Becoming a Trustee

Trustees and committee members come from all walks of life. You don’t need to be an expert on wildlife, simply someone who cares deeply about it. The best councils and committees are diverse – just like the best ecosystems! We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and cultures. Our Trustees are a diverse group with complementary skills.  This includes not only experts with a scientific and conservation background but also, and just as importantly, others with a wide range of professional interests and expertise, and a passion for nature. You can read about our current trustees here.

Trustees can serve for two terms of three years as a Trustee and up to six years as an officer.  

You don’t need to be retired or work part-time or flexibly to be a trustee. Meetings are in the evenings, as are many of the field trips (which are optional).

Full Council meets four times a year and the two Committees (you would be a member of one) also meet four times a year.

Trustees automatically become members of our Council. The purpose of Council is to set the overall direction of the charity and to ensure it’s well run. 

Our Council of trustees is legally responsible for all the activities that the organisation undertakes. The Trust is also a company limited by guarantee, of which all trustees are directors. 

In practice, this is a strategic, policy-making and monitoring role, with the day-to-day running of the Trust delegated to the Chief Executive and his excellent team of staff.

Trustees also join one of our two committees: Resources or Conservation, Education and Community Committee (CECC). The committees allow time for more in-depth discussion and make recommendations to Council. CECC meets about eight weeks before Council, Resources about four weeks. Rarely, a trustee may be a member of both committees.

We advertise vacancies as and when they arise. We need to ensure we retain a diverse mix of skills and experience on Council, so if we’re seeking someone from a particular field, the advert will specify that.  Alternatively, please do contact our Chief Executive, Brian Eversham, via the Cambridgeshire office. 

Candidates who make it to shortlist stage will be interviewed – usually by the Chair of trustees and the Chief Executive. 

Successful candidates for committee member posts will be invited to join the committee. In the case of trustees, the successful candidates will be ‘co-opted’ onto the Council pending voting by members at the next AGM. This is nothing to be afraid of – members are generally very supportive of prospective trustees. 

As a trustee you will be re-elected by members every three years, and can serve two terms (ie up to six years).