Trustee Conservation

Chester Zoo seeks a Trustee with conservation expertise to join its Board. This voluntary role involves supporting the zoo's strategic development and governance. The Board meets in Chester six times a year and requires individuals who can contribute to discussions shaping the zoo's future. Candidates should have a passion for wildlife and may have leadership experience. The position offers training and covers reasonable expenses.
Full job description

Chester Zoo is the UK’s favourite zoo as well as an international conservation charity. What began as a family run zoo in 1931 is now a globally renowned centre of excellence for conservation and scientific research, and one of the UK’s biggest and most popular visitor attractions, with more than 2 million annual visitors. The zoo’s 128-acre site in Chester, which is home to more than 37,000 animals and more than 500 species, is where this species-saving work is made possible. As a conservation powerhouse, Chester Zoo works around the world to ensure species not only survive but thrive. The zoo is a key part of 139 international conservation breeding programmes, working with 62 conservation partners in 19 countries to protect wildlife and people.

As part of Chester Zoo’s united strategy compromising of an interlinked Strategic Development Plan and Conservation Plan, 2025 will mark the next major step change in the Zoo’s development plan as it opens ‘Heart of Africa’, an exciting new zone of the zoo, and, later in the summer, a 51-lodge hotel. These two brand new concepts will then support the Zoo’s ambitious conservation investment plan and its six key targets through to 2030, as well as the next stage of physical development of the zoo as it approaches its centenary in 2031.

Chester Zoo currently have an exciting opportunity for a Trustee who brings conservation expertise to join the Board as part of its succession planning.

The role is voluntary with reasonable expenses reimbursed and you will receive a full induction and relevant training. The board meets in Chester six times a year and attends an annual two day away day.

We would love to hear from you if you are a leader, executive or non-executive, who brings conservation expertise and alignment to their mission of preventing extinction. We are looking for people who have the capability to chair some of their exciting committee groups in the future and take a leading role along with the executive in the development of the zoo in the future.

As a Trustee, you will support the development of the zoo’s strategy, act as a guardian for the zoo’s assets and ensure that governance is of the highest possible standard. You’ll also get to work alongside brilliant people from a variety of fields and disciplines who love wildlife and care about nature.

Reflective of the scale, complexity and diversity of the organisation, the high calibre Board of Trustees bring skills and expertise from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, from business leaders to conservation experts. Whilst previous board experience in a large complex organisation would be beneficial, it’s not a pre-requisite.

What is important is that you bring your own unique perspective to the table and demonstrate an ability to contribute to the broader discussions and decisions that shape the future of Chester Zoo – ultimately impacting the worldwide conservation mission.

For more information on Chester Zoo please visit: https://www.chesterzoo.org/

We welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds and are looking for candidates who can contribute diversity of representation and thinking to the Trustee Board of Chester Zoo.

Please apply by sending your CV and short covering letter to Nikki Kenyon, Warren Partners nk@warrenpartners.co.uk Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)845 261 0600.