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Role details

Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Application deadline 27 April 2023

Summary

• Organisation: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• Sponsor department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Location: London
• Sectors: Environment, Agriculture & Fishing
• Skills: Business, Commercial, Technology / Digital, Major Projects
• Number of vacancies: 2
• Time commitment: 12 day(s) per annum
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: Midday on 27 April 2023

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   30 March 2023

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 27 April 2023

3. Sifting date

   9 May 2023

4. Interviews expected to end on

   14 June 2023

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction

The mission of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the wellbeing of people and the future of all life on Earth. Their aspiration is to end the extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably.

To complement its existing skills and knowledge, the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is seeking up to two new members with expertise in digital/IT, expertise in capital projects and/or expertise in commercial experience, as well as meeting the essential criteria for the role.

Introduction from the Secretary of State

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

As you will know, Kew’s collections, science facilities and gardens are world-class. An institution of that calibre also needs world-class people as part of its leadership team.

Kew is a scientific institution of huge importance, not only for the UK but as the global resource for authoritative specialist knowledge on plant and fungal diversity and its role in supporting essential ecosystems. It plays a critical role in addressing the unprecedented scale and pace of threats facing the natural world and indeed humanity.

Kew is custodian to one of the largest and most diverse collections of plant and fungal specimens (living and preserved), collected from around the world over 170 years, with 25,000 specimens added every year – from the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, to the Herbarium at Kew Gardens.

Kew has recently published three strategies: a science strategy, a sustainability strategy and a corporate strategy, ‘Our manifesto for change’, all covering the period to 2030. To enable Kew to fulfil its mission over the coming years, it has an ambitious programme to extend its reach and inspire people to protect the natural world through education and public engagement, as well as delivering science-based solutions to protect biodiversity.

I am looking for a group of passionate and committed individuals who want to help Dame Amelia Fawcett and existing Trustees lead and support RBG Kew. I encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, disabled candidates and younger candidates so that the RBG Kew Board is more fully reflective of society.

We are looking for applications from candidates with digital/IT experience, large capital projects expertise and/or commercial experience.

Your skills and experience will help lead and support RBG Kew. We very much look forward to hearing from you.

Lord Benyon

Minister of State (Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs)

Role description

The Board:

RBG Kew’s functions and powers as a statutory body are derived from the National Heritage Act. As an Executive NDPB, RBG Kew operates at arm’s length from Defra, its sponsor department. The Trustees need to act in the best interests of the charity as well as meeting the obligations of RBG Kew as a public body. Trustees are accountable through ministers to Parliament for the public money that they spend. Defra’s role is one of stewardship, enabling the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to account properly to Parliament for RBG Kew’s efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that RBG Kew is properly managed and that its grant-inaid is used appropriately and effectively. Each year RBG Kew produces an Operational Plan, and its formal Annual Report and Accounts are laid before Parliament. Board members are Trustees of both an exempt charity and a non-departmental public body, both regulated and sponsored by Defra. All new Board members will be given appropriate induction.

Role Specification:

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 and 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 obligation’s 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 

• promoting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion on the Board as well as more widely in RBG Kew.

The successful candidate must abide by the Nolan principles of public service and the 12 Principles of Governance for all Public Body NEDs and the Code of Conduct for Board members.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

The Secretary of State is seeking to attract high-calibre applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds who can discharge the full range of Trustee responsibilities. Candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the following essential criteria:

• an enthusiasm for, and genuine interest in, the work delivered by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and support of its purpose, values and strategic direction

• an ability to analyse issues at a strategic level in ways which are impartial, creative and focused on finding solutions

• an ability to provide constructive and independent leadership, challenge and support to the Board of a complex organisation

• exceptional communication skills, along with the ability to influence, engage, and inspire confidence across a strong and diverse network of stakeholders, both nationally and internationally

• a commitment to Kew’s role in preserving botanical heritage, and in using the collection to support education and the understanding of United Kingdom and world botanical history

Expertise:

This recruitment will seek to fill two vacancies on the Board. Successful candidates for these vacancies should also be able to demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following specified areas: 

• Digital/IT: experience in development, marketing and communications

• Capital projects: experience of working with large projects and/ or new buildings/constructions 

• Commercial experience: including income growth and/or fundraising

Application and selection process

How to apply

All candidates are required to complete the following forms:

• ·         Monitoring form 1 (Conflicts of interest conduct and advertising Questionnaire)

• ·         Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Questionnaire)

Candidates should submit their CV (max 2 pages please) with education, professional qualifications and employment history and the names and contact details for two referees, together with their statement of suitability.

The statement of suitability should give evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for this role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria (max 1000 words please).

Your CV and statement should be returned to the following address by the closing date: 12.00 (midday) on 27 April 2023. Email to PublicAppts@defra.gov.uk quoting reference APPT06-22.

For further information on the application process please email: PublicAppts@defra.gov.uk.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Balwinder Allen, Kew Board Secretary at B.Allen@kew.org  

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Edward Barker - Director, Natural Environment, Trees & Landscapes at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Departmental Official - Panel Chair

Amelia Fawcett - Chair of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - Representative of Organisation

Salma Shah - Senior Advisor and Partner at Portland - Independent Member

Sir Ian Blatchford - Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group - Independent Member

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact  Balwinder Allen, Kew Board Secretary at B.Allen@kew.org

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

Holders of public office are expected to adhere to and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life. These are:

1. Selflessness - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
2. Integrity - Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
3. Objectivity - Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
4. Accountability - Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
5. Openness - Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
6. Honesty - Holders of public office should be truthful.
7. Leadership - Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or serve in any one post for more than ten years

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy. Please contact the public appointments team PublicAppts@defra.gov.uk if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Contact details

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Balwinder Allen, Kew Board Secretary at B.Allen@kew.org.  

Attachments

• 1_Trustees Candidate Pack

• 2_Monitoring form 1 (Conflicts of interest conduct and advertising Questionnaire)

• 3_Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Questionnaire)

• 4_Public Appointments Guidance Notes

• 5_PAT Privacy Notice