JSPCA ask business ‘fixer’ to come to their aid

JSPCA ask business ‘fixer’ to come to their aid

The JSPCA said Kevin Keen will support the committee as it looks to balance its income and expenditure on a sustainable basis.

Mr Keen, who has been appointed for a period of up to six months, was previously chief executive of Jersey Post and helped steer it through the challenges it faced with the loss of the Island’s fulfilment industry following the withdrawal of low-value consignment relief in the UK.

Charles Gruchy, president of the JSPCA, said the charity – which costs about £1 million a year to operate – is ‘experiencing an extremely challenging period financially’ which has necessitated a root and branch review of its activities.

He added that the JSPCA had previously been able to rely on large legacies to help cover its running costs but that it no longer could, which has placed the charity under ‘great pressure’.

‘We are pleased that Kevin has offered his services on a voluntary basis to assist the JSPCA during a difficult period,’ Mr Gruchy said. ‘He has a track record of successfully leading Jersey organisations through challenging times, which is exactly the expertise we need right now.’

Kevin Keen, who was previously the managing director of Jersey Dairy and most recently was the interim chief executive of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, said: ‘The JSPCA has been helping animals in distress for over 150 years and now finds itself in distress.

‘I am therefore anxious to play my small part in ensuring their work can continue. I am looking forward to working with the many dedicated staff at the JSPCA to find viable solutions to the financial challenges facing this important charity.’

Last November the JEP revealed that Stephen Coleman, who had been the chief executive of the JSPCA for more than a decade, had been sacked and a States police investigation launched into his conduct in connection with financial activities within the charity.

Mr Coleman’s dismissal came after he was suspended for months amid an internal investigation into the company’s finances which involved forensic accountants and lawyers.

A States police spokeswoman said yesterday that the investigation was ongoing.

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