Overview

Bristol Zoological Society (BZS) is world-famous. Established in 1835, BZS is a charity dedicated to saving wildlife together.  We do this through conservation action and engaging people with the natural world. From 2022 to 2024, we are undertaking an ambitious transformation programme that includes closing Bristol Zoo Gardens and creating a new Bristol Zoo at our Wild Place Project site.  We operate the Institute of Conservation Science and Learning and lead a number of flagship field conservation programmes throughout the world.

Our vision is “for wildlife to be a part of everyone’s lives and for people to want to, and be enabled to, protect wildlife now and for the future”. To do this, we are building on past successes to combine public engagement; education, applied field conservation and research for positive conservation impact. Our ambition is to redefine what a modern zoological society should be and lead our industry in new ways of thinking and working.

In 2013, the Wild Place Project was launched on a large, natural site in South Gloucestershire. Wild Place Project is now the focus of our transformation programme, and will transform into the new Bristol Zoo, following the planned closure of Bristol Zoo Gardens on our existing site in Clifton, Bristol in Autumn 2022. Looking ahead, we will develop and build a new conservation campus, with facilities for conservation breeding, education, research, veterinary and conservation medicine; integrated with a re-imagined and exciting experience for visitors at our new Bristol Zoo. Our goal is for more than 90% of species kept at the new Bristol Zoo to be there as part of an active conservation programme.

More information on the Society and its activities is available on our website www.bristolzoo.org.uk.

We are looking for a new Trustee to join us to take our vision forward with significant expertise in conservation. As we implement our strategy, we want to strengthen the expertise and focus of our Board in this area. Additionally, in late 2022 we will devise our Conservation Masterplan for the next five years. This is a rewarding voluntary role that offers an individual the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the governance of our organisation and to the realisation of our vision and mission. At the same time, it is an opportunity to expand and enhance your own professional experience, expertise and networks.

We are keen to engage with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and are committed to building a Board which is characterised by a diversity of thought perspectives and life experiences.

Appointment Process and How to Apply

Perrett Laver is supporting the Society in this search. Perrett Laver will support the interview panel in the discharge of its duties, both to assist in the assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role and to identify the widest possible field of qualified candidates.

Application is by submission of a full curriculum vitae and a covering letter of application, addressing the job description and person specification and including suitable daytime and evening telephone and email contact details.

Completed applications should be uploaded at https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies quoting reference 5772. Kindly note the deadline for applications is Friday 20th May 2022 at 09:00 hours (BST).

All enquiries, in the first instance, should be directed to Research Associate, Henry Atkin at Henry.Atkin@perrettlaver.com or +44 (0)20 7340 6229.

The Chair of the Society welcomes an informal discussion prior to application or during the process and this can be facilitated via Perrett Laver.

Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please contact Senior Project Manager, Anoushka Lakhani at Anoushka.Lakhani@perrettlaver.com or +44 (0)20 3928 7350.

If you have comments that would support us to improve access to documentation, or our application processes more generally, please do not hesitate to contact us via accessibility@perrettlaver.com.

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