Meet the Team

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  Chief Executive Officer

  Dr Madelon Willemsen Email : [email protected] Telephone : 0207 449 6520

  Madelon started as the new Chief Executive Officer of BIAZA in June 2019. Previous to this she worked at Taronga Zoo, Zoos VIC, and TRAFFIC. During her time as the country director for TRAFFIC in Vietnam, she demonstrated her ability as a facilitator, mediator and negotiator bringing different organisations together to collaborate towards a common vision and action. As well as taking on the role of CEO she is also working on several peer-reviewed papers on conservation strategies from her PhD.
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  Programmes & Policy Manager

  Nicky Needham Email : [email protected] Telephone : 0207 449 6367

  Nicky took on this role in December 2013. With 10 years zoo keeping experience gained at Paignton Zoo, Taronga Zoo in Sydney and ZSL London Zoo, Nicky contributes a wealth of practical knowledge of natural history and zoo biology and an in-depth understanding of the zoo industry.  With MSc degrees in Marine Science and in Zoo Conservation Biology, she is particularly keen to support the increasingly important role of aquariums in modern conservation and sustainability.  She works closely with the committees and the working groups, keeping members informed of changes in relevant policy and supporting them in all their conservation and animal care activities and responsibilities.
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  Communications & Membership Manager

  Zoe Williamson Email : [email protected] Telephone : 0207 449 6599

  Zoe joined the BIAZA team in October 2015. She has spent more than fifteen years working in communications, media and PR; a career path which she followed having graduated in Zoology from the University of Edinburgh.  Her first steps towards turning her passion for promoting wildlife conservation into her career began at the BBC’s Natural History Unit in Bristol.  From there the subject matter for her various communications roles to date has changed dramatically, from space research to global yacht races.  More recently she was the Senior Communications Officer at The Pirbright Institute which reignited her desire to work in a communications role that brings together her educational background with her communications experience.
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  Programmes and Policy Manager (Research & Training) & Training Development Officer

  Dr Cerian Tatchley Email : [email protected] Telephone : 0207 449 6367

  Cerian has a background in zoo education and research.  She has an MSc in Animal Behaviour and a PhD in Ecology and Economics.  Cerian has worked in several BIAZA member zoos including RZSS, ZSL London Zoo, Bristol Zoo Gardens and Living Coasts in a variety of roles including within animal care, education and research teams.  Cerian has two roles at BIAZA.  She facilitates the strategic actions of our Research and Conservation Education Committees to provide policies, guidelines and other materials to support our members in these areas as Programmes and Policy Manager (Research & Training), and is currently working in consultation with our members to review training and development needs for animal care staff across BIAZA in order to explore how we can best support the continued professional development of our community as Training Development Officer.
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  Membership Officer

  Alex Blatherwick Email : [email protected] Telephone : 0207 449 6599

  Alex joined the team in March 2018. With a Masters in Primate Conservation and background in education, science communication and public engagement, Alex previously worked at the British Science Association and volunteers extensively. She has been a volunteer at ZSL London Zoo for five years, including volunteering with the Discovery and Learning team for two years.

  Alex supports BIAZA’s Communications and Membership Manager Zoe Williamson to communicate with and support our membership, including working on BIAZA publications, events and conferences, and managing new membership applications.
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  Financial Controller

  Eric Asamoa Email : [email protected] Telephone : 0207 449 6351

  Eric joined the team in September 2018.
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  Accreditation Development Officer

  John Pullen Email : [email protected] Telephone : 020 7449 6351

  John joined the BIAZA team in November 2018. He has spent over 35 years working in and with zoological collections. His love for animals and nature as a child lead him to start his zoo keeping career at Longleat Safari Park and Drusillas Zoo before moving to a longer stay at London Zoo, where he grew his passion for primates. Moving to Marwell Zoo in a curatorial role and developing a more strategic management position, as well as becoming a screener for EAZA’s accreditation program. He has worked as a consultant particularly in areas of design and build, safety and security, as well as zoo licencing, and is a DEFRA zoo licence inspector. John brings a wealth of knowledge to his position and the development of an accreditation program.
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  Programmes & Administration Officer

  Frankie Lawrence-Thompson Email : [email protected] Telephone : 0207 449 6351

  Frankie joined the BIAZA team in January 2019. Previous to this she has worked for several BIAZA members such as Paignton Zoo and Drusillas Zoo Park in different departments, including Education and Volunteers. During her undergraduate studies she also completed a placement year in industry with Dartmoor Zoo's research department.  She is currently completing a master's degree in Anthrozoology in her spare time to further her knowledge of human-animal interactions, an area which she is very passionate about. Frankie's experience in different roles and departments in zoos and aquariums allows her to undertake her job simulteanously supporting both the CEO and both the Programmes and Policy managers, and through this the wider BIAZA members.