RHS Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Proposed by: Tony Kirkham 
Seconded by: Ray Evison   
Supported by: Rosie Atkins, Claire Austin, Sue Beesley, Jim Gardiner, Stephanie James, Jon Wheatley. 
 
With 50 years of commercial experience, in tree nursery stock production (as an owner and employer), working closely with the horticultural industry and associated charities and having completed the first five-year term as an RHS Council member, I believe I am well qualified to serve a second term. It would be a great privilege to do so. As an individual, I have found it invaluable working with dedicated and like-minded trustees, and I wish to take advantage of this valuable experience to assist the RHS further for this extended period. 
 
I am keen that the RHS maintains and improves its reputation as the best UK horticultural and gardening charity, and to further its credentials internationally. My focus would be to assist in horticultural practice, knowledge transfer, support RHS Science and offer horticultural skills advice in propagation and further promote horticulture as a worthwhile career choice especially for young people in increasingly challenging times. I wish also to focus on supporting exhibiting nurseries at RHS Shows and particularly to encourage young horticulturists to become more involved.  
 
I have served on both the Awards and Nominations and Governance Committees and continue to support the RHS through the Fruit, Vegetable and Herb and the Gardens Advisory Committees. My other industry duties include Chairing the DEFRA Advisory Committee for the National Fruit Collections, as a Trustee for Batsford Arboretum and I support the work of Perennial as a volunteer garden advisor.

Proposed by: Gill Chamberlain 
Seconded by: Ruby Simpson  
Supported by: James Alexander-Sinclair, Gurli Andreassen, Allon Hoskin, Jane Marie Hudson, Anne Marie Owens, Jo Thompson. 
 
In the face of the climate and nature crises which face the world, the RHS has a pivotal role in sharing strategies to help gardeners do their best for the environment while still enjoying their gardens. 
 
I have been a senior RHS Judge for many years and have been very engaged in supporting the RHS in delivering more sustainable gardens at RHS Shows. I love the imagination and creativity that these showpieces bring to our sector, but feel the increasing importance of this not being at the cost of the environment. I have developed a Green Design Audit with the RHS, and we have used it this year around the RHS Chelsea Flower Show showground, ensuring a reduced carbon footprint and much greater emphasis on sustainability. 
 
I would like to join RHS Council as I feel this work in sustainability is essential not only in our shows and gardens but also in the advice and support we give to our members. 
 
Invested in education, I have been involved in creating forest schools for more than 20 years, enabling access to horticulture for our young people. 
 
In my day job, I run an award-winning garden design and construction company in Oxfordshire and have a robust and wide commercial and business skill set that I can bring to support of the RHS. I am a passionate gardener, and my favourite part of the garden is my veggie patch.

Proposed by: David Rae 
Seconded by: Claire Austin 
Supported by: Rosemary Alexander, Charles Blumhein, Mick Crawley, Ambra Edwards, Tazim Essani, Janet Russell. 
 
Following academic studies in both business and management, I spent 15 years in management consulting. In 2008, I decided to change career and followed my passion into landscape design. Now a multi award-winning landscape designer, I have exhibited five times at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show, most recently in 2022 and with my small practice, undertake public realm and private residential landscape design in the UK.   
 
I offer a skill set that combines business and horticulture. My first career gave me extensive experience of working internationally on strategic initiatives that delivered significant commercial value for my clients. It also gave me a keen understanding of what can be achieved within time and budgetary constraints. Creativity, sensitivity, and