Giles Webber, Chief Executive of Birmingham Dogs Home, has chaired ADCH since 2021 and was re-elected in 2024 for a second term. A passionate volunteer for ADCH since 2015, Giles has served as a Trustee and on the management committee, contributing to key initiatives, including hosting record-breaking events, supporting members during the pandemic, and increasing the charity’s income. At Birmingham Dogs Home since 2017, Giles leads teams caring for over 2,000 homeless dogs annually. Previously, he spent seven years as Operations Director at Dogs Trust. At home, Giles enjoys the companionship of Lily, his energetic and ever so slightly naughty cocker spaniel, and remains dedicated to advancing animal welfare.
Caroline is absolutely passionate about animal welfare. She worked as CEO of Oak Tree Animals’ Charity in Carlisle, having previously worked for Woodgreen and volunteered for a number of smaller rescues. With this background, Caroline understands the struggles that small and medium rescues face every day, not least with fundraising, management and welfare challenges. As a qualified Companion Animal Behaviour Counsellor and trainer she is particularly interested in behaviour and training in the shelter environment. Preventing relinquishment is vital and Caroline is keen to support members in developing community based programmes.
“ADCH has helped me immensely throughout my welfare career and I love having the opportunity to meet, share ideas and support members through my committee, trustee and assessor roles.”
Mike Webb is Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Battersea, taking over as Honorary Secretary of ADCH in 2025. After working in Parliament and in transport policy he has spent more than a decade in companion animal welfare; working with animal rescues, politicians and others to improve the law affecting dogs and cats. Passionate about animal welfare, he has run campaigns on topics including tackling backstreet breeding, raising sentences for animal cruelty to five years and pet friendly properties. In this role he has worked closely with ADCH members large and small. Mike is married with three daughters, and is owned by a Battersea tortoiseshell cat called Fluff.
Yvonne recently became an ADCH Trustee and acts as our Treasurer.
Yvonne is a chartered accountant, currently employed at a Top 100 law firm, having a background in audit, financial accounting and taxation, with an emphasis on the regulated financial and legal services sectors. Over the years she has enjoyed working with a wide range of charities, both professionally and as a volunteer.
Yvonne is also currently Treasurer Trustee of a large RSPCA branch. Her ambition is to use this perspective to gradually enhance the financial knowledge and skill set offerings made available by ADCH to its members.
Since 2015, David has been a Board member of ADCH, leading analysis of annual returns and surveys, including on XL Bullys and Covid, providing insights to members, governments, and legislators. Heading the RSPCA’s Public Affairs and Campaigns team, he brings over 29 years of expertise in cat and dog welfare. As a Board member of Defra’s expert group on dogs and cats and the Animal Welfare Network Wales, David engages with governments in Wales and England to promote ADCH’s data for policy decisions. Chairing ADCH’s Legislative Committee since 2016, he monitors legislation across eight jurisdictions and contributes to consultations on laws like microchipping and rescue licensing.
Mike is Cat Welfare and Operations Director at Cats Protection (CP), the UK’s largest feline welfare organisation. As part of his role he is responsible for CP’s service delivery in communities all across the UK. Prior to joining CP, Mike spent 20 years in various public and voluntary sector roles, most recently as Assistant Director of Volunteering and Community Involvement at the National Trust. He is passionate about developing the role the voluntary sector plays in society. Mike is Chair of ADCH’s Governance Committee and also a Trustee of the Links Group, raising awareness of the link between the abuse of animals and people. He likes to spend his spare time with his own rescue cat Betty (and his wife!)
Peter’s always excited by ADCH Members’ wonderful work He’s lucky to meet many through his ADCH roles. His work has always been supporting charities to modernise to overcome their challenges.
Currently a Charity Consultant, starting in business, promoted to Director in international construction. He has been Trustee and volunteer of many charities, and worked in charities as CEO and senior manager. He volunteers for Eurogroup for Animals – Chair of their Cats and Dogs Working Group. He’s a Trustee of Avenues Trust Group (Adult Social Care).
Often visiting family (York to Geneva), he’s balanced between dogs/cats and hasn’t owned goats…yet.
Adam joined Dogs Trust in 2018, combining his passion for dogs and his experience of leading operational teams. As Operations Director he is responsible for Rehoming Centres, Veterinary and Behaviour tams and the Prevention and Community Engagement activity across the U.K. He began his career in the British Army, serving four years with the Royal Signals, having graduated from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, before moving onto an operational role with Aldi and then Royal Mail, where he held several operational roles, focusing on organisational transformation and delivering complex frontline services. As a trustee of ADCH he has played an active role in helping improve standards of animal welfare across the sector and sharing best practice.
Charlotte was elected to ADCH as a trustee in 2023. Prior to that she worked at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home as Head of Volunteering and Fostering, where she wrote their volunteer strategy and led Battersea through IiV (Investing in Volunteering) Quality Standard).
