Our people

Our team Our patron Our trustee board Our ambassadors Our advisors Our assessors

Our team

Diane Morton

Founder, Exec Chair

Diane founded Wag & Company in 2015 and leads the charity in line with our Articles of Association.

Charlotte Pearson

Chief Operating Officer

Charlotte manages the operational team delivering Wag’s special service and leads all Wag’s income generation activities. Not…

Leanne Dodd

Visiting Services Manager

Leanne’s been with Wag from the early days, she is a specialist in our visiting services, particularly…

Emma Young

Senior Visiting Advisor

Emma works with Leanne supporting our volunteers and older friends in all aspects of our visiting service. Emma…

Emma Griffiths

Fundraising Services & Events Lead

Emma supports all our income generation systems and activities and events as well as the administration of our…

Holly Dawson

Community Communications Lead

Holly’s mission is to spread the word of Wag, engaging dog lovers across the region to join…

Ann Rutherford

Team Secretary/Administrator

Ann manages everything administration for Wag as well as our online document and policy library and our…

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

Diane Morton

Chair

Chair, Diane, retired in 2010 from her role as Group HR Director for Northumbrian Water Group after…

Alison Hall

Director and Company Secretary

Alison is a solicitor working for Hay & Kilner in Newcastle.

Chris Farman

Finance Director

Doug Morton

Trustee Director - Risk

Doug’s career began in 1976 as an engineering apprentice in the public sector

Sean Churchill

Trustee Director

Sean Churchill is Regional Sales Manager for Arco Ltd, has worked for Arco since 1984 and has…

Sophie Carvin

Trustee Director

I’ve always been motivated by making a difference to people. I’m Founder and Principal Coach at Deror,…

Richard Blackett

Member

I have worked in the financial planning industry since I left University with a BSc (Hons) in…

John Mowbray

John Mowbray OBE is Deputy Lieutenant Tyne & Wear, Trustee MAC Trust & Sunderland Culture and Co Chair Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust.

James Ramsbotham

Chair of Newcastle Buidling Society and recently retired Chief Executive of the North East of England Chamber of Commerce, James is very highly regarded in our region.

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…

Vicky Welsh

Animal Behaviour Expert Advisor

Vicky is a Clinical Animal Behaviouralist specialising in dog behaviour problems. She has a Master’s Degree in…

Our assessors

..to be contacted directly

Caroline Penistone

Leeming, North Allerton

I am a dog trainer with over 20 years experience. I offer training in Leeming, Northallerton. I…

Charlotte Husband

Newcastle upon Tyne

I hold a Masters Degree in Animal Behaviour and Training, I’m also a qualified Dog Groomer and…

Louise Birkett

Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland

I’m Louise Birkett and I started dog training 10 years ago after achieving my BSc (Hons) degree in…

Anouska (Nou) Rogers-Smith

Bradbury, Stockton-on-Tees

I am a Veterinary Nurse/Clinical Nursing Manager, with 11 years experience, for Wear Referrals in County Durham,…

Kay Whiteley

Alnwick

Kay is a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, Registered Assistance Dog Trainer and Government Registered Assistance Dog Public…

Louise McLellan

Chester le Street

My name is Louise, and I am a professional dog trainer with over four years of experience….

Susan Gilbert

Morpeth

I have worked with dogs since leaving school years ago and have always aspired to promote canine…

Julie Irving

Durham area

I have owned dogs all of my life and want to be the best trainer/dog handler possible so I have…