The chief executive of an NI animal welfare charity has quit following a “workplace dispute” amid a wave of trustees stepping down from the charity’s board.
Nora Smith took up the top job with the USPCA in January 2023.
But the Newry-based organisation is now seeking to recruit a new CEO after she resigned earlier this month.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) spoke with Ms Smith’s legal representative, Peter Bowles, who confirmed that efforts to resolve the row are underway.
“I can confirm that my client [Nora Smith] resigned as chief executive of the USPCA on February 6, 2025, and we have notified the Labour Relations Agency of the workplace dispute through the early conciliation process,” the solicitor said.
“We hope that the USPCA engage in this process constructively to try and reach an amicable resolution and avoid the need for tribunal proceedings.”
The now former USPCA chief had recently spoken publicly in support of stray dog Max, who has been at the centre of a banned dog breed saga at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
The charity confirmed in January it was taking legal action against the local authority which it accused of reneging on a commitment to work in partnership in relation to the pup suspected of being a pitbull-type breed.
The LDRS understands the matter is not linked to Ms Smith’s departure.
The charity’s board, according to its website, consists of up to nine trustees; however, there are currently only three listed on the site.
A USPCA spokesperson said: “Nora Smith has stepped down as chief executive of the USPCA, and the board thanks Nora for her contribution over the past two years and wishes her all the best.
“There have been changes at board level, with four trustees stepping down over the last 12 months.
“We thank them for their dedication and service to the USPCA’s mission.
“We are currently in the process of recruiting a new chief executive and board members to lead us forward and build on our legacy as we write the next chapter of our 188-year history.”