Hope Rescue is governed by a team of dedicated Trustees who share a passion for animal welfare and a vision of a future where all dogs are treated with care, kindness and respect. 

Our Trustees play a vital role in providing leadership, accountability, and support to help the charity thrive. They give their time, expertise and energy to the charity on a voluntary basis and are responsible for overseeing operations and guide us towards fulfilling our mission.

Each Trustee has a key role here at Hope Rescue and you can meet them all below.

Sarah Passmore

Sarah was elected Chair of Trustees/Board for Hope Rescue in 2023 and has over 15 years’ experience in sales and marketing, currently working as a commercial manager within the Steel industry based in South Wales.

Sarah is excited to continue to work alongside the Hope Rescue team to review and develop the strategic plan (alongside other activities), given the growth of Hope Rescue in recent years and the challenges faced within the sector. 

Sarah lives just outside Cardiff with her husband and Hope Rescue dog Murray, who is a husky cross - they enjoy walking, running and triathlons, as well as travelling.

Carl Heard

Carl has over 25 years of experience in financial services, with a background in Sales, Marketing and Relationship Management. As an experienced presenter, Carl uses those skills professionally to help financial advisers talk to clients about looking after what they love…and now brings these talents as a board ambassador (and occasional quizmaster!) at Hope Rescue events. 

Dogs have always held a special place in Carl’s heart and family life. He currently shares his home with two terriers, Watson and Indi, who is a rescue dog used by a low welfare breeder and abandoned in a poor state of health when no longer of any use to their owner. 

This experience has made Carl truly appreciate the incredible work that Hope Rescue do to make sure dogs like Indi have a second chance at a loving home. As well as a trustee for Hope Rescue, Carl also volunteers as a Chair of Trustees for a small local charity that mentors young adults and supports the community.

Tom Candy

Tom has been involved with Hope Rescue since the age of 15 where he volunteered for the charity helping with fundraising, fostering and transporting dogs in line with the charity's needs, he then joined the Hope Rescue Board of Trustees in 2023 to support the operations teams.

A passion for animal welfare and training led Tom (he/him) to undertake a BSc (Hons) in Bio-veterinary science and a MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour from the University of Lincoln.  

Currently, Tom works as a senior training and behaviour advisor with the UK’s largest canine welfare organisation, where he supports the training and behaviour teams across the Southwest.

Tom is a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (UK) and a Certified Canine Behaviour Consultant and Certified Shelter Behaviour Specialist with the International association of Animal Behaviour Consultants and a member of faculty and CBATI-KA with the Grisha Stewart Academy.

Tom also runs ‘Simplifying Shelter Behaviour’ a Facebook page and podcast dedicated to bringing up to date, positive based training and behaviour tips and tricks to shelter and rescue staff and volunteers.

 

Julie Chivell

Dog lover Julie is originally from the Midlands but moved to Cardiff in 2000 and lives with her husband, two children and Hope rescue dog, Huey, in Llanishen, Cardiff.

Julie has more than 25 years experience working in finance roles both in retail and manufacturing and is currently working as a Financial Controller in the care sector.                                                                                                                                                                          

Julie is our most recent addition to Hopes’ Board of Trustees and is excited to be joining the team an bringing her skills and experience to help Hope Rescue continue doing amazing work helping as many vulnerable dogs as possible.

Ann Rowley

We're delighted to welcome Ann Rowley to the Board of Trustees at Hope Rescue. Ann has 20 years’ experience in HR and currently runs her own HR consultancy based in South Wales.

Ann lives with her fiancé, rescue dog Nigel, and two cats (one of which joined in the photoshoot). She has always had dogs in her life growing up with other family members having them, but after adopting Nigel has now felt first hand the positivity and love they bring to lives. Nigel was rescued after his previous owner tried to use him as a fighting dog, mistreated him, and cropped his ears.  He now loves modelling different ears that she crochets for him.

Ann is excited to work alongside the Hope Rescue team to review and develop their People and Culture plans to enable the team to continue with the amazing work they do helping vulnerable dogs and educating people.

Nick Bush

We're delighted to welcome Nick Bush to the Board of Trustees at Hope Rescue. He lives in Pontyclun with his wife and three young children. He has been involved with the charity for several years as part of the Fostering Network, and he and his family are currently caring for their fourth foster dog. Seeing the incredible work Hope Rescue does first-hand has made it a cause very close to his heart.

Professionally, he has run his own business for over 20 years, and he is looking forward to using that experience to support the charity, particularly in advising on business strategy as it continues to grow and help more dogs in need.

Outside of work and fostering, he is an enthusiastic, but far from quick, runner. He is closing in on his 250th parkrun and has two London marathons and three Ironman events under his belt. But above all else, he is simply someone who loves dogs and is proud to play a small part in the amazing work Hope Rescue does.