Patron, Trustees, Fundraising Board and Ambassadors - The Big Cat Sanctuary

Patron, Trustees, Fundraising Board and Ambassadors


There are currently 6 Trustees representing the interests of The Big Cat Sanctuary in its charitable status.

Lynn Whitnall


Lynn is the CEO of  Hertfordshire Zoo. She has been involved in wildlife for over 30 years, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and conservation efforts across the world, whilst part-taking in sporting challenges.

Lynn has been a part of The Big Cat Sanctuary since it started over 20 years ago, and works closely with BIAZA.

Tyler Whitnall


Tyler is also a Director of Hertfordshire Zoo. He is passionate about conservation and has made it his mission to raise awareness of the illegal wildlife trade, recently delivering the first ever animal ambulance to Uganda as part of the Drive 4 Wildlife Conservation Project.

Tyler is also a part of CBBC’s One Zoo Three with his brothers Aaron and Cameron, showing the work good zoos do and how both The Big Cat Sanctuary and Paradise Wildlife Park look after animals and support conservation projects across the globe.

Matt Brady


Matt is a former English footballer who played in the football league for Barnet and Wycombe Wanderers. Matt is the founder of Limelight Access Lifestyle in 2005 which is an exclusive and bespoke Personal Assistant service designed for people within the worlds of Sports and Entertainment.

Matt has a huge passion for wildlife and conservation and has volunteered between both charities, as well as supporting conservation projects abroad in Costa Rica, Uganda, Kenya and India.

Matt’s responsibilities include networking with potential sponsors and connections.

Sir Eric Peacock


Sir Eric Peacock is the Chairman of The Big Cat Sanctuary.  Sir Eric is an entrepreneur with a wealthy of knowledge and experience across many different sectors.

As well as his lifetime interest in animals, conservation and the environment, Eric is a Non-Executive Director of the Government board ‘United Kingdom Export Finance’ and is Chairman of the Charities for the Peacock Foundation, Uniqueness and the AB Trust.

Eric is also Chairman of the global furniture business Halo International and also Chairman of Buckley Jewellery and Boxford Holdings Ltd, a leisure golf business in Suffolk.

Paul Wiggins


Born and brought up in Kenya, Paul had an interest and passion for wildlife from an early age. He returns to Africa to safari, travel and photograph where and whenever possible.

Paul is a keen Harley rider and has travelled extensively across Europe, South Africa, North America and Canada seeking wide horizons and open roads.

As a Chartered Registered Architect he has resided in UK for many years as well as working in the tropics. Paul’s training and experiences will lend themselves to assist BCS with their construction and development programme.

Steve Winterburn


With over 30 years of experience Steve founded Yorkshire Fine Arts thanks to his wealth of knowledge and experience. Steve is self-taught and comes from the fine art industry – his pieces have been sold internationally, from London to Monte Carlo and Barbados.

Steve has travelled across the world as a conservationist for over 10 years, Steve is a keen environmentalist with a passion for wildlife.

Gary Batters


For Gary Batters animals have been his life, raised on a farm, he has worked in zoos for 42 years. He started his career at Windsor Safari with time at ZSL London Zoo, RZSS Highland Wildlife Park and Banham Zoo and Africa Alive (ZSEA).

He has worked as an animal keeper through to the highest levels of zoo management. Gary has had periods on the General Councils of the British and Irish Zoo Association, with a term as vice chairman, and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, he has been a government appointed zoo inspector and for many years a board member and former President of the Association for the Study and Conservation of Lemurs.