Jim Green grew up in the New Forest and trained as a Forest Manager before joining Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1996. Since 2004 he has been at the forefront of response to animal rescues in Hampshire and led the implementation of animal rescue methodology, training and equipment that is now standard throughout the UK Fire and Rescue Service. Jim, together with Josh Slater, helped to set up Safer Horse Rescues, an equine rescue initiative, launched by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the UK equine industry in 2007, in close partnership with the animal rescue specialists at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Jim has been keynote speaker at conferences in the UK, USA, Turkey and Australia, and was rescue advisor to the Veterinary Services Team at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He is co-founder of the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA), which he continues to manage in a voluntary capacity. Currently Jim is in the United States for 12 months, developing animal rescue and disaster response capabilities, working for the Centre for Equine Health at the University of California.

Jim said: “It is a real honour to receive the Sir Colin Spedding Award 2017. Little did I know when joining the fire service that my path would lead me in this direction. I am excited for the future as together we can develop these pioneering activities to promote safer rescues, improve welfare and protect livelihoods.”

HRH The Princess Royal, who is President of the National Equine Forum, presented the Award and also presented framed certificates to the highly commended runners up Maureen James and Bonny Millar.

The Sir Colin Spedding Award was established in 2013. The bronze sculpture of a stag beetle by Belinda Sillars was originally to have been awarded to the late Professor Sir Colin Spedding, in recognition of his services to the equine sector – most especially for his extraordinary commitment in founding the National Equine Forum and then being Chair of the Forum for 19 years. Previous recipients of the award are: Sue Martin BHSII who runs Trent Park Equestrian Centre (2016), Paul Greeves former Executive Director and Keeper of the General Stud Book at Weatherbys (2015), Dr Andrew Waller on behalf of the Animal Health Trust (AHT) Infectious Diseases Group (2014) and Martin Clunes on behalf of UK Equine Welfare Charities (2013). Jim Green will deliver the Memorial lecture at the National Equine Forum 2018.