Horse Welfare Charity Appoints New Chief Executive

John Smales, 59, from Wylye, Wiltshire, has been appointed the new Chief Executive
at the UK's leading horse welfare charity.

He is due to start his new job at the ILPH (International League for the Protection of
Horses) at Snetterton, Norfolk, on Monday 4th February when he will be taking over
the reins from Jonny McIrvine, who has been Acting Chief Executive for the last 12
months.

Comments John Smales, "I am thrilled to have been selected - Chief Executive at the
ILPH is my dream job ! It means doing something of real value for equines and
working with people who are truly dedicated to improving their welfare worldwide."

John Smales spent a full career in the army, serving all over the world, in particular in
the Middle East. He attained the rank of Brigadier, and in Germany commanded his
Regiment the 14th/20th King's Hussars.

Since leaving the army three years ago he has gone into business as a consultant
specialising in computer based training, as well as lecturing in military history and
leadership skills.

He brings with him to the ILPH a wealth of horse knowledge and experience, having
had an active involvement with horses since the age of 20, running stables in England,
Africa, Northern Ireland, Germany and the Middle East. He has ridden and competed
in many horse disciplines and spent three seasons as Master of the Staff College
Drag Hounds at Camberley, Surrey.

John is married to Anne and has a daughter of 13 and son of 11. In his spare time,
"Such that it is", he says, he enjoys all country pursuits, as well as gardening.

Adds Jonny McIrvine, "Over the last 12 months the ILPH has successfully completed
an internal re-organisation and is now in the best possible shape to welcome a new
Chief Executive to complete the management team. We are very pleased to have
appointed John Smales and I am confident that the charity, with John at the helm, will
continue to lead the way in its stated aims* in this its 75th anniversary year, and well into the future.

"I wish John well in his new post and have no doubt he will enjoy working for this fine
charity as much as I have during my period as caretaker. I shall look forward to
continuing my involvement from behind the scenes."

* Stated Aims: recovery and rehabilitation in the UK, the training of skills in equine
management, farriery and saddlery in the developing world, and campaigning -
particularly on the key issue of the transport of live horses for slaughter.

www.ilph.org