Birmingham Botanical Gardens is seeking four new Trustees to help it meet the challenges of the 21st century.
The registered charity, which is based in Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, is seeking two Trustees with expertise and experience in fundraising and strategic marketing, and it is also looking to appoint a treasurer and a company secretary.
James Wheeler, chief executive of the Gardens, said: “We are one of the UK’s most historically important botanic gardens and we receive no regular public funding, so we rely on public donations, grants and any income we can generate.
“These new Trustee roles will help us to support and develop our vision and mission, ensuring the Gardens can continue its work to conserve, educate and engage with all ages. We have tremendous support from our staff, volunteers and our existing Trustees, all of whom work incredibly hard to safeguard the future of the organisation.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of an organisation that is making a real difference in Birmingham and the wider natural world, and to play an active role in the future direction and strategy employed by the charity.”
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.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens employs 27 full-time 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 four key areas:
- Fundraising: The fundraising Trustee will have a background in charity fundraising at a strategic level, have previous board experience and will play a vital role in shaping the future of the Gardens through a bold new funding strategy.
- Strategic Marketing: The strategic marketing Trustee will have previous Board experience and a background in charity marketing at a strategic level. The role will be vital in shaping the future of the Gardens’ marketing strategy.
- Treasurer: The treasurer with previous Board experience and a formal accountancy qualification to help steer the financial direction of the charity.
- Company Secretary: The company secretary will be somebody with previous Board experience, bringing a high level of expertise to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Board of Trustees.
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.
