Canine Partners has recently announced the appointment of a new Chair and Trustees to their charity board as they celebrate 35 years of transforming lives. The UK charity, which specializes in partnering people with physical disabilities with specially trained assistance dogs, has welcomed Richard Brooke as the new Chair of the Trustee Board and Nick Sydenham as Vice Chair.
Richard Brooke, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, brings extensive leadership and management experience to the Board. He will be joined by Nick Sydenham, who has worked as an international Business Continuity and Crisis Management consultant before his retirement.
In addition, the charity has also appointed four new Trustees: Rachel Hucknall, Jessica Rendle, Vicki Cloney, and Tom Shore. Each new member brings valuable expertise in areas such as healthcare, animal welfare, integrated care, and digital strategy. With the addition of these new members, Canine Partners’ board now consists of 14 members, all of whom will play a crucial role in guiding the charity through its next phase of growth and innovation.
Lucy Eldred, CEO of Canine Partners, expressed her excitement about the new appointments, stating, “Our new Chairs and Trustees add to the incredible wealth of experience on the Board at an important time for Canine Partners. With demand for our assistance dogs growing and more than 90 people currently waiting for a canine partner, their support will help us expand our reach and ensure more people benefit from these life-changing partnerships.”
Canine Partners’ assistance dogs are trained to help with everyday tasks such as opening doors, picking up dropped items, and raising the alarm in emergencies. These dogs provide their partners with greater independence, confidence, and companionship. As demand for these services continues to increase, the charity is expanding its breeding program, recruiting more volunteers to train and foster puppies, and training dogs in the local communities they will be supporting.
Richard Brooke, the newly appointed Chair, expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I am honored to take on the role of Chair and to work with such a talented Board. Together, we will build on 35 years of incredible achievement and ensure Canine Partners continues to transform lives for decades to come.”
To learn more about Canine Partners and their work, please visit their website at caninepartners.org.uk.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.