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John May
Chief Executive at Cats Protection
John May is the Chief Executive Officer of Cats Protection, the UK's leading cat welfare charity, a position he has held since November 2022. His career prior to this role included significant leadership positions, such as the Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, where he worked for over a decade to support youth development across more than 130 countries.123
Background and Career
John May has a diverse background in education and charitable work. He began his career as a teacher and later became a headteacher, developing a reputation for improving underperforming schools. His leadership experience extends to various organizations focused on youth and education, including Young Enterprise and Career Ready, where he served as CEO. He has also been involved with UNICEF and the World Organization of the Scout Movement, reflecting his commitment to community service and youth empowerment.24
Vision for Cats Protection
At Cats Protection, John aims to enhance the lives of cats and their owners through various initiatives, including adoption, neutering, and educational programs about feline welfare. He emphasizes the importance of understanding cats as distinct beings with unique needs, advocating for their well-being in society. Under his leadership, Cats Protection has also introduced services like the Lifeline Service, which provides temporary care for cats belonging to individuals fleeing domestic abuse.15
Personal Life
John is a lifelong cat lover and shares his home in rural Oxfordshire with his partner and their rescue cat, Blenheim. He is known for his engaging personality, often describing himself as a storyteller and campaigner, and he actively participates in discussions about leadership and volunteering.245
John May's extensive experience in both education and charitable organizations, combined with his passion for animal welfare, positions him as a significant leader in improving the lives of cats and promoting responsible pet ownership in the UK.
Highlights
I've just written the following note to the 1,000 staff that I have the privilege to serve...
Dear friends,
Yesterday, my husband and I spent the day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. We spent some time remembering the unique contribution of those who have served and sacrificed. On the way home, we passed through Tamworth, and past the Holiday Inn where, only a couple of hours later, rioting took place – as it did in several other communities around the UK over the weekend. In light of the community unrest we have all seen on the news (and some of you may have witnessed directly), I wanted to write personally to reaffirm that both I and the entire organisation are here for anyone affected, whether personally or emotionally.
In these challenging times, community cohesion has become more crucial than ever. Animal welfare organisations play a significant role in fostering a sense of unity and support within communities. Working with Cats Protection allows people from diverse backgrounds to connect and work towards a shared goal. This interaction helps to break down social barriers and build relationships, promoting understanding and empathy among people. Our charity provides a platform for people to meet, share experiences, and support one another.
And, of course, we all know that the presence of cats and the act of caring for them have therapeutic benefits that contribute to community well-being. We all know that interactions with animals can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting mental health and emotional stability. In times of crisis, these benefits are particularly valuable, offering comfort and companionship to those who may be feeling isolated or vulnerable.
To our managers, I ask that you check in with your teams. Provide folks with the space they need to talk, reflect, or connect with sources of support.
If you have been emotionally impacted by recent events, you might need to reprioritise activity to give yourself some space. Whatever is necessary to ensure your well-being comes first. Please do not hesitate to contact your own line manager, the People and Culture Team, or me directly if you need support or simply someone to talk to. Don’t forget, too, that our Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Healthy Minds, provides confidential help and personalised advice day or night. Further information can be found on the charity’s Wellbeing Hub.
I believe that as a charity we are committed together to supporting strong, coherent and kind communities. I deplore the attempts by some extremist groups to spread disinformation and to stir up hatred and violence against particular groups. I encourage everyone in the charity to continue demonstrating our core values that include courage and compassion.
Let's continue to come together to support one another.
John
PS: I’m sending a similar note to our volunteers, which will go out tomorrow. It takes a little longer to build the distribution list for this wider group.
It's #volunteersweek . I hope I remember to say thank you all the year round, but that doesn't stop me saying a very, very big thank you now... Thank you to everyone who volunteers within Cats Protection. #thankyou
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Mesh offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Mesh focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Mesh also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
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