Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, members of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, is an award-winning wildlife park, rare-breeds farm, restaurant, and wedding venue in Suffolk.

The park, owned by TV presenter and conservationist Jimmy Doherty, is home to world-class facilities, including Europe’s largest polar bear reserve. From pigs to polar bears, the park serves as a centre of excellence for native breeds, as well as camels, primates, tapirs, and crocodiles, among other animals. Their strapline, ‘Share the Good Life,’ encapsulates the belief that the natural world should be accessible and available to all, encouraging visitors to create their own wild, imaginative, and incredible adventures.

‘Sharing the Good Life’ isn’t just about visitors; it’s about every single staff member who has their own version of the ‘good life,’ which the park helps facilitate. For instance, their Estate Manager, who loves bees, is able to keep a beehive onsite, while one of the Rangers, who wanted to start a sheep shearing business, was provided with training. Their Kitchen Porter lives onsite and enjoys walking her dog in the gardens in the evenings.

There are numerous tangible examples of a work culture that fosters and celebrates joy, treating it as a necessity in the workplace rather than an extra. All staff are given unlimited free access for family and friends, encouraging them to take pride in their work by being able to show off and say, ‘I did that.’ Many annual members consider themselves part of the ‘farm-ily’ and often stop to chat with staff, who are encouraged to be friendly and engage with visitors.

The park also offers many training and development programs with clear opportunities for progression. For example, their Marketing Manager started as a Marketing Assistant two years ago and moved into a management role through training and mentoring provided by the park. They have a strong ethos of hiring from within and empowering staff to achieve their career goals. Staff are encouraged to be open with their managers about their goals, and the park supports them in any way possible.

Staff training is paramount, ensuring the creation of a welcoming environment across the business to guarantee that both visitors and colleagues have a great experience. Their training plan is based on guiding principles and values, represented by the animals in their logo. For example, the Meerkat represents ‘Family,’ promoting inclusivity, kindness, and teamwork. The Chicken represents ‘Responsibility,’ reflecting their commitment to welfare, equality, and visitor experience.

These guiding principles are referenced in staff reviews, and by having staff aligned with them, they become ambassadors who spread the word and encourage others to visit. Every business decision at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park is rooted in authenticity, and with these strong values, they ensure they never lose sight of what truly matters.