Claire Horton

Claire Ellen Horton CBE (born 20 May 1962) is a British executive and charity worker. Since January 2021 she has been Director General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the body responsible for the care and upkeep of the graves and memorials of 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth Forces, who died in the first and second World Wars. CWGC operates in 23,000 locations across 153 countries. Previously she was the Chief Executive Officer of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home (2010-2021), Chief Executive of the University of Warwick Students' Union (2002–2008) and the Chief Operating Officer of the Variety Club of Great Britain (2008–2010).

Horton sits as a Non-Executive Director of The Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (2014 - ), the body responsible for strategic animal health and welfare policy, and oversight of implementation in relation to England, taking account of public health considerations. https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/animal-health-and-welfare-board-for-england-ahwbe

She is the former Chairman of the Association of Dogs & Cats Homes (ADCH), the UK Rescue sector's umbrella and membership body (2015-2021) https://www.adch.org.uk

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In 2015 Horton was made an Honorary Doctor of Laws (DLaws) by Roehampton University in recognition of her work nationally, to raise the standards of animal welfare and services to the community https://cqual.org/cq-en/news-13508-Battersea-chief-executive-receives-honorary-doctorate

In 2016, she was named Charity Chief Executive of the Year at the Third Sector Awards in recognition of her role in turning around Battersea from an operating deficit, and increasing volunteers and foster careers.[3][4]

In 2017 she was named UK Director of the Year, in the coveted IoD Director of the Year awards. Horton took home the Public & Non Profit Director award, as well as winning the overall national, Director of the Year title.

Horton's key area of work is creating and building partnerships and strategic alliances, focusing on business turnaround, income generation, organisational growth and development. She works with Government, Ministers and multiple stakeholders from the public, private and third sectors on major change and innovation projects and is recognised as one of the top business leaders in her field.

Horton was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to animal welfare.[5]