Appointment details

30 Board Members of National Park Authorities and National Landscape Conservation Boards

Summary

• Organisation: National Park Authorities, with the exception of Parish Members
• Sponsor department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Environment, Agriculture & Fishing
• Skills: Accountancy, Audit and Risk, Business, Change Management, Commercial, Communication, Media, Marketing, Human Resources, Insurance, International Experience, Technology / Digital, Legal, Judicial, Major Projects, Procurement, Regulation, Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 30
• Time commitment: Adhoc
• Length of term: National Park Authorities – 4 years, Conservation Boards – 3 years
• Application deadline: Midday on 19 May 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   14 April 2025

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 19 May 2025

3. Sifting date

   2 June 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   11 July 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

Protected Landscapes (National Parks and National Landscapes) welcome almost 270 million visitors a year and are home to internationally important habitats, wildlife, and heritage. 

There are ten National Parks, including the Broads, and thirty-four National Landscapes in England. Together, these legal designations cover nearly a quarter of land in England but half of our priority habitats.

Protected Landscapes are essential to nature’s recovery, and through this they protect communities from flooding, fight climate change and underpin a sustainable rural economy.

Each National Park Authority or Conservation Board is managed by an executive staff team with oversight from a board of members.

Members make decisions about the actions that each National Park Authority or Conservation Board should take to deliver its purposes. 

There are typically between 18 and 30 members, who are appointed in three different ways:

•       by local authorities,

•       by the Secretary of State following national competition,

•       elected by Parish councils but confirmed by the Secretary of State.

The time, passion and expertise of members is fundamental to achieving the full potential of England’s Protected Landscapes so that future generations can continue to enjoy their special qualities.

As a member, you could help future generations inherit greener, wilder and more accessible Protected Landscapes.

Introduction from the Minister

Dear Candidate,​

Thank you for your interest in serving as a Secretary of State appointed member of a National Park Authority or National Landscape Conservation Board. ​

Protected Landscapes are our most iconic and inspiring places. They were created from 1949, with post-war Britain recognising everyone has a right to access the countryside – from Northumberland’s dark skies to the South Downs’ Seven Sisters. 75 years on, the needs are greater than ever, with nature underpinning our health, economy and climate. That’s why this government will empower Protected Landscapes to become greener, wilder and more accessible. ​

Covering 25% of England, but half of our priority habitats, Protected Landscapes organisations are essential to nature’s recovery and restoration. They also lead the way on many cross-cutting priorities. To work on Protected Landscapes is to work on flood prevention, affordable house building, water quality, health inequalities, sustainable food production, green jobs and so much more. As a member, your vision will shape the future of these landscapes, and therefore the country. You’ll accelerate delivery of our statutory biodiversity targets and international commitment to protect 30% of nature by 2030. You’ll do this by collaborating with local communities, farmers, land managers and public bodies to ensure that these living landscapes thrive for people and nature.

We want to create conditions for success, innovation and collaboration that create new opportunities and resources for Protected Landscapes.​

In recognising their importance to the nation, we have committed to reinvigorating Protected Landscapes with new legislation, targets and tools. Members will help shape this bold new deal for Protected Landscapes, so by applying you could be part of something huge. We need dynamic people, with diverse skills and experiences, who will take innovative approaches. ​

You will also play a vital role in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion by finding ways to connect people with diverse skills from all walks of life with nature. These landscapes belong to everyone, and it is crucial that Protected Landscapes reflect the diversity of our nation.​

If you are ready to contribute towards this important mission, please apply. Together we can protect and enhance these remarkable places for generations to come.​

I look forward to receiving your application​

Mary Creagh CBE​

Minister for Nature

Appointment description

The overall role of a member is to contribute to the leadership, scrutiny, and direction of the National Park Authority (NPA) or National Landscape Conservation Board (CB) and further the statutory purposes.

Members are not representative of any organisation or group and have a duty to act in the best interest of the NPA or Conservation Board on which they serve.

The key functions of a Board Member are to:

•       Ensure the NPA or CB furthers the statutory purposes.

•       Agree plans that ensure the Protected Landscape is available to all parts of society, is relevant and is valued as a national asset for its special qualities.  

