Meet the Senior Management Team & Trustees

Clare Lee – Head of Compliance and Resources

Dr Clare Lee is our Head of Compliance and Resources. She joined Dartmoor Zoological Society at the end of 2017. Previously she worked at the Met Office for 14 years, where she became Strategic Head of a scientific research department, developing her leadership, staff management, project management, grant writing and strategic thinking skills. Prior to that she worked at Universities as a Researcher, following the completion of her PhD in Atmospheric Science.

Clare has always loved animals and is excited to work at Dartmoor Zoological Society to help make a difference in wildlife conservation, education and research. 

Cristhian Castro – Head of Operations

Cristhian brings over 20 years of international experience in hospitality and operations management, having led teams across the cruise, hotel, and visitor attraction sectors. Originally from Italy and fluent in four languages, he has managed complex hotel departments aboard luxury vessels, overseen large teams, and driven excellence in guest experience and service standards. At Dartmoor Zoo, Cristhian is responsible for day-to-day operations, ensuring the highest standards across catering, visitor services, events, facilities, and education.

Passionate about people, wildlife, and creating inspiring environments, he plays a key role in supporting Dartmoor Zoo’s mission and long-term development.

Joanna Clark - Head of Education and Research

Jo joined Dartmoor Zoological Society in July 2023 continuing her career of working in zoos and conservation charities. She completed a research placement year as part of her Zoology degree which set her on the Zoo path and both Keeper and Education Officer jobs followed after graduation. Her passion lies in educating others about the natural world. She is a member of the BIAZA Conservation Education Committee and also has a masters degree in Anthrozoology. She joined Dartmoor Zoo after 8 years working in education roles at nearby Paignton Zoo.

Jo is proud to be a member of the Dartmoor Zoo team after admiring the education and research work completed by the zoo for many years. She is excited to be able to continue this and look at ways to make the zoo an accessible learning space for all.

Duncan Wadey - Head of Finance

Joining the team in February 2024, Duncan has over thirty years experience in accounting and business planning. Originally qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in public practice, he subsequently worked in industry, with businesses as diverse as the motor trade, metal alloy trading and milk bottle top and toothpaste production. For the last ten years he has worked in higher education, as a business manager and Head of Finance.

Outside work, Duncan enjoys weekend escapes in his campervan, with his wife and faithful Labrador, heading out for long walks over moorland or coast.  Living in and loving the beautiful surroundings of South Devon, Duncan has always had an interest in, and awareness of the challenges for our natural world and is relishing the opportunity to join the team at Dartmoor Zoological Society.

David Gibson - CEO

Having previously worked as the Assistant Chief Executive at The Deep, Executive Director of Fota Wildlife Park and Managing Director of National Marine Aquarium, David’s wealth of knowledge, experience and love of animals extends throughout his life and his career began with a degree in Zoology from The University of Glasgow.

“I am delighted and excited to take over the reins at Dartmoor Zoo. I don’t doubt that there will be many challenges ahead, but I have every confidence that with the support of the trustees and staff of the charity we can help this fantastic Zoo achieve its full potential.”

Benjamin Mee - President and Trustee

Benjamin Mee joined the board when he donated Dartmoor Zoo to the charity in 2015. Benjamin’s family bought the zoo in 2006 after it had closed down, re-opening it eight months later in order to save the animals, jobs and the educational, conservational and research opportunities that a modern zoo can offer. The task of actually turning it into a modern zoo took a huge leap forward with the transition to charitable status.

Benjamin is a science journalist and writer whose book We Bought a Zoo was made into the Hollywood film of the same name, and is also passionate about education, rehabilitation through nature, Animal Assisted Therapies and research into animal cognition.

Benjamin James – Trustee Chairperson

Benjamin joined the board in 2017 and became chairperson in 2018. He also chairs the Finance and Ethics Committees.  

Benjamin is a solicitor specializing in advising charities, individuals and companies on commercial, ethical, intellectual property and governance matters. He is currently a partner in a London law firm and holds a compliance role. He is the chairperson of an adoption charity and sits on the boards of various other charities and companies.  

He has a long commitment to conservation generally and animals in particular. Benjamin travels as much as possible and has had the opportunity to visit the natural habitats of many of the animals housed at Dartmoor Zoo and wishes to see as many of these habitats replicated at Dartmoor Zoo as possible.  

James Ross

James joined the board in 2017. He also sits on the Finance Committee.  

James is a management consultant now mainly working for social landlords in the UK developing strategy and business planning. His previous roles have taken him around the world and have covered a range of sectors including financial services and manufacturing. 

As a keen traveller, James has been fortunate to see many of the world’s endangered species in their natural habitats.  He is committed to the vital role that zoos will play in the future preservation of many of these extraordinary creatures.  

He lives in London with his wife and two big-cat loving daughters. 

Simon Almond

Simon is a serial entrepreneur with varied business interests across the area as well as in Majorca. He is director at Roadform Civil Engineering that delivers vital infrastructure projects in housing , renewable energy as well as roads across the southwest. The company has a turnover in excess of £35m and 200 direct staff . He also has investments in Rockfish Group that provides sustainable fresh fish from local waters daily across the UK as well of course in its restaurants across the South coast.

If that wasn’t enough Simon is a partner in U7 Gym in Exeter where the focus is on inclusivity and community. In 2026 the gym is moving to a new purpose built site in Marsh Barton that has the space to provide far more specialist training for everyone from 7 years old to 100 years old.

Simon funding the construction of a school in Uganda in 2016 which continues to grow in size and strength. It currently educates 170 children and provides them all with two meals a day fully funded by Simon’s business ventures in The UK.

Simon’s passion for the environment, animal conservation and the welfare of others drives his commitment to Dartmoor Zoo.

Douglas Richardson

As an independent zoological consultant since November 2018, Douglas Richardson operates on a global basis, advising on zoological and conservation projects in a number of countries.

Based on his more than 40 years of experience working in the zoo and conservation community on four continents, having held senior positions within zoological collections including the Zoological Society of London, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Wildlife Reserves Singapore and Bioparco Rome, Douglas’ skills set includes new enclosure design, repurposing existing facilities, review of proposed designs and master plans, safety and security reviews, husbandry training and refinement, ethical animal acquisition and disposition, and enhancing conservation output.