The North of England Zoological Society Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020 www.chesterzoo.org Contents The North of England Zoological Trustees’ Report Strategic Objective 6: Preventing extinction by being a voice for change Society Annual Review & Charitable objects, mission & strategy .................................... 3 Conservation, education & engagement ................................37 Trustees, executive team & advisers ....... ............................... 4 Membership & adoptions ............................ .................... .... 38 Introduction ............................................. ............................. .. 5 Public affairs ............................ ............................................. 39 The year in numbers ...............................................................6 Thank you............................ ............................................. 40-41 Financial Statements 2020 Our awards ....................................................... ................... .. 7 Looking ahead ............................ .......................................... 42 Highlights in pictures ............................................................8-9 Structure governance & management ...................................43 The Trustees of the North of England Zoological Society (“NEZS” / “the Charity” / “the Society”) are pleased to present their Strategic Objective 1: Preventing extinction by achieving Risk management.................................................................. 45 annual report, together with the consolidated financial statements of the Charity and its subsidiaries for the year ended the greatest conservation impact Going concern & Covid-19 ................................................... 46 31 December 2020, which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and financial statements for Conserving species of Latin America ................ ................... 10 Public benefit, grant making & fundraising ........................... 48 Companies Act 2006 purposes. Conserving species of Africa ............................. .................... 11 Trustee responsibilities .......................................................... 50 Conserving species of South East Asian Islands ...................12 NEZS is a conservation and education charity which owns and runs Chester Zoo. Conserving species of Mainland Asia ......... ........................ .. 13 Independent auditor’s report .............................................51-53 Conserving species of Madagascar and Mascarenes. .......... 14 The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Society’s Memorandum and Articles Conserving species of UK and Europe ...................... ....... 16-17 Financial statements of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities Wildlife health and wellbeing .................... ............................ 18 preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Biodiversity surveys and monitoring ......... .......................... .. 19 Consolidated statement of financial activities ........................54 Ireland (FRS102). Human-wildlife conflict ............................. ........................ .... 20 Consolidated & society balance sheets .................................55 Visitor and community engagement ............. ........................ 21 Consolidated cash flow statement .........................................56 Charitable objects Principal accounting policies .................................................57 Strategic Objective 2: Preventing extinction by being a Notes the Consolidated financial statements .......................61 The Society’s objects, as set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association, are world class visitor attraction Covid-19 response ................... ........................................... 22 (a) to promote the conservation of the physical and natural environment by promoting biodiversity; and Health & safety ................... ................................................. 23 Our sustainable zoo .............................................................. 24 (b) to advance the education of the public on the conservation of the physical and natural world and the promotion of The re-opening of Monsoon Forest ....................................... 25 biodiversity; in particular by, but not limited to, the provision of public education, scientific study and the maintenance of endangered animals, plants and habitats in both protective and natural environments. Strategic Objective 3: Preventing extinction by providing exceptional animal and plant care Our Mission Conservation breeding & management............. ............... .... 26 Our work on EEHV ..................... .......................................... 27 Preventing extinction Strategic Objective 4: Preventing extinction by ensuring Our Strategy financial stability Financial Review 2020 ........................ ............................ 28-30 The Society’s five-year strategic plan was launched in 2018 and supports the mission statement “Preventing extinction”. The strategic plan contains six strategic objectives which are: Strategic Objective 5: Preventing extinction by developing our people • Preventing extinction by achieving the greatest conservation impact Our people ............................ ................................................ 32 • Preventing extinction by being a world class visitor attraction Volunteering .......................................................................... 33 • Preventing extinction by providing exceptional animal and plant care Learning & development........................................................ 34 • Preventing extinction by ensuring financial stability Equal opportunities ............................ ................................... 35 • Preventing extinction by developing our people Keeper for a day ............................ ....................................... 35 • Preventing extinction by being a voice for change Our youth board ............................................................... .... 36 Registered Charity Number 306077 Registered Company Number 00287902 2 chesterzoo.org 3 Governance Introduction Trustees, Executive Team & Advisers Following the incredible achievement of having attracted over 2 million visitors in 2019, the impact for us of the global pandemic arriving in the UK was unforeseen and devastating. The virus forced us to close our gates to the public and then to open with Honorary Positions External Advisors to the Ethical Review Committee visitor numbers restricted. Despite the restrictions we did have the highlight on 24th Dr Ian Dunbar October of being able to reopen Monsoon Forest, the jewel in the crown of Islands, Vice President Professor Richard Preziosi The Honourable Lady Jane Heber-Percy Professor Thomas Webb following the devastating fire in 2018. Despite not being able to have a reopening party, we held a virtual event and showed our members, and those who attended the Trustees at the date of this report Independent Auditor fire, including families of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, the finished product. and serving during the year: Grant Thornton UK LLP, Royal Liver Building, Liverpool, L3 1PS Elected by the members We were relieved to have been able to open long enough to 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and this did not falter during Bruce Ursell – Chairman Internal Auditor hold our Lanterns evenings throughout December. Although the this difficult period. Unfortunately we have had to move some Malcolm Ardron – Vice Chairman RSM, 20 Chapel Street, Liverpool, L3 9AG one month lockdown in November delayed the first few nights, of our field projects and other ex-situ activities to a ‘ticking over’ William Beale – Vice Chairman we enjoyed seeing the smiles on our visitors’ faces for each position. None of us wanted this to be the case but Chester Zoo Jen Carter Solicitors night in December until Christmas. It’s become a very special is led by a professional group of people and we therefore remain Edwin Christmas Aaron & Partners LLP, Grosvenor Court, Foregate Street, period for us and was the pinnacle of a very difficult year. confident that we will emerge from the Coronavirus restrictions Penny Coates Chester, CH1 1HG in a good position to return to full levels of activity. Sandra Donnelly DTM Legal LLP, Archway House, Station Road, Chester, CH1 The Trustees are indebted to the hard work of all the staff and Professor Richard Griffiths 3DR executives within the zoo and are proud of the professional Our education and engagement team rose to the challenge of a Professor David MacDonald Hill Dickinson LLP, No.1 St. Paul’s Square, Liverpool, L3 9SJ manner in which they have handled such a turbulent period in its greater emphasis upon the virtual world and established a suite Angela Pinnington (Retired 17 September 2020) Jolliffe & Co LLP, 6 St John Street, Chester, CH1 1DA history. Not only are we indebted to our own people, we were of sessions for schools and colleges around the world. Our PR Lee Rawlinson overwhelmed by the response to our calls for financial support team and keepers also brought a taste of zoo life to the living Bankers from the public and particularly our members. The support of rooms of thousands of people