Wonderful day last week at Monkey Forest Trentham, UK . Many thanks to site director Matt for hosting. Why have I never been before? Very impressive operation!
John Regan Associates Limited is a specialist provider working both in the Higher Education sector (biodiversity rich campuses/enhanced green spaces, etc.) and with biodiversity driven sites such as zoos, botanic gardens, parks, aquaria, etc.
We assist in strategic planning, concept development, development of influence networks, partnership formation, public affairs, major funding and fund raising.
In the Downloads section you will find a number of thought pieces and other documents likely of interest to anyone seeking major funding for a zoo, ‘green university’, aquarium, botanic garden or other biodiversity driven venue.
On the Testimonials page you will find some comments from various organisations with which we have worked.
Beyond the biodiversity site specific sector, we provide strategic fundraising support for smaller charities.
We also work internationally in significant projects where biodiversity meets community regeneration meets international science research partnerships ; and other critical policy agenda relating to the natural world
Wonderful day last week at Monkey Forest Trentham, UK . Many thanks to site director Matt for hosting. Why have I never been before? Very impressive operation!
I am both fortunate and delighted that my path crossed John’s a few years back. Our Society is in the process of developing a water focussed biodiversity project in western Canada, and in initial searches for expertise, I randomly stumbled across Regan & Associates. I can attest that John’s scope of vision is always exhilarating and leaves a trail of inspiration that invariably stretches and breaks our own ideas well past their edges. Whether in project development like his Bio Parc initiative, nature-based attractions innovations, or straight up network growth and funding, one ignores his advice and insights to one’s detriment. Our team is looking forward to working with him and his colleagues in greater depth over the next few years with our project.
What we are reading at the moment…
by Ron Martin (Author), Ben Gardiner (Author),
Great day in London last Thursday. First proper chat with Jo Judge Director of BIAZA ( our national UK Zoo Association). Most impressed with her outward looking philosophy. Then lunch with a friend from University days. Then a catch up with Stephen Dunmore, old friend and former CEO of the National Lottery; and on to see Katherine at the Royal Institution. Rounded off by dinner with Drummond Bone ( formerly Master of Balliol, VC at Liverpool University and Chair of AHRC) who has been so kind to me over many, many areas and projects. Caught the 8.00 pm train back to Manchester with 5 minutes to spare and chatted all the way to three really nice women from Mossley, North Manchester.
I have worked with John Regan for many years in my former role as CEO of the Welsh Mountain Zoo – National Zoo of Wales. I have always found John to be totally committed to the principle of good progressive zoos. He has proved to be very effective at seeking out funding or using his network of influencers, decision-makers or celebrities. Whatever project John is asked to work on he will always bring with him added value.
Great news that the Welsh Government has confirmed a six figure grant towards the Snow Leopard project for our client, The National Zoological Society of Wales/ Welsh Mountain Zoo. This brings the fundraising we have led for this specific initiative to over £1/3 of a million so far. The links with Bangor University building well also and good chance of securing the Chinese Ambassador for official opening. Think I will have an extra large gin and tonic this evening!
Further to strong encouragement from the very nice people at the Vietnamese embassy in London, our own FCO and certain relevant commercial interests, beginning now to plan for mission to Viet Nam, possibly mid March 2020. Mike Maunder based at Eden; Mark Pilgrim, CEO at Chester Zoo; Sir Martin Davidson; and Professor Michael Heinrich of UCL, ideal team to begin to scope the Bio Parc Vietnam concept.
Wonderful House of Lords event last week for Twycross Zoo. Good turnout, well organised, great speeches, especially by CEO Sharon… and then there was that selection of gibbon calls by David Chivers, one of the charity’s patrons. As I said at the time, surely the weirdest address ever in the Palace of Westminster (…but I suppose there has been some stiff competition for that that!
Beginning to revise and update the “Fukushima Phoenix/ national bioparc for Japan” treatment as we prepare for November trip to Japan!
