The Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA) operates two much-loved visitor and conservation organisations: Banham Zoo and Africa Live. When they approached Charisma, they were navigating a genuinely difficult chapter. A redundancy programme, financial pressures left over from the pandemic, soaring energy costs, the impact of Brexit on importing foreign species, and an outbreak of avian flu had all taken their toll. The organisation needed steady hands, fresh energy, and a clear sense of direction.

What they needed, in short, was an exceptional Interim CEO.

A role that required real depth

This was not a straightforward brief. The incoming leader would need to set the short and medium term strategic direction of the organisation while simultaneously laying the groundwork for longer term sustainability. They would need to develop a credible financial strategy, stabilise operations, and perhaps most importantly, re-energise a staff team and volunteer base that had been through a great deal.

The right person would need to be resilient, commercially astute, deeply familiar with the charity sector, and capable of genuine cultural transformation. It was a six-figure interim appointment, and the bar was high.

Rolling up our sleeves

With urgency front of mind, Charisma got to work immediately. Our approach combined exhaustive database research with targeted headhunting, reaching out to candidates across the UK who had the right blend of charity and commercial experience, genuine change management credentials, and the kind of sector credibility that would command respect from day one.

This was not a case of firing off job alerts and waiting to see who applied. We were proactive, purposeful, and thorough.

We were looking for someone who could walk into a complex situation and lead with both confidence and care. That combination is rarer than it sounds.

Twenty-one vetting sessions were conducted, each one an opportunity to look beyond the CV and understand how candidates thought, how they led, and how they handled pressure. Six candidates were shortlisted and put forward to the ZSEA panel, with all six progressing to virtual interview. The quality of the shortlist clearly impressed, because two standout candidates were then invited to in-person interviews at Banham Zoo itself, complete with a detailed site tour.

The right appointment, made quickly

A successful candidate was selected, an offer was made, and Charisma handled all negotiations through to conclusion. References were secured, and the new Interim CEO relocated to East Anglia in under a week.

That turnaround speaks for itself.

The new Interim CEO quickly began making a tangible difference to the leadership and day-to-day running of the organisation, while maintaining the high-quality visitor experience that Banham Zoo and Africa Live are known for. It was exactly the kind of impact ZSEA needed.

Continuing the partnership

Our work with ZSEA did not stop there. Recognising the ongoing need to strengthen the senior team, Charisma went on to support the organisation in securing a new Finance Manager, helping to build a leadership structure capable of delivering the stability and growth the organisation deserves.

What this tells you about Charisma

Recruiting at pace without sacrificing quality is genuinely difficult. It requires a well-maintained network, a sharp eye for talent, and the confidence to make considered judgements under pressure. The ZSEA appointment is a good example of what Charisma does well: we listen carefully to what an organisation actually needs, we go and find it, and we see the process through.

We work with charities, social enterprises, and values-led organisations of all shapes and sizes. Whether you are looking for an interim leader to steady the ship or a permanent appointment to take your organisation to the next level, we would love to talk.

Get in touch with the Charisma team