RSPCA Chair steps down due to work and family commitments

RSPCA Chair Claire Horton CBE has announced that she is stepping down from her role due to caring and work responsibilities. Vice Chair Amanda Bringans OBE steps into the role.

After 15 months, the former Chief Executive of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home said that it was a difficult decision, but her current full time role as Director of the War Graves Commission and family health challenges now made it ‘impossible’ to give the role the attention she wanted.

Claire said she had been ‘privileged’ to be Chair at the RSPCA during its 200th year.

Claire said: “It has been a privilege to hold this vital role at such a historic time for this important charity. There is so much more I wanted to do, but I have had to take the incredibly difficult decision to step down as the challenges of my full-time role as Director General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission coupled with difficult family health matters have made it impossible to give everything I wanted to this role going forward. 

“Millions put their faith in the RSPCA to improve animals’ lives, to be their voice and change their world for the better and this is an important responsibility. This organisation has huge ambitions for animals and it deserves someone in this role who can give it the time and attention needed to deliver on this responsibility. Sadly, I am no longer able to provide this and it is with deep regret that I step aside.

“I have greatly enjoyed working with the board, the talented leadership team and all the passionate and dedicated colleagues, branches and volunteers and I know they will continue to achieve great things in their mission to create a better world for every animal.”

Claire joined the RSPCA just before its 200th year and oversaw key strategic changes including the introduction of the charity’s first new brand in 50 years and a new partnership model for its network of more than 130 branches.

Interim Chief Executive Shãn Nicholas thanked Claire for her ‘energy and experience’ during a critical period for the charity.

She said: “I would like to thank Claire for her tenure at a critical time for animals and the organisation. Claire is a passionate advocate for animal welfare and she has provided energy and experience during an ambitious period of change for the RSPCA. During her time here she has seen us through our historic 200th year celebrations, the introduction of our strong new brand and purpose and overseen the development of a bold, refreshed strategy to deliver a bigger impact for animals by 2030 and beyond. She has played a critical role in fostering a collaborative partnership approach between branches and the national society and helped steer frontline efforts to reach animals experiencing cruelty and neglect more quickly, as well as providing vital stability at a time of economic and political uncertainty.

“I know this was a difficult decision for Claire and we wish her all the best for the future. I know she will continue to be a strong voice for animals and a firm supporter of everything we are doing to create a better world for animals. Our experienced Vice Chair Amanda Bringans will be stepping into the role of chair while we recruit for a permanent postholder, and while we continue to focus on delivering our ambitious strategy for animals.”

Claire stepped down on 26 March and recruitment for the new role of chair is underway.