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The North Of England Zoological Society

Also known as: Act for Wildlife, Chester Zoo

To develop a substantial, expanding role in the conservation of global biodiversity and habitat enrichments and to support this through sustainable commercial activities, including managing Chester Zoo as a world class visitor attraction.Further details can be obtained via our Annual Report for 2021.

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Activities & Mission

To develop a substantial, expanding role in the conservation of global biodiversity and habitat enrichments and to support this through sustainable commercial activities, including managing Chester Zoo as a world class visitor attraction.Further details can be obtained via our Annual Report for 2021.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£63,134,000
Latest Expenditure
£60,920,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 41.9%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 15% of UK Environment charities with income over £10M (sample: 48). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 43.5%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 6% of UK Environment charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 59.3%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 2% of UK Environment charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £5,894,000
Charitable Activities £38,202,000
Other Trading £18,078,000
Investments £233,000
Other Income £727,000

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £26,481,000
Raising Funds £34,439,000
Governance £1,677,000
Grants to Institutions £711,000
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£63,134,000
£60,920,000£26,481,000£65,768,000£4,400,000664 / 243
2022
£50,680,000
£49,248,000£24,663,000£63,877,000£4,400,000608 / 203
2021
£45,226,000
£44,280,000£20,771,000£62,445,000£3,800,000529 / 203
2020
£36,095,000
£36,006,000£28,393,000£61,499,000£3,800,000502 / 231

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The North Of England Zoological Society

What does The North Of England Zoological Society do?

To develop a substantial, expanding role in the conservation of global biodiversity and habitat enrichments and to support this through sustainable commercial activities, including managing Chester Zoo as a world class visitor attraction.Further details can be obtained via our Annual Report for 2021.

How much income did The North Of England Zoological Society report in 2024?

The North Of England Zoological Society reported total income of £63.13m and reported expenditure of £60.92m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The North Of England Zoological Society?

The North Of England Zoological Society has a program ratio of 41.9%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 15% of UK Environment charities with income over £10M (sample of 48 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The North Of England Zoological Society registered as a charity?

The North Of England Zoological Society was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 18 January 1967 as charity number 306077. It has been registered for 59 years.

Who runs The North Of England Zoological Society?

The North Of England Zoological Society is governed by a board of 16 trustees. The chair of trustees is MALCOLM ARDRON. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The North Of England Zoological Society operate?

The North Of England Zoological Society operates in Cheshire West & Chester, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is The North Of England Zoological Society a registered charity?

Yes — The North Of England Zoological Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 306077.

Details

Address
THE NORTH OF ENGLAND ZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
CEDAR HOUSE
CHESTER ZOO
CAUGHALL ROAD
CH2 1LH
Registration Date
18 January 1967
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
306077
Charity Number
306077

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Trustees

MALCOLM ARDRON Chair
David Wootton CBE
Also governs 1 other charity
Dr Gareth Edward Thomas
Dr Romain Pizzi
Also governs 1 other charity
Dr Simon Cripps
Dr Stephanie Wray
Also governs 2 other charities
Dr Vikas Shah
Jen Carter
Lee Rawlinson
Neill Jonathan Skinner
PENNY COATES
Professor Rhys Edward Green
PROFESSOR RICHARD GRIFFITHS
Also governs 2 other charities
Simon Venables
Tina Elizabeth Mitchell
Yvonne Emmett Cannell

Sectors & Classifications

Also Known As

  • Act for Wildlife
  • Chester Zoo

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
Report a data issue