Simon Marsh

Simon Marsh is director of Wild Welfare. An experienced animal welfare professional, his career spans more than 20 years working with zoos, safari parks, rehabilitation centres and sanctuaries around the world. He started his career as an animal keeper before specialising in carnivores, and most recently served as animal collection manager for a well-known UK wildlife park.

Marsh is passionate about animal welfare and committed to conserving species and habitats in the wild. He is an IUCN member, a UK zoo inspector, and for 10 years was chair of the Canid and Hyaenid Taxon Advisory Group for the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).

Animal welfare has always been his priority within Marsh’s work in zoos, where he has focused on designing and constructing large-scale habitats for animals that allow for natural behaviour. His other experiences include working with wild animal rehabilitation projects and wildlife sanctuaries in Africa, and his favourite species is the lion.

When he joined Wild Welfare as director, Simon said: “Having worked in zoos in the UK for many years, it is a great opportunity to put my knowledge towards improving so many more animals’ lives around the world. I am very happy to be working for Wild Welfare, helping them achieve their mission to protect animals in captivity.”

One person who nominated him said Marsh is "an incredibly dedicated individual, determined to address animal welfare concerns and opportunities around the world".

"His role as director of Wild Welfare ensures he can reach thousands of animals, and the people who care for them, every year," they added.