JANET WICKENS has started work as Head of Fundraising & Communications at the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, Cats Protection.

Janet, 51, will lead a 15-strong in-house team covering functions including fundraising, internal and external communications, as well as design and publications. She will also manage relationships with the various agencies with whom the charity currently works.

She brings 17 years of voluntary sector experience to the role. For the last five years she was Director of Marketing and Fundraising for Perennial, the charity supporting horticulturists.

Janet hopes to develop the many fundraising and communication opportunities that currently exist for the charity and is enthusiastic about the future of Cats Protection. ‘Being able to work for an organisation that is embracing growth and change provides a huge set of exciting challenges”. Janet explained: “I am very enthusiastic about the prospects that exist for our fundraising and communications activities”.

As well as the obvious task of increasing voluntary income, one of Janet’s immediate aims is to dispel the myth that large charities are impersonal and do not care about the individuals they ask for help. “CP is very fortunate to have thousands of incredible volunteers and supporters. My job will be to keep them well informed and aware of how much they are appreciated”, she said.

Cats Protection has a nationwide network of 29 Centres and 260 voluntary-run Branches. Janet will be based at the charity’s National Cat Centre in Sussex.