Kilkenny woman appointed Executive Director at Federation Equestre Internationale

Kilkenny woman Áine Power has been appointed as Executive Director of Sport & Games at Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Ms Power has been a dedicated member of the FEI team since 2014. For the past six years, she has served as the Deputy Legal Director and has played a key role in shaping the FEI’s legal and sports framework working effectively across the various FEI Sports Departments.

Her main achievements include making significant contributions to major FEI sports projects, such as the development, allocation, and implementation of the Longines League of Nations™ Series, and the bid and allocation process of the FEI World and European Championships and other FEI Series.
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In addition, Ms Power led the preparation, approval, and implementation of the Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Systems and Regulations over several Olympic cycles, working closely with the Olympic Disciplines’ Departments and liaising with the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee.

She is an Irish qualified lawyer and holds an International Master’s in Sports Management from the International Centre for Sports Studies in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. In addition, she is a member of the UEFA Appeals Committee.

Known for her holistic understanding of the Sport and the FEI organisation as well as her strategic vision, Ms Power will lead all sport disciplines as well as the Education & Officials Department, and will oversee the FEI Calendar.

François Vergnol (FRA) has been appointed as Executive Director of the newly formed Commercial, Marketing, and Communications Department. The appointments mark a major milestone in the restructuring process announced in February 2025.

“On behalf of the FEI, I would like to congratulate Áine and François on their appointments,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“The FEI has grown and evolved alongside a rapidly changing sporting and commercial landscape, driving us to adapt, innovate, and embrace change. As part of this evolution, these appointments are a key step in streamlining our operations and reinforcing our framework for sustainable growth.

“To ensure the highest standards in recruitment and talent acquisition, the FEI conducted a comprehensive bid process involving a number of specialised Executive Search Firms.

“Following a thorough evaluation, we selected two firms with proven expertise in their respective fields: one with deep knowledge of the sports sector, and the other with strong capabilities in the commercial and communications domain. Throughout the recruitment process, we received some outstanding CVs and were fortunate to meet a number of excellent candidates, which made the final decision far from easy.

“It was a thorough and objective process, which required the approval of the FEI Board, and reflects a strong alignment with the organisation’s goals and values.

“We’re excited to welcome these two talented individuals to their new roles as they help shape the future of the FEI.”
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