Former anti-terror expert set to take up role as new head of London Zoo

A former ambassador to Afghanistan is swapping counter-terrorism for penguins and giraffes as the new head of London Zoo.

Dominic Jermey, a conflict resolution expert who served as the Foreign Office’s international counter-extremism co-ordinator before taking up his role in Kabul in February last year, will move to the Zoological Society of London in two weeks’ time.

The conservation charity has been running since 1826 and presides over the Regent’s Park base, Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire and an Institute of Zoology.

Mr Jermey, a father of two, said the unusual career change would allow him to continue fulfilling his “desire to help shape a better world for my children”.

In his new role he said he wanted to develop partnerships with conservation NGOs and foreign governments.

He added: “I have already had the opportunity to serve and contribute in some of the most challenging environments around the world. I am proud now to be joining ZSL, an organisation that has advanced zoology, promoted understanding of conservation and engaged the public on wildlife for nearly two centuries. I want to develop ZSL’s reach and impact at this critical moment for global biodiversity.”

The ZSL’s president, Professor Sir John Beddington, said: “We believe that Dominic will bring strategic vision to ZSL, which we need to take us forward in achieving our aims.”

Mr Jermey replaces Ralph Armond, who has led the charity for 13 years and is retiring.

London Zoo has 1,000 staff members and 20,000 animals, but the former ambassador admitted his favourite is Thug, a pygmy hippo, who is “so graceful in a hippo-ish kind of way”.

Mr Jermey said: “Throughout my career, I have tried to work on things that really matter — to me, to our world and to the next generation.

“ZSL hits that spot completely, with a real impact on wildlife conservation, in the UK and in over 50 countries around the world.”