National Animal Welfare Trust appoints Rob Mitchell as new Chief Executive
Rescue and rehoming charity National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) has appointed Rob Mitchell as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Rob joins the charity following a successful career in retail - starting out at B&Q and rising through the ranks, latterly working as General Manager, shop operations with the John Lewis Partnership.
His appointment coincides with a landmark year for the charity as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Outside of working life, Rob has been an active volunteer in animal rescue for the past nine years. He and his wife have fostered more than 50 dogs over that time, working with a local charity near to their home. Two of them – collie cross Shannon and German Shepherd cross Kayla - have become permanent residents. A third Boxer cross Bailey, is on a long-term foster.
Commenting on his appointment, Rob said: “Having always worked in retail before, I’m really looking forward to taking on a role where I’ll be adding value and making a difference to animals’ lives.
“It’s a very exciting time to be joining the charity. The COVID pandemic has forced organisations to look at how they operate and to adapt to new ways of working. Change is now the new normal and I’m really looking forward to working with my colleagues to explore what they have learnt during these strange times and to develop new ideas on how we can continue to move the charity forward.”
NAWT Chair of Trustees Laura Magee said: “We are delighted to welcome Rob to NAWT. He brings a wealth of experience and offers fresh perspective, energy and ideas to enhance NAWT, whilst maintaining our core values.
“The appointment of Rob will reinforce our senior management team and assist NAWT as it moves forward.”
Based in Watford, Hertfordshire, and operating five centres across the South of England, NAWT rehomes approximately 1,200 pets a year. They include cats, dogs, rabbits, field animals and birds. It totally relies on the generosity of the public to fund its work.