Horse charity boss to step down after Telegraph investigation revealed "toxic culture" allegations

The chief executive of the UK’s largest horse charity will step down following allegations from former staff of a “toxic culture” in the organisation. More than 20 former staff members and volunteers told The Daily Telegraph they had raised concerns about the working environment at the British Horse Society, with some claiming they had witnessed staff reduced to tears and forced to take time off work for stress. Lynn Petersen, who has headed up the charity for the last six years, announced her departure yesterday in an email to staff. It is time for an exciting change for the Society.” An investigation by the Telegraph found the charity had “overspent” hundreds of thousands of pounds on an IT project and made payments to staff who signed controversial non-disclosure agreements when they left the organisation.