Great to be working with Paula, Lee and Ross in Alberta, Canada and Mike Maunder here in UK on a “Bioparc/Aquatic Biosphere” concept for Alberta/ Canada. A matter of aligning concept and political agenda in the first instance.
During the time I worked alongside John on the Chester Zoo executive, John was responsible for what I believe was the largest corporate capital investment to any UK Zoo, a $3 million Jaguar sponsorship. During that time, he also delivered £1.5 million through Asian Elephant fundraising. I later became very aware of his public affairs work on behalf of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums and its UK equivalent, BIAZA. In the latter context he successfully lobbied via Sir Digby Jones, then President of the CBI, for some £30 million backdated VAT due to a consortium of UK zoos. John’s ability to reach decision makers at a very high level and to adopt a strategic approach to external funding with a track record of success is unique and has provided a tremendous service to the UK zoo community.
I was involved with Twycross Zoo between 2010 and 2015, initially on the Advisory Board co-ordinated by John Regan, and after a year I became a Trustee, then Chair in late 2011. Due to an emergency operational situation I took over as Acting Chief Executive for 12 months from Nov.2012 , latterly reverting to being Chair. Throughout this period I was impressed by John’s commitment to Twycross and his success in unlocking significant sums to transform the Zoo’s site. Over £5mn was generated by John’s approach of networking obliquely at the most senior levels possible of regional influencers in the public, private and Higher Education sector, which I supported wholeheartedly. His work resulted in a £3mn.EMDA grant and a £1.2mn.corporate grant from HSBC bank, as well as a number of smaller sums in the form of grants and sponsorships. I am now Chair of an international animal welfare charity and have not hesitated in calling on John’s services and winning formula once again. I am happy to be contacted to give further detail if required.
“I have worked with John Regan for many years in my former role as CEO of the Welsh Mountain Zoo – National Zoo of Wales. I have always found John to be totally committed to the principle of good progressive zoos. He has proved to be very effective at seeking out funding or using his network of influencers, decision-makers or celebrities. Whatever project John is asked to work on he will always bring with him added value.”
There can be no one that maintains a better all round, wise and experienced perspective and understanding of the political, social and global challenges and more importantly the opportunities that face the zoo and wider wildlife attraction sector. John will challenge the status quo, reveal the possibilities and, through his enviable network, offer solutions. John has your interests at heart!
My initial time at the University of Dundee Botanic Garden was aided greatly by the support and insight provided by John Regan and Associates. Working collegiately to explore the potential of the Botanic Garden, enabled through open discussions, supportive visits and an evaluation of how to align effort to better fit with the University Mission was of profound help in informing the initial strategy. A strategy which was been taken forward to great success during a time of profound challenge, testament to the sage advice and evaluation provided. I am very happy to endorse their work and recommend their services to others in a similar position.
I am both fortunate and delighted that my path crossed John’s a few years back. Our Society is in the process of developing a water focussed biodiversity project in western Canada, and in initial searches for expertise, I randomly stumbled across Regan & Associates. I can attest that John’s scope of vision is always exhilarating and leaves a trail of inspiration that invariably stretches and breaks our own ideas well past their edges. Whether in project development like his Bio Parc initiative, nature-based attractions innovations, or straight up network growth and funding, one ignores his advice and insights to their detriment. Our team is looking forward to working with him and his colleagues in greater depth over the next few years with our project.
“ I worked with John and his colleagues both in the UK and during his field trip to Japan. This was in terms of considering issues around environmental remediation in the Fukushima Prefecture. The proposals emerging from John and his associates, using local nature as a resource, in terms of ‘rewilding’ and the ‘Fukushima Phoenix’ concept were all eye opening. We were impressed by the overall potential to turn the disadvantages associated with Fukushima to positive advantage.”
“John is a highly accomplished fund raiser with a particular range of experience and skills that make him ideally suited to working with Zoos and Aquariums. He has an excellent track record of raising significant levels of funding for capital projects and I would recommend him highly if this was one of your organisations objectives.”
