Our governance

The RSPCA’s Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity and for ensuring our work is in line with our charitable objects. The Board consists of up to nine elected trustees and up to three co-opted Trustees. Day-to-day leadership of the organisation is undertaken by the executive team, led by the Chief Executive.

Election to the RSPCA Board of Trustees 2026

Each year one-third of the Board’s nine Elected Trustees are required, under the RSPCA Rules, to retire by rotation - this means that three trustees are elected each year.

Eligible candidates were able to nominate themselves to stand for election by sending the Nomination Form to the Society’s independent scrutineers by the deadline of 30 April 2026. More than three valid nominations were received therefore there will be an election where RSPCA members vote for candidates to be elected to the Board.

Due diligence checks have been carried out to confirm that all candidates are eligible to stand. Successful candidates will be appointed for a three year term (subject to the maximum terms of office Rule), which will begin at the end of the Society’s AGM on 3 October 2026.

The RSPCA members’ ballot is now open and election materials have been sent to all members eligible to vote. The election closes at 3pm on Friday 25 September 2026.

Please note that papers were sent alongside the Society’s AGM materials. Members who have provided an email address on their membership record will be sent their Election and AGM materials by email from the Society’s independent election scrutineers, Civica Election Services Ltd. The email will come from the email address takepart@cesvotes.com and not the RSPCA so please ensure you check your Spam/Junk folders if this doesn’t arrive in your usual inbox. If you have not received your email or are unsure whether the email you have received is legitimate please contact the AGM Team directly at agmteam@rspca.org.uk.

Any member who has not provided an email address will receive them in the post in the next few days. If you do not receive them within a week please contact the AGM Team at agmteam@rspca.org.uk urgently so we can arrange a replacement to be sent out to you.