Leading animal welfare charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has today announced it has appointed Paul Baldwin as its new Chairman. He succeeds Amanda Burton who steps down in October, after a very successful ten-year tenure as trustee, vice-chair and for the past four years, Chairman.

Paul brings to Battersea a passion for animal welfare and extensive experience in leading global charities. He recently retired as Chair of World Animal Protection and is a Council member and non-executive Treasurer of Fauna & Flora International, one of the oldest conservation organisations focusing on biodiversity preservation across over 40 countries.

Previously Paul was Chair of the Disabled Living Foundation, leading it through its merger with the Shaw Trust, and joining the Shaw Trust board in 2016. He has also served as trustee of the Gorilla Organisation and of First Rung, a North London-based charity that provides vocational training and work-experience opportunities to young people.

In his previous career, Paul spent nearly 20 years working in the banking industry for Union Bank of Switzerland, Kleinwort Benson, Goldman Sachs, and most recently as a Managing Director in Global Markets at HSBC.

Commenting on his appointment, Paul Baldwin says:

“I’m honoured and excited to have the opportunity to join the superb team at Battersea. Being passionate about animal welfare I have always admired the important work done by Battersea, each year giving thousands of dogs and cats the chance to live where they are treated with compassion, care and respect. I know Battersea has an ambitious and challenging strategy to further increase its reach and impact, and I very much look forward to playing my part in delivering its future plans.”

Battersea’s Vice Chairman, Anne Montgomery, who chaired the appointment panel, says:

“Paul joins Battersea during the charity’s 160^th Anniversary year, at a time when pet owners need our advice and support all the more. Battersea strives to improve the lives of every dog and cat, and increasingly this includes the animals beyond our gates, through our global Academy and grant giving programme. Paul’s extensive experience in leading animal welfare organisations on a global scale will be invaluable in helping the charity achieve its strategic goals and he brings a tremendous amount of knowledge from a range of different sectors.

I join my fellow Trustees, and Battersea’s staff and volunteers in thanking Amanda Burton for her incredible contribution, as Trustee, Vice-Chair, and Chairman. All of us are grateful to Amanda for her dedication to the charity. Under her tenure Battersea has gone from strength to strength, creating positive change for dogs and cats everywhere.”