The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is seeking three experienced Trustees to join the Board at an exciting time for the organisation’s development.

The registered charity, which is based in Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, is looking to appoint a Chair of Trustees as well as two members with expertise in education and horticulture.

James Wheeler, chief executive of the Gardens, said:

“As one of the country’s most historically important botanical gardens, we pride ourselves on being a valuable asset. We have exciting plans for the future and these new Trustee roles will help us to support that as we continue our work to conserve, educate and engage with people of all ages.

“This is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in the organisation and I’m looking forward to working with people who want to be a part of the important work we are doing.”

The three new Trustee roles are available just weeks after the Gardens appointed new Board members with experience in marketing, fundraising and finance, following a successful nationwide search.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which first opened to the public in 1832, is a 15-acre oasis just one mile from the city centre and set within a Conservation Area. It has more than 7,000 formally documented plants and is the largest and most diverse botanic collection in central England.

As well as the gardens, the charity also provides a unique educational resource and welcomes visits from nurseries up to colleges, as well as uniformed groups and adult learners. It receives no regular public funding and relies on public donations, grants and other income it can generate.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens employs 27 full-time equivalent members of staff, who are supported by 50 volunteers and a Board of 10 Trustees.

It is seeking new talent and expertise to its Board in three key areas:

• Education: The education Trustee will have a background in education, bringing expertise about the sector to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Board of Trustees.
• Horticulture: The horticulture Trustee will be somebody with horticultural expertise to provide support and oversight to the Gardens’ curation.
• Chair of Trustees: The Chair of Trustees will have previous Board experience and practical experience of overseeing changes in the fundraising profile and activities of a charity. The responsibilities of the Chair will include providing strategic leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees and representing the charity. The Gardens also has exciting plans to redevelop parts of the Gardens to help further its mission and make it more sustainable. The Chair, along with the rest of the Board, will play a key role in steering the implementation of these plans.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens operates in a diverse community and it is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation, reflective of the community it serves. This commitment extends to diversity on its Board. The charity welcomes applications from all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, faith, disability, age, gender, sexuality, class and economic disadvantage and any social institutional barriers that prevent people from creating, participating or enjoying the Gardens.

The deadline to apply to join the Board is June 18, 2021

For details and information about how to apply, visit https://www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/vacancies/