NORTH OF ENGLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY (THE)
Operating primarily under the trading name Chester Zoo, the registered charity manages a major zoological garden in Cheshire and conducts global wildlife conservation and educational programmes.
Get an alert when NORTH OF ENGLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY (THE) files next
Leroy will email you the moment a new filing lands at Companies House — one short note per filing, nothing else.
Cash
£5.3k
+3.5% vs 2024
Net assets
£65k
-1.1% lowest in 3 filed years
Employees
1,095
+64.9% highest in 3 filed years
Profit before tax
—
Period ending 2025-12-31
Watchouts
Facts from the Companies House register and the latest accounts — not a rating
-
3 officer resignations in last 12 months
Multiple officers have left the board recently — see the People section for who.
Net assets
3-year trend · vs Consumer Discretionary median
Accounts
3-year trend · Δ = latest vs prior filed period · latest reflected 2025-12-31
| Metric | Trend | 2023-12-31 | 2024-12-31 | 2025-12-31 | Δ vs prior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total income | £36,448,000 | £38,289,000 | £70,539 | -99.8% | |
| Operating profit | — | — | — | — | |
| Profit before tax | — | — | — | — | |
| Net profit | -£323,000 | £2,214 | -£698 | -131.5% | |
| Cash | £5,461,000 | £5,114 | £5,293 | +3.5% | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | £75,904,000 | £99,520 | — | — | |
| Net assets | £63,554,000 | £65,768 | £65,071 | -1.1% | |
| Equity | £63,554,000 | £65,768 | £65,071 | -1.1% | |
| Average employees | 947 | 664 | 1,095 | +64.9% | |
| Wages | £20,326,000 | £22,195 | £25,430 | +14.6% | |
| Directors' remuneration | — | — | — | — |
Values shown as filed in the company's annual accounts. — indicates the figure wasn't present under that line item in that period. The Δ column is the change from the prior filed period as a percentage of |prior|; lines a company doesn't report show —. About these numbers
Ratios
Computed from the line items above — sparklines read oldest → newest
| Ratio | Trend | 2023-12-31 | 2024-12-31 | 2025-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | -0.9% | 0.0% | -1.0% | |
| Gearing (liabilities / total assets) | 27.5% | 42.0% | 44.3% | |
| Current ratio | 0.72x | 0.63x | 0.17x |
Margins divide P&L lines by turnover. Gearing is liabilities over total assets. Current ratio is current assets over creditors falling due within one year. Interest cover is operating profit over absolute finance costs. Sector-distribution context coming next.
Audit & accounting basis
- Accounting basis
- FRS 102
- Reporting scope
- Consolidated group
- Auditor
- Grant Thornton UK LLP
- Audit opinion
- Unqualified (clean)
- Going concern
- Affirmed
“Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.”
Group structure
- NORTH OF ENGLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY (THE) · parent
- Chester Zoo Enterprises Limited 100%
- Chester Zoo Hotels Limited 100%
- Chester Zoo Uganda Limited 100%
- Chester Zoo (Nigeria) Limited 100%
- Chester Zoo Foundation Nigeria 100%
- North of England Zoological Society Pension Trustee Company Limited
Significant events
- “The Reserve opened on 18 August 2025 as a bold step in commercial diversification.”
- “Heart of Africa officially opened to the public on 5 April 2025.”
