Wildlife charity Durrell having to cut staff & costs to make ends meet

19/01/2010 12:37:20 Durrell Cost Reductions
January 2010. As a charity, Durrell has been severely impacted by the economic recession. Faced with a significant deficit for 2009 and a worse outlook in 2010, Durrell has announced major cost reductions which will include redundancies.

All areas of the Trust will be affected, including the Trinity site, the animal collection and the Trust's overseas activities. Approximately 10% of the workforce will be impacted, with 12-14 positions at risk.

Durrell Chief Executive Paul Masterton commented, "It is extremely sad that we have to take these actions, including the need to lose staff who work so passionately in support of our mission. We have already implemented severe cost savings, reducing running costs and not filling open positions, but these measures have not been sufficient. Unfortunately the financial results for 2009 and the outlook for this year mean that we have to reduce costs further. Even with these most difficult actions, Durrell still faces a deficit in 2010 which will have to be supported from reserves. For the future, we will urgently complete a strategic review, looking at all options for the Trust and how we can become financially sustainable, while continuing with our mission of saving species from extinction.

In making these cuts, our biggest concern is for our employees and we are doing everything we can to support them in these difficult times. In addition to guidance and counselling, assistance with preparing CV's and job applications will be provided. We will also be contacting our many corporate supporters and conservation partners for any employment opportunities.

Collection review
Throughout these changes we will ensure that the welfare of our animals will not be compromised though, as part of our review, we will be looking at the size and scope of the collection."

Several years of defecits
Durrell has reported deficits for several years covering these losses from its reserves. Contributing to the deficit have been increased running costs for the site and long term conservation activities. The main issue, however, is declining income, including the impact of falling tourism in Jersey which has affected admissions to the park and secondary spend. While the operating position improved in 2008, the economic downturn since then has impacted all areas of the Trust's income, with declines in both charitable support and commercial revenues from the visitor attraction. While the 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2009 were successful in generating awareness, increased membership and support, sadly this was not sufficient to offset falls in income elsewhere.

Jonathan White, Durrell Chairman commented "These are very challenging times for our charity, especially when the need for conservation has never been greater. While this is a difficult time we are confident that, under Paul's leadership, Durrell will evolve as it must do in order to continue with its essential conservation work. Any decisions that affect our employees are very hard, but the Board is unanimous in its support of these actions as we must reduce costs if we are to survive."