ÁINE Power has been named as the new Executive Director of Sport and Games at the FEI.

The appointment follows an extensive global search and, according to the FEI, “marks a major milestone in the restructuring process announced in February 2025”. Alongside Power, Frenchman François Vergnol has been appointed as Executive Director of the newly formed commercial, marketing, and communications department.

Speaking to The Irish Field, Áine, who is from Gowran in Co Kilkenny, said: “It is an honour to have been appointed to this role and I would like to thank the FEI President, Secretary General and FEI Board for their trust. I look forward to working with the very capable team of experts that is already in place at FEI headquarters and with the wider group of stakeholders to continue to develop equestrian sport and to highlight the unique balance of skill, performance and care that makes our sport and our human and equine athletes so amazing.”

Key roles

Power has been at the FEI 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.

In addition, she 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.

Power is an Irish qualified lawyer, having graduated from the University of Limerick, and holds an international Master’s in Sports Management from the International Centre for Sports Studies in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. She is also a member of the UEFA Appeals Committee. Prior to joining the FEI, Aine spent two years at the International Boxing Association in Lausanne.

Known for her holistic understanding of the sport and the FEI organisation as well as her strategic vision, Power will lead all sport disciplines as well as the education and officials department, and will oversee the FEI Calendar.

Following the formal approval of the FEI Board, Power will begin her new position on August 1st.

Meanwhile, François Vergnol joins the FEI from European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), where he currently holds the position of Chief Revenue Officer and is part of the EPCR leadership team.