Paul O'Grady MBE
Ambassador
Paul O’Grady was an immensely popular TV and radio presenter and comedian who lit up our screens with his razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth. Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.
Paul had an extremely hands-on approach as a Battersea Ambassador from 2012 to 2023, and has been fundamental in helping our charity to communicate important campaign messages. He was a champion for the underdog and would do anything to ensure all animals live a healthy and happy life.
We cannot thank him enough for everything he did for our charity and for rescue animals worldwide. We will forever be indebted to him for his endless generosity and support.
Paul O’Grady was an immensely popular TV and radio presenter and comedian who lit up our screens with his razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth. Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.
Lucy Hastings - Director of Operations
Director
Lucy joined Battersea as Director of Operations in November 2022, having spent 25 years managing Operations at large and small charities. The role includes operations across our three sites, animal intake, canine behaviour and training, rehoming, fostering and volunteering.
Prior to joining Battersea, Lucy held senior positions at Macmillan Cancer Support, Age UK, Victim Support, and most recently Director of Services at Cruse Bereavement Support. Lucy also spent four years leading strategic change programmes with the Red Cross, MS Society and Coram Beanstalk, and project managed the Silverline/Age UK merger.
Lucy is passionate about services being customer focused (both for humans and animals) and is keen for Battersea to rehome and help even more cats and dogs.
Outside Battersea Lucy is a proud owner of a crazy loveable cocker spaniel called Sidney and walks him in Battersea Park most days. Lucy is also the Chair of Mosaic Clubhouse in Brixton, an amazing charity that helps people with mental health issues develop confidence and skills to get back to work or education.
Lucy joined Battersea as Director of Operations in November 2022, having spent 25 years managing Operations at large and small charities. The role includes operations across our three sites, animal intake, canine behaviour and training, rehoming, fostering and volunteering.
Kelly Brown – Director of Finance & Corporate Services
Director
Kelly joined Battersea as Director of Finance & Corporate Services in October 2020. She has over 20 years of experience as a finance professional, including supporting business turnaround, rapid growth, and new commercial start-up ventures. She has overall accountability for the Finance, IT, Legacy, Audit & Compliance and Retail teams at Battersea.
Prior to joining Battersea, Kelly held senior executive positions in practice, the public sector, and the not-for-profit sector. This includes the role of Director of Corporate Resources at the charity Rethink Mental Illness. She has also held senior positions with The Law Society, Mental Health UK, The Children’s Trust, and the Hurley Group.
Kelly is passionate about enabling the charity to achieve its charitable objectives through the effective use of resources. She supports innovation to maximize outcomes and ensures a greater financial understanding. This is achieved through the provision of clear, robust financial information to ensure financial sustainability.
Having always been surrounded by pets, Kelly is now the proud owner of her beloved Welsh Springer Spaniel Alfie.
Kelly joined Battersea as Director of Finance & Corporate Services in October 2020. She has over 20 years of experience as a finance professional, including supporting business turnaround, rapid growth, and new commercial start-up ventures. She has overall accountability for the Finance, IT, Legacy, Audit & Compliance and Retail teams at Battersea.
Martyn Dicker - Director of People & Culture
Director
Martyn joined Battersea in April 2026 to lead our People & Culture function, which creates an inclusive and engaging culture in which our talented colleagues can effectively learn, grow and make the best possible impact for dogs and cats.
He was previously Director of People at UNICEF UK, a post he held for seven years. He has held previous People Director roles at The King's Trust, Children's Investment Fund Foundation and Fairtrade Foundation. He also held senior People posts at the British Red Cross.
Martyn is Chair of Charities HR Network, which aims to shape and influence the future of our sector and profession.
He is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and has received external recognition for his work, including being included in CIPDs HR30, which celebrates 30 of the most influential and inspiring HR leaders, and HR Magazine's most influential practitioners list.
Martyn joined Battersea in April 2026 to lead our People & Culture function, which creates an inclusive and engaging culture in which our talented colleagues can effectively learn, grow and make the best possible impact for dogs and cats.
He was previously Director of People at UNICEF UK, a post he held for seven years. He has held previous People Director roles at The King's Trust, Children's Investment Fund Foundation and Fairtrade Foundation. He also held senior People posts at the British Red Cross.
Sarah Matthews – Director of Marketing and Communications
Director
Sarah has over 30 years experience as a marketer, in roles spanning a diverse range of organisations across both not-for-profit and commercial sectors.
