Contractor Henry Brothers Construction has staged a topping out celebration to mark completion of the main building frame for the £25m Global Conservation Centre the company is delivering at Twycross Zoo.

Due to open in 2027, the state-of-the-art facility is set to become a world-first hub for conservation research, education, and collaboration, strengthening Twycross Zoo’s role as a leading UK charity dedicated to protecting endangered species.

The centre has received £18million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the largest single Government grant ever awarded to a UK zoo, and is being built by Henry Brothers Construction in partnership with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and leading UK universities.

Ian Taylor, MD at Henry Brothers Construction, said:

“We are very proud to be delivering the Global Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo. The topping out of the orangutan building marks a milestone in the construction of this exciting development which will also feature a two-storey building with lecture theatre, research and teaching spaces, and a science lab, along with a two-storey residential facility."

“The Henry Brothers team is thrilled to be working with our partners on a world-class project that will make a game-changing contribution to the fight against extinction for endangered wildlife and we are looking forward to progressing with the other elements of this state-of-the-art scheme.”

For guests attending the topping out event, it was the chance to view the site from the highest point and celebrate the completion of the main building frame.

Craig Dunkerley, CEO of Twycross Zoo, said:

“Reaching this stage of the Global Conservation Centre is a landmark moment for Twycross Zoo. This isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s about the bold future we are building for wildlife, and the extraordinary opportunities it will create for scientists, students, and conservationists to work together to protect endangered species. The centre embodies our vision to inspire the next generation of wildlife heroes and make a lasting impact on global conservation.”

Dr Rebecca Biddle, Chief Conservation Officer at Twycross Zoo and Vice Chair of EAZA added:

"Once complete, the Global Conservation Centre will feature a 200-seat lecture theatre, classrooms, wildlife gardens, and a science lab overlooking a new orangutan habitat. A 24-bedroom residential wing will host visiting experts and students, helping train the next generation of conservation leaders."

“This facility will allow scientists, educators, and conservationists from across the globe to work alongside the species we are striving to protect, developing practical solutions for some of the world’s most threatened wildlife. By connecting our research and education programmes with the new Indonesian-themed land, including a world-class orangutan habitat, the centre will offer unparalleled opportunities to learn, collaborate, and act for conservation.”

Designed with sustainability at its heart, the project will also benefit the local community, creating 90 new jobs and generating an estimated £3.9 million in GVA per year.