John Grounds, director of marketing and campaigns and deputy chief executive of the RSPCA, has stepped down.

It comes less than six weeks after Gavin Grant, the charity’s chief executive, left after two years in the role citing health grounds.

Grounds joined the RSPCA in 2012 from the NSPCC where he had been its director of communications for seven years.

A statement today from the RSPCA says: “John has represented the Society and led his teams with great energy and integrity through a challenging period of rapid change during which he also led the Society’s strategy review and built a more integrated approach to marketing, fundraising, campaigning and communications.”

Grounds said to staff: “I’m extremely proud to have worked with you all and to have seen the wonderful work of the Society’s staff, volunteers and supporters first-hand. Your commitment to the welfare of animals is humbling. I wish you all the very best.”