The Kennel Club is sad to announce that Vanessa McAlpine, Events and Youth Development Executive, will be retiring from The Kennel Club in June 2023.
Vanessa joined The Kennel Club in 1977 as secretary to Bill Edmond who was then Assistant Secretary for Shows, Trials and Awards. In 1978 Vanessa also took on the role of Field Trial Secretary and in 1988 became Assistant Show Manager, followed by Crufts Show Manager in 1992. Over her time working in the Crufts team, Vanessa has been instrumental in helping the show to develop and grow, and has seen it move twice; from Olympia to Earls Court and later to the NEC, Birmingham in 1991.
Throughout her career at The Kennel Club Vanessa has also been very involved in other areas of the business, including the creation of Discover Dogs in London, as well as a strong involvement in the foundation of the Young Kennel Club which began life as the Kennel Club Junior Organisation in 1985, and the development of the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme.
Said Vanessa; “When I leave The Kennel Club next year I will have worked at The Kennel Club for over 46 years, including managing Crufts for over 30 years. I feel honoured and proud to have worked for an organisation that strives so hard for the interests of dogs and am grateful for the many friends and colleagues that I have met along the way. I will miss it all very much.
“Before I leave next year I am looking forward to Crufts 2023 and helping to make sure it is our best show yet, as well as being involved in The Kennel Club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.”
Said Mark Beazley, Chief Executive of The Kennel Club; “I know I very much speak on behalf of everyone involved with The Kennel Club and Crufts in saying that it is with great sadness that Vanessa is leaving, Crufts won’t feel the same for a long time without her. Vanessa’s energy and enthusiasm for her work is going to be missed when she leaves but we wish her all the best for her retirement which is well deserved!”