New chief executive appointed at top Yorkshire tourist attraction

Katy Duke replaces Colin Brown who retired earlier this month.

Mrs Duke, formerly curator at the aquarium, beat off competition from across the UK.

A Marine Biology graduate, her career began at Deep Sea World in Scotland in 1995, before relocating to Hull in 2001 as Senior Aquarist. She progressed to Assistant Curator in 2004 and in 2008, became Curator and manager of the Husbandry Department.

She has driven forward major conservation projects, including funding the first IUCN Marine Red List Officer, which has now paved the way for other similar partnerships to develop around the globe.

Currently the European studbook keeper for Sawfish, working internationally with other aquariums to raise awareness for this critically endangered family of sharks, she is also a Director for the British and Irish Association for Zoos and Aquariums.

David Gemmell, Chairman of The Deep, said they had attracted a strong list of candidates: “The fact that we had such a strong list demonstrates that The Deep has the pulling power to attract the best. That we were able to appoint from within shows the extent of talent we have within our own staff."