THE Welsh Mountain Zoo have appointed a new member to their board, who the zoo believe will “bring new and innovative ideas” to the table.

Ashley Rogers, CEO of the North Wales Business Council and Director at consultancy business Gill & Shaw, has joined the board of the National Zoo of Wales.

A well-known and highly regarded figure across the North Wales and wider UK business community, Ashley is also the private sector lead for North Wales and a founder Board member on the cross-border Growth Track 360 Rail Task force.

He is also a Commissioner on Welsh Government’s North Wales Transport Commission and Chair of PACT North Wales.

Ashley joins the Zoo board at a critical time for the charity as it recovers in a post-Covid landscape, also maintaining its vital work in conservation.

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Ashley explained: “The Zoo is a much-loved institution by many, including me. I have been involved with the Zoo for several years through various projects and was incredibly pleased to take on this new role.

“I will support and help drive forward the Zoo’s ambitious growth strategy and use my background in business and economic development to offer input and strategic advice.”

Ashley grew up working in his family’s tourism business on the North Wales coast, before studying Marketing. He has a background in International Trade & Development for the Republic of Ireland and European Product Marketing for leading US and UK Consumer products businesses, based in the UK and mainland Europe.

A firm believer in lifelong learning, he is also studying in his spare time for an Environmental Sciences Degree with the Open University.

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He added: “I am a passionate conservationist and recognise the importance of the environmental work carried out by the Zoo through their worldwide network. There has never been a more important time to be involved in supporting our environment and fragile ecosystems.

“Zoos play an essential role in that work and I’m proud to have joined the board of the Welsh Mountain Zoo.”

Jen Jesse, Director of Administration and Operations at the Welsh Mountain Zoo added: “We are delighted that Ashley has joined the board.

“He is an incredibly experienced, enthusiastic and knowledgeable individual, who will undoubtedly bring new and innovative ideas to assist the important development for the Zoo moving forward.”