Latest news in Yorkshire: October 03, 2018 03:58:38 PM
#wathupondearne
The co-founder of Yorkshire Wildlife Park has been named as one of the
country’s leading business figures.
John Minion, who has guided the park from humble beginnings to the UK’s
No.1 walkthrough wildlife adventure in less than a decade, was hailed
for his business drive and commitment to animal welfare.
He was selected for the honour by a panel of experts who were impressed
by the park’s rapid growth as a business and its impact as a force for
conservation.
CEO John, who started the park in 2008 with business partner Cheryl
Williams, and his team have set new visitor records every year, winning
a string of awards along the way with his naming in the Lloyds Bank LDC
Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders list the latest accolade.
“The founders of Yorkshire Wildlife Park acquired a run-down farm and
equestrian centre with the vision of creating a modern and innovative
wildlife park different from anything in the zoo world,” said Dan Smith,
of LDC.
“John has focused no promoting animal welfare from the outset, winning
the admiration and support of fans across the world. He has huge
ambitions to turn the park into major year-round attraction in Yorkshire
and is investing in that growth right now. It’s an incredibly exciting
proposition.”
The park, at Branton, near Doncaster, now employs 300 staff, makes a
significant contribution to the local economy, and welcomes 750,000
visitors a year. It has exciting plans for a £56 million development on
150 acres which would increase the capacity for animals and add extra
facilities including a 150-bedroom hotel.
“We had this crazy idea to open a zoo,” says John, 42, who had looked
after elephants at Woburn Safari Park.
“We knew that it was in a good area for a wildlife park but we had no
idea how successful we would be.
“We aimed to reach 400,000 visitors and then hit that target within four
years.”
John added: “We have always been ambitious. During our first year in
business, I got a call from a friend telling me about this terrible zoo
in Romania. We decided to rescue 13 lions from there, and I flew over
and was greeted by the local mafia. We spent six months negotiating the
rescue, and the News of the World covered the story, helping us to raise
£150,000 in donations for lion enclosure and transport. It really helped
put us on people’s radar and we’ve kept up those conservation efforts
ever since.
“I love our animals. They are amazing and it is a pleasure to step out
of my office and see them every day. I get such a buzz out of growing
this business and creating a modern, successful wildlife park that is
inspiring best practice across the industry.”
===================
See our yorkshire photography:
https://wath-on-dearne.com/wathondearne/around-the-dearne-valley/
- Sheffield man behind bars for ‘ferocious attack’ on woman
- Luke Perry dies in California – aged 52
- Melton Hall Mexborough
- Dear Zoo, appearing at Rotherham Theatres in May
- Teenager dies after falling ill on car journey to Rotherham
- School pupils create Smoke free park signs
- Research links aerosols to recent slowdown in global warming
- South Anston post office robbery
- Prison for man who stole from his own family.
- Wath-upon-Dearne High Street – Coronation 1911
- Get ahead with the appliance of science
- Student Aneta receives commendations
- Membership of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
- Wombwell Pharmacist counts the cost after breaching food laws
- Fifth of care homes ‘inadequate’ or ‘need improvement’
- Rotherham partnership working achieves closure notice
- £30,000 drug swoop in Rotherham
- RAILWAY COLLISION NEAR WATH
- Former Rotherham United striker jailed for 15 years
- Council promotes diversity throughout Barnsley
- Dental patient awarded £7,000 in compensation
- Making informed choices – Retail Halal meat codes
- It’s not too late to study a Business Foundation Degree
- Man recently charged with Rotherham incident
- New Computer Is World Champion
- Malicious communications arrests
- Clues For How Giant Black Holes Form
- Funding success to help Rotherham Council build stronger communities
- Student sets up quirky Naughty Unicorn business
- Anti-Fraud Awareness Week is almost here
- CCTV images released after Doncaster assault
- Plans to expand special school places agreed
- Conisbrough Castle in South Yorkshire
- Operation Duxford returns to Rotherham
- Armed robbery at South Anston Post Office
- GB Bike display crash boy a British champion
- Man jailed for Lowedges robbery
- Attempt robbery of woman in Kiveton, Rotherham
- One of the UK’s very best green spaces
- Mercury In Transit