SPCA chief executive resigns for 'personal reasons' seven months into the job

Friday, 14 April 2023

Gabby Clezy was appointed CEO in September 2022. She is based in central Auckland.

Gabby Clezy, chief executive of New Zealand’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, has resigned –seven months into the job.

In an email sent to SPCA staff on Thursday afternoon, obtained by Stuff, SPCA board and senior leadership team secretary Christine Cannell, said Clezy had quit for “personal reasons”.

”Gabby has led the organisation through a number of challenges. During her time, she has laid the foundation for significant improvements,” Cannell said.

“She is moving on now for personal reasons, and we are confident the organisation is well positioned for someone to come in and continue the work she started.”

SPCA operates 31 animal centres and 6 vet partnerships across the country. (File photo)

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In a follow-up email sent to SPCA staff, chairman of the board David Broderick said Clezy would be “moving on from the organisation and her role as CEO, with her last day with us falling on Friday, April 28 – just over two weeks away”.

“I know leadership change can leave people feeling unsettled, and this news follows a number of changes within the organisation in recent months.

“I want to reassure you all that this current moment of change does not impact the vision we are here to fulfil, or the support you have,” Broderick said.

In an email to Stuff, a spokesperson for SPCA said the SPCA board had a plan in place for interim leadership as it begins its search for a new CEO.

“Our focus remains, as always, on the sick, vulnerable and neglected animals that remain and come into our care every week,” the spokesperson said.

Clezy had led the organisation through a “challenging” period and during her time, laid the foundation for “significant” improvements to help take the organisation into the future, the spokesperson said.

“She is moving on now for personal reasons, and we are confident the organisation is well positioned for someone to come in and continue the work she started.

“We wish Gabby well for the future and thank her for her commitment to our important work.”

Clezy was appointed CEO in September 2022 and served as the first incoming CEO since the charity's merger in 2017, and the first appointment in the role in over seven years.

SPCA operates 31 animal centres and six vet partnerships across the country.

The animal welfare charity receives $2.5 million – less than 5% of its funding – from government and has more than 31,000 animals coming through its centres each year.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said SPCA CEO Gabby Clezy had resigned five months into the job. She has been in the role for seven months. Updated at 7.16pm, April 4, 2023.