New head won't be recruited this year

A permanent chief executive won’t be sought by the troubled animal welfare charity the RSPCA until next year, it has announced.

Jeremy Cooper controversially resigned with immediate effect in June this year, fifteen months after taking up the role.

His resignation came shortly before a review of governance was due to be undertaken, which eventually made 40 recommendations into the running of the organisation.

The charity has been experiencing serious management issues over the last year with membership, staff and board all at odds with each other.

Two trustees resigned in protest.

It has now engaged an external recruitment firm which had advised to wait until the new year to appoint a new chief.