•       Represent the NPA or CB through collaborative working with external stakeholders at a national and local level

•       Agree appropriate policies to meet statutory duties and participate in collective decision making.

•       Encourage a creative, experimental, and innovative culture, where risks are appropriately managed.

•       Guide the development of policy and business plans by participating in activities as required including meetings, committees and working groups.

•       Scrutinise and monitor performance, including providing constructive challenge and oversight of governance.

•       Ensure there is effective and efficient governance and management in place

•       Provide leadership and strategic direction towards national priorities

•       Utilise broad knowledge and skills, to manage local and national interests, ensuring the national interest is taken fully into account.

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

We are looking to attract dynamic candidates from a range of diverse backgrounds, who can demonstrate:

• Enthusiasm and a genuine passion for the work of National Park Authorities and Conservation Boards, including their importance to nature, climate and communities. 

• An ability to successfully engage with, influence and inspire a wide-ranging audience as an ambassador for Protected Landscapes. 

• A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.  

• An ability to think strategically and creatively, scrutinising complex issues to find innovative solutions. 

• An ability to support ambitions to bring new perspectives and funding opportunities for Protected Landscapes.

Each Board is also seeking individual expertise, please check the attached Application Form for details.

The successful candidate must abide by the Seven Principles of Public Life and the 12 Principles of Governance for all Public Body NEDs (Annex A and Annex B of the Candidate Pack) and the Code of Conduct for Board Members.

Desirable criteria

Please check the Application Form in the attachment for details of the desirable criteria for each Board.

Application and selection process

How to apply

To apply you will need to create an account or sign in to Apply for Public Appointment Service gov.uk by the deadline of noon on Monday 19 May 2025. Once logged onto your account, click on ‘apply for this role’ and follow the on-screen instructions. 

To apply, all candidates are required to submit: 

• A completed application form. You will be asked to provide a "statement of suitability" when you apply. Please use the attached application form (available for download on the website) 

         Application form:https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8166/documents/2  

• A CV of no more than two sides of A4 with your education, professional qualifications, and employment history and the names and contact details for two referees. 

• equality information 

• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues 

  Please contact publicappts@defra.gov.uk if you have any further questions or require any assistance in submitting your application.

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.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Harry Blathwayt - Chair of Broads Authority- Representative of Organisation - Liberal Democrat Councillor

Pamela Woods - Chair of Dartmoor National Park Authority- Representative of Organisation

Tiffany Hunt - Chair of Lake District National Park Authority- Representative of Organisation

David Bence - Chair of New Forest National Park Authority - Representative of Organisation

Denis Mullan - Chair of Northumberland National Park Authority - Representative of Organisation

Ken Smith - Chair of Peak District National Park Authority - Representative of Organisation

Vanessa Rowlands - South Downs National Park Authority - Representative of Organisation

Derek Twine - Chair of Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority - Representative of Organisation

John Nicholls - Chair of Chilterns National Landscape Conservation Board - Representative of Organisation

Brendan McCarthy - Chair of Cotswolds National Landscape Conservation Board - Representative of Organisation

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

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 publicappts@defra.gov.uk.

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. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. 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. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

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 ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Secretary of State Board Members receive a basic allowance, but this varies per Board. Please refer to the candidate pack for details.

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

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 publicappts@defra.gov.uk public appointments team if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

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

Contact details

All candidates are required to submit a completed application form.  

• Application form:https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8166/documents/2            

You will be asked to provide a "statement of suitability" when you apply. Please use the attached application form (available for download on the website).

Broads Authority: 2-3 days per month

Chilterns CB: 1-3 days per month

Cotswolds CB: 1-3 days per month

Dartmoor NPA: Minimum of 2 days per month

Lake District NPA: 3-4 days per month

New Forest NPA: 2-3 days per month

Northumberland NPA: An average of 2 days per month

Peak District NPA: 3-4 days per month

South Downs NPA: 4 days per month

Yorkshire Dales 2-3 days per month

If you have any questions about the Public Appointments process, the criteria or the Boards, please email the Public Appointments Team at publicappts@defra.gov.uk.

Attachments

• 1_Candidate Pack - National Park Authorities and National Landscape CBs

• 2_ Application form

• 3_PAT Privacy Notice

• 4_Public Appointments Guidance