Maria Byrne is HR Director at Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The organisation was named one of the Most Attractive Employers in Sport in the 2026 report published by iWorkinSport. This interview is part of the series featured in the publication.
The 2026 study gathered responses from 1,051 people representing 58 nationalities and living in 50 countries, with three quarters already working in sport. Respondents selected their preferred employers from category shortlists, considering the same job description and salary adjusted for the cost of living in each country. For the Overall ranking, they answered one open-ended question: “What would you say is the employer of your dreams in sport?” No shortlist was provided, and only one organisation could be named.
The report presents rankings across ten categories: Football Clubs, Sports Teams (other than Football), Sports Leagues, Sports Governing Bodies, Event Organisers, Sports Marketing Agencies, Sponsors, Sporting Goods Brands, Sports Tech Companies, and Media & Broadcast, alongside the Overall ranking. It also features interviews with industry leaders about their organisations, the changing world of work and building a career in sport.
Interview with Maria Byrne, HR Director at Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI)
What makes working for an international governing body dedicated to equestrian sport a distinctive professional experience, and what do you believe is driving FEI’s growing appeal as an employer?
Working at the FEI offers a unique combination of international sport, governance and a strong commitment to the global development of equestrian sport.
What makes the experience particularly distinctive is the diversity of expertise and perspectives that come together within the organisation. Sport specialists work alongside professionals in communications, marketing, commercial activities, legal affairs, finance, technology, HR and administration. They are united by a common purpose: developing our sport and promoting horse welfare.
We are also evolving as an employer, regularly reviewing our employment framework and benefits. As part of this process, we have recently reviewed and updated our Internal Staff Rules to ensure that our employment framework remains aligned with current market practices, while offering a range of benefits that go beyond industry standards.
We are also mindful of the expectations of a new generation of professionals and continually consider how we can create a modern, flexible and attractive working environment that supports employees at different stages of their lives. Promoting a healthy work-life balance is an important part of this approach. This includes sports and wellbeing activities organised for all staff, encouraging employees to stay active, connect with colleagues and enjoy the benefits of sport beyond their professional environment. Further information is available on our website.
Creating an inclusive workplace is increasingly important to candidates. How does the FEI foster a culture in which people from different backgrounds can feel represented, supported and able to progress?
Based at our Headquarters in Lausanne, the FEI’s employees work in a truly multicultural environment, with colleagues representing more than 25 nationalities and bringing diverse professional and cultural perspectives. This diversity is reflected not only within our organisation, but also in the way we work with National Federations, athletes, organisers and other stakeholders around the world.
The FEI is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion within its workforce, and our recruitment processes are open and accessible to all. We encourage candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background, or disability, to apply and become part of the organisation. This commitment is also reflected in our dedicated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion section on the FEI website, where we share our approach and ongoing commitment in this area.
Gender equality is a distinctive feature of equestrian sport: women and men compete alongside each other on an equal footing at the highest level. We strive to reflect this principle within the FEI as an employer, including through our commitment to equal pay and equal opportunities, regardless of gender. In 2022, the FEI was recognised through the Equal Salary Certification process for meeting the criteria for equal remuneration between women and men.
Technology, data, sustainability, horse welfare and the evolution of major sporting events are all shaping equestrian sport. Which skills and professional profiles do you expect to become increasingly important at FEI over the next few years?
As equestrian sport and the wider sporting environment evolve, a broad range of professional expertise will become increasingly important at the FEI. Technology, data and artificial intelligence will play a growing role in supporting decision-making, improving processes and responding to stakeholder needs. However, we believe that technology will complement, rather than replace, people. Human judgement, creativity, collaboration and relationship-building will remain essential.
We therefore look for people who are curious, agile and able to adapt to new technologies, changing environments and evolving needs. As a service organisation, we value strong professional expertise combined with adaptability, collaboration and an international mindset.
Although not all of our employees have an equestrian background, we promote the awareness of horse welfare among our staff. For example, we organise training sessions for all staff members on equine welfare, addressing key aspects such as nutrition; environment at home, during travel, and at competitions; veterinary care; training; and social interactions; all of which contribute to a horse’s wellbeing.
FEI works with national federations, athletes, organisers and other stakeholders around the world. What opportunities do employees have to develop an international career and collaborate across different functions and markets?
The international nature of the FEI is part of our everyday working environment. From our Headquarters in Lausanne, employees contribute to the work of an organisation with a truly global reach, working with colleagues, National Federations, athletes, organisers and other stakeholders from different countries, and cultures.
The level of international interaction naturally depends on each role and its responsibilities. Some positions involve direct engagement with international stakeholders or participation in projects and events, while others contribute to our global activities from Lausanne.
As a non-for-profit organisation, the FEI has a relatively flat structure, enabling employees to work closely with colleagues and decision-makers.
In addition, many of our employees are members of the equestrian community and come from different countries and continents. For them, working at the FEI is a unique opportunity to contribute to the equestrian sport at its highest level of competition while gaining an enriching international experience.
Is a background in equestrian sport necessary to build a successful career at FEI? Which transferable skills and personal qualities do you particularly value in candidates coming from other sports or industries?
A background in equestrian sport is an asset, particularly for roles requiring a deep understanding of our sport and the equine world. However, it is not a prerequisite for building a career at the FEI.
We recruit professionals from a wide range of sectors and value the expertise and fresh perspectives they bring. As a service organisation, we also value a strong service mindset: being responsive, collaborative, welcoming and attentive to the needs of our stakeholders. Combining equestrian knowledge with complementary expertise helps us learn from one another and challenge our thinking.
As the FEI and our environment continue to evolve, we value people who are agile, adaptable and willing to learn. Above all, passion matters. Whether it is a passion for equestrian sport, our work or making a difference, our people share a genuine commitment to what they do and to the FEI’s purpose.