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As wildlife conservation charity Durrell approaches the end of a tumultuous year, there might be one more twist in the tale tonight when it will be revealed whether a campaign group succeeded in getting its preferred candidates onto the charity's board – including the former CEO, previous keepers, an ex-Minister, and a conservationist who discovered a new orangutan species.
After a set of difficult allegations and high-profile departures in 2023 and 2024, Durrell's senior members got into a set of a series of mediation meetings with the group of members behind the criticism – called 'We Love the Zoo'.
When this failed, a motion tried to oust the entire board earlier this year, and thousands of members turned out to vote. The board came out on top – and promised that the turmoil would be a catalyst for positive changes for the charity.
But We Love The Zoo has continued its campaign, and continued to pick up followers online. It is now hoping that a number of its members will be appointed as the charity's new trustees, and be able to chart a new course for Durrell.
The charity's AGM is set to take place at the Royal Yacht Hotel at 18:00 tonight. Ahead of the meeting, members have also been voting on who they would like to serve on the board of trustees for 2025. The results of the vote will be announced tonight.
Two groups have endorsed candidates: the current board made a pre-selection of candidates, and the rebel We Love The Zoo group also put forward a slate of eight potential trustees.
As well as voting on the minutes of the previous meeting, annual accounts, and several rule changes, the AGM will also offer the opportunity to consider and vote on a resolution submitted by members, which states that “the Chairman of the Trust must be resident in Jersey, residing in Jersey with immediate effect”.
Ahead of the results of the trustee vote being released tonight, Express looks at who threw their hat into the ring, and who is backing them...
Conservationist-turned-critic, endorsed by We Love the Zoo
Quentin Bloxam, one of the candidates endorsed by We Love The Zoo, has a long history with Durrell.
He worked at the charity for 45 years, including as a Senior Curator and a Director of Conservation Management, and was awarded an Outstanding Achievement award by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2010.
Earlier this year, he joined critics of the Zoo – calling out "appalling issues" affecting animals and staff and saying that the Zoo had been "badly let down by the Board".
Mr Bloxam also criticised Durrell's rewilding project in Scotland, which he said was "inappropriate" for the charity.
In his personal statement, he stressed that he lived in Jersey and could visit the Zoo regularly.
Established Durrell trustee and treasurer, endorsed by the current board
Gary Clark is the current Treasurer at Durrell.
A Chartered Accountant, he describes himself as a professional non-executive director on Linkedin.
He was Chairman of the Jersey Funds Association from 2004 to 2007.
Mr Clark also describes himself as a "serial volunteer", and Durrell's governance committee recommended him to handle finance and accounting.
He was recommended by Durrell's Board of Trustees.
Current trustee and communications specialist, endorsed by the current board
Sarah Cook is one of the current trustees who are up for re-election.
She is a Brighton-based communications and marketing professional.
The governance committee said she was being recommended for her expertise in these fields as well as integrating fundraising and awareness-raising.
Standing for her second term, Ms Cook is one of the candidates recommended by the Board.
Conservation science expert, endorsed by the current board
Andrew Cunningham is a scientist who discovered a new viral disease of amphibians, found the disease that is causing greenfinch to decline in the UK, and published the first report of a species that has gone extinct because of an infectious disease.
He first became a Durrell member in 1974, but has not yet served on the charity's board.
Prof Cunningham has a strong background researching diseases that pose risks to wildlife conservation, in the UK and overseas.
He is also a Professor of Wildlife Epidemiology and Deputy Director of Science at the Institute of Zoology.
Durrell's current board recommended Prof Cunningham for his experience in conservation science and training, adding that he could help both its training programmes and its conservation efforts.
Former Minister and keen wildlife photographer, endorsed by We Love the Zoo
Gregory Guida is one of We Love The Zoo's candidates.
He was in the States Assembly until the last election – as Home Affairs Minister as well as Assistant Environment Minister – and leant on his political background in his trustee application.
Mr Guida condemned Durrell's leadership, calling out "very serious issues of collection management, animal welfare and employee relations", in a statement sent to media.
Meanwhile, he praised We Love The Zoo's campaigning as "an essential step in the right direction".
He wrote: "As Assistant Minister for the Environment, I kept supporting the Zoo as well as I could – despite the fact that I knew about the mismanagement and was appalled by the blatant ostracism of its figurehead, Lee Durrell, by the board and the then-CEO."
Chair of the current board
Matthew Hatchwell, who has been Durrell Board Chair for the past year, became the figurehead of Durrell's side of the dispute earlier this year.
Afterwards, he said he would focus on "healing the differences in opinion that have arisen" as well as implementing a new strategy.
Mr Hatchwell also said the board was likely to publish an external assessment later this year.
His background is in wildlife conservation in the Zoological Society of London and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
The governance committee pointed to Mr Hatchwell's experience leading field programmes around the world, including in Madagascar.
Former Durrell HR lead, endorsed by We Love the Zoo
Pictured: Kiley Henley is a former Durrell employee who spoke on behalf of We Love The Zoo.
Kiley Henley was at the helm of Durrell's HR operation as Director of People and Values for a year, from December 2021 to December 2022.
During that time, she said, "99% of employees were the most knowledgeable and committee people I have worked with".
