Cabinet Office
Trustee Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Announced| Body: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |
|---|---|
| Appointing Department: | Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |
| Sector: | Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |
| Location: | Board meetings will be mainly held at Kew, with some meetings each year at Wakehurst Place |
| Number of Vacancies: | 1 |
| Remuneration: | The role is unremunerated, but essential expenses comprising travel, accommodation if required and subsistence are payable based on Kew’s expenses arrangements, which are set out in Kew’s Guidance on Financial Policy and Practice. |
| Time Requirements: | 10-12 days each year to attend Board and Committee meetings and associated activities. |
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
Michael Lear and Jantiene Klein Roseboom van der Veer have been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew by Lord Gardiner of Kimble, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity. Additionally, Trustees Ian Karet and Val Gooding have been reappointed for second terms. The two new appointments will run from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2020 and 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2020, respectively. The reappointments will run from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2020 and 1 October 2017 to 30 September 2020, respectively.
Date: 20/04/2017
View AnnouncementCampaign Timeline
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Competition Launched
23/11/2016
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Closed for Applications
03/01/2017 at 12:00
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Panel Sift
12/01/2017
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Final Interview Date
02/02/2017
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Announcement
20/04/2017
Vacancy Description
Ministerial message to candidates:
Dear Candidate
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
As I am sure you already know, Kew’s collections, science facilities and gardens are world-class. Kew Gardens is one of London’s top visitor attractions and is home to over 40 listed buildings and other structures, including the Palm House, Temperate House, iconic Pagoda and the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place.
This year has been remarkable for Kew and has seen the announcement of the Prince of Wales as Patron, the installation of The Hive, a unique structure inspired by scientific research into the health of bees; and the grand unveiling of the Great Broad Walk Borders, the world’s longest double herbaceous borders.
We are looking for applications from candidates with expertise in horticulture who can help to design large, complex projects and help maximise the potential of the gardens.
A world-class institution also needs world-class people. If you have the skills and experience to help lead and support RBG Kew, whatever your background, we very much look forward to hearing from you.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity
To complement its existing skills and knowledge the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is seeking a new member with expertise in horticulture, landscape and/or architecture
Members of the Board have corporate responsibility for ensuring that RBG Kew has appropriate practices, procedures and policies to meet its statutory and administrative requirements for the use of public funds. Important responsibilities of Board members include:
• ensuring that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times;
• establishing the overall strategic direction of the organisation within the policy and resources framework agreed with the Defra Minister;
• holding the Executive to account and supporting them in the delivery of planned results by monitoring performance against agreed strategic objectives and targets and by ensuring corrective action is taken when necessary;
• ensuring that the Board operates within the limits of its statutory authority, within the limits of the Board’s delegated authority agreed with Defra, in line with all relevant agreements with Defra including any conditions relating to the use of public funds and, notwithstanding the above, complying with the relevant obligations incumbent on trustees of an exempt charity, including independence of decision-making;
• representing the purpose and strategic direction of the organisation to the public and specific stakeholders.
The successful candidate must abide by the Nolan principles of public service.
Person Specification
Candidates should be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:
• a knowledge of and commitment to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and support of its purpose, values and strategic direction;
• the ability to think strategically, deliver change and improvements and develop a long term organisational vision;
• the ability to build collaborative relationships and command the confidence of Ministers, fellow Board members, Executive Directors, employees and stakeholders;
• expertise in horticulture, landscape and/or architecture.
Additional Information
We actively encourage applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Defra operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled people.
How to Apply
If you wish to apply for these roles, please supply the following by noon on Tuesday 3rd January 2017 quoting reference PAPPT 0023/16:
• CV with education, professional qualifications and employment history and the names and contact details for two referees;
• statement of suitability (maximum two sides of A4) giving evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for the role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria; and
• monitoring forms relating to political activity, diversity, conflicts of interest and advertising.
Completed applications should be emailed to: publicappts@defra.gsi.gov.uk
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