Nigel has been in the charitable animal welfare sector for nearly 4 decades, starting as an RSPCA Inspector and working in management for a number of different well-known animal welfare charities.

He is an experienced CEO, who loves the challenge of helping more animals and people to have a happier life through the human-animal bond.

Paula is Manager of our centre in Church Knowle. Her particular area of expertise is with horses, and she has made a big difference to many horses in our care. Her beautiful dog, Indie, rehomed from Lincoln Farm, joins her at work every day. Indie gives amazing snuggles and is a very popular 'staff member' with the team!

Tom is our Retail Area Manager and works with our teams in our network of charity shops. His favourite four-legged residents are our donkeys, horses and Shetland ponies!

Niki is the Centre Manager at our Wingletang Rescue & Rehoming Centre in Devon. She has worked for the charity since 1994.

Niki has previous experience working in a boarding cattery and kennels and loves animals of all shapes and sizes!

Helen is the Centre Manager at our Lincoln Farm Rescue & Rehoming Centre in Dorset, after she joined the charity in 2002.

She has always loved animals and is passionate about the rescue and rehoming of dogs. Helen has two rescue dogs called Belle & Flo.

Julie is the Administration Manager based at our Head Office in Church Knowle. She has worked for MGAR since 1999 and manages the finance and administration for the charity and Trading Company. Julie’s desk is quite often taken over by rescue Spaniel, Molly, who she adopted from Wingletang in 2011. Julie also has another spaniel and a cat who both enjoy the peace & quiet at home when Molly goes to work!

Dave is our Operations Manager, and has been with us since 2019. Originally from a mechanical background, Dave decided to complete a degree in animal behaviour. Since then, he has worked as a zoo keeper, as well as at the RSPCA, before coming to us initially to undertake the role of Estates Manager. Dave and his teams take care of all our rescue animals' daily needs, and maintain the grounds, enclosures, health & safety, and also prepare new charity shops for opening.

Nicola is our Clinical Animal Behaviourist, providing support to all three of our rehoming centres, our rehomers and our network of foster carers. Nicola is accredited by the Animal Behaviour & Training Council as a CAB, specialising in dogs and horses. She also advises on all species, including cats, small furries and farm animals. At home, Nicola & her husband share a smallholding with their much-loved animals, including six horses & ponies, three Border Collies and two cats. They have also enjoyed having goats and chickens previously.

Laura is the Deputy Manager at our Lincoln Farm centre, and works with the team to provide the best possible care, training and rehabilitation to our rescue dogs in Dorset.

Harri is the Marketing & Communications Lead at MGAR and started working for the charity in 2021. Since completing a degree in Creative Events Management, Harri has used her marketing and events experience, and her love of animals, to fulfil her role at the charity, and she looks forward to the day where she can bring her own four-legged friend home.

Amber is the Deputy Manager at our Wingletang centre, and works with the team to provide the best possible care and rehabilitation to our rescue cats and dogs in Devon.

Liz has been our Veterinary Nurse for over 20 years and provides first class care to our animals at our Dorset rehoming centres.

Our experienced and hardworking team at Lincoln Farm is passionate about helping and looking after the rescue dogs that come into our care in Dorset. The team is pleased to offer rescue and boarding services at the centre, and to have a little shop on-site that's filled with wonderful supplies for your 'pawfect' pooches.

Our passionate and committed team at Church Knowle loves helping the wide range of species we care for in Dorset, including cats, equines, farm and small animals. The team is delighted to offer rescue and boarding services and to provide a fabulous visitor experience at the centre throughout the year.

Our experienced and dedicated team at Wingletang is passionate about helping rescue cats and dogs in Devon. The staff are thrilled to be able to offer rescue and boarding services in their newly-refurbished, state-of-the-art facilities, located on the edge of beautiful Dartmoor.

The Estates team is responsible for maintaining our three rehoming centres and our network of charity shops across Dorset. From undertaking repairs to overseeing Health & Safety procedures, fitting out new shops and assisting with events, the team is an integral part of ensuring our premises are well-looked after for our teams, rescue animals and supporters.  

Our friendly Fundraising & Marketing team loves working with our fantastic supporters, who make it possible for us to help thousands of rescue animals.

Our wonderful shops team members love meeting so many animal-lovers, and taking in your truly amazing donations, which raise vital funds for the rescue animals who need us. 

Phil joined as a Trustee in February 2025. He has a background in the healthcare industry, including the local NHS in Dorset. He is a scientist by background and has worked across commercial, R&D, digital, transformation, clinical and innovation. He is currently UK Chair for a global healthcare consultancy.

Sarah joined the board in February 2024. A mum to two boys and several rescued animals, her background is in Brand & Marketing. She has held various senior roles at large corporate organisations, the most recent as Marketing Director for a FTSE 100 business. Sarah is grateful to be able to utilise her wealth of commercial skills and experience for the benefit of animals in need.

Tracy brings with her a broad commercial skillset & wealth of experience & leadership in a range of disciplines including strategy, marketing, operational and change management, from many years of working in large financial organisations.

Cats & dogs have always been an important part of Tracy’s life. She is pleased to be able to harness her knowledge & skills to support the charity in achieving its objectives.

Mike Nathan became a Trustee in 2008 and took on the role as Veterinary Advisor. He was involved with the veterinary care at Lincoln Farm and Church Knowle for many years in his capacity, as Senior Vet at Damory Veterinary Clinic.

He was responsible for the setting up of the veterinary facilities at Lincoln Farm.

Lorraine Suchanek became a Trustee in early 2013. She is a solicitor and former partner of a law firm in Southampton.

Lorraine uses her experience of the law to help the Trust in administering its affairs and dealing with any challenges it may face.

She owns three dogs and is committed to supporting the welfare of animals.

Alan Simons became a Trustee in May 2014. He is the Principal of a firm of Chartered Accountants in Bournemouth.

Alan uses his financial skills and background to assist the charity and is also the Treasurer.