She was previously Marketing and Communications Director for Maggie’s, a cancer charity delivering practical and emotional support through its network across the UK. While there, she established the organisation's initial marketing, communications, and digital strategy, focusing on brand-centric methods. Sarah introduced new marketing efforts to increase awareness and drive sustainable revenue growth.
Before this, she worked as a consultant for several years within the charity sector. Advising organisations such as JustGiving and RSPB on brand, marketing and communications strategies to drive growth.
Sarah has also worked in senior marketing roles at Selfridges, Marks and Spencer and Egg during periods of business change. She was founding CMO for Zopa where she created, launched and grew the brand from inception. It was the world’s first peer to peer lending start-up to credible alternative financial services player.
Sarah’s role at Battersea is to lead the marketing and communications team to maximize the value and deepen awareness of Battersea’s brand.
Sarah has over 30 years experience as a marketer, in roles spanning a diverse range of organisations across both not-for-profit and commercial sectors.
She was previously Marketing and Communications Director for Maggie’s, a cancer charity delivering practical and emotional support through its network across the UK. While there, she established the organisation's initial marketing, communications, and digital strategy, focusing on brand-centric methods. Sarah introduced new marketing efforts to increase awareness and drive sustainable revenue growth.
Julian Holmes-Taylor – Director of Income Generation
Director
Julian joined Battersea as Interim Director of Fundraising in March 2020, having had over 20 years’ experience in professional fundraising working for five major UK Charities and Development Organisations. In September 2021, he was appointed Director of Income Generation. In this role, he oversees Battersea’s successful Individual Giving programme and its ambitious plans to generate income through its Philanthropy, Partnerships, and Commercial programmes.
Prior to joining Battersea Julian was Assistant Director of Income Generation at the RSPCA. He lead a team of 110 fundraisers to generate income in excess of £115million.
Julian has also worked at The British Red Cross in a variety of roles, including working directly with the Board of Directors and CEO. Whilst there Julian created some of the charities most successful Royal and celebrity events. Some of his events were hosted by Nelson Mandela, HRH The Prince of Wales and President Clinton. He has also worked in various fundraising and marketing roles at Leonard Cheshire, Capital Radio Charities and Scope.
Julian joined Battersea as Interim Director of Fundraising in March 2020, having had over 20 years’ experience in professional fundraising working for five major UK Charities and Development Organisations. In September 2021, he was appointed Director of Income Generation. In this role, he oversees Battersea’s successful Individual Giving programme and its ambitious plans to generate income through its Philanthropy, Partnerships, and Commercial programmes.
Shaun Opperman – Director of Veterinary Services
Director
Shaun graduated from Bristol University in 1986 and spent five years in small animal practices both in the UK and Australia.
He started at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 1991 as a surgical locum and became a full time employee the following year.
As Veterinary Director, Shaun heads up a team of eight veterinary surgeons, 28 veterinary nurses and three animal welfare assistants, across all three sites, and is responsible for the health and welfare of the animals under the Home’s care.
Shaun graduated from Bristol University in 1986 and spent five years in small animal practices both in the UK and Australia.
He started at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 1991 as a surgical locum and became a full time employee the following year.
As Veterinary Director, Shaun heads up a team of eight veterinary surgeons, 28 veterinary nurses and three animal welfare assistants, across all three sites, and is responsible for the health and welfare of the animals under the Home’s care.
Peter Laurie - Chief Executive
Chief Executive
Peter was appointed Chief Executive in April 2021. He joined Battersea as Director of Operations in February 2015 and became the organisation’s Deputy Chief Executive in March 2017.
Peter brings extensive sector experience to the role. Prior to joining Battersea, Peter was Chief Executive of the Retired Greyhound Trust, Britain's largest single-breed charity that finds homes for thousands of ex-racing greyhounds each year from a network of volunteer-led branches. He is a Non-executive Director of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England, an advisory board to Defra and its ministers, a trustee of the Heather Love and Jonathan Vine-Hall Animal Welfare Foundation, and served as the Honorary Secretary of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes from 2013 – 2025. Peter was a founding Trustee of the Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation from 2018 – 2023, serving also as its Vice Chair, and was a Trustee of the Petplan Charitable Trust for eight years until 2022. Previously he held welfare, regulatory and business development roles in various not-for-profit and commercial organisations.
Peter has grown up with many pets and currently he and his family are proud owners of Battersea dog Wilson.
Peter was appointed Chief Executive in April 2021. He joined Battersea as Director of Operations in February 2015 and became the organisation’s Deputy Chief Executive in March 2017.