Non-Executive

Job header

How is the National Trust run? Who makes the fundamental decisions that shape our future? As an influential volunteer, it could be you.

A charity, a conservation body, a curator of beautiful places and spaces – and so much more. We’re also a major commercial enterprise, a retailer, a restaurant chain, a visitor attraction. There is no other organisation in the UK like the National Trust. And it’s that exceptional breadth of opportunity and challenge that makes working with us so incredibly stimulating.

Working with us in a non-executive capacity is a wonderfully rewarding experience: it’s an opportunity to have a real say in our current and future operations. In return for your time, knowledge and expertise, you’ll have the chance to shape our work as you help to grow the nation’s love of special places.

Whatever your area of interest, you’ll find a range of appealing non-executive opportunities here. The places we look after are varied and for everyone – we’re keen to reflect this in our non-executive community. We welcome applications from people of all ages, areas and backgrounds who can positively contribute to our work. The details of our appointment or election processes are clearly outlined in each vacancy.

A summary of how our governance structure works is available here.

The principles underlying our non-executive appointments

We recognise that one of the most important means by which openness, transparency and accountability can be achieved is through the appointment or election, as appropriate, of high-calibre volunteers capable of overseeing the governance arrangements of the Trust, ensuring that it remains focused on achieving its mission efficiently and effectively.

The Board of Trustees and the various Nominations Committees of the Council play a key role in the process of non-executive appointments and elections. An external member sits on each of these Nominations Committees to increase the rigour of our procedures.

Before an appointment or election process is initiated for any of the bodies in the governance structure, the relevant committee will take into account:

  • the aims and purposes of the body concerned
  • the knowledge, skills and experience required for the position in question
  • the intention to create a diverse and effective body
  • the intention to meet standards of good governance
  • the intention to avoid conflicts of interest.

These aims will be pursued in a manner proportionate to the nature of the positions to be filled.

The Committees will ensure that appointment and election processes are:

  • conducted in an open and transparent way
  • applied in a fair, equitable, objective and impartial manner
  • designed to be thorough, robust and expeditious
  • applied consistently
  • fully explained and readily comprehensible.

Typical non-executive opportunities

Trustee

Our Board of Trustees is the National Trust’s governing body. In many ways, they’re our guardians, our conscience. Their role is to ensure that we have a clear vision and a strategy in place, and that we’re doing everything we say we’ll do. 

Council Member

Providing guidance and perspective, appointing our Trustees and ultimately holding the Board of Trustees to account, the Council is the guardian of our spirit and long-term objectives. 

Committee Member

Our Audit, Investment and Senior Management Remuneration Committees provide oversight and assurance in their specialist areas and report into our Board of Trustees.

Other types of non-executive opportunities

Member of a Regional/Country Advisory Group

With a real passion for your region, you’ll advise, support and challenge Regional/Country Directors and their teams to help them deliver the Trust’s strategy in their area.

Member of a Specialist Advisory Group

With your specialist perspective, and skills and knowledge which complement that of our staff, you’ll provide advice to assist in developing and delivering the Trust’s strategy in one of the following areas: Historic Environment; Natural Environment; Collections and Interpretation.

Current non-executive opportunities

Here you’ll find information on current and future non-executive opportunities.

Please remember, we welcome applications from people of all ages, areas and backgrounds who can positively contribute to our work. If you don’t find the role you are searching for today, we'd still love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact us.

2024 Election to the National Trust's Council

  • Closing date for applications: 11.59pm on 1 April 2024

    For everyone, for ever starts with every one of us.

    At the National Trust, our motto is ‘For everyone, for ever.’ These aren’t just words on a page. They are the guiding principle that underlies what we do and how we do it. We know that making that promise a reality depends on building teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and creating an inclusive culture that enables every single person in every single team to thrive.

    We’re working hard to ensure that everyone feels like they belong. We’re actively listening to those within and beyond our organisation and continually evolving so that everyone who works or volunteers here feels respected, championed and empowered to do their best. It’s an ongoing journey and we want you to be a part of it.

    We’re looking for inspiring people to help protect nature, beauty and history for the next generation. The National Trust Council is a great opportunity to bring your views and ideas about how we are run and to ensure we deliver everything we need to. Our Council members make important appointments, help inform strategy and keep us connected to our members, local communities and the wider public. Their energy, enthusiasm and experience are invaluable to us. These volunteers make a real difference. And so could you.

    About the Council

    The Council plays an important role in how the National Trust is governed. Its main responsibilities are:

    • to appoint Trustees;
    • to monitor and support their work; and
    • to ensure our strategy is consistent with our charitable purpose and that it is being delivered by the Board of Trustees.

    You can read more about our Council’s role here and its current members on our website.

