Meet the Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Chris Fegan is Chief Executive of Catholic Concern for Animals, having worked in Animal Advocacy for over 30 years. Chris is also the Deputy Chair of the Animal Interfaith Alliance as well as the Chair of Eurogroup for Animals’ Aquatics Welfare Working Group based in Brussels. Chris is currently studying for an MA Contemporary Ethics at MBIT in Cambridge.

Email Chris: [email protected]
Call Chris: 07817 730472


FINANCE MANAGER

Barbara Gardner is CCA’s Finance Manager.  She has been Treasurer of the National Society of the RSPCA and is the founder and CE of the Animal Interfaith Alliance.  Barbara is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, having trained with Ernst & Young and holds an Honours degree in Business Studies from the Kingston Business School.  She is the author of The Compassionate Animal: an Interfaith Guide to the Extended Circle of Compassion.

Email Barbara: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP AND DONOR MANAGER AND ARK EDITOR

Dr Gerald Taylor is a retired academic, who tauhgt at La Sainte Union College, Southampton, and was External Examiner at Plater College, Oxford. He brings a commitment to the beliefs expressed in Laudato Si’, and a desire to work with CCA to build us all a better future. Email Gerald: [email protected]


BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CHAIR

Prof. Clara Mancini is Professor of Animal-Computer Interaction at The Open University (OU). She is the founding leader of The OU’s Animal–Computer Interaction (ACI) Laboratory, whose mission is advancing the art and science of designing animal-centred technology for a society in which animals have a voice that matters. Clara’s work addresses the design, methodological and ethical challenges, and innovation opportunities, presented by the field of ACI, aiming to contribute towards animal and human wellbeing, social inclusion, interspecies cooperation and environmental restoration. Prior to being elected chair in 2018, Clara had been a trustee of CCA since 2010.
Email Clara: [email protected]

TREASURER

Sheila Thomas is an information professional who worked in engineering and joining technology for over 40 years. Now retired, she is a Laudato Si’ Animator and an active member of her local Justice & Peace Group and of her local Climate Action Group. She is a life member of Catholic Concern for Animals and now a Trustee. She is also membership secretary of the Animal Interfaith Alliance. Her animal interests range from native wildlife to her two pet cats.
Email Sheila: [email protected]

RETREATS SECRETARY

Irene Casey
Email Irene: [email protected]

TRUSTEES

  • Judy Gibbons
  • Rev. Prof. Fr Martin Henig
  • Bridget Kerr
  • Fr Terry Martin
  • Ann Moody
  • Grazyna Stenak-Czerny

ADVISERS

THEOLOGICAL ADVISER

Dr Deborah Jones is a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. She holds a doctorate in animal theology and has worked as editor of The Ark, the Catholic Herald and as deputy editor of Priest and People. She is a writer, a lecturer and has been a diocesan adviser for adult religious education. She is the author of The School of Compassion (Gracewing 2009).

SCIENTIFIC ADVISER

Dr Richard Ryder read psychology at Cambridge University where he studied animal behaviour and obtained his Ph.D. He worked for many years as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist in Oxford, and was Mellon Professor at Tulane University. He became a key figure in the animal rights revival of the 1970s, coining the word ‘speciesism’ and playing a leading role in its rise to international and political recognition and was a director of the Political Animal Lobby (PAL). He is a past Chairman of the RSPCA Council and an ethicist. His books include Victims of Science (Davis-Poynter 1975), Animal Revolution (Blackwell 1989), The Political Animal (McFarland 1998) and Speciesism, Painism and Happiness (Imprint Academic 2011).


OBITUARY

Sarah Dunning – 1943 – 2021

Sarah Dunning

We are extremely saddened to report the passing of our much loved trustee Sarah Dunning on 3rd September after a battle with cancer.

Sarah had been a trustee of Catholic Concern for Animals for many years and had been its membership secretary for much of that time.  She had also been a director of the Animal Interfaith Alliance since its inception in 2014 and had contributed hugely to its success.

A wonderful advocate for peace, Sarah was always there for the animals. She gave so much to achieve a world where all animals are loved and respected and can live a good life. We really appreciate her support and friendship. Sarah’s was a life well lived. We will miss her terribly.

Sarah leaves behind her husband Darrell (Daz) and two children, Claire and Paul. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.