FEI appoints new Veterinary Director

The FEI has appointed Göran Akerström (SWE) as FEI Veterinary Director. He takes up the post at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) on 1 September 2015.

Akerström comes from the Swedish Trotting Association, where he was Chief Veterinary Officer for five years. He has also been Head of the Equine Welfare department for the past two years. He was a member of the Swedish Trotting Association management team, advisor to the regulatory committee and collaborated closely with the Swedish Equestrian Federation and the Swedish Jockey Club.

He was previously veterinary inspector for the Swedish Board of Agriculture and the Swedish Animal Welfare Agency, specialising in equine sports, welfare, disease control and horse transportation.

Akerström holds a master’s degree in veterinary science from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, where he later lectured, and was a member of the management team of the Department of Environment and Animal Health for five years.

He has also specialised in equine neonatal medicine as a private practitioner, competed in Jumping and Eventing, worked as a course designer and show manager, and was platoon leader and instructor for the Regiment of Halsingland during a 10-year career with the Swedish Army.

“Equestrian sport has been a major part of my life for 30 years,” Akerström said. “As with many people in the horse world, my passion for horses goes back to my childhood, and since then I have worked with horses directly, with organisations specialising in welfare and the growth of horse sport. I am now looking forward to helping the FEI move forward with its progressive work in horse movement, equine welfare and anti-doping.”

“Göran Akerström has unparalleled leadership, horse sport and horse welfare expertise,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender said. “We will be delighted to welcome him into the FEI and to the FEI Family when he joins us at Headquarters in September.”