SPANA appoints interim chair of trustees
Marianne Davies first joined the Board of Trustees in September 2021.
The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) has announced the appointment of Marianne Davies as its interim chair of trustees.
Ms Davies, a senior human resources (HR) and change professional, was formally voted in to the the role by the SPANA Board of Trustees in March 2024.
She is currently global head of people services at pharmaceutical company GSK, where she has worked for much of her executive career. Her work with GSK brings extensive experience in HR and change, which will benefit the development of SPANA.
However she also holds an interest in animal welfare. Ms Davies has visited several of the countries where SPANA works, which has inspired her to support the welfare of working animals and their communities.
She first joined SPANA’s Board of Trustees in September 2021, and also works with SPANA’s People and Safeguarding Committee and its Centenary Committee.
In 2023, Ms Davies also fundraised for SPANA at the London Marathon.
She succeeds former chair of trustees Dr Mary-Lorraine Hughes, who recently resigned from the role. Dr Hughes had sat as chair of trustees since 2021.
Marianne Davies said: “During my three years as a trustee of SPANA, I have been inspired by the charity’s extraordinary support for working animals.
“I am excited and honoured to now be appointed chair of trustees at SPANA, during a time when the charity is significantly developing its work to meet the growing challenges it faces from issues such as rising global poverty, political instability, and climate change.
“SPANA’s strategy for 2023-27 outlines an ambitious vision for the future of the charity and how we will radically extend our reach and impact during these turbulent times. A number of exciting new initiatives are currently in development at SPANA, which will be truly transformative for working animals and the communities they so loyally support.”
SPANA’s Chief Executive, Linda Edwards, said: “We are delighted that Marianne Davies has been appointed as our chair of trustees at SPANA.
“Marianne’s commitment to working animal welfare and our plans for SPANA will help ensure the charity can transform the lives of working animals.”
Image © SPANA
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