Our People

Justin joined the Society in June 2018, with more than 20 years' experience in two of the UK's most popular museums, and a lifelong passion for the natural world.

Justin was Director of Public Engagement at the Natural History Museum where he led on all public engagements and commercial activities setting the long-term strategy for these areas, across the UK and internationally. In particular, he led the project to transform the Central Hall of the Museum including the installation of the blue whale exhibit.

Prior to this, he was the Director of Operations and Projects and Director of Strategic Planning at the British Museum and also spent two years working in the private sector at the John Lewis Partnership. He began his career as a Curator at the British Museum.

Brian Zimmerman has been the Director of Conservation and Science since July 2020, with responsibility for the Society's Animal, Veterinary Services and Field Conservation and Science departments, including Higher Education.

Prior to joining BZS, he was the Chief Zoological Officer at the Zoological Society of London, with responsibility for the curatorial team and species planning at London and Whipsnade Zoos. Prior to this he was Head Keeper of the Aquarium and Curator of the Aquarium.

Brian is currently the Chair of EAZA EEP Committee and the EAZA Freshwater Fish TAG and is Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group. He has worked internationally on conservation projects in Greece, Turkey, Brazil, Madagascar, Liberia, Turkmenistan, Nepal and the West Indies.

Before coming to the UK, Brian worked at Dallas Zoo and Aquarium, Spring Brook Nature Centre in Chicago and served in the US Peace Corps.

Hannah has over 20 years' experience working in marketing and communications. She joined the society in December 2021 and has responsibility for Visitor Experience, Public Engagement, Communications, Marketing, Fundraising and People.

Her previous roles include Investor Relations Director and Head of Communications and Government Affairs (Pharma Supply Chain) for GlaxoSmithKline, and Head of Change and Organisation Communication for Maersk. Before that, she spent 11 years at award-winning communications consultancy, Blue Rubicon.

Jonathan has over 20 years’ experience working in property and estate management, all that time spent in hospitality and leisure organisations. He joined the society in August 2023 and has responsibility for all society estate matters, including sustainability, capital investment project delivery and all land and property management.

Having qualified in horticulture, Jonathan’s career began in the retail sector. Prior to joining the society, he was Estate Director on the Longleat Estate in Wiltshire and Head of Facilities Management for iconic UK holiday institution, Butlin's.

Kelly has worked in finance for 30 years, with the last 20 of those in the charity sector. She joined the Society in October 2023 and has responsibility for finance, IT and governance and holds the role of Company Secretary.

After qualifying as an accountant, Kelly started her career in insurance and IT companies before making the move to the charity sector. Prior to joining the Society, Kelly was the Director of Finance and Estates at the National Autistic Society where, during her time there, she had responsibility for Governance, Finance, Internal Audit and Estates.

David was brought up in North London (regularly visiting London Zoo) and studied law. He moved to Bristol in 1977 when he opened a new office for his firm, becoming a partner in 1978 at the age of 26. During his career, he specialised in Commercial Real Estate, for example leading the team which leased Westfield London and Westfield Stratford.

David is a shareholder and has been a trustee of the Society since 2013. He has sat on all the sub-committees, including the conservation committee (now the Conservation Advisory Group). Alongside an independent member of the committee, he has advised on and approved research projects which are submitted for ethical approval. He has also acted as liaison between the volunteers and the Trustee Board.

David has had a lifelong interest in conservation and is a keen birder, volunteering with the RSPB and carrying out bird surveys for the British Trust for Ornithology.

Chris is also Chairman of the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust, Chairman of Bristol Bears Rugby Club, Chairman of the English Professional Game Board which controls English Rugby and is a Merchant Venturer. He has been a former Trustee of the SS Great Britain Trust and a Governor of the University of the West of England. He spent 40 years in senior positions in the construction industry operating as a consultant, including Chairman of The Symonds Group and Capita's Property Business. He is a shareholder of the Society.

Jane has spent her entire professional career in conservation. She has spent the last 17 years with IUCN, most recently leading IUCN's newly established Centre for Science and Data. Prior to that Jane led IUCN's Biodiversity Conservation Group (including the Species, Protected Area and World Heritage Programmes). This included acting as IUCN focal point for the Species Survival Commission and responsibility for production of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Between 2008 and 2021, Jane led IUCN's work on the development of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Jane trained as a botanist and plant ecologist. In 1989, having spent some time working for the London Wildlife Trust, she founded Plantlife International, becoming its first Chief Executive. Prior to joining the IUCN Secretariat, Jane was Chair of the IUCN UK National Committee. In 2003 she was awarded the OBE for services to international conservation. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Victoria has a broad business and entrepreneurial background with particular experience in marketing, business development and coaching. She currently runs her own business, the RCR Partnership, which helps the owners and directors of small and mid-sized businesses to grow sustainable revenue and profitability. Victoria has previously worked in London and Paris in a variety of consulting and in-house roles in marketing and communications. She is a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors and a shareholder of the Society.

