Non-Executive
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.
Interested in a non-executive volunteering role?
We have a wide range of opportunities to suit different interests, experience and backgrounds. The places we look after are varied – and 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.
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.
Members of the Board of Trustees
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The closing date is 11.59pm on Sunday 16 March 2025.
The National Trust protects and cares for places so people and nature can thrive. We look after hundreds of houses and close to a million objects along with vast areas of coastline, countryside and green spaces, for everyone’s benefit. With our staff, members, volunteers and supporters, we’re the biggest conservation charity in Europe. Everyone can get involved, everyone can make a difference.
Our priority over the last 12 months has been forming the Trust’s new strategy, ensuring that we are sustainable, relevant and fit for the 21st century. A wide consultation has been a critical part of informing our thinking ahead of the implementation of the strategy which launched in January.
We are proud of what we have achieved for conservation, climate action and nature, and as we celebrate the Trust’s 130th birthday it’s time for a vision that takes us into the future. Our new strategy sets out our aims and ambitions for the next decade and beyond.
We are now seeking up to two outstanding Trustees to join us at an exciting time in delivering our new strategy and the next phase of our history. People who will bring different lived experiences, fresh thinking and a desire to make a change. We are also looking to strengthen ethnic diversity on the Board. If this sounds like you, we hope you will be inspired to apply.
We are looking for Trustees with experience in one or both of the following areas:
- Business/commercial, change leadership and business transformation
- Broad visitor experience (particularly urban), cultural leadership (heritage and arts) and partnerships
For external candidates:
To read more about this role and to apply, please visit: nationaltrust-trustee
For internal Council candidates only:
To read more about this role, please visit: nationaltrust-trustee. To apply, please provide an up to date CV, and a supporting statement (max 2 pages) that outlines your interest and fit against the experience sought and submit to governance@nationaltrust.org.uk
2025 Election to the National Trust's Council
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Closing date for applications: 12 noon, Monday 31 March 2025
For everyone, for ever starts with every one of us.
We’re looking for great people to help protect nature, beauty and history for the next generation. The National Trust Council is a unique opportunity to bring your skills and experience to ensure we deliver our objectives as a charity. It’s also an exciting time to join our Council as the Trust goes into a new strategy period. Our Strategy: People and Nature Thriving.
Our Council members make important appointments, help inform strategy and keep us connected to our members, local communities and the wider public. It’s important that the Council reflects the breadth and diversity of our work and the energy, enthusiasm and experience of Council members are invaluable to us. These volunteers make a real difference. And so could you. We welcome application from all members over the age of 18.
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 the Council’s 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 November 2025 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 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 2026 schedule is as follows:
- Early February 2026
- Three days in June/July 2026 (regional visit)
- Early October 2026
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, attributes 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 31 March 2025 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 to submit your application, please let us know.
About the election and election process
This year we are expecting to fill seven election vacancies for a three-year term starting after the AGM in November 2025.
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 candidate information 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 download, complete and send us an application which contains the following:
- A candidate information form which includes your election statement and answers to two questions posed by the Nominations Committee, as well as a completed declaration and affirmation and Supplementary information 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)
Please ensure your application reaches us no later than 12 noon, Monday 31 March 2025
A link to a diversity monitoring form will be sent for you to complete when we have received a valid application.
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 1, 2 & 8 May 2025. We plan to hold these meetings online and 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 valid 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 30 May 2025.
If you are successful in the election, you will be invited to attend an induction day in January 2026 in one our offices, either Swindon or London.
Contact us
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
Governance team
National Trust
Heelis
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2NAto reach us no later than Monday, 31 March 2025.