ZSL names first female chief executive

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has appointed Kathryn England as its permanent chief executive.

The appointment makes Kathryn the first woman to lead the international conservation charity in its 200-year history, as the organisation prepares to mark its bicentenary on April 29.

Kathryn has worked with ZSL for more than a decade and had been serving as interim chief executive prior to the announcement.

During that time, the organisation launched the Science for Private Investment in Nature (SPIN) project and began celebrations for its 200th anniversary, including a commemorative Royal Mint coin, a Transport for London poster campaign and a new podcast series.

Kathryn said: “It is an honour to be appointed to lead an organisation I care about deeply. 

“ZSL’s people, its science, and its mission are genuinely world-class, and I am determined that we use this milestone year as a springboard to grow the impact we have in our conservation work, for the communities we engage, and for the wildlife we are to protect and restore.” 

Sir Jim Smith, ZSL’s chair of trustees, added: “In Kathryn, ZSL has a chief executive who knows this organisation profoundly, who has already earned the trust of colleagues, partners, and supporters, and who has the technical background and strategic vision to lead it into the next exciting and important chapter. 

“The board is delighted to confirm her appointment.”

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