Our Team
Diane Morton
Chair & CEO
Diane founded Wag & Company in 2015 and leads the charity operationally in line with our Articles of Association and on…
Catriona Taylor
Community & Operations Director
Catriona manages the Wag operation with particular emphasis on community engagement, income generation and achieving our growth…
Leanne Dodd
Visiting Services Manager
Leanne’s been with Wag from the early days, she is a specialist in our visiting services, particularly…
Jackie Handley
Home Visiting Advisor
Jackie specialises in our home placements and works with Leanne and Jo across the team to make…
Jo Jobling
Visiting Services Advisor
Jo specialises in recruitment and supporting our applicants, volunteers and care and medical placements too working closely…
Penny Bland
Grants Specialist
Penny leads our work on fundraising grants remotely from Shrewsbury part time. Penny is ‘mummy’ to labradors…
Nicky Jeffrey
Finance Specialist
Nicky manages our financial accounting and reporting process remotely, part time. She is also a Wag volunteer,…
Our patron
Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland, became our Patron in 2018.
Best known for redeveloping The Alnwick Garden, the Duchess of Northumberland has served as Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland since 2009. An avid dog lover, the Duchess has also been key to the development of the Elderberries Programme at Alnwick, a social project bringing people together to socialise and build friendships.
Her Grace told us:
“Being a lover of dogs, I understand and appreciate how they can enhance life for their owners and elderly friends. Loneliness is a killer and if dogs can help to address this scourge of the 21st century then I am fully supportive and I am honoured to be a Patron of such a worthy initiative.”
Our trustee board
Sean Churchill
Trustee-Director
Sean Churchill is Regional Sales Manager for Arco Ltd, has worked for Arco since 1984 and has…
Suzanne Tait
Finance Director, Trustee
Suzanne Tait is Head of Finance at BW Medical Accountants Limited, a Newcastle based specialist accountancy, tax…
Mike Madine
Trustee-Director
Mike Madine is Head of Wastewater Service Planning, Quality and Performance at NWL, based at Head Office…
Richard Blackett
Member
I have worked in the financial planning industry since I left University with a BSc (Hons) in…
Sophie Carvin
Trustee Director
I’ve always been motivated by making a difference to people. I’m Founder and Principal Coach at Deror,…
Diane Morton
Chair & Operations Director
Chair & Operations Director, Diane, retired in 2010 from her role as Group HR Director for Northumbrian…
Doug Morton
Risk Director
Doug’s career began in 1976 as an engineering apprentice in the public sector
Alison Hall
Director and Company Secretary
Alison is a solicitor working for Hay & Kilner in Newcastle.
Our ambassadors
James Ramsbotham
Chief Executive, North East of England Chamber of Commerce
As Chief Executive of The Chamber, James heads up the region’s biggest business group and leads campaigns for businesses as well as providing support services, including training and global trade advice for its 4,000-plus members.
John Mowbray
Chair University of Sunderland Board of Governors
John Mowbray OBE is Chairman of the University of Sunderland’s Board of Governors and Co-Chairman of the North East Cultural Partnership.
Our advisors
Vicky Welsh
Animal Behaviour Expert Advisor
Vicky is a Clinical Animal Behaviouralist specialising in dog behaviour problems. She is a full member of The…
Dr Tim Nuttall
Animal Health & Wellbeing Expert Advisor
Tim is Head of Dermatology and a Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Veterinary Dermatology at The Royal…
Our assessors
Claire McRae
Whickham, Gateshead
My interest in dog training began over 20 years ago, when I adopted a deaf rescue dog…
Charlotte Husband
Washington, Tyne & Wear
I hold a Masters Degree in Animal Behaviour and Training, I’m also a qualified Dog Groomer and…
Vicky Welsh
Chester le Street
I am a clinical animal behaviourist specialising in dog behaviour problems, and I also run pet dog…
Stephen Bell
Crook, County Durham
I am a Certified Training Partner with the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP). Karen Pryor revolutionised training through…
Georgie Smith
Newcastle Upon Tyne
I’m an avid dog lover that recognises the benefits the company of a dog can offer –…
Heather Stevens
Richmond, North Yorkshire
For around 40 years, I have been a trainer and behaviourist and specialise in all forms of…
Karen Gibson
Brandon, Durham
I have been lucky enough to share my life and love with many dogs and also to…
Cris Brown
North Shields
I am a dog trainer with over ten years experience. I offer training classes in Walker and…
Mechelle Jacques
Consett, County Durham
I have run training classes for the last eight years, ranging from pet obedience to fun agility…
Caroline Penistone
Leeming, North Allerton
I am a dog trainer with over 20 years experience. I offer training in Leeming, Northallerton. I…