Welcome to our new Chair of Trustees

25th March 2025

We’re delighted to welcome Rachel Griffiths back to Oak Tree as a Trustee and our new Chair.

Many of you will already know Rachel from her previous roles within the organisation, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have her experience, insight, and passion guiding us once again. In her own words:

"I joined Oak Tree in late 2014 as a volunteer, when the Charity was known as The Animals’ Refuge.   As a lifelong adopter of dogs, I have always been interested in animal welfare, so the Charity appealed to me.  In the summer of 2015, it was suggested to me that I joined the Board, and I was elected as a Trustee. 

Being on the Board allowed me to make a valuable contribution to the Charity, and shortly after joining I was elected to the position of Chair, a post I held for five years.

I remained on the Board as a Trustee after this working alongside Scott, standing down in 2021.

Since then, I have also worked for the Charity P/T on reception and subsequently as the CEO’s Assistant before retiring last year.  This experience proved particularly helpful as I could see the Charity working from the inside too.

Since retiring I have stayed in touch with Oak Tree, and have seen some of the challenges it has, and is facing. 

The present Board has been gracious enough to recognise my experience and the commitment I have for our Charity, and they have recently appointed me in the role of Chair for the second time.

Being a part of Oak Tree is a real privilege for me."

Welcome back, Rachel!