Beattie – Risk & Compliance Trustee

Name: Vanessa Beattie-Jones (“Beattie’)

Tell me a little about you – occupation, hobbies, personal life, pets etc.

I am a retired regulatory lawyer , and having requalified a few years ago, now serve as a volunteer psychotherapist for a local mental health charity.

I love to travel , most recently having explored Madagascar, Munich and Marrakech, with trips to Vietnam and Santorini already in the diary for the year ahead. I am pictured below in South Africa.

When at home, I enjoy exercise, working in and relishing my garden, walking along the river and in Richmond Park nearby, and being manipulated by my two rescue cats Mabel and Mathilda .

They were named after a spinster aunt and her niece who lived in my house at the time of the 1901 census – it seems appropriate that they now are reimagined, as two very fluffy happy ‘old girls’ (Mabel, in the photo, is rather less keen on exercise !).

How long have you been an RSPCA trustee?

I joined as a trustee in January 2024

As a trustee, what are your responsibilities?

Primarily, I sit with the other trustees and RSPCA employees as a committee to ‘hold’ the organisation to account to its constitution, its regulator and its donors and to ensure in everything it does, it focuses on the organisation’s purpose to enhance animal welfare in its branch area.

This can involve reviewing the finances and debating some of the tough decisions that have to be made around veterinary treatment, chipping programmes and retail operations, as well as looking at the impact of new legislation on some of the animal populations with whom we work .

Specifically, and drawing on my ‘previous life experience’ in regulatory compliance , I am focused on risk and compliance, ensuring we have up-to-date policies and procedures across the branch, and that we have good processes to identify, monitor and manage risk.

It may be dry , but it is extremely important and in doing it right, it does ultimately ensure we are focused on the animals .

Why did you become a trustee of RSPCA?

I was looking to leverage my experience in compliance and as an animal lover and 30 year plus owner of rescue cats, I wanted to be involved in animal welfare.

I don’t think I have the strength to be hands-on with some of the matters our animal welfare officer has to deal with, so I considered that being a trustee was adding valuable expertise where I could.

Do you have a message for our followers/supporters/volunteers?

We really appreciate whatever support you can give us, whether in terms of time, money or just interest in our work.

The work of the RSPCA is increasingly important as financial pressures on families can lead to abandonment, or affordability issues with food and vet costs, while the costs for the charity itself, fostering animals pending rehoming, and giving them all necessary veterinary treatment grows ever higher.

What is your favourite domestic and favourite British wild animal, and why?

From my early reading of the Wind in the Willows and watching it on TV , I have to say I love the water vole. The threat to its habitats and its survival as a species is devastating.