“John Regan is a most tenacious person in lobbying for external funding of zoo activities that have a bearing on society. He is able to access influencers and champions at the highest levels. With these connections and his wide knowledge base he has been impressively successful in securing funding for capital projects in zoos. John is one of those persons who have been able to convince decision makers, that zoos matter.”
“John’s work has been quite complete covering the main issues of the work assigned. He has been quite helpful not only during the project, but also afterwards with more details about the issues. He really knows about the business.”
“John provided European Zoos with advice on fundraising and marketing. I found him very helpful and competent and his advice was excellent. He is a great guy to work with.”
“John is a very amiable person, which almost ‘masks’ his sharp intellect. He grasps your ‘subject’ very quickly and gives feed back fast and fully. He also provides answers and comments whenever you ask, no matter what erratic questions it may be. A great person to have by your side.”
“Here at the Eden Project we’ve been very fortunate to have known and worked with John over a number of years. John mixes his impressive knowledge of EU and UK funding with an amazing network of contacts to present us with some exciting opportunities. His ability to spot a gap or find the right angle to lever in funding or build new relationships with like minded organisations is incredibly beneficial to us and we hope to continue to work with John for many years to come”.
“Space for Giants was delighted by JRA’s support for the recent launch of our UK fundraising programme at the House of Lords just prior to Christmas. This event was hugely successful and completely oversubscribed, attended by giants of the political, philanthropic, media, business, academic and conservation world. We have immediately secured several large donations from generous supporters and are in the process of negotiating several further”.
“This is to record, briefly, BirdLife’s appreciation of the work that John Regan Associates did with us to raise funds for conservation of Tsitongambarika Forest in Madagascar. JRA staff had strong contact networks, worked effectively on complex logical frameworks and narrative proposals, ensured deadlines were met, responded promptly to correspondence and handled complex multi-institutional partnerships with great professionalism. The project is proceeding as I write thanks to approaches made by JRA to one of the foundations they had themselves identified.
Many thanks for the important role you played. I would not hesitate to recommend JRA to others in a similar position to ourselves”.
“In assisting zoos with identifying European and other funding opportunities for their education and conservation projects, John Regan provides a unique service. John is not only very experienced when it comes to the business and funding side of zoological operations, but he is also very capable of finding connections between what we do (or want to do) and the programs and thinking at EU and government levels. It also helps that he is a nice guy to work with.”
In how many different and distinct ways can a University find benefit in collaborating with a biodiversity focussed venue (eg, a zoo, aquarium, botanic garden or wildlife park)?
The sponsor’s perspective: interview with Sir Nick Scheele (former President of Ford Worldwide and Executive Chairman of Jaguar Cars) who negotiated the $3 million deal Download Interview
Interviews with 3 successful fundraising zoo directors from around the world External investment in zoo sites interviews with successful zoo directors around the world (2)
Capital Funding Campaigns for zoos and aquariums Download Capital Funding Campaigns PDF
10 steps to successful financial sponsorship for conservation organisations, zoos, natural history sites and aquariums Download 10 Steps
Interview with Lena Linden, former Director of Nordens Ark, Sweden as to her external funding success Lena Linden interview 4 Download interview
Many years ago I had the privilege of doing a modest piece of strategic consultancy with Skansen Zoo, in Stockholm, Sweden. I was pleased that subsequently that institution drew down the largest single project sponsorship in Swedish history. This was due to a mountain of hard work on their part. Later I interviewed my in-house colleague there Tomas Andersen as to their successful strategy How Skansen won its € 4 million Download
This the Manifesto for Zoos I wrote all the way back in 2004! It was brought together in response to difficult discussions with the UK Government around Gift Aid. I would do something quite different now ( even more expansive in terms of the overall value and potential of zoos to society), but think there is plenty of material still relevant to biodiversity driven sites making their case to funders.
Economic Impact Analysis for BIAZA. Go to BIAZA website to download
Zoos and Economic Development Download Zoos and Economic Development PDF
How to secure major sponsorship Download How to secure major sponsorship PDF
Money for European zoos and aquaria from the United States Download Money for European zoos from the United States PDF
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