The Conference Biography

John May CVO OBE DL is one of the UK’s most experienced charity leaders, currently serving as Chief Executive of Cats Protection, one of the UK’s largest animal welfare charities.

Before joining Cats Protection, John led organisations including The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, Career Ready and Young Enterprise. Alongside his executive career he has held numerous voluntary leadership roles, including Vice-Chair of the World Scout Committee, Chair of Oxfordshire Youth and National Vice President of the Marine Society & Sea Cadets.

John is also Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, a writer and commentator on leadership, volunteering and civil society, and an experienced keynote speaker. His talks combine practical leadership experience with warmth, humour and an enduring belief in the power of ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things.