Jamie Christon

As Principal Executive, Jamie reports to the Board of Trustees with responsibility for the overall leadership of the zoo’s organisational plan, the team of Directors and Senior Managers.

Jamie spent the first part of his career in high street food and retail department store management, after graduating with a degree in politics.

He took these skills to Manchester Airport Group where he headed up commercial operations before becoming Managing Director at Exeter Airport in Devon, where he managed the transition from local authority, to private sector ownership.

Jamie then moved on to take responsibility for on-board operations in Europe of Stena Line, and then joined Chester Zoo in 2013 initially as Chief Operating Officer and since March 2021, as Chief Executive Officer. He is responsible for one of the largest and most popular zoos in Europe. In 2019 Chester Zoo welcomed over 2 million visitors, employed 1,000 staff and had a turnover of £46m.

In 2021, the financial recovery of the zoo since the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, was a key focus for Jamie and the team. In 2022, Jamie has re-established the strategic development plan, and is driving the next stage in the life of Chester Zoo in supporting its Conservation Masterplan. The organisational plan takes the zoo to its 100th birthday in 2031.