Meet the Senior Management Team

Chief Executive Officer - Andy Knott MBE

It’s a privilege to be leading the League as we approach our Centenary. Our work can be demanding and as a relatively small organisation calling for big change, the odds can seem stacked against us. That’s why it is so important to have the right people in place, ones that care, capable of delivering our charitable objectives and bring about the transformation needed. Ours is a mix of members and supporters, both old and new, and a loyal staff packed full of the experts needed to make this organisation strong. I am very proud to be serving with such dedicated and determined professionals, and I invite you to meet the Senior Management Team:

Deputy CEO and Director of Policy, Campaigns and Communication - Chris Luffingham

I am a political campaigns and communications specialist, having worked across political parties at local and national levels. During 2014-15, as National Campaigns Director, I took the Green Party to their most successful election results in their history; quadrupling their share of the vote. In 2012 I also led the successful campaign to elect the independent candidate George Ferguson as Bristol’s first mayor.

Director of Investigations - Martin Sims

Until early 2018 I was the Head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit, working with all police forces across the country and many Non-Governmental Organisations. I am a former Chief Inspector, having served 31 years in the police, much of it in the prevention and detection of wildlife crime, including as part of the Surrey Police mounted section monitoring the hunts pre the Hunting Act.

Director of Marketing and Fundraising - Emma Smith

I joined the League in 2017, having spent more than 17 years in the not-for-profit sector specialising in Marketing and Fundraising. I have a varied experience across all areas of fundraising, specialising in individual fundraising, community and data development. My previous commercial experience specialised in product and brand management. I am a qualified CIM marketer and IOF fundraiser.

Director Scotland - Robbie Marsland

I have a background of more than 30 years in social change. I have held senior management roles in campaigns on the issues of homelessness, human rights, international development and animal welfare. I have been the Director Scotland for the past four years and before that I was the UK Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Director of Finance - Neal Soleil

I joined the League in January 2018 after working for six years as the Head of Finance at Compassion in World Farming. I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants with 30 years’ experience in Finance. Having worked in practice for six years, I moved to the not for profit sector, gaining valuable experience in a variety of organisations.

A Chartered Member of the CIPD, I have been practising HR for nearly 20 years, developing and managing HR strategy to support organisational effectiveness. As a member of the League, I was delighted to join the team in 2019 where I hope my passion for people will give each employee a platform to develop credibility and work collaboratively.