Clarissa Baldwin

Clarissa Baldwin OBE has been Dogs Trust CEO since 1986 and was one of the first female charity chiefs. She created the slogan "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas" and was awarded an OBE in 2003.

Clarissa’s dedication has transformed the charity from an annual income of £1.3 million in 1986 to now being the UK’s largest dog welfare charity with 18 rescue centres. With an income of £70 million a year, the charity now invests £6 million on preventative work and cares for 16,000 dogs a year.

Through Clarissa’s direction, DT is now active in 10 countries and works with the community on a range of issues including dangerous dogs, status dogs and puppy farming.

Clarissa is a well respected member of the animal welfare community, chairing various industry trusts and committees. She is also involved in improving the model conditions for the inspection of dog breeding establishments.
Clarissa has strived to change the way people view rescue dogs. The charity’s state-of-the art kennels are now built with sustainability and environmental enrichment in mind. An advisor to ministers at DEFRA, she has been heavily involved in all major animal welfare legislation over the last 30 years.