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 temporarily when ADCH was a two person staff team. Clare runs 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 is ruled under the iron paw of rescue half-Bengal cat, Otto. She is an avid weightlifter and a reticent runner.
Michelle joined ADCH as Volunteer Manager in March 2025. Michelle’s successful fourteen year career in teaching led her to develop a range of transferable skills, including training, mentoring and supporting others. Michelle’s passion for animals and the environment led her to transition into the animal welfare charity sector by joining Wild Futures, a UK primate welfare and conservation charity, as Volunteer Coordinator. She enjoys working alongside volunteers and hugely values the massive contribution they make to the charity sector. Michelle lives in Devon with her partner and her family of rescue pets, Gem, the collie cross, Murray, the Senegal parrot and Nellie and Freddie, the guinea pigs. She enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, gardening and volunteering for several animal charities.
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.
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.
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.
Beth brings 10 years of experience with Blue Cross and a strong passion for animal welfare. As Director of People & People Services, she specialises in organisational development, people strategy, and building inclusive, high-performing teams. She has been driven by a strong belief that every animal deserves a safe, loving home, and she has championed initiatives that strengthen public understanding of responsible pet ownership. Beth combines her sector knowledge with people expertise to support charities in delivering excellent care for animals while building resilient, sustainable organisations.
Chris was Chief Executive at Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter between 2021-25 and embedded financial resilience. Reducing an over reliance on legacy income that had placed the shelter at high risk. Early in 2026 Chris launched the Animal Lottery Foundation with the focus of building Britain’s biggest lottery supporting animal welfare charities. Chris has held leadership roles in the charity sector including Eden Valley Hospice, the MS Society and Age UK. Chris is a frequent user of LinkedIn sharing shelter and sector stories to raise the profile of animal welfare. Animals are a very big part of Chris’ life and 4 legged friend Daisy dog is a regular attendee at meetings(!) and long 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.
Emma is passionate about animal welfare and creating positive change for animals. Emma has been involved with ADCH since 2018 when she joined as an Assessor and then became a Trustee in July 2025.
Emma is currently working as Head of Volunteering at StreetVet and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of animal welfare, community education and engagement and volunteer management having also previously worked at the RSPCA, Battersea and Cats Protection.
Emma lives in Wiltshire and has a Jack Russell Terrier called Lily and a very fluffy cat called Mortimer.
Vickie is someone who is passionate about animal welfare and is the proud founder trustee of Woodlands Animal Sanctuary, providing care, rehabilitation, and lifelong support for animals in need. Her professional background is in business consultancy, and she enjoys using her skills to help both charitable and commercial organisations grow and make a meaningful impact. Vickie is also currently training to become a counsellor, driven by her deep commitment to supporting others with empathy, understanding, and authenticity.
Outside of work, Vickie loves spending time outdoors—walking and swimming are two of her favourite ways to relax, recharge, and stay connected to herself.
Kate is founder and Trustee of Senior Staffy Club Dog Rescue having over 14 years of first hand experience in dog rescue. She has knowledge of the challenges rescues can face and is keen to help other rescues, particularly smaller rescues, navigate the complex administrative and operational demands of rescue work. Professionally a Police Officer, with a Law Degree and a Masters in Degree in Training she also brings experience of the law and the legal system, as well as the skills to develop training packages. In her own time she enjoys swimming, walking and is learning to speak Irish.
Vanessa is the founder and CEO of Hope Rescue, one of Wales’ largest dog rescue charities. Since founding the charity in 2005, she has led its growth from a small, volunteer-led organisation into a thriving rescue centre. She is a passionate advocate for animal welfare, campaigning on responsible dog ownership and greyhound welfare, and played a leading role in the successful campaign to ban greyhound racing in Wales. Vanessa also serves on the management committee of the Animal Welfare Network for Wales. She enjoys running and shares her home with two Pomeranians, a Chihuahua and a Staffie-cross, all failed foster dogs.