Meet the team who take care of all of our creatures!
Brendan - Curator
“My original passion is working with the creatures here at Sea Life”
Brendan graduated from Stirling University with a BSc(Hons) degree in Aquaculture. As part of his course, he was able to go to South Australia to work at a Southern Bluefish Tuna Farm.
Brendan began his SEA LIFE journey in Blackpool in 2002 as Displays Supervisor, after which he was promoted to Curator and oversaw the set-up of SEA LIFE Loch Lomond in 2005. In 2018 he joined the team here in Manchester as Curator.
- Favourite sea creature? "Due to work I have undertaken with them, I would have to say Great White sharks.
Luke - Displays Supervisor
“I gave up my existing job to chase a career I am passionate about.”
Luke’s background is actually as an air conditioning engineer, which comes in very handy when working with the chillers, heaters and pipework we have behind the scenes!
Luke has always been passionate about working with sea creatures and has kept marine fish at home for the past 8 years. His journey with SEA LIFE Manchester began as a member of the Guest Experience team, but on his days off he would come into the centre to volunteer alongside the Animal Care team to gain the experience he needed to become an Aquarist! He finally joined our team of Aquarists in 2018, and became our Displays Supervisor in 2020.
- Favourite sea creature? “The Manta Ray: I was amazed by their size and grace when I saw them in Australia”
Ellie - Lead Aquarist
“I have always been fascinated by the Ocean as there is still so much to learn about it.”
Ellie studied Marine Biology and Bangor University, graduating in 2014, after which she travelled to Tenerife to volunteer in Whale and Dolphin conservation.
Ellie began her life at Sea Life Manchester on our Guest Entertainments team before being offered the role of Aquarist in 2016. She became our Lead Aquarist in 2023.
- Favourite sea creature? “I would have to say Green Sea Turtles, especially Ernie due to his cheeky nature”
Matt - Aquarist
“I have worked at Sea Life Manchester for just under 6 years and have loved every second!”
Matt studied Animal Management at Reaseheath College, Nantwich and gained a Level 3 Extended Diploma during his time there.
Following his studies, Matt began working at SEA LIFE Manchester in 2013 and has been an integral part of the Aquarist team ever since.
- Favourite sea creature? "I like the Coelacanth fish which is related to the Lungfish!"
Katie - Aquarist
“I've always had a passion for marine life and I worked hard to be where I am today doing the job I adore“
After studying Animal care and management at Eccles college Katie started her journey at Sea Life Manchester in 2018 on the guest experience team , after lots of volunteering and hard work she is now part of the aquarist team.
Katie is one of our Scuba divers here at Sea Life Manchester , if you see her in one of our tanks on your visit today don’t be afraid to give her a wave!
- Favourite sea creature? “Octopus as they are so intelligent and there is so much to learn about them”
Shannon - Aquarist
“Diving introduced me to a whole new underwater world. I fell in love with it and wanted to educate others and protect it!”
Shannon studied Animal Management level 3 at Rotherham College before graduating first in a degree in Marine Biology at University of Hull. She then went on to do a Masters in Zoo Conservation whilst working on our Guest entertainments department and becoming a PADI Divemaster! Shannon joined our Animal Care Team in 2023.
- Favourite sea creature? “I have lots of favourite Sea creatures, but here, it would have to be the Cownose Rays! I love their individual personalities and their cute little faces”
