Since Claire Horten joined Battersea, public support for the chairty has rocketed.

Honoured for raising standards across the animal welfare sector

The chief executive of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Roehampton.

Claire Horten received the honour in recognition of her success in raising standards across the animal welfare sector and furthering the profile of Battersea.

With a background of 30 years working in management across the voluntary sector, Claire joined Battersea as chief executive in 2010. Since joining, public support for the charity has rocketed the number of animals helped has increased, and Battersea's income has risen from £10m to £30m per annum.  Volunteer numbers have also escalated by almost 200 per cent, giving the animals 76,000 hours of volunteer care each year.

Claire was nominated for the honour by Professor Garry Marvin from the University of Roehampton's Department of Life Sciences. Commenting on her success, Garry said: "Claire has proved a persuasive and resourceful ambassador, developing a significant sphere of influence using every possible opportunity to ensure the the work of the Home is seen and understood by key influencers as well as the British public.

"If there's ever anyone whole little black book you should be looking to steal, it's Claire Horton's. She can call upon some of the UK's most influential business minds, blue chip companies, ministers and most of this country's famous faces. I don't think there's a royal she hasn't persuaded to have a Battersea dog! She even managed to get a cat into Downing Street and convinced the Prime Minister to visit the home!"

In addition to her role at Battersea, Claire was appointed in 2014 as a non-executive director of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England, which advises the Government on matters relating to kept animals. Earlier this year, Claire was elected chair of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, and is leading the sector towards self-regulation and improving standards of animal welfare UK-wide.

Claire was presented the honorary doctorate by the university's chancellor Dame Jacqueline Wilson, who is also a Battersea Ambassador.

Shortly after the presentation, Claire said: "To be personally nominated by Garry Marvin - professor of Human-Animal Studies - is a great honour and I am incredibly proud that the work of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has been recognised by Roehampton, the top modern London university".

Image (C) Battersea Dogs and Cats Home