The RSPCA has promoted John Kerslake to be its chief operating officer and deputy chief executive.
Kerslake, who joined the animal charity in January as director of field operations, took up the new positions earlier this month.
Before joining the RSPCA, Kerslake was chief operations officer at the National Citizen Service.
Prior to that, he worked in the private sector for companies including Cadbury and Whitbread, the RSPCA said.
A spokesperson for the charity said the chief operating officer post had been vacant “for some time”, while Chris Wainwright, the charity’s former deputy chief executive, left earlier this month.
Kerslake said: “Since joining this wonderful organisation in January I have seen first-hand the dedication and hard work of its staff and volunteers through what has been a tough year so far, and I look forward to helping to lead it through the years ahead as it heads towards its 200th anniversary.”