RSPCA chief executive steps down

Having arrived at the animal welfare charity in 2018, Sherwood will leave at the end of this year to take up a new role with the NSPCC.

The RSPCA continues to work closely with the NSPCC to this day after supporting its foundation back in 1884.

During his time with the charity, Sherwood was involved in the implementation of its Together for Animal Welfare strategy and helped put the organisation in a more sustainable financial position.

He also led the RSPCA during the Covid-19 pandemic, established a £1.5m cost of living fund to support pet owners and animal charities and funded help for animals in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Sherwood helped push for legislative changes such as having animal sentience enshrined in law, tougher sentences for animal abuse and the ban on live exports.

‘Sorry to lose him’

RSPCA chair Claire Horton thanked Sherwood for his “inspiring vision and leadership”​ after learning of his decision to move on.

"Whilst we are hugely sorry to be losing Chris from RSPCA we are thrilled for him and his new role at NSPCC,”​ Horton said.

“Chris has spearheaded a seismic transformation, modernising leadership, culture and governance. His ambitious new strategic direction of partnership working, alongside an exciting refreshed brand, is galvanising the public, charities and organisations, thought leaders and those critical in shaping legislation to tackle the huge challenges facing animals we share our world with - today and in the future.”​

Sherwood’s exit coincides with the conclusion of the RSPCA’s 200th anniversary year, a fact he described as “fitting”.​

“We have lived through unprecedented times which have seen a global pandemic, cost of living crisis and international conflict, all which have impacted people and the animals they rely on,”​ he added.

“Together we have created a stronger, modern and sustainable, purpose driven RSPCA, while protecting animals from cruelty, successfully campaigning to change laws to end live exports, have CCTV in all slaughterhouses, bring in tougher sentences for animal abuse and building a million-strong movement inspired to create a better world for every animal.​

“Animals need our help now more than ever, with the growth of industrial farming, climate change, wildlife dissemination and the threat of future pandemics. But I am leaving the RSPCA with a  committed and effective leadership team together with passionate staff, volunteers, branches and supporters, with exciting plans and expertise to take on those challenges.”​

Recruitment for the next chief executive will begin shortly, led supported by Horton and the RSPCA board.

Challenges remain

While Sherwood has overseen some of the achievements highlighted above, the RSPCA Assured scheme has recently come under pressure from campaigners.

This came after activist group Animal Rising released shocking footage taken at 45 RSPCA Assured farms​​, including images of chicks dying in factory farms and pigs left dead for days in dirty sheds.

The scheme subsequently received criticism from RSPCA president Chris Packham, who told The Times that what had taken place on certified farms was “indefensible”.​

In response to Sherwood’s resignation, Animal Rising spokesperson Rose Patterson said that while the organisation acknowledged the work he has done for animals during his tenure, the new chief executive should drop the RSPCA Assured scheme.

“The suffering we found throughout RSPCA Assured farms is a betrayal of the animals there and of the British public who trust the RSPCA,”​ added Patterson.

“We’re sure that if the future chief executive watches the footage we captured on these farms, they will agree with us that the Assured scheme has totally failed at protecting farmed animals, and is misaligned with the core values of the RSPCA itself.​

“It’s not too late for Chris to make a huge difference in his final months at the RSPCA by calling for an end to the Assured scheme and promoting an alternative to the farming of animals; as chief executive of the world’s foremost animal charity, this would be a remarkable legacy to leave behind.”​

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