United Kingdom
International Animal Rescue's head office is in the UK. Our international projects are planned, coordinated and overseen by Alan Knight and a small team of staff. This keeps administrative costs down and means we can devote as much money as possible to our work helping animals.
Alan Knight OBE - Chief Executive
Alan became Chief Executive of International Animal Rescue in 1999 and was awarded an OBE for his services to animal welfare in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2006. Alan pays regular visits to our international projects and is as at home installing a new x-ray machine at the bear sanctuary as he is giving a presentation to an audience of veterinary students. He has a passion for diving and combines his hobby with his love of animals through International Animal Rescue's sister charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), of which he is chairman. Alan and his partner Liz Varney run Catastrophes Cat Rescue at their home in East Sussex.
Gavin Bruce - Finance and Operations Director
Gavin has been involved with International Animal Rescue since 2010. He studied as a Marine Biologist at the University of London and is also a qualified scuba diving instructor; consequently he became involved with British Divers Marine Life Rescue during its formative years. Gavin qualified as an accountant in 1999 and has held several roles supporting charities and private companies with their financial strategy. In his current role, Gavin combines his financial, scientific and charity experience to support sustainable animal welfare and conservation projects for IAR.
Lis Key - Communications Manager
Lis joined the UK team in 2004 to raise the profile of International Animal Rescue in the UK and to write material for its publications and for the website. She edits the charity's written appeals, as well as its Annual Review. Lis's role also involves recruiting celebrities to assist with awareness-raising in the UK: we're lucky to have on board comedians Jo Brand and Bill Bailey, and TV vet Scott Miller, all of whom are patrons of the charity and go out of their way to give us their support. Lis will never forget her visit to the Agra bear sanctuary in 2004, not only because of the project and the bears, but also because Bill Bailey participated in the trip.
Sue Ovens - Accounts Manager
Sue became a member of the team at International Animal Rescue in 2003. She originally worked on the UK accounts for IAR and British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) but has since taken on managing the US and Catastrophes' accounts, as well as performing a 'supervisory' role for Indonesia. Sue also gets involved in fundraising activities for us, manning stands at Christmas fayres and the British Birdfair every summer. In 2005 Sue visited the bear sanctuary in Agra with her husband and was overwhelmed and overjoyed at seeing the rescued bears enjoying their new life.
Joanne Gill - Accounts/Administrative Assistant
Joanne is a keen animal lover who joined our team in 2009 on a part-time basis. She assists Sue with the accounts for International Animal Rescue, Catastrophes and BDMLR.
Kate Taylor - Digital Fundraising Manager
Kate’s passion for animal welfare and conservation combined with her expertise in utilising new technologies and the Internet led her to join International Animal Rescue in 2011 as our Digital Fundraising Manager. Kate is responsible for leading projects to enhance and improve our digital presence; keeping our online supporters up to date with all our latest project news and leveraging the Internet to help us raise vital funds.
Victoria Latter - Community and Educational Fundraising Officer
Victoria joined International Animal Rescue in 2011 after working abroad for many years. She studied Oceanography at Plymouth University and is also a qualified commercial diver and PADI Instructor. In her current role she uses her teaching skills together with her love of children to give educational talks to schools, as well as raising much needed funds. Victoria continues her love of animal welfare in the evenings as a veterinary nursing assistant and she also has a rescue Siamese cat called Ollie, who she adores!
Robin Fegan - Major Donor Development Manager
Robin joined International Animal Rescue after working in the private and public sector in business development, sponsorship and event management. In his current role Robin is part of the fundraising team and his aim is to keep our major donors informed about the projects they are helping to fund. Since Robin joined IAR he has been working hard to build successful relationships with existing donors as well as creating exciting new relationships with new supporters.
Judy Izzard - Supporter Services
Our small team in the UK is completed by Judy who is the first port of call for everyone who visits or phones the office. Her polite, cheerful welcome epitomises the warm personal approach we pride ourselves on at International Animal Rescue. Judy is the initial contact for all written or telephone enquiries about the charity and its work, and she also processes donations received by post and online.