RSPCA Chief Executive to join leading children’s charity in 2025

RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood announced today that he will be leaving the animal welfare sector at the end of the charity's landmark 200th anniversary year to lead the NSPCC. Watch the announcement on YouTube.

RSPCA Chair, Claire Horton CBE, thanked Chris for his ‘inspiring vision and leadership’ and for spearheading a ‘seismic transformation’ of the world’s biggest and oldest animal welfare charity during his six years in post.

She wished him well in his new role at the NSPCC, a charity RSPCA members helped to establish in 1884.

Claire Horton CBE, Chair of the RSPCA and former Chief Executive of Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, said: "Whilst we are hugely sorry to be losing Chris from RSPCA we are thrilled for him and his new role at NSPCC. Chris has led the RSPCA through an exceptional six years which have seen his inspiring vision and leadership transform the oldest animal welfare charity into a modern, forward facing organisation changing the world for the better for every kind of animal.

“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.

“He has led the RSPCA during an unprecedented period improving the lives of countless animals and people through; the Covid frontline response and record breaking emergency appeal, a £1.5m cost of living fund to support struggling pet owners and animal charities, delivered one million meals through a new pet food bank, funded help for animals in Ukraine and supported pets fleeing the conflict with their owners, and landmark legislative changes such as having animal sentience enshrined in law, tougher sentences for animal abuse and the long-awaited end of live exports.

“I would like to thank Chris for everything he’s done to make the world a better place for animals, and congratulate him on his fabulous new role in a charity which has close links to the RSPCA, where he will continue to have a positive impact on society.

“Chris will be leaving us at the end of December as we conclude our exciting 200th anniversary year. He leaves us in a financially and operationally strong position as we continue in our mission to tackle the increasing challenges facing animals.

“I am very honoured to be chair of the RSPCA at this point in its exciting transformation and the work which is coming up; and I look forward to working with the board to find our next dynamic Chief Executive that shares the passion and enthusiasm that Chris has brought to the role over the past six years, for the next chapter in the RSPCA’s story.”

The RSPCA was founded in 1824 at a coffee shop in central London, sparking an animal welfare movement that spread around the world and changing behaviours, attitudes, laws and changing animals’ lives for 200 years.

The NSPCC was founded 60 years later with support from leading RSPCA members and using the animal charity’s head office for meetings. Today the charities still work closely with RSPCA officers reporting potential child protection issues they encounter during their frontline work investigating animal cruelty.

Chris joined the RSPCA in 2018 and during his six years with the charity he progressed an ambitious new strategy Together for Animal Welfare, oversaw a turnaround in long-standing financial deficits into a sustainable financial position, streamlined and modernised the charity’s governance and launched a bold new brand, the first in more than 50 years, designed to encourage society to rethink its relationship with animals.

Chris, said: “I have been so honoured to lead the world’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, and it’s fitting at the close of the RSPCA’s 200th anniversary year to be joining the NSPCC - a charity which shares heritage with the RSPCA as well as the same desire to create a kinder and more compassionate society.”

He added: “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.

“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 RSPCA Chief Executive will start in the autumn supported by Chair of Trustees Claire Horton and the Board.