She continued to work in HR afterwards, founding her own HR company.
Ms Henley later became one of the most vocal members of We Love The Zoo, speaking on behalf of the group at the extraordinary general meeting in May.
Her criticism of Durrell focuses on governance oversights and a potential "lack of courage in the boardroom" as well as employees not feeling listened to.
She said she still wanted to be on the board "because I still love Durrell".
Corporate governance expert who was co-opted to board at the start of 2024, endorsed by the current board
Mr Husbands was added to the current board at the start of 2024.
His background is in managing wealth, investments and fiduciary services.
Mr Husbands is recommended by the current board as an expert in corporate governance and investment, particularly given his experience in industries with a lot of regulation.
Former Durrell staff member, endorsed by We Love the Zoo
Cillian Lohan is one of the candidates put forward by We Love The Zoo.
He started his career at Durrell, going from Junior Keeper to Deputy Head of Department.
Mr Lohan then transitioned to international diplomacy and is currently Vice-President of the European Economic and Social Committee – as well as CEO of the Green Economy Foundation, an Irish NGO that advocates for environment issues.
He stressed his experience managing conservation projects, including a wildlife park in the Caribbean and working as a board member for "a variety of companies".
Syeda Mahrukh Ali does not appear to be endorsed by either the current board, or We Love the Zoo.
She said that she is a wildlife biologist and zoologist with a background in research.
A Linkedin profile shows internships with Budapest Zoo and a Master's degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Sassari in Italy.
She said she was committed to "advancing biological sciences and protecting wildlife habitats".
Durrell CEO from 2008 to 2013, endorsed by We Love the Zoo
Paul Masterton spent five years as Durrell CEO from 2008 to 2013. He focused on expanding the charity's conservation programme during his tenure.
Now, he is a Board Member for the JCRA and is a non-executive director for various organisations.
He pitched himself as candidate who values a strong board, and wrote: "Key to [a healthy culture] is honest, candid discussion and achieving results with appropriate behaviours."
Mr Masterton is endorsed by We Love The Zoo.
Previous board member, endorsed by We Love The Zoo
John Miskelly is a chartered accountant who is endorsed by We Love the Zoo.
He stressed that he had a lifelong passion for the Zoo, with a childhood story of meeting Gerald Durrell and a baby gorilla.
Mr Miskelly was a trustee at Durrell from 2008 to 2014, when he focused on audit and governance.
He said: "Durrell needs to refocus on its core values, demonstrating transparency, integrity and accountability to the members and other stakeholders, something I believe that the current board has been unable to provide."
Experienced finance industry Direcotr, endorsed by the current board
Richard Prosser was recommended by Durrell's current board for his experience on various boards in the finance industry.
Mr Prosser's background is in navigating high-level finance situations and, in his words, "managing the balance between supporting and challenging the executive team".
Mr Prosser has been a prominent supporter of Durrell and has been known to engage in fundraising activities for Jersey charities – such as completing the 30 Bays in 30 Days challenge in just one day.
Former keeper developing a Master's course, endorsed by the current board
Kirsten Pullen, one of the current board's picks, has a CV full of senior positions overseeing zoos.
A former keeper, she rose to the top of the zoo community, as CEO of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and as Vice-Chair of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria.
She is currently developing a Master's course at Plymouth University.
Dr Pullen is recommended by the board for her experience in zoo management.
Strategist who has raised millions for zoos in the past, endorsed by the current board
John Regan has been endorsed by the current board for his ability to secure huge grants. He is a former Director of Development at Chester Zoo.
Mr Regan has raised tens of millions of pounds for the zoo sector, including the largest grant ever awarded to a UK zoo – £19 million for Twycross.
He also secured include a $3 million sponsorship from Jaguar Cars for Chester Zoo, and £400,000 for the Welsh Mountain Zoo.
Conservationist who discovered a new orangutan species, endorsed by We Love the Zoo
Dr Singleton, who was put forward by We Love The Zoo, is a conservation director with the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme.
He started his career at Durrell, before doing a PhD with the Durrell Institue of Conservation and Ecology and setting up the programme in Sumatra.
In 2017, he was also part of a team of scientists who discovered a new species of orangutan, the Tapanuli orangutan.
He was made an OBE in 2020 for "Services to the Environment and Conservation".
Iain Valentine is a former Director of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, where he ran the animal collections along with research and conservation projects.
He left Edinburgh Zoo after the zoo's breeding programme was unsuccessful for years and was eventually suspended.
Mr Valentine said he had been passionate about Durrell since he read Gerald Durrell's books as a boy.
He said: "Friends and colleagues praise his dedication, professionalism and his ability in strategic and lateral thinking."
He does not appear to be endorsed by either We Love the Zoo, or the current board.
Former Durrell ornithologist, endorsed by We Love the Zoo
An ornithologist by background, Glyn Young had a 40-year career at Durrell which included managing projects in Madagascar, Galápagos and Jersey.
He said he has personally raised over £700,000 for Durrell.
Dr Young is now retired and is Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Threatened Waterfowl Specialist Group.
He was endorsed by We Love The Zoo.
You can find out more about the agenda for tonight's AGM HERE. Express will be at the meeting – sign up to our FREE daily news email here so you don't miss the next update...
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