Appointment details

Chair of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Summary

• Organisation: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• Sponsor department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Location: London
• Sectors: Environment, Agriculture & Fishing
• Skills: Business
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 6 day(s) per month
• Length of term: 4 years
• Application deadline: Midday on 9 September 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   30 July 2025

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 9 September 2025

3. Sifting date

   22 September 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   15 October 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Our manifesto for change 2021-2030.  ​

Earth is the only planet in the universe we know for certain supports life.  Yet life on Earth is in crisis.  Natural resources are being degraded at a rate unprecedented in human history.  As a result, we are living through an age of extinction.   ​

We also face a climate emergency.  Actions such as burning fossil fuels and clearing wild lands have released greenhouse gases, disrupting natural climate patterns. In a vicious cycle, damaged ecosystems are less able to absorb emissions and mitigate the worst consequences of climate change.  ​

The next decade will be critical if we are to reverse this environmental devastation.  Humanity stands at a crossroads.  The future of our planet is in grave jeopardy.  Action is needed now to end biodiversity loss and repair our world.    ​

The mission of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG, Kew) is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.   ​

Our aspiration is to end the extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably.    ​

‘What we do now, and in the next few years, will profoundly affect the next few thousand years.’  - Sir David Attenborough, broadcaster and natural historian

Introduction from the Minister

Dear Candidate, ​

Thank you for your interest in becoming the Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ​

Kew is a world-leading institution in botanical research, conservation, and education. Its global impact is driven not only by the excellence of its science and collections, but by the strength and vision of its leadership. As Chair, you will play a pivotal role in guiding Kew’s mission and ensuring it continues to thrive in a rapidly changing world. ​

Kew’s expertise in plant and fungal science is vital to addressing the urgent environmental challenges we face – from climate change to biodiversity loss. The leadership of the Board is central to ensuring that Kew remains at the forefront of scientific innovation, public engagement, and global collaboration. ​

With internationally significant assets such as the Millennium Seed Bank and the Herbarium, and bold ambitions set out in its Manifesto for 

Change, Science Strategy, and Sustainability Strategy, Kew is on an exciting journey to inspire action to protect nature and secure a more sustainable future by 2030. ​

I am seeking an outstanding individual to lead the Board, working closely with the Director and Executive Board to shape Kew’s future. The next Chair must bring strong strategic leadership, a commitment to good governance, and a passion for Kew’s mission. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates with experience chairing boards, and who are committed to championing equality, diversity, and inclusion at Board level. ​

We encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including those currently underrepresented in public life. ​

Thank you once again for your interest in this important role. I look forward to hearing from you.

Steve Reed OBE

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Appointment description

The Chair of the RBG, Kew Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in providing strategic leadership, ensuring effective governance, and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders.  They will guide the Board in shaping Kew’s future, fostering strong partnerships with government and public bodies, and driving fundraising efforts. ​

The Chair will also be a key advocate for Kew, engaging with high-profile stakeholders both in the UK and internationally, including The King (Patron), Ministers, major donors, and international leaders.  The Chair will actively represent Kew in a wide range of international forums, such as COP and other high-profile events, to support the organisation’s mission and long-term sustainability. ​

Working closely with the Director, the Chair will act as a trusted advisor, enabling them to lead effectively and achieve Kew’s ambitious objectives, whilst ensuring the Executive Board remains both accountable and well-supported in delivering Kew’s goals. ​

Role Priorities​

The Chair’s role focuses on four key priorities: ​

• Working with the Director to liaise with Ministers, Defra, and other government bodies ensuring strong, productive relationships that advance Kew’s objectives. ​
• Actively participate in fundraising efforts, and in some cases lead engagements with major donors, philanthropists, and corporate partners to secure financial support
• Ensure an engaged, diverse, and effective Board, with strong governance, clear accountability and adherence to best practices. ​
• Act as a trusted advisor and constructive challenger to the Director and Executive Board, balancing support with accountability to deliver Kew’s strategic vision. ​

Key Responsibilities ​

• Provide strategic leadership to the RBG Kew Board and oversee Kew’s long-term vision and priorities. ​
• Approve Kew’s strategic direction, budgets, and major activities, ensuring financial health and sustainability. ​
• Ensure effective governance and compliance with corporate and charitable regulations. ​
• Advocate for Kew with key stakeholders, including The King (Patron), international dignitaries, Government officials and policymakers. ​
• Lead fundraising initiatives, engaging high-profile supporters and corporate partners. ​
• Support RBG Kew’s Executive Board in working collaboratively with other parts of the Defra Group and across government, facilitating collaboration and removing barriers to joint working. ​
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within Kew and the RBG Kew Board of Trustees, ensuring diverse representation and inclusive decision-making. ​
• Conduct annual RBG Kew Board and Trustee performance reviews, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement. ​
• Oversee the Trustee appointment process in collaboration with Defra, ensuring that the RBG Kew Board has the right balance of skills and expertise. ​

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

Candidates must be able to demonstrate all the following essential criteria: 

 ​1. Knowledge of RBG, Kew and an appreciation of its unique contribution ​

A clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of RBG, Kew and the context within which it operates, along with a genuine appreciation of Kew’s unique contribution ​

 2. Experience of securing significant funding ​

A strong track record of securing significant philanthropic, corporate, or government funding within the private, public or voluntary sectors. ​

 ​3. Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills ​

Strong ambassadorial and communication skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge, and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect. Proven ability to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including the executive board and Director, Ministers, Senior Government Officials, Trustees, VIP visitors (including Heads of State), employees, and philanthropists.  ​

 ​4. Strategic leadership experience ​

Ability to set strategic vision and drive forward the priorities of a high-profile organisation.  ​

 ​5. Decision-making and critical analysis skills ​

Effective decision-making skills, with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the organisation's objectives. 

6. Governance experience ​

Strong governance expertise, ensuring transparency, accountability, and sound financial oversight. 

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

Desirable criteria

Previous experience of chairing a board, within the private, public, or voluntary sector.

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement
• a short professional biography (150 words)

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit 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)

Panel member 1

Edward Barker

Departmental Official

Director for Natural Environment, Trees and Landscapes

Panel Chair

Political Activity - No

Panel member 2

Professor Christopher Gilligan

Representative of Organisation

King's Trustee of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Panel member 3

Alice Maynard

Senior Independent Panel Member

Director of Future Inclusion

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.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

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

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. 

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, 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 public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at publicappts@defra.gov.uk . 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

For further information please email: publicappts@defra.gov.uk

Attachments

• PAT Guidance notes

• PAT Privacy notes

• Candidate Pack Ref: 8905