Niall Duffy will join Safe Haven for Donkeys in October as chief executive.
He will work alongside the charity’s current chief, Andy Foxcroft, for a period until his retirement at the end of the year.
Duffy joins from The Donkey Sanctuary, where he has spent the past three years as executive director of policy and profile.
He previously worked as director of external affairs at the International Air & Space Training Institute from 2021 to 2023.
Before this Duffy worked in corporate communications for Qatar Airways from 2018 to 2020; as director of external affairs at the Independent Press Standards Organisation, from 2015 to 2018; and as director of PR and communications at airline Flybe from 2007 to 2014.
He also worked as head of government relations at Nestlé UK for three years, before which he was head of public affairs for the RSPCA from 2000 to 2004.
Duffy said his appointment as chief executive was a “huge honour”, saying: “Safe Haven doesn’t just talk about equine welfare, it delivers on the ground.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me, and I want to pay special tribute to Andy Foxcroft.
“His leadership, kindness and unwavering commitment to donkey welfare have left a legacy that I hope I will be worthy of.”
Margaret Eames, chair of the charity, said of Duffy: “His passion for animal welfare and his strategic experience make him the right leader for this next chapter.”