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, 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.
Lucy Shamdasani
Trustee
Lucy Shamdasani is Managing Director and EMEA Portfolio Chief Information Officer at The Carlyle Group, where she advises on technology strategy and digital transformation. Before joining Carlyle she was CIO for Engagement and Corporate Technology at The LEGO Group, leading digital and data innovation. She also spent 13 years at dunnhumby, where she was CIO, helping retailers and brands to use data to better serve customers.
A lifelong animal lover and pet owner, Lucy has long admired Battersea’s dedication to transforming the lives of dogs and cats in need. Her family includes her much-loved spaniel, Digby.
Lucy Shamdasani is Managing Director and EMEA Portfolio Chief Information Officer at The Carlyle Group, where she advises on technology strategy and digital transformation. Before joining Carlyle she was CIO for Engagement and Corporate Technology at The LEGO Group, leading digital and data innovation. She also spent 13 years at dunnhumby, where she was CIO, helping retailers and brands to use data to better serve customers.
Dr Heather Bacon
Trustee
Dr. Heather Bacon is a veterinarian and Dean of the Veterinary School at the University of Central Lancashire. She has worked internationally on veterinary education and animal welfare projects for over 15 years. She was previously responsible for developing and teaching animal welfare, behaviour and veterinary ethics to students at the University of Edinburgh.
Also, she works with many charities, veterinary and other organisations to develop veterinary educational strategies globally. The work focuses on improving the welfare of dogs, cats and captive and free-ranging wildlife. Heather’s research interests include changing human behaviour to improve the welfare of animals, and supporting the development of effective veterinary education.
Dr. Heather Bacon is a veterinarian and Dean of the Veterinary School at the University of Central Lancashire. She has worked internationally on veterinary education and animal welfare projects for over 15 years. She was previously responsible for developing and teaching animal welfare, behaviour and veterinary ethics to students at the University of Edinburgh.
Helen Webb OBE
Trustee
The John Lewis Partnership has named Helen Webb as its new chief people officer.
She has 30+ years experience in retailing and financial services holding senior positions at WHSmiths, Morrisons, ASDA, Aviva, Marks & Spencer,Sainsbury’s and The Co-op.
She is a CIPD qualified HR professional with a passion for Inclusion, Leadership and People Engagement. She is also a trustee for Housing for Women, a housing association and charity.
Helen has a rescue dog, Flash.
The John Lewis Partnership has named Helen Webb as its new chief people officer.
She has 30+ years experience in retailing and financial services holding senior positions at WHSmiths, Morrisons, ASDA, Aviva, Marks & Spencer,Sainsbury’s and The Co-op.
She is a CIPD qualified HR professional with a passion for Inclusion, Leadership and People Engagement. She is also a trustee for Housing for Women, a housing association and charity.
Helen has a rescue dog, Flash.
Julie Carlyle
Trustee
Julie is a senior partner at EY and has over 25 years or experience working with UK and global companies and boards with a particular focus on the retail and consumer sector. She is EY UK Assurance leader for Consumer Products & Retail, EY London Office Managing Partner and leads the UK Centre for Board Matters programme. Although known by all to be dog mad, Julie has been won over to the feline side by her Battersea rescue cat George over the last 12 years, a very central member of the Carlyle family.
Julie is a senior partner at EY and has over 25 years or experience working with UK and global companies and boards with a particular focus on the retail and consumer sector. She is EY UK Assurance leader for Consumer Products & Retail, EY London Office Managing Partner and leads the UK Centre for Board Matters programme. Although known by all to be dog mad, Julie has been won over to the feline side by her Battersea rescue cat George over the last 12 years, a very central member of the Carlyle family.
Maria Novell
Trustee
Maria is Chief Fundraising, Communications & Marketing Officer at Marie Curie, providing leadership to the Fundraising, Marketing, Communications, Retail and Digital teams. She has worked in Marketing all of her career and moved into the third sector over 20 years ago. Previously Maria was Fundraising & Commercial Director at Guide Dogs and had roles at the RNLI and British Liver Trust.
Maria lives on the south coast and in her spare time is most likely to be found on the beach or in the forest with her Alaskan Malamute, Sam.
Maria is Chief Fundraising, Communications & Marketing Officer at Marie Curie, providing leadership to the Fundraising, Marketing, Communications, Retail and Digital teams. She has worked in Marketing all of her career and moved into the third sector over 20 years ago. Previously Maria was Fundraising & Commercial Director at Guide Dogs and had roles at the RNLI and British Liver Trust.
Maria lives on the south coast and in her spare time is most likely to be found on the beach or in the forest with her Alaskan Malamute, Sam.
Patrick Aylmer
Trustee
Patrick is a Chartered Accountant, with 20 years experience of investment banking and mergers and acquisitions. He currently runs the property finance business of Fox Investments and was previously Investment Director of a FTSE-100 corporate.
He plays indifferent tennis and squash, but at weekends is often to be found walking his cockapoo Monty along the Thames.
In addition to being a trustee at Battersea, Patrick is a Council Member of the National Army Museum.
Patrick is a Chartered Accountant, with 20 years experience of investment banking and mergers and acquisitions. He currently runs the property finance business of Fox Investments and was previously Investment Director of a FTSE-100 corporate.
He plays indifferent tennis and squash, but at weekends is often to be found walking his cockapoo Monty along the Thames.
In addition to being a trustee at Battersea, Patrick is a Council Member of the National Army Museum.
Alan Martin
Trustee
Alan has served in various executive roles including Vice President of Marketing for Unilever’s ice cream business, Chief Marketing Officer for Heineken’s soft drink company, Fayrouz International, and Global Account Director at WPP Kantar. He also ran his own consultancy, providing strategic advice to numerous companies including Coca Cola, Kellogg’s Ferrero, and Skins sportswear.
With extensive international experience Alan has lived and worked in five different countries.
As a professionally qualified coach, Alan leverages this experience to help individuals and their organisations to realise their goals for lasting positive impact.
Alan has rescue cat Oscar from Battersea Old Windsor.
Alan has served in various executive roles including Vice President of Marketing for Unilever’s ice cream business, Chief Marketing Officer for Heineken’s soft drink company, Fayrouz International, and Global Account Director at WPP Kantar. He also ran his own consultancy, providing strategic advice to numerous companies including Coca Cola, Kellogg’s Ferrero, and Skins sportswear.
With extensive international experience Alan has lived and worked in five different countries.
Sir Alan Collins
Trustee
Alan is a former British Diplomat. He has served overseas in Ethiopia and Taiwan and been the Ambassador to the Philippines, the High Commissioner to Singapore, the Consul General in New York and the Director General of Trade and Investment for the United States. He was responsible in government for the international aspects of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics having been part of Lord Coe’s team that won the right to hold the Games in London. He has since been on a number of FTSE company boards and is currently a non-executive Director of JPMorgan American Investment Trust plc and ICICI Bank UK plc.
Alan is a member of the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Royal Overseas League and the MCC. He is a Freeman of the City of London.
Alan lives in Hampshire and has a rescue retired racing greyhound called Darcey.
Alan is a former British Diplomat. He has served overseas in Ethiopia and Taiwan and been the Ambassador to the Philippines, the High Commissioner to Singapore, the Consul General in New York and the Director General of Trade and Investment for the United States. He was responsible in government for the international aspects of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics having been part of Lord Coe’s team that won the right to hold the Games in London.