Governance

Jo brings over 30 years of experience across commercial and charity sectors to her role as Co Chair. As Director of Corporate Services at Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity, she leads a talented team across finance, HR, and business management. She has a proven track record of developing robust organisational infrastructure that enables the delivery of high quality services and strategic aims.

Her career has been driven by a commitment to social impact and supporting people through challenging circumstances. She previously worked to advance inclusive play and disability access, and spent four years in bereavement care, supporting those affected by the loss of a baby.

An Edinburgh local, the Home has always been well known to Jo; she was thrilled to welcome her staffie pug cross Nico, who was born at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home and rehomed into her family in 2021.

Over the past fifteen years, Rebs has worked with some of the biggest charities in the UK and Scotland in a range of strategic digital engagement, social media and fundraising roles. Most recently, they’ve worked with the RNLI as a Senior Social Media Manager, and with Shelter as their Social Media Manager. They now work as a Digital Communications and Fundraising Consultant, offering a wide range of consultancy, training and other services for charities of all sizes.

David is CEO of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a wildlife conservation charity working to protect animals in Scotland and around the world. David has spent a lifetime around animals – at the age of 12 he became a volunteer at Dudley Zoo and on his first day met a chimp named Koko who remains one his “best friends” today. He went on to work at Dublin Zoo, London and Whipsnade Zoos as Zoological Director. Fundamental to his work has been progressing and implementing welfare science in the care of zoo animals in zoos across the world through his roles with the World Zoo and Aquarium Association. David is also currently the President of the Association of British Wild Animal Keepers.

Hannah is an experienced in-house lawyer and notary public. She is qualified as a Scottish solicitor but has supported in legal teams for UK-wide and global organisations across different sectors. She is currently Senior Legal Counsel at Insights Learning & Development Limited, a Dundee headquartered global learning and development company. Previously she worked in-house in the media and housebuilding industries providing a range of legal and compliance advice. She also spent a short period at the Scottish Government with an exclusive data protection focus. Hannah lives in Dunfermline with her husband, three cats (Alfie, Luna and Arlo) and her Labrador X Rottweiler, Lola. Hannah is passionate about animal welfare and social justice.

With over a decade in a variety of People and HR roles, Andrew brings a wealth of experience in employee engagement, wellbeing, and leadership development. Andrew is the founder of his own people consultancy focused on helping business, and the people in them, thrive. Most recently Andrew has been supporting organisations as a Director of Learning where he has built impactful leadership and learning programs. Core to Andrew’s career is his passion for growth, supporting careers, creating positive change and nurturing talent. Outside of work, Andrew is a keen hiker, a beginner triathlete and the proud dog-dad to Malcolm and Baillie, both adopted from the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.

Fiona Davis retired in 2014 after nearly 30 years in the financial services industry. A Chartered Accountant by training, with a degree in Business Studies and French from the University of Edinburgh, she has held a variety of different finance director roles, with an emphasis on strategy, business planning and business efficiency. Latterly she was the Finance Director for the Personal, Wealth and Ulster businesses at RBS/NatWest.

Since retirement, she has taken up a number of trustee roles, mainly focussed on animals and the arts. They include former roles as honorary treasurer at the Scottish SPCA, and Vice Chair of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society. Currently she is Treasurer for Sistema Scotland, Treasurer at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Director at Restoring Upland Nature and Director of Earlsferry Town Hall Ltd. She owns two black labradors (Muppet and Daffy, who with a name like that really ought to be yellow) and a rescue ginger pusscat called Tootsie.

Nina is a Business Adviser in the Enterprise and Communities Team at Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEIS).

With extensive experience in supporting charities and social enterprises, she specialises in:
• Strategic and operational planning to build capacity, sustainability, and social impact
• Board development and governance
• Leadership support through organisational change and growth
• Income generation strategies and financial planning
• Stakeholder engagement initiatives to enhance service quality and delivery

Nina’s expertise stems from her development management roles in the third sector, spanning urban and rural environments from Glasgow to the Highlands.

In addition to her professional work, Nina is an experienced dog, cat, and home sitter with Trusted Housesitters. She has completed the Home’s Dog First Aid and Dog Body Language courses to enhance her pet care skills and understanding.

A long-time supporter of the Home, Nina’s recent move to Edinburgh enabled her to seize the opportunity to join its Board.

Lesley has worked in the charity sector for over 20 years in fundraising and strategy.

She is currently Director of Performance, Insight and Innovation at international development charity WaterAid where she leads a diverse team of data, insight and innovation specialists.

She has significant experience in fundraising strategy, performance and supporter experience.

She was previously a trustee for Herne Hill Velodrome Trust and volunteer coach but has swapped the wheels for a very enthusiastic German Short-haired pointer called Oona who keeps her busy and London for the Scottish Borders.

Robin is a retired property lawyer with over 30 years experience in both large private law firms and in the public sector. He has a wealth of knowledge on site development and acquisition as well as in policy and property issues. Robin has been involved as a trustee at a number of charities prior to joining the Board at the Home where he has advised on governance issues along with offering his property law expertise. Outside of his current trustee role at the Home, he enjoys golfing, reading, and wandering in the hills with his dog’.