FEI Commercial Executive Director Resigns

Carsten Couchouron, the Executive Director of the FEI Commercial Department, has announced that he is leaving the FEI after five years in the post.

Since joining the FEI in 2008, Couchouron has successfully developed the organisation’s commercial portfolio, implementing a strong commercial strategy and initiating many new projects including FEI TV, licensing and merchandising, branding and digital media.

He was instrumental in the professionalisation of the bid processes for major FEI Championships and Finals and supported the commercial development of new FEI series. He has also contributed to the successful sponsorship deals that the FEI has secured in recent years and has ensured a steady growth in television coverage, audience share and rights licence fees.

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FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos paid tribute to the role Couchouron has played within the Federation over the past five years. “While we of course regret Carsten’s decision to leave us, we have to respect that he feels it is time to move on and explore new horizons now that he has accomplished his initial mission at the FEI.

“Carsten is leaving us to explore new challenges, but we are not excluding the possibility of future cooperation with him. As a highly qualified professional in sports marketing with in-depth understanding of the very specific challenges of equestrian sport, we may well call on him to work with us as an independent expert.”

Following Couchouron’s announcement that he is to leave the FEI, the Secretary General now plans to review the structure of the Commercial Department.

“I have really loved my time with the FEI and have enjoyed working with some incredible people over the past five years, both at Headquarters and in the wider equestrian family,” Couchouron said. “I have accomplished the goals that were set for me at the FEI and I feel that I am leaving behind a very professional team and a strong commercial operation.

“Of course I am sorry to be leaving, but I feel the time is right to spread my wings now and I’m looking forward to potentially continuing my collaboration with the FEI in an independent capacity in the future.”