Horticulture Trustee Vacancy
Birmingham Botanical Gardens is looking for a new Trustee with professional horticulture experience to join our important charity at a significant time.
The Grade II* Gardens were founded in1829 and continue to be managed by the Edgbaston based horticultural charity.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) has received grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other funders to develop plans for its £19.4 million ‘Growing our Green Heritage’ project to restore the historic glasshouse ranges and develop additional visitor and community resources, to create a place of horticultural excellence and outstanding urban green space.
Our mission is to support plant biodiversity and an understanding of its importance to the natural environment through conservation, education, engagement and enjoyment.
As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in this project and in shaping the future and the direction of the Gardens, which are a much-loved part of Birmingham’s landscape and heritage, and a significant botanical resource.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate and experienced candidate to join both the Board of Trustees and the Horticultural Sub Committee who will help deliver our charitable aims and overall vision for BBG. And share the responsibility for oversight of the charity.
About
Birmingham Botanical Gardens opened in 1832. BBG, (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 and the site welcomes over 250,000 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 workshops including photography, heritage and cultural courses, and collaborate with over 70 community groups.
As an independent charity, we rely on the support of visitors, donors and grants, as well as generating income from our trading arm, hosting weddings and special events and providing catering. This support is crucial to maintaining the Gardens and enables us to develop new educational projects.
Our Team
BBG employs 55 members of staff and is supported by a wonderful team of over 100 volunteers who contribute across all areas of the Gardens’ activities. This team is led by Chief Executive, Sara Blair-Manning and the management team.
Governance of BBG is led by a Board of Trustees who meet at least 4 times a year, with additional sub committees, including those for Horticulture, Finance and Engagement & Learning. There is also trustee representation on the Capital Project Scrutiny Committee. The current Chair is Sue Beardsmore. Details of our current board are available here on our website: Trustees | Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Your Role as a Trustee
Birmingham Botanical Gardens is looking for a new Trustee with experience in horticulture and the experience to contribute to our major project, as well as ensuring that the charity complies with its governing document and our legal and financial compliance as a registered charity.
Main Duties and Responsibilities for all Trustees
All Trustees at BBG are expected to commit to the equivalent of two days 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 (four times per year), the AGM and any relevant subcommittees.
• 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 funds.
• Work alongside the Chief Executive and team and monitor their performance (alongside the performance review framework).
• Appoint, succession plan and appraise the performance of fellow Trustees.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a Trustee with a background in horticulture and horticultural heritage. The successful candidate will:
• Have an appreciation and understanding of the importance of horticulture and botany
• Understand the horticultural challenges and opportunities of a public botanical garden
• Be able to advise on the strategic direction in horticulture for the Gardens
• Understand the community and area in which BBG operates
Have strong, independent judgement and the ability to think creatively and strategically
Be able to give constructive feedback and to challenge other Board members and the charity
• Be able to analyse risks and opportunities and take a balanced approach to both
• Be able to work as part of a team, and be willing to take collective responsibility for the governance of our charity
Ideally:
Have Charity Board experience
• Have experience of horticulture in a heritage or glasshouse setting
• Have experience of the horticultural challenges of a capital project
As part of our commitment to equality BBG wants to ensure that the Board reflects its ambition to be an inclusive and diverse organisation and to be representative of the communities we serve. We therefore welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds to reflect the diversity of communities, visitors and audiences to the Gardens. Our definition of diversity encompasses responding to issues around race, ethnicity, faith, disability, age, gender, sexuality, class and economic disadvantage and any social and institutional barriers that prevent people from creating, participating or enjoying our Gardens.
The deadline for applications is midday on Friday 31st July 2026.
Please note that this role is unpaid. To apply, please send a one-page covering letter, and your CV to chair@birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk
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 and strategy employed by the charity.