Six-figure pay-off for SSPCA chief

severance deal: Stuart Earley walks away with exit package reported to be £100,000

The chief of the Scottish SPCA has walked away with a £100,000 severance package.

Stuart Earley, 59, announced last week that he was stepping down from the SSPCA with immediate effect.

It came just weeks after it was revealed the former aquarium boss secured another bumper pay rise to take his basic salary to more than £190,000 a year, with pension contributions on top of that of more than £30,000.

According to reports in our sister paper the Sunday Post, Mr Earley’s exit package will see him given £100,000, around six months of his salary, despite not having to work any notice.

On his departure Mr Earley thanked staff for their hard work throughout his nine-year reign.

A previous SSPCA board member defended Mr Earley’s record as CEO.

Nicholas Alexander, who quit the board in June after eight years as a director, said he was “saddened” by the departure.

The Fife farmer said: “Although his salary might well have been unpalatable for many people, the truth is he turned around the Scottish SPCA’s fortunes.

“When he took over the organisation it was a bureaucratic mess.

“He made it infinitely better. It became a slicker machine that rescued more animals. The savings he made merited his pay.”

Mr Earley was unavailable for comment.

Stuart Earley’s record as SSPCA CEO was praised by an ex-board member.