ZSL Appoints Kathryn England as Permanent Chief Executive Officer

(eap) The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) – operator of London Zoo and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park – has appointed Kathryn England (pictured) as its permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO), marking the first time in the organization’s 200-year history that a woman has assumed the role. The zoo expert has been part of ZSL for more than a decade. At the end of 2025, she had already taken over the organization’s leadership on an interim basis from her predecessor Matthew Gould. Prior to joining ZSL, Kathryn England worked as Nursing Manager at London’s RSPCA Harmsworth Animal Hospital and as Head Nurse at the Royal Veterinary College, also situated in the capital city. She subsequently gained commercial experience in the animal health pharmaceutical industry.

Kathryn England 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 work to protect and restore.” Sir Jim Smith, ZSL’s Chair of Trustees, commented: “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.”

In 2026, ZSL celebrates its 200^th anniversary. As a globally active, science-oriented charitable organization, it is engaged in the fields of research, education, and nature and species conservation. ■