Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo has evolved remarkably since opening its gates in 1931. Today, it stands as a National Conservation Zoo and leading International Wildlife Charity, committed to preventing extinction and inspiring a better future for wildlife. As the largest visitor attraction outside London, the zoo welcomes around two million guests each year and is home to over 37,000 animals. Despite the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, Chester Zoo has demonstrated resilience and strong financial recovery, most notably through the launch of its spectacular Heart of Africa savannah—an immersive 22-hectare habitat showcasing 57 species of African wildlife. While widely recognised as a top UK attraction, Chester Zoo’s core mission remains deeply rooted in conservation, with impactful charitable work carried out both on-site and across six global regions to protect endangered species and their habitats.
Genesis of a Long-Term Partnership
In 2015, during a period of transformational change since the opening of the groundbreaking £42m ‘Islands’ project in November of that year, the zoo had identified a number of key new senior management roles. Key to achieving their wider conservation objectives both in the UK and overseas, would be the appointment of a several key positions, one of which required the support of an experienced executive search partner. The role was highly confidential and Chester Zoo retained Sherrington Associates to appoint a Head of Fundraising to lead the fundraising department. Our team carried out a targeted headhunting campaign to attract a shortlist of experienced third-sector fundraising leaders, after which an appointment was made to Julie Platt, former Head of Fundraising at Storyhouse, who went on to build the zoo's fundraising team and lead on several major philanthropy initiatives during her five year tenure with Chester Zoo.
Ongoing Support
Since successfully delivering that first retained search, Sherrington have been appointed to recruit several other senior managers in the organisation including a Zoo Site Director in 2025 - a critical international search to recruit a new executive director to lead capital development and experience design strategy, as well as oversight of all zoo operational teams. Sherrington were also asked to support one of the zoo's long-serving executive directors by delivering a bespoke executing coaching programme during six months of 2020. The director in question commented that our coaching support was invaluable to their success during an immensely challenging time during the pandemic.
Future Support
Sherrington Associates have also been a long-term supporter of Chester Zoo's incredible conservation work, both in the UK and internationally and previously co-designed a major fundraising project to fund an important rewilding initiative in Borneo, Malaysia. This project, known as 'Race for the Rainforest', went on to raise thousands for the zoo's conservation work and Sherrington remain a committed annual donor to Chester Zoo. Our partnership is something we've been incredibly proud to develop over the years and look forward to supporting Chester Zoo for many years to come, both as a donor and as a partner for leadership recruitment and executive coaching.
Over the years Sherrington Associates have helped to place crucial senior management roles at Chester Zoo and also within Marketing Cheshire, the LVEP whose advisory board I now Chair, where they've also recruited directors and board members. I've always been impressed with their professionalism and their ability to appoint high calibre candidates. I would recommend Rob to any company who want a no nonsense, efficient company who understand the "fit" required. We will continue to use Sherrington Associates without hesitation in the future.
Jamie Christon - Chief Executive Officer, Chester Zoo
Sherrington Associates delivered a very successful headhunting campaign to recruit a new Head of Fundraising for the zoo. I would have no problem recommending them to others seeking to appoint a competent and experienced executive search partner.
Jane Hubbard – Director of People, Chester Zoo
*Picture: (Left to right): Caroline Sanger-Davies - Director of Marketing Chester Zoo, Julie Platt - Head of Fundraising Chester Zoo, Rob McKay - MD Sherrington Associates
