Beverley Donna Cuddy

Beverley Donna Cuddy

Trustee

Career:

Publisher, Editor and majority shareholder of Dogs Today and Pet Subjects Ltd

Did an MBO 20 years ago when the magazine was about to be closed and brought with me as a minor shareholder Viscount Rothermere, the seventh richest man in Britain and a massive dog lover. The next year we turned a £350k loss into a modest profit and won Small Publisher of the Year at the magazine equivalent of the Oscars.

Career highs:

Obviously, creating the Dog of the Millennium competition starring Allen and Endal! Producing charity mags for Canine Partners and Dogs Trust. Created the concept of mass market fun events for pet people but with a serious underlying message of education - the mould breaking shows Wag and Bone Show and Cold Wet Nose Show. Invented the concept of Take your Dog to Work Day with the Blue Cross. Launched the Bridget Bones Diary in association with Dogs Trust and Winalot. Was involved in several highly targeted high profile animal welfare campaigns – the latest being Don’t Cook Your Dog – to stop dogs dying in hot cars.

Charity affiliations:

Chairman of Tailwaggers Club Trust – an ancient and tiny charity that exists to help people in crisis with their pets.

Media:

Wrote a column about dogs in the Mail on Sunday for eight years. Written for many other nationals. Appeared in hundreds of TV programmes talking about dogs.

Other roles:

Previously worked for BT in Corporate relations – doing their charity magazines and in house magazines. Was Information Officer at the Kennel Club. Also worked at Dog World and Our Dogs.

Accolades:

Invited to attend the Woman of the Year lunch three times. Cosmopolitan magazine Young Woman of Achievement. One of the Cosmopolitan magazine entrepreneurial women winners. This Morning Young Fashion Designer of the Year (that was a very long time ago!). Short listed for Editor of the year several times at the British Society of Magazine Editors. Small Publisher of the Year at the PPA. Runner up Best dog magazine in the world at the Dog Writers of America awards! Member of Mensa...but I am sure that was a fluke!

Home life:

Mum to Kieran (age 10) step mum to Cameron (13) and James (15). Married to Graham Smith. Two dogs Oscar a Beardie and Tess a rescue Springer.