The chief executive of Margaret Green Animal Rescue is to retire after a more than 40-year career in animal welfare.
Nigel Mason will step down on Friday after four years leading MGAR, which rescues and rehomes hundreds of animals every year.
Mason began his career in the sector in 1982 as an RSPCA inspector, which he carried out for four years before a 13-year stint in senior operational management at the Blue Cross.
He went on to become head of animal welfare at Wood Green Pets Charity before 11 years as chief executive of Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare and a further four years in the top job at Assisi Animal Sanctuary.
In retirement, Mason is expected to continue as a trustee of the animal welfare charity Snip International, which supports neutering of stray cats and dogs in more than 80 countries, and carry out some consultancy work in the animal welfare field.
He said increased collaboration among charities was one of the most significant changes he has seen during his career.
“When I started, charities often worked very independently,” he said. “Now collaboration across the sector is huge, and that’s one of the best developments I’ve witnessed.”
MGAR said it was “so grateful” to Mason for everything he had achieved at the charity and the “big steps he’s taken to transform the charity’s future”.