Member Article

Chester Zoo praises local firm for its role in securing a key member of staff

An executive search firm has helped Chester Zoo recruit a key member of staff as the zoo seeks to ramp up its activity around conservation.

Experienced fundraiser Julie Platt has joined to lead fundraising for campaigns supporting its conservation projects protecting wildlife around the world.

And the zoo has praised Sherrington Associates for helping find the right candidate for a crucial role.

Sherrington Associates carried out a highly targeted search to produce a shortlist of specialist fundraising managers suitable for the role.

Julie joins Chester Zoo from her role as head of development for the city’s Storyhouse arts centre. She has a background in successfully fundraising with major donors and corporations.

The zoo is currently raising funds for research into the virus EEHV which is deadly for young elephants in the wild and in zoos globally, and ‘Sing for Songbirds’, which protects songbirds from illegal wildlife trade.

Caroline Sanger-Davies, director of marketing at Chester Zoo, said: “As a major conservation charity, Chester Zoo has always delivered strong fundraising campaigns, but this is a newly-focused role as we embark on one of the most exciting periods in our 85-year history.

“We plan to create extensive new animal habitats, which will engage visitors in our conservation work across the globe.

“We retained Sherrington Associates based on its experience of senior management recruitment and because we knew it has a fantastic network in Chester and the north west.

“Rob and the team listened well and provided a very strong shortlist. We are very happy with the result.”

Rob McKay, managing director of Sherrington Associates, said: “As a long term member of the zoo and supporter of its conservation work, it was brilliant to be the retained search partner on this key appointment.

“The zoo came to us after trying out more traditional recruitment methods which had had limited success, so we implemented a bespoke campaign to find it the right candidate.

“We wish Julie every success in her new role and look forward to supporting the zoo again with other senior appointments.”

Julie said: “Chester Zoo’s pioneering conservation work is built on the enormous generosity of so many wonderful supporters.

“I’m thrilled to be involved and plan to diversify our fundraising, making it as creative and inclusive as possible to ensure our impact is felt even further across the globe.”

Sherrington Associates, which was founded three years ago, offers executive search and selection recruitment. It moved into new premises at Booth Mansion on Watergate Street in Chester, earlier this year due to expansion.It specialises in recruiting senior level candidates including executive directors, CEOs, and non-executive directors.

For more information visit http://sherringtonassociates.co.uk/.

To find out more about Chester Zoo’s conservation work, visit: www.actforwildlife.org.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .