Battersea Dogs & Cats Home hires Dee McIntosh as director of comms

She takes up the role in September and will be responsible for raising the animal welfare charity’s profile at Westminster and with local authorities and other key partners.

She will also continue to promote the educational role Battersea carries out among schools and communities to promote responsible ownership.

She joins from her role as director of marketing and communications for Lantra, one of the UK’s Sector Skills Councils.

This is the first senior management appointment by Battersea’s new chief executive, Claire Horton, who took up her post last month.

Horton said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to be welcoming Dee on to Battersea’s senior team. Her experience in the media, public affairs, marketing and brand development will play a key part in delivering Battersea’s strategy for the future as we enter a new chapter in our history.’

McIntosh has previously worked at the National Trust for Scotland as director of policy and communications. She also spent time as director of public affairs at Scottish Rugby.

She also previously worked on BBC2’s Newsnight programme.