$500K grant for Detroit penguin centre

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 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.”

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 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 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 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.”

“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”.

“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”.