RSPCA appoints former Battersea chief as new chair
“We are thrilled to have Claire as chair for our 200th anniversary year which is a crucial turning point for us as a charity - but also for animal welfare” – Chris Sherwood.
Claire Horton CBE, a former chief executive of Battersea, has been appointed as the chair of the RSPCA's board of trustees.
As the RSPCA prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary next year, she will work with chief executive Chris Sherwood to implement the charity’s Together for Animal Welfare strategy.
In a third sector career spanning 30 years, she worked for nearly 11 years as chief executive of Battersea. During her time there, she helped grow the number of supports and quadruple the charity’s income. Most recently, she was director general of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
She takes over from René Olivieri, who had been chair since 2019.
RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “We are thrilled to have Claire as chair for our 200th anniversary year which is a crucial turning point for us as a charity - but also for animal welfare.
“The rise of industrial farming, the catastrophic depletion of wildlife, the growing challenges of climate change and the impact of the cost of living crisis means that animals need us more now than ever. It is vital we rally more people to take action for animals.”
Ms Horton said: “I'm immensely proud to become chair of trustees of the world's oldest and largest animal welfare charity during its landmark 200th anniversary.
“I’ve had a life-long commitment to animal welfare and I have been a long-standing advocate, supporter and admirer of the incredible work of the RSPCA and its people.
“For two centuries, the RSPCA has been changing hearts and minds, and inspiring kindness to animals both here and around the world - but there is so much more work to do.”
Image © RSPCA
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