 06 May 2026
British Equestrian is inviting tenders from experienced research and insight providers to deliver a transformative equestrian workforce research and mapping project, designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the UK equestrian sector.
The project will deliver the most comprehensive picture to date of the equestrian workforce, including paid staff, freelancers and volunteers, helping the sector better understand who makes up its workforce, the roles they perform, the skills they hold and the challenges they face.
As the backbone of equestrian sport and activity, the workforce is facing increasing pressures around recruitment, retention, progression and wellbeing, particularly at grassroots level. Despite its importance, there is currently no consistent, sector-wide insight to inform evidence-based decision making or workforce development. This project aims to change that.
The successful organisation will work closely with British Equestrian and its partners to deliver a programme of research, including workforce mapping, role standardisation, an industry-wide survey and focus groups.
The insights will then support the co-creation of a clear workforce development roadmap, informing future initiatives across the sector, helping ensure equestrianism remains accessible for years to come.
Key objectives are to:
British Equestrian is seeking an external organisation with demonstrable experience in workforce research, insight and stakeholder engagement, ideally within sport or equestrian sectors.
The invitation to tender opens on 06 May 2026, with a deadline for submissions of 27 May 2026. The successful supplier is expected to be appointed by the end of May, with the project commencing in June 2026.
View the full tender document: Workforce Tender.
View the workforce insights summary: Workforce insights summary
For questions relating to the tender process, potential suppliers should contact Abbie Bevan, Research and Insight Manager at British Equestrian, abigail.bevan@bef.co.uk.