Dr. Miranda Stevenson OBE, MBA

Miranda is the current Chair of the Trustees. A biologist by training, she is passionate about conservation and the protection of biodiversity. She has devoted much of the past thirty years to the zoo world, and is presently focused on promoting the invaluable contribution of zoos to education and conservation. She is also currently in charge of the European Association for Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) programme to save one of the world’s most endangered primates, the cotton-top tamarin.

The many prestigious roles she has held and awards she has received are testament to her commitment and experience. In 2013 she ended ten years as Director of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) – the professional body for zoos in Britain and Ireland. Other notable posts have included Director of Marwell Zoo and Deputy Director of Edinburgh Zoo. She is currently a government zoo inspector in the UK, as well as the co vice-chair of EAZA’s Callitrichid (marmosets and tamarins) Taxon Advisory Group.

Miranda was awarded an OBE in 2012 for services to conservation and wildlife. Other awards and accolades include the EAZA Award for Professional Excellence, an Honourary Fellowship of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, and Life Membership of WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquaria). In addition, she is a previous winner of the WAZA Heini Hediger Award, which is given for outstanding service to the zoo and aquaria community.

Having also worked as an independent consultant in areas relating to zoos, conservation and animal welfare, Miranda brings with her a wealth of management experience in the conservation sphere. Throughout her career she has worked with both captive and wild animals and has seen at first hand the problems that disease and risk from disease can cause. She has been a trustee of WVI since 2012. She is also a trustee of both the World Land Trust and Marwell Wildlife.