On Wednesday 19 November, 2025, Canine Partners, a UK charity that pairs specially trained assistance dogs with people with physical disabilities, announced the appointment of a new Chair, Vice Chair, and four Trustees. This development comes as the charity celebrates its 35th year of transforming lives.
Taking the helm as Chair of the Trustee Board is Richard Brooke, who brings a wealth of leadership and management experience, as well as being a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Nick Sydenham, who retired from his role as an international Business Continuity and Crisis Management consultant, has been appointed as Vice Chair.
Joining them on the Board are Rachel Hucknall, Jessica Rendle, Vicki Cloney, and Tom Shore, each bringing their expertise in healthcare, animal welfare, integrated care, and digital strategy. With these new appointments, the Board now has a total of 14 members who will play a crucial role in guiding the charity towards its next phase of growth and innovation.
Canine Partners CEO, Lucy Eldred, expressed her enthusiasm for the new additions to the Board, stating, “Our new Chairs and Trustees bring a wealth of experience to the Board at a critical time for Canine Partners. With an increasing demand for our assistance dogs and over 90 individuals currently on the waiting list, their support will enable us to expand our reach and impact more lives through these life-changing partnerships. Our dogs are trained to assist with everyday tasks such as opening doors, retrieving dropped items, and even responding in emergencies, providing greater independence, confidence, and companionship to the people they support.”
Newly appointed Chair, Richard Brooke, also shared his excitement for the role, saying, “I am honored to take on the position of Chair and work alongside such a talented Board. Together, we will build upon 35 years of incredible achievement and ensure that Canine Partners continues to transform lives for many years to come.”
To keep up with the increasing demand, the charity has plans to expand its breeding program, recruit more volunteers to train and foster puppies, and start training dogs in the local communities where they will be supporting individuals. To learn more about Canine Partners and their impactful work, please visit caninepartners.org.uk.