As His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant, Peaches Golding OBE is The King's personal representative for the County and City of Bristol. Her main duty is to support the King and Royal Family in all that they do and connect the Palaces to the City. Peaches is the independent chair of the Bristol Water Customer Challenge Panel, non-executive consultant of Moon Executive Search and a Trustee of the SS Great Britain Trust. She graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA with a Biology degree.

Andrew is a Bristol University graduate and a chartered accountant. He spent some 30 years with Deloitte, 20 as an audit partner. For the last seven years of his time with Deloitte, he headed up the firm's audit service to the social housing and higher education sectors and was also responsible for the audit of several large national charities. Since leaving Deloitte, he has been non-executive director for two housing associations, a trustee of the ICAEW pension fund and has served as a co-opted member of the audit and risk committee of the University of the West of England. He currently serves as independent chair of Community Housing Cymru, the umbrella body representing housing associations in Wales, and is a co-opted member of the audit and risk committee of Shelter UK.

Judith is Professor of Political Theory and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at the University of Bristol. Prior to this, she was Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Law at the University. Within Bristol, Judith is currently the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Spike Island and has been Chair of the Bristol Cultural Development Partnership, as well as a founding member of the Bristol Learning City Partnership Board. She is a member of the Venturers Trust Board (a multi-academy trust comprising primary, secondary and all-age schools and a special school in Bristol), is on the Advisory Board for Bristol University Press, and is a member of the One City Cultural Board. Further afield, Judith was a REF 2014 Politics and International Relations Sub-Panel member and a Council member of the ESRC and Chair of the ESRC Capability Committee. She is also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and the RSA.

Steve is Vice-Chancellor, President and CEO of the University of the West of England, Bristol, and is the President of Universities UK (UUK) and Chair of the UUK Mental Health in Higher Education Working Group. He is also Chair of the West of England Academic Health Science Network and Non-Executive Director for the Integrated Care Board for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). Steve is a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Gloucestershire and was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2017, for services to Higher Education. He was awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2023 for his major contributions to education, health, and business, underpinned by a profound commitment to transforming lives.

Emma has worked across multiple sectors, starting her career in logistics and finance. After a period as a management consultant supporting utilities worldwide, she joined Somerfield plc. She was appointed Marketing Director for Kwik Save Stores following the merger with Somerfield and oversaw a transformation in performance. Since 2003, Emma has deployed her business and strategic experience in the NHS, providing planning, performance and governance advice to NHS hospitals. Emma was non-executive director for University Hospitals Bristol for over 10 years, appointed Vice Chair when the trust achieved Foundation Trust status. She has been Chair at Swansea Bay University Health Board since 2019 where she has built a strong board, leading to development of a clear strategic direction and achievement of significantly improved performance. Emma lives in Bristol and spent many happy hours with her boys at Bristol Zoo Gardens when they were small.

Sarah is a senior consumer marketing leader with extensive experience of leading commercially accountable marketing and digital teams. She has worked across a number of sectors (consumer products, retail, telecoms/media, travel and leisure) across all aspects of marketing and enjoys helping organisations drive organic growth by deeply understanding their customers and creating simple strategies, effective marketing plans and distinctive brand and product propositions. Sarah has recently worked for the BBC, Aviva and Business Growth Fund in interim and consultancy roles and before that in private equity-backed transformations for Wyevale Garden Centres and graze.com. She has deep understanding of data-led and loyalty marketing, leading customer loyalty programmes for Waitrose, Airmiles and Dixons Carphone plc. Sarah graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge, with a degree in Zoology. and is delighted to be applying her experience to supporting Bristol Zoological Society's exciting vision.

As Bristol Zoological Society’s Royal Patron since 2013, The Duke of Edinburgh is a powerful advocate for our conservation, education and community work.

His Royal Highness has made many visits to the historic Bristol Zoo Gardens site over the years and opened the Bear Wood habitat at what is now Bristol Zoo Project. We appreciate The Duke’s ongoing support for our shared mission of Saving Wildlife Together.

Children’s TV presenter Andy Day has been an ambassador for Bristol Zoo Project since 2023. As a BAFTA-nominated presenter and actor, he is best known for his work on CBeebies, where he has presented many animal and nature-related shows since 2007 including Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures. He is also the frontman of the hugely popular ‘Andy and the Odd Socks’ band who have a hit CBBC series called Andy and the Band.

Andy and his family live in Bristol and have been regular visitors to Bristol Zoo Project since it opened. He has a love and passion for the natural world and is proud to help and support us in our work to protect the world’s most threatened species.

Richard Clarke has been an ambassador for the Society since 2017 and is also a shareholder. A previous trustee from 1993 to 2017, he was also Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2017. Richard has an extensive knowledge of the history of Bristol Zoological Society and he and his family have been life-long supporters of the charity.

Richard is an experienced chairman, director, trustee and non-executive director with both consultancy and client-side experience. He has a track record in property development, planning, business strategy and business turnaround.

In his time as chairman, Richard successfully opened Wild Place Project, now Bristol Zoo Project, something the Society had aspired to achieve for many decades.