    Council members are ambassadors for our work and inspire support for the Trust among members and the wider public.

    The Council’s strength comes from the breadth of knowledge and experiences of the people on it. It has 36 members – an equal balance of elected and appointed people. The elected members are directly chosen by members of the National Trust. The appointed members come from organisations (chosen by our members every six years) which have a connection to the Trust’s work.

    Wherever you are in your career path or whatever you do, your input could help us look after inspiring places for future generations. Now’s your chance to make a real difference.

    Time commitment

    Council members will be elected from late autumn 2024 for three years and can expect to spend about ten days a year on Council business. There are three Council meetings a year, including one which is held as part of a three-day visit hosted by one of our regions or countries. Meetings are likely to be a mix of in person and virtual. The time commitment is spread across these activities and includes time for reading and any other preparation. There is also the opportunity to get more involved if you wish with additional briefings, informal property visits or by supporting the work of the Council’s committees.

    Council meetings are usually held during the working day, allowing time for travel where appropriate. The 2025 schedule is as follows:

    • Early February 2025
    • Three days in mid-June 2025 (regional visit)
    • Early October 2025

    Council members may serve a maximum of three three-year terms, subject to re-election or re-appointment. Some of our Council members go on to become Trustees.

    Council membership is a voluntary role, therefore, as with all our volunteer roles, travel expenses are reimbursed, as are additional expenses incurred such as accommodation.

    You can also read more about the specific responsibilities of the Council in section 1.13 of the Governance Handbook.

    About you

    We encourage applications from all backgrounds. Your unique ideas, experiences, and outlook will contribute to our diverse Council. Showcase your qualities and experiences—most importantly, demonstrate your passion for our work.

    If you have knowledge and experience that you think will help our Council oversee our Board’s delivery of our strategy, please consider putting yourself forward.

    The Council’s Nominations Committee, which oversees the election, is happy to receive applications from volunteers and non-members as well as members. However, in order to be eligible to stand for election to the Council our constitution requires that candidates are members of the National Trust. Membership will need to be taken up by 1 May 2024 if you wish to go forward to the election.

    The Nominations Committee wishes to be fully inclusive and fair to all candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know.

    About the election and election process

    This year we are expecting to fill six election vacancies for a three-year term starting after the AGM in November 2024.

    Standing for election involves making an application to our Nominations Committee and having your candidacy published to our members in the autumn in the election material and on our website. In fairness to all candidates, you should not participate in any other methods of publicising your candidature. For further information please read the guidance on the declaration and affirmation form.

    A ballot of members is conducted in September/October and the results are usually announced at the AGM.

    Please note that the Nominations Committee is required to recommend to members those candidates who they believe are best suited to undertaking the work of the Council. In reaching its recommendation, the Committee will consider how candidates demonstrate the broad range of the qualities and experience we’re looking for and can help the Trust achieve its ambition of being for everyone – you can find out more about these here.

    Any current members of the Council who are standing for re-election should note that attendance records for meetings will be published.

    Please read our Code of Conduct which applies to everyone who volunteers in a non-executive capacity.

    How to apply and closing date

    If you would like to stand for election, you will need to send us all of the following:

    • A statement or covering letter which you can use to explain anything that you think might be helpful to the Nominations Committee that is not included elsewhere in your application;
    • A brief CV (maximum length two sides of A4);
    • A completed candidate information form which includes your election statement and supporting details;
    • A completed declaration and affirmation form; and
    • A completed diversity monitoring form (please follow the link to complete this online form).

    Please ensure your application reaches us by 11.59pm on 1 April 2024.

    Next steps

    The Nominations Committee will meet in April to review applications and will invite a number of candidates to meet the Committee. You can expect to hear from us about progress of your application towards the end of April.

    The Committee will meet invited candidates on 10, 12 and 14 June. For ease of access and convenience we plan to hold these meetings online. Alternative arrangements may be possible if candidates have issues accessing online meetings, you’ll just need to let us know. The Nominations Committee aims to match its recommendations to the number of vacancies which are expected this year.

    Please note that the election statements of all eligible candidates, whether or not they are invited to meet the Committee, will go forward for publication to our members. Anyone wishing to withdraw from the election process will need to notify us by the 21 June 2024.

    If you are successful in the election, you will be invited to attend an induction day in November/December 2024 in one our offices, either Swindon or London.

    Contact us

    If you would like an informal chat about the role or how to apply, please contact us via email to arrange this. The email address for any queries and to send your application is:

    Email: governance@nationaltrust.org.uk

    Alternatively, you can send your application by post to

    Post: Martyn Dangerfield
    Governance Officer
    National Trust
    Heelis
    Kemble Drive
    Swindon
    SN2 2NA

    We appreciate your interest in this role and your support for the National Trust – we look forward to hearing from you.