Clare Horton will leave Battersea Dogs & Cats Home next year to become director general of The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
She has been chief executive at Battersea for 11 years and has overseen a quadrupling of the charity’s income, repositioned its brand and expanded its services.
In 2019 the charity’s income was £44m.
Horton said: “I am deeply honoured to have worked alongside them for so long and I want to thank everyone at Battersea for their unstinting support, and their belief in me, over the last eleven years. Whilst I might be leaving as CEO, I shall remain very much part of the Battersea family, as a staunch supporter, fundraiser and advocate and my commitment to changing the world for animals remains as strong as it ever did.
“My move to head up the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in January takes me into a new sector and to a pivotal role in the historic, global institution that honours and cares for the graves and memorials of the 1.7m men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be forgotten. I feel extremely privileged to be afforded this truly unique and unrivalled opportunity.”
Paul Baldwin, Battersea chair, thanked her for her “outstanding contribution”, and said: “Battersea is truly indebted to Claire for her visionary and transformative leadership. Claire has been hugely committed to Battersea, an exceptional leader who has built and led her teams from strength to strength. Her passion, energy and drive truly inspired our staff and volunteers and she leaves a strong and lasting legacy.”
Battersea said it would begin the recruitment process in the near future.
Covid-19 impact on Battersea
The charity’s 2019 annual report and accounts warn that, like much of the sector, it faces financial challenges due to Covid-19.
It said: “The impact of Covid-19 on Battersea has already been assessed as significant, with Battersea anticipating a significant drop in income due to our inability to maintain our face-to-face fundraising activities or deliver any of our planned special events programme.”
This includes being forced to cancel fundraising events and activity focused around its 160th anniversary. Its rescue and rehoming activity has also been impacted by restrictions.
“Mitigation measures have been put in place to enable the organisation to continue caring for animals, and trustees, the CEO and the executive are meeting virtually throughout the crisis, on a fortnightly basis to agree actions, impact, and revised activities,” the accounts said.
“At this stage it looks likely that the 2020 operational and strategic planned activities will change significantly and that reduction on our income during the year, could be as much as a 7% reduction from 2019.”
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