He is tasked with developing a new strategic vision for the animal advocacy organisation.

Mr West said yesterday the RSPCA was not shying away from the ``tough time'' it had experienced in recent years.

Accusations of financial mismanagement, infighting, bullying and bad appointment decisions have plagued the charity.

A Public Accounts Committee report released late last year found the organisation was not fit to receive government funds and was in urgent need of restructure.

Mr West said the charity was not backing away from the Public Accounts Committee's findings.

``We really need to get ourselves back on track financially,'' he said.

``I'll be creating a strategic business plan for the organisation. Once that's handled, we'll have a road plan of where to go.''

Mr West said his appointment was the first step in a number of steps the RSPCA would be taking to ensure the charity continued to take a leadership role with animal welfare in Tasmania.

``While everyone has their own issues about what the RSPCA has done in the past, we're looking to the future,'' he said. ``We certainly have got a strong foundation from which to build . . . once I get a chance to talk to all of the staff, we can develop that vision and certainly make a plan for where we go to from here.''