The RHS Council (trustees) is our highest governing body, responsible for the future strategic direction of the charity and overseeing its performance with the support of its boards and committees. The President and Treasurer of the RHS are elected annually by members of the Society at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June or July. Ordinary Members of Council are also elected at the AGM and usually serve for five years, with at least three retiring each year.
A keen interest or knowledge of horticulture and gardening is expected of Council members, along with skills required for the governance of the Society that are under-represented among existing trustees. For 2024, we encouraged applications from candidates with expertise in public engagement, an understanding of best practice in sustainability or who have a senior financial or commercial background.
The deadline to stand for election to Council 2024 was 1 March 2024.
For future years, we are interested in hearing from individuals with experience in science and education. We welcome candidates from all geographies of the UK who can lead and collaborate in a group and bring a strategic approach with strong problem-solving skills.
Successful candidates will need to be able to commit to at least six Council meetings per year and are expected to join at least one board or committee of Council, which additionally meet up to four times per year.
We welcome applications from any eligible member. We are committed to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices and positively encourage applications from all backgrounds. All RHS appointments are made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.
Additional information
Further information
For more information about RHS elections, please refer to the Charter and bye-laws and associated regulations. For further queries, email The Secretary at [email protected] or telephone 020 7821 3068.
