New Chief Operating Officer appointment for Blue Cross to lead strategic vision for pets and their people

Kelly Grellier has been appointed the post of COO at leading pet charity, Blue Cross, after spearheading a new rehoming approach and service design at the organisation and previously leading on their strategic business planning. She takes over the role from Steve Goody, who retired at the end of 2020.

Kelly has been with the charity for five years and most recently developed an innovative new strategy as Rehoming and Behaviour Director, establishing a new operating model, partnership collaborations and a Welfare Board to cement Blue Cross as a leading organisation driving policy change, ethical welfare approaches and evidence based expertise.

Her future vision for COO is to ensure the charity has a truly national integrated network of services that meet the needs of pets and their people. The ambition is to embed Blue Cross within the communities most in need, working seamlessly in partnership with other welfare organisations to deliver pet services efficiently and effectively. Kelly intends to lead on establishing key partnerships with organisations focussing on social care, so Blue Cross can better support people and their pets who are in poverty or on low income, or experiencing mental health issues, loneliness, or isolation.

Kelly said: “Having worked at Blue Cross for nearly five years now I have been continually motivated by our ambition to increase our impact; ensuring that we are developing strategies to meet the shifting welfare needs of pets as well as the need to recognise the importance of animals in our lives and the enormous value pets bring to society.  I am inspired daily by the incredible expertise at our charity across pet species and all key disciplines, behaviour, clinical, rehoming, advice and public affairs.

I have seen first-hand over the last year in particular the importance of pets to teenage friends of my family who have been suffering with their mental health. Life presents many challenges and people’s circumstances can change dramatically without warning. That is why I feel proud to work for a charity that recognises the vital importance of pets in our lives and the need to support people and their pets. It is a privilege to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer.”

Blue Cross’s Impact Framework led by Kelly

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Images, video and spokespeople available for comment contact the media team
• Blue Cross is a national charity that has been helping sick, injured, abandoned and homeless pets for over 120 years. We help thousands of pets in need every month by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour help and find them loving homes. We also offer education for current and future pet owners plus pet bereavement support for those who have lost their pet companion. Pets help us in so many ways and they depend entirely on us, with your support we can give back to more pets in need. Pets change lives. We change theirs.
• For more information visit bluecross.org.uk

Media contact

Blue Cross media team: 0300 777 1950 / [email protected]