Dogs Trust is the UK's leading dog welfare charity; we've been helping dogs since 1891. They believe every dog deserves to live life to the full. As well as being the most loved dog charity in the UK, their successful 2023 merger with Worldwide Veterinary Service and Mission Rabies is increasingly making Dogs Trust Group a global force for good in dog welfare.

Dogs Trust won’t rest until they make the world a safe and happy place not only for dogs, but also for the people who love and own them; and their new strategy (coming in autumn 2025) is designed to help them do just that. They’ve thought hard about how to maximise every penny of the support that they receive and are designing a new delivery model that will see them target their impact where it’s needed most. The shape of some of Dogs Trust’s services may change in the coming years, but there’s one thing that will never change – their commitment to helping dogs live their best lives.

Planned board renewal means we are looking for new Trustees to join them from January 2026. It’s an unmissable to join a well-established and collaborative Board, with an impressive portfolio of skills and experience. Most importantly, however, they also share an absolute passion for helping dogs in need; and as Dogs Trust’s governing body, work in a supportive, collegial way to deliver the very best services for dogs, dog owners and the generations of dogs to come.

Candidates must understand the importance of good governance, whether in the commercial or third sector, know what effective management and leadership looks like (ideally in both business and charities), and have a warm appreciation of what Dogs Trust do. Because their operations are so varied – ranging from fundraising to animal welfare, law, training, digital, retail and more – the wider your experience, the better. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates whose skillset includes either strategic HR and/or law.

Appointments will be made on an initial three-year term basis, with the option to extend for two further terms following successful conclusion of the first term. Dogs Trust particularly welcome interest from candidates who bring backgrounds or personal perspectives which could enrich the current composition of their Board. This could include (but isn’t limited to) age, socio-economic or demographic circumstances, a minoritised ethnicity, sex or gender.

For more information, please visit www.join-dogstrust.co.uk. If you have any queries which are not covered on this microsite, you can email us at dogstrustees@cadencepartners.co.uk. Alternative formats for candidate information may be requested at your initial contact.

Closing date: midnight, 11 June 2025.