Operations Trustee Vacancy

Operations Trustee

Birmingham Botanical Gardens are looking for a new Trustee with the experience to contribute to our major Capital Development Project. Someone with strong commercial experience at a senior level and the ability to think strategically, who will bring the skills and networks to help us grow our income generation from business as well as charitable sources. You may have experience in areas such as commercial, business development, or hospitality.

Our Project: We have recently been awarded over half a million pounds from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – with the potential to secure a further £4.4 million – to restore our four historic, listed glasshouses.

The Gardens, a Grade II* listed charity based in Edgbaston, has received the development grant so it can develop plans for a £14 million ‘Growing our Green Heritage’ project, which aims to restore the historic glasshouse estate, as well as developing additional visitor and community resources, to create a place of horticultural excellence and outstanding green space.

As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in this project and in shaping the future direction of the Gardens, which are a much-loved part of Birmingham’s landscape and heritage, and crucial to the provision of the botanical world.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate, and experienced candidate with a range of skills and who is happy to help deliver the core ethos of our charity. The successful candidate will assist in the responsibility and oversight of running our charity.

ABOUT THE BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Opened in 1832, Birmingham Botanical Gardens (registered charity number 528981) is one of just two independent charitable botanical gardens in the UK.

Spread across 15 acres, just one mile from Birmingham City Centre, BBG consists of over 7,000 formally documented plants, making it the largest and most diverse botanic collection in central England.

BBG’s heritage is woven into Birmingham’s history – once the most important manufacturing town in the world – and the site welcomes over 180,000 visitors each year.

As well as the gardens, which are a green sanctuary within the city, the charity also provides a unique educational resource for learning about plants, conservation, and the environment. We welcome visits from nurseries, schools, and colleges, as well as organised groups, and run adult courses and workshops in photography, nature, wildlife, heritage, and culture.

As an independent charity, we rely on the support of visitors, supporters, donors, and grants, as well as generating income from our trading arm, hosting weddings and special events. This support ensures that we can deliver our key charitable objectives, maintaining our Victorian glasshouses and our 15-acres of wonderful gardens, and developing educational projects for the Birmingham community.

A diverse botanical world that enhances all our lives: our mission is to support plant biodiversity and an understanding of its importance to the natural environment through conservation, education, engagement, and enjoyment.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a Trustee with a background in business, commerce or operations at a senior level and a commitment to the heritage of Birmingham, who has the experience to contribute to our major project development with vision, enthusiasm, and drive.

Main Duties and Responsibilities for all Trustees

All Trustees at BBG are expected to commit a minimum of two days (equivalent) per month to the role and have a core set of duties and responsibilities:

  • Ensure that BBG pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document and shows a continued commitment to BBG’s vision, mission and values.
  • Attend all Board meetings (minimum four times per year), the AGM and any relevant sub-committees and training days.
  • Ensure that BBG complies with its governing documents (Memorandum and Articles of Association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
  • Ensure that BBG applies its resources exclusively for the fulfilment of its objects.
  • Provide overall strategic direction to BBG, setting out the overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
  • Ensure the financial stability of BBG, ensuring the proper investment of all funds.
  • Work alongside the Chief Executive and team and continually monitor their performance (alongside the performance review framework).
  • Appoint, succession plan and appraise the performance of fellow Trustees.

 

Please click here to download the PDF for further details and person specification. 

Please note that this role is unpaid.

To apply: please send a one-page covering letter and your CV to: chair@birminghambotanicalgardens.co.uk

Application deadline:5.00pm on 31st August 2023.

Interviews will be held in September.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of an organisation making a real difference in Birmingham and the wider natural world, and to play an active role in the future direction of the charity and Birmingham Botanical Gardens.