During her time at Battersea, she was a founder member of the Institute of Fundraising Expert Panel on EDI and is passionate about people, workplace culture and wellbeing.
In addition to her ADCH responsibilities she is now is a public speaker on a range of topics including Person-Centred Volunteering and Animal Welfare related subjects, as well as volunteering for Battersea and Blue Cross.
Chris has been Chief Executive at Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter since December 2021 and focused growing non-legacy income to sustain the shelter for the future. Chris has held leadership and management roles in the charity sector including Eden Valley Hospice, the MS Society and Age UK. Chris is a regular user of LinkedIn sharing shelter and sector stories to raise the profile of animal welfare across the North East and much further afield. Animals are a very big part of Chris’ life and his 4 legged friend Nellie, keeps him active with early morning walks along the Tyne in Northumberland.
Linda has over 20 years’ experience in the animal welfare sector, working across and developing many areas, including rehoming, outreach, information services, fundraising, and policy development at Woodgreen Pets Charity. She is passionate about finding practical ways to achieve more for pets with limited resources, helping rescues support pets and their people in impactful and sustainable ways. As an ADCH assessor and Standards Committee member, Linda values collaboration and sharing best practices to elevate animal welfare. With a degree in Animal Behaviour and advanced training in welfare science, she is committed to creating innovative approaches that help pets thrive.
Marina Fiddler is the Director and co-founder of MADRA, a dog rescue organisation in western Ireland. A Trustee of ADCH for six years and member of the Member Engagement Committee, Marina received a Doctorate from the University of Galloway in 2024 for her contributions to animal welfare.
With firsthand experience running a small rescue, she provides vital support to smaller member organisations. Known for her empathy and collaboration, Marina fosters connections within the ADCH community, offering guidance through challenges and supporting the central team. She’s a familiar, supportive presence at events, building friendships and strengthening the ADCH network.
Nicola became an ADCH Trustee in 2022, having volunteered and worked for animal welfare organisations including Cats Protection, RSPCA, Scottish SPCA and World Animal Protection. She has a love and respect for all animals and is currently Senior Wildlife Campaigns Manager for Humane Society International/UK. She brings her knowledge of animal welfare operations and standards to ADCH as an Assessor and Trustee and loves supporting our members. Nicola lives with her husband and children in Midlothian and is owned by cat Charlie and six rescued guinea pigs. She has dreams of rescuing a dog and horse in the near future!
Rebecca joined ADCH as Executive Director in August 2023, bringing over 18 years of experience in the charitable sector. Her career has centred on leading organisations that support vulnerable children and adults, including those affected by serious health conditions such as HIV and complex childhood illnesses, as well as individuals navigating grief and loss, and unpaid carers. Before joining ADCH, Rebecca was CEO of the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation and Chief Executive of WAY Widowed and Young, a national membership charity.
She resides in Staffordshire with her partner, two Siamese cats – ‘Siah and Beau’, she is step-mum to Border Collie ‘Carrick’ and aunt to rescue Westie Dylan. She also has a strong creative side, having won the UK Designer of the Year award in 2008, and continues to pursue design and crafts as a hobby.
Thérèse transitioned to the charity sector in 2008. Through Citizens Advice, she served as an Advisor, Project Co-ordinator, and Training Officer, gaining expertise in charity administration, volunteer support, and training. Qualifying as an Adult Trainer, Moodle Educator and Workplace Assessor, her accomplishments include establishing a new accredited training centre. She later joined UK SMART Recovery as Business Manager, developing relationships with international partner organisations and developing training to support individuals with addictive behaviours.
Thérèse joined ADCH in 2019, combining her passion to help people and animals. She currently manages member engagement and events, including the Annual Conference.
She enjoys outdoor adventures, travel and spending time with her children, cat Tigger, and dog Snoopy.
Clare joined the animal charity sector in 2015 following a number of years local government, and previously in the private sector. She joined ADCH in May 2019 to temporarily fill a staffing vacancy in what was then a two person staff team. Clare administers ADCH’s Minimum Welfare and Operational Standards assessment programme and supports the Standards and Animal Welfare Committee in their work. She also looks after the membership application process. Clare is interested in animal welfare legislation and supports ADCH’s Legislative Committee with communicating to members. At home, Clare has two young daughters and a veteran husband, who are all ruled under the iron paw of rescue half-Bengal cat, Otto. She is an avid weightlifter and a reticent runner.
Ellie joined ADCH as Administrator in September 2022, with her role evolving into Membership Services Coordinator in 2024. Holding a 2:1 Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Chester, Ellie transitioned to the charitable sector to follow her passion for making a difference. She previously supported adults with learning disabilities through a friendship and dating agency and managed a year-long respite programme. A committed animal advocate, Ellie has been vegetarian for 15 years and vegan for 5. Her love for animals extends to her black Labrador, Hurley, whom she has trained to perform over 30 commands.