By Petra Ingram (Brooke Chief Executive )
01 Jul 2010

365 days ago, I began the job of my dreams. Twelve months on, I still feel like the luckiest person on earth! The opportunity to combine my passion for horses and my professional experience in international development, and to be part of making a real difference to animals and people in need is an absolute privilege.

So yes, I have made it through my first year as Chief Executive of the Brooke, and as you might have guessed, I am enjoying every minute of it.  As part of my induction, I have met our teams in Egypt, India, Jordan, Ethiopia and Kenya. I have witnessed first hand the excellent work they are doing to relieve immediate suffering through treatments. I have learnt how our work with people in communities to secure long term changes in behaviour will ultimately improve the welfare of the working horses, donkeys and mules and change attitudes for future generations.

Of course there have been real high points and also lows. To see some of the suffering can be heart breaking, but also it shows the great need there is for our work, and motivates us to drive forward for change. Whilst in India, I met with a community group and I asked an owner what difference does the Brooke's work make for him? And the response: ‘The Brooke makes my donkey better, he can work, and I can put food on the table for my family and my children can go to school’ - wow, that was a humbling experience, but I think it really sums up the impact we are having.

During the year I have been part of some major achievements for the Brooke. In 2009 we celebrated our 75th anniversary so I was able to join with many supporters to reflect and look forward. In December we were fortunate to be nominated as the Charity of the Year at the Olympia Horse Show. It was a great experience to watch staff and celebrities present a display of the Brooke's history in the arena, whilst I sat with our President, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, in the Royal Box!

In January we started work in Senegal, West Africa, where there are many working equine animals and extreme poverty. In March we celebrated 22 years of work in Jordan and handed over responsibility for our clinic to the Government. In so doing, it has enabled us to focus on training and education to change behaviour and attitudes to ensure further improvements to equine welfare.

And, most recently, in May we held an expert meeting with institutional bodies and sector specialists to discuss how we can increase our impact by working more closely with international development organisations, and to explore the links between improving the welfare of working animals and the alleviation of poverty.

Back in the office there have also been highs and lows. The personal challenge of moving up from being a Director to the Chief Executive brings with it the huge responsibility of leading an organisation, and working together with our trustees to ensure clarity of strategy and good governance. I have spent time working together with staff to ensure robust plans and effective communication.  But I am learning so much – such as it is important to listen and to hear thoughts and concerns, it is important to build an external network and the charity sector excels at creating opportunities for people to work together.

So, what does the next 12 months have in store? To be sure, it is going to be busy. There is so much to be done, so many opportunities to explore, so many working equine animals who need our help. We know the challenge and we have our strategy and goals, and with the continued strength and support of staff, trustees, partners and, of course, all our dedicated supporters, together we will ensure that even more working horses, donkeys and mules receive our help than ever before.