10 April 2025: SPANA – the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad – is pleased to announce the appointment of seven new Trustees to its Board. This strategic addition will further enhance the charity’s leadership, supporting our mission to improve the welfare of working animals across the globe.
SPANA’s new Trustees will bring valuable additional expertise and experience to the organisation, contributing to the ongoing development of SPANA’s work and its commitment to transforming the lives of working animals. In addition to their Board role, they will play key positions within our Board sub-committees, where their contributions will support strong governance and, drawing on their technical expertise, will help drive the charity’s growth and amplify its impact.
• Phil Alvey is a seasoned financial expert who has held leading finance roles at HSBC in multiple countries and at CAF Bank, and previously sat on the board at Aurora Nexus. When Phil’s not working, he loves travel, gardening and running. Phil joins SPANA’s Finance and Audit committee.
• Leah Wanjiku Kihara has more than 16 years’ experience in the finance sector and is currently Finance Director for Trademark Africa – a not-for-profit that encourages trade growth. Her previous roles include Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Leah also joins the Finance and Audit Committee.
• Samantha Bunis is a marketing and communications leader, with over 20 years’ expertise in brand and digital transformation, energising some of the biggest commercial and charity brands, most notably, the BBC and BBC Children in Need, Mars Chocolate, M&S and Battersea Power Station. She sits on the Exec Team of the Football Foundation – the Premier League, The FA and Government’s charity. Sam joins the Global Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Committee.
• David Mole is an experienced fundraising professional who has specialised in high-value fundraising from foundations, corporates, governments and individuals. David is Director of Foundation Relations at the World Resources Institute and previously served as Executive Director of Development for the Climate Group. David also joins the Fundraising, Marketing & Communications Committee.
• Gayle Hallowell Gayle has a 22-year career as a large animal veterinary specialist and veterinary educator. She is currently a Director at Medicine Vet Equine Referrals. Gayle joins SPANA’s Animal Health & Welfare Committee.
• Dr Mwenda Mbaka Dr. Mwenda Mbaka is a veterinarian and Animal Welfare Expert with over 30 years of experience in Africa. He has represented African Union – Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), in collaboration with International Coalition for Working Equids (ICWE) at the 2024 Pan-African Donkey Conference, which led to the African Union’s historic ban on the donkey skin trade. He joins SPANA’s Animal Health & Welfare Committee.
• Barry Topham is highly experienced in leading complex transformation programmes. He’s currently the Chief Digital & Transformation Officer at the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and was previously Executive Director for Technology & Innovation at the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). Barry joins SPANA’s People & Safeguarding Committee.
They join Chair of Trustees, Marianne Davies, and Trustees Adam Firby, Morgan Lance, Melissa Liszewski, Sarah Shanks and Spencer Simmons.
Marianne Davies, SPANA’s Chair of Trustees, said:
‘I wholeheartedly welcome our new Trustees to SPANA. They have all made a global impact in their careers and each bring a fresh perspective to our Board. I’m excited for what they can all help our charity achieve as we continue to expand and make a sustainable and lasting change to working animal welfare.’
Linda Edwards, SPANA’s Chief Executive, added:
‘I’m thrilled to welcome our seven new Trustees to SPANA. Their professional expertise and personal experience will be invaluable to our charity. The ever-worsening climate crisis, civil unrest and economic uncertainty, have a devastating impact on working animals around the globe. The need for SPANA’s work is more urgent than ever. I look forward to working with our expanded Board of Trustees to make an even bigger impact on the lives of working animals and their communities across the world.’
SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad):
SPANA has been the charity for the working animals of the world since 1923, transforming the lives of horses, donkeys, mules, and camels in need. The charity improves the welfare of working animals by ensuring the treatment and care of animals, training animal owners, and teaching children about animal welfare. Please see the charity’s website, www.spana.org, for more information.
ENDS
