Gavin grew up close to the New Forest National Park and is passionate about the living world and the environment.

Full statement

With a background in law, Gavin has a strong sense of justice, including how that affects animals and their rights, believing that we, as guardians, have a moral duty to ensure that the living world and the environment are protected.

Gavin involves himself with animal welfare issues, and has campaigned for changes in the law. He is founder of the Pet Refuge Project, a charity focussed on assisting victims of domestic abuse with companion animals to leave by finding safety for the animals too.

Gavin has a BA in law from the University of Oxford, and Master’s Degrees in Social Policy, Law and Criminal Psychology and International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law.

Gavin believes that there is no moral justification for the continued differential treatment of animals, and that we must ensure speciesism is addressed and tackled. He thinks that not only is it right that animals be afforded more protection, but feels we can influence animal welfare internationally by leading by example.