Auditor, going-concern and subsidiary information is drawn from the narrative of the latest annual accounts. About these numbers
People
17 active · 79 resigned
| Name | Role | Appointed | Born | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARCO SERVICES LIMITED | Corporate Secretary | 2014-05-01 | — | — |
| ARDRON, Malcolm Stephen | Director | 2006-11-24 | Jun 1962 | British |
| CRIPPS, Simon, Dr | Director | 2023-06-15 | Mar 1960 | British |
| DEGG, Emma Jane | Director | 2026-06-05 | Jul 1970 | British |
| EMMETT CANNELL, Yvonne | Director | 2023-06-15 | Jun 1963 | British |
| GREEN, Rhys Edward, Professor | Director | 2022-03-04 | May 1952 | British |
| GRIFFITHS, Richard Alun, Professor | Director | 2015-11-06 | Jun 1957 | British |
| MITCHELL, Tina Elizabeth | Director | 2026-03-06 | Apr 1971 | British |
| PIZZI, Romain, Dr | Director | 2022-07-08 | Nov 1974 | British |
| RAWLINSON, Lee | Director | 2019-06-25 | Sep 1975 | British |
| SHAH, Vikas Sagar, Dr | Director | 2024-07-05 | Jan 1981 | British |
| SKINNER, Neill Jonathan | Director | 2023-06-15 | Jun 1971 | British |
| THOMAS, Gareth Edward | Director | 2024-07-05 | Sep 1986 | British |
| THOMPSON, Jacob Samuel | Director | 2026-06-05 | May 1998 | British |
| VENABLES, Simon Peter | Director | 2014-06-24 | Nov 1978 | British |
| WOOTTON, David | Director | 2022-03-04 | Jul 1956 | British |
| WRAY, Stephanie, Dr | Director | 2025-06-06 | Jun 1966 | British |
Show 79 resigned officers
| Name | Role | Appointed | Resigned |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRAMBELL, Michael Rogers, Dr | Secretary | 1992-05-09 | 1995-09-01 |
| DU CROS, Ewart Alan | Secretary | 1995-09-01 | 1995-12-11 |
| JOHNSON, Michael Arnold Russell | Secretary | 1995-12-11 | 2000-04-27 |
| SYKES, Alan Richard | Secretary | 2000-04-27 | 2014-04-30 |
| BAKER, John Rendle, Dr | Director | — | 1996-05-18 |
| BARNES, Arthur Rennie | Director | — | 1997-06-07 |
| BEALE, William John | Director | 2015-02-06 | 2023-06-15 |
| BENNETT, Malcolm, Prof | Director | 2016-07-08 | 2017-10-07 |
| BENNETT, Malcolm, Professor | Director | 2010-06-08 | 2016-06-21 |
| BENNETT, Malcolm, Professor | Director | 2003-05-31 | 2009-06-09 |
| BETTS, Helen Elizabeth | Director | — | 1994-05-27 |
| BROWN, John Gibb | Director | 1997-06-07 | 2005-05-26 |
| BUCKLEY, Catherine Margaret | Director | 2009-06-09 | 2018-10-05 |
| BUCZACKI, Stefan Tadeusz, Prof | Director | 2009-10-30 | 2016-06-21 |
| BURKE-SHARPLES, Rebecca Anne | Director | 2009-06-09 | 2017-03-31 |
| CARTER, Jen | Director | 2019-06-25 | 2026-06-04 |
| CHAMBERLAIN, Leslie Neville | Director | 2004-05-22 | 2013-06-11 |
| CHAMBERLAIN, Leslie Neville | Director | 2002-05-18 | 2003-01-31 |
| CHILD, Brian Michael | Director | 2003-07-25 | 2015-12-16 |
| CHINN, David Simon | Director | 2020-09-17 | 2023-01-06 |
| CHRISTMAS, Edwin Paul Collis | Director | 2017-06-27 | 2023-06-15 |
| CLIFFORD, Christopher Stanley | Director | 2003-06-06 | 2004-08-12 |
| COATES, Penelope Ann | Director | 2017-06-27 | 2026-06-04 |
| COATES, Penny Ann | Director | 2017-06-27 | 2017-06-27 |
| COLES, Brian Hugh | Director | 1997-06-07 | 2003-05-31 |
| COLES, Brian Hugh | Director | — | 1996-05-18 |
| COOKE, David Alexander Pealing, Dr | Director | 1995-05-13 | 2001-05-19 |
| COOKE, David Alexander Pealing, Dr | Director | — | 1994-05-21 |
| DAVIES, Karen | Director | 1998-05-30 | 2003-05-31 |
| DIXON, Jean Pickering | Director | 1994-05-21 | 2000-06-03 |
| DIXON, Jean Pickering | Director | — | 1992-05-09 |
| DOCKING, Stephen Edward | Director | 2006-11-24 | 2013-06-11 |
| DONNELLY, Sandra | Director | 2015-09-08 | 2022-06-09 |
| DOWELL, Simon Derek, Dr | Director | 2009-06-09 | 2015-09-08 |
| EDWARDS, Derek Brian | Director | — | 1994-05-21 |
| EDWARDS, Kathryn | Director | 1996-05-18 | 2002-05-18 |
| EVANS, Caroline Elizabeth, Dr | Director | 2003-05-31 | 2009-06-09 |
| GARDINER, Brian George | Director | 1996-05-18 | 2002-05-18 |
| GUY, Alan Sidney | Director | — | 1994-05-21 |
| HALL, Iain James | Director | 2006-11-24 | 2013-06-11 |
| HARPER, Martin Clive | Director | 2023-06-15 | 2024-01-24 |
| HOWATT, John Hamilton | Director | — | 1997-06-07 |
| JARDINE, Jennifer Reta | Director | — | 1996-05-18 |
| JOHNSON, Michael Arnold Russell | Director | — | 1992-05-09 |
| JONES, Beatrice Josephine | Director | — | 1998-05-30 |
| JUMP, Graeme Kevin | Director | — | 1996-05-18 |
| KALLEY, Amit Singh | Director | 2021-01-11 | 2021-05-07 |
| LEIGH, Brandon Howard | Director | 2022-03-04 | 2022-09-26 |
| LIVINGSTONE, Brian Nicholas | Director | 1997-06-07 | 2003-05-31 |
| LIVINGSTONE, Elizabeth Mary | Director | — | 1997-06-07 |
| LYON, Derek | Director | 1998-05-30 | 2004-05-22 |
| MACDONALD, David, Professor | Director | 2018-03-02 | 2025-06-05 |
| MADDEN, John Spencer, Dr | Director | — | 1992-05-09 |
| MAHON, Christopher Martin | Director | 2003-05-31 | 2009-06-09 |
| MAHON, Christopher Martin | Director | 1996-05-18 | 2002-05-18 |
| MAKINSON, John Boardman | Director | 1996-05-18 | 2005-05-26 |
| MAYBURY, Nigel Keith | Director | 1994-05-21 | 2002-05-18 |
| MEE, Robert James | Director | 2003-07-25 | 2015-12-31 |
| MOFFETT, Brian John | Director | 1996-05-18 | 1996-09-30 |
| NEWTON, Russell, Professor | Director | 2013-06-11 | 2020-09-17 |
| PARSLOW, Margaret Carrell | Director | — | 1995-09-19 |
| PICKERING, David Owen | Director | 2010-06-08 | 2015-09-09 |
| PINNINGTON, Angela | Director | 2013-06-20 | 2020-09-17 |
| PLAYFER, Jeremy, Doctor | Director | 2002-05-18 | 2008-06-10 |
| POLLARD, Graham Michael | Director | 1997-06-07 | 2003-05-31 |
| ROBINSON, Angela Bridie | Director | 2023-06-15 | 2025-10-06 |
| SHARPLES, Alan | Director | 1998-05-30 | 2003-05-31 |
| SKERRITT, Judith Olivia, Dr | Director | 2009-06-09 | 2015-09-08 |
| SKERRITT, Judith Olivia | Director | 2002-05-18 | 2008-06-10 |
| SPENCE, Paula Louise | Director | 2017-06-27 | 2018-07-10 |
| THOMSON, Andrew Lyndsay Balfour | Director | — | 1992-05-09 |
| URSELL, Bruce Anthony | Director | 2010-06-08 | 2022-06-09 |
| WALL, David Joseph | Director | 2000-06-03 | 2006-05-26 |
| WATSON, Alan Arthur | Director | 2001-05-19 | 2007-05-22 |
| WHEELER, Peter Edward, Prof | Director | 2000-06-03 | 2017-06-27 |
| WILLIAMS, Tony | Director | 2002-05-18 | 2017-06-27 |
| WILLIAMS, Tony | Director | 1994-05-21 | 2000-06-03 |
| WILSON, Nicholas John Wandesford | Director | — | 1998-05-30 |
| WISNIEWSKI, Patrick Jerzy | Director | — | 1998-05-30 |
Ownership
Persons with significant control
Filing timeline
Last 20 of 309 total filings
Material constitutional events — rename, articles re-file, resolution
- 2025-06-25 MA Memorandum articles
- 2025-06-25 RESOLUTIONS Resolution
- 2024-07-05 RESOLUTIONS Resolution
- 2024-07-05 MA Memorandum articles
| Date | Type | Category | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-21 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type group | |
| 2026-06-08 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2026-06-08 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2026-06-08 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2026-06-08 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2026-04-21 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2026-01-27 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2026-01-27 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2025-10-31 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2025-10-28 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2025-07-10 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2025-07-03 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type group | |
| 2025-06-25 | MA | incorporation | Memorandum articles | |
| 2025-06-25 | RESOLUTIONS | resolution | Resolution | |
| 2025-06-06 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2024-10-30 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with updates | |
| 2024-07-16 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2024-07-15 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2024-07-05 | RESOLUTIONS | resolution | Resolution | |
| 2024-07-05 | MA | incorporation | Memorandum articles |
Public-record activity
Raw counts from Companies House — last 12–24 months
- Filings
- 10
- Capital events
- 0
- Officers appointed
- 3
- Officers resigned
- 3
last 12 months
last 24 months
last 12 months
last 12 months
Direct counts from the register. No score, no rating — see the Filing timeline for the underlying events.