Dudley Zoo chief executive retires after 22 years amid conduct probe
The chief executive of Dudley Zoo, who was suspended amid an investigation into his conduct, has stepped down from his job 'by mutual agreement'.
Peter Suddock has retired from the zoo after 22 years in the post.
His retirement comes ten days after the zoo announced his suspension.
He had been suspended on full pay as an investigation was carried out into his conduct.
Yesterday, the zoo said the inquiry had concluded, and no further action was to be taken.
The zoo, which is a registered charity, would not reveal what the investigation was over.
Charity Commission bosses said they did not have any grounds for concern about the charity.
Mr Suddock's wife Jill Hitchman, has also recently left her post as head of media at the attraction.
In a statement, Mr Suddock said, that at the age of 68, 'it was time to retire'.
Zoo trustee and former Dudley Council leader Councillor David Sparks said:
"I think after turning the zoo around it is sad he (Mr Suddock) should retire in such circumstances. No matter what happens, Dudley Zoo will go from strength to strength."
In the announcement made yesterday, zoo spokesman Andrea Hales said: "By mutual agreement and after 22 years in post, Peter Suddock has retired from his position as chief executive officer of Dudley Zoological Gardens."
Mr Suddock started his career in the engineering industry. Following a spell as chairman at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, he became chief executive at Dudley Zoo in 1993.
He oversaw the turnaround of the zoo, which when he arrived had just 150,000 visitors in one year. Today it attracts 300,000 a year.
In a statement, Mr Suddock said: "I shall miss being part of a dedicated team and the daily pleasure of seeing some of the world's rarest species, and am immensely proud to have helped create a flourishing tourist attraction with a bright future, but at 68 it's time to retire, pursue other interests, and hand over the reins of this truly unique site to its next custodian."
He could not be contacted for comment regarding his suspension.
A Charity Commission spokeswoman said: "We continue to engage with the trustees of Dudley Zoo, who did the right thing in reporting the incident to us. We do not, at this stage, have ground for serious concerns about the charity and are not formally investigating it, but we remain in contact with the trustees."
The zoo will be run by the existing management team, led by senior curator, Derek Grove until 'further notice', a spokesman for the zoo said.
