Paul Marvell’s work revolves around improving the lives of dogs and cats in nine countries across the world, bringing together not only his key passions, but also the skills he has developed over his 40-year career since graduation. He loves the fact that to reach his office each morning, where he works as the Director of Global Programmes at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, he has to pass the kennels, cattery and veterinary hospital, daily reminding him of why he does the job he does. He also feels privileged to be in a job which uses the key elements of the geography he studied at Lancaster, with the understanding of developing countries from his years with major charities.

“Everything I did at Lancaster really fitted me for what I did next,” reflects Paul. “It’s incredible the connections I can now see between what I have done in my career and my studies at university. I’m not sure you realise that at the time, but all those things really connect back.”

His work for the 160-year old charity, requires him to take a strategic approach to improving animal welfare globally by working with organisations abroad and in the UK through the Battersea Academy, a world centre of excellence, and a programme of large multi-year grants both of which he launched in 2018. This gives him opportunities to travel, including a trip to Thailand later this year to review the impact of an initiative launched last year.

“I’m incredibly fortunate with the job that I have - and I always have been,” he enthuses. “but with this one in particular, as it’s 40 years since I’ve graduated. I suppose I’m coming to the end of my career so it’s great to leave on a bit of a high doing lots of things I love. My interests in international matters, development, animals and travel are all being combined just now.” He thinks his shy teenage self, who arrived as a first year from Bromley in Kent, would be impressed that his geography degree had carried him into such a satisfying career, with an ability to continue to have an impact on the lives of others.

Paul’s choice of Lancaster was based on its reputation and his love for human geography, plus the attraction of the nearby Lake District. But he was a long way from home and without any friends from school, so he said he found the first week ‘a big deal’.

The big personal breakthrough was joining University Radio Bailrigg (URB as it was then known) in the first week, and starting training as a DJ and presenter. Immediately he gained a group of friends as well as the opportunity to develop public speaking skills he would use in future work in the charity sector. He also developed confidence as he took on his own show and DJ’d in clubs in Lancaster. His studies absorbed him and have fed into his career. He remembers a ‘fantastic’ Professor of Human Geography, James Johnson, who oversaw his dissertation on the development of the London Docklands. Lancaster’s flexibility enabled him to add courses on English Literature as well at studies in Behaviour in Organisations at the Management School, alongside the geography options.

A course in urban geography in developing countries proved invaluable to his future work fundraising for the British Red Cross, as he later discovered that many of the emergencies he encountered were exacerbated by increased urbanisation.

At the end of his degree course, Paul considered pursuing a career as a radio journalist, but was put off by the competition. He had an interest in the retail industry so spent the first eight years after graduation working for Homebase, before moving into the charity sector with RNIB, before holding a number of senior fundraising posts with the British Red Cross where he did two stints. He also spent five years at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising as a Director.

He joined Battersea just over five years ago, and loves it. He’s always had a dog and his current pet, Logan, was rescued from Greece.

Reflecting on his current career satisfaction, he is fascinated to see how much of what he is doing now has its roots in his undergraduate years at Lancaster: “It was the whole experience of being on a university campus away from home, meeting people I would not otherwise have met. It completely changed my life. University enables you to discover yourself and what you might be able to become in the future.”