A high-flying finance executive has taken a 50 per cent pay cut to become the new head of a Sussex cat charity.

Helen Ralston, 46, is waving goodbye to 80-hour weeks and regular transatlantic travel, as well as a hefty pay cheque, to become chief executive of Horsham-based charity Cats Protection.

Former head of corporate finance at Crawley-based electronics company Spirent, where she had worked for 17 years, Helen decided it was time to take stock.

She said her new role was a dream come true, despite what she described as a 'substantial' pay cut.

She said: "On the long flights, the idea of doing this kind of thing gave me something to think about.

"I did a lot of international travelling and it was hard work. I was looking for something that was closer to my interests for the next stage of my life.

"It's nice to work with something I can identify with."

Helen, from north Horsham, said her love of cats went back to her childhood in East Lothian, Scotland.

She said: "My father was an old-style James Herriot-type vet and we grew up with lots of cats and other animals.

"I used to help out at the vets' quite a lot.

"My friends at the company always used to say I would end up working with cats one day."

Helen said the decision to swap mergers and acquisitions for cat welfare wasn't easy.

She said: "I did take a big pay cut but it was a considered decision and I certainly don't regret it.

"Money is not a motivation and it's more important to feel good at the end of the day.

"You only live once and this is a great opportunity."

Helen, who has four cats of her own, hopes to extend the charity's nationwide network of regional shelters and increase the professional and technical support available for the volunteer-run branches.

She said: "I'm really looking forward to getting out and about to the shelters and branches.

"I hope to ensure the charity continues to grow.

"I am looking forward to working with people from different backgrounds from around the UK, whether full-time employee, active volunteer or keen supporter, to get what we all want, a better future for cats."

Tuesday November 04, 2003