Tom Hardy CBE
Ambassador
The award-winning actor shows his softer side every time he visits Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, meeting some of the Home’s loveable, huggable hounds that have been saddled with an unwarranted rough reputation. “I love all Bull breeds – they’re all big softies… Staffies are such a misunderstood breed – they’re fantastic, loving and loyal dogs and I couldn’t speak more highly of them. I’d encourage anyone thinking of getting a dog to go to Battersea and give one a second chance.” Tom is an incredible Ambassador to the Home and has helped raised thousands of pounds for our animals and is extremely passionate about the work that we do.
The award-winning actor shows his softer side every time he visits Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, meeting some of the Home’s loveable, huggable hounds that have been saddled with an unwarranted rough reputation. “I love all Bull breeds – they’re all big softies… Staffies are such a misunderstood breed – they’re fantastic, loving and loyal dogs and I couldn’t speak more highly of them.
Sue Perkins
Ambassador
Actress, comedian, TV presenter and writer Sue Perkins has been a close supporter of Battersea for over nine years, attending many of our events and lending her voice to our TV adverts and campaigns. Sue is a true champion of animal welfare and in 2017 was one of the ‘faces’ of our Animal Cruelty Campaign, helping us change the law to increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty. She is also a foster carer for Battersea and owns a rescue Staffie called Tig.
Actress, comedian, TV presenter and writer Sue Perkins has been a close supporter of Battersea for over nine years, attending many of our events and lending her voice to our TV adverts and campaigns. Sue is a true champion of animal welfare and in 2017 was one of the ‘faces’ of our Animal Cruelty Campaign, helping us change the law to increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty. She is also a foster carer for Battersea and owns a rescue Staffie called Tig.
David Gandy
Ambassador
Internationally-renowned supermodel David Gandy was our first ever high-profile Ambassador. David is a keen animal lover and, despite his extensive modelling and business commitments worldwide, he is a frequent visitor to our London centre and is a passionate supporter of our vital animal welfare work. David rehomed Battersea dog Dora and always offers his full support to champion the work of Battersea. We’re truly grateful for all the time and commitment he gives us.
Internationally-renowned supermodel David Gandy was our first ever high-profile Ambassador. David is a keen animal lover and, despite his extensive modelling and business commitments worldwide, he is a frequent visitor to our London centre and is a passionate supporter of our vital animal welfare work. David rehomed Battersea dog Dora and always offers his full support to champion the work of Battersea. We’re truly grateful for all the time and commitment he gives us.
Amanda Holden
Ambassador
Actress, theatre star, radio and TV presenter Amanda Holden is the proud owner of rescue dog Rudie and Muffy the cat. Amanda has hosted Battersea’s annual Collars & Coats Gala Ball on many occasions and has championed our work for over 10 years. Amanda is a passionate advocate for rescue dogs and cats and the work that we do and has committed so much of her time to supporting Battersea.
Actress, theatre star, radio and TV presenter Amanda Holden is the proud owner of rescue dog Rudie and Muffy the cat. Amanda has hosted Battersea’s annual Collars & Coats Gala Ball on many occasions and has championed our work for over 10 years. Amanda is a passionate advocate for rescue dogs and cats and the work that we do and has committed so much of her time to supporting Battersea.
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 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.
Bryony Glenn - Director of Human Resources
Director
Bryony joined Battersea as Director of Human Resources in July 2013. Bryony has over 20 years’ experience of senior management in human resources and development in the not-for-profit, public and commercial sectors. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. She was previously Director of Human Resources and Development at Merlin, a major UK based international health charity. The organization provides life-saving assistance to more than 15 million people in 20 countries affected by natural disaster, conflict, or disease. While there she developed and delivered a people strategy focussing on talent development, employee resourcing, and performance management to support Merlin’s growth. Prior to that, Bryony worked at Big Lottery Fund as Head of Human Resources and with Marks & Spencer in senior HR roles.
Bryony’s role at Battersea includes organisational design, learning & development, talent management, performance management and reward. Her work supports and enables Battersea’s people across all three sites to deliver their roles. This also supports further growth and development of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
Bryony joined Battersea as Director of Human Resources in July 2013. Bryony has over 20 years’ experience of senior management in human resources and development in the not-for-profit, public and commercial sectors. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. She was previously Director of Human Resources and Development at Merlin, a major UK based international health charity. The organization provides life-saving assistance to more than 15 million people in 20 countries affected by natural disaster, conflict, or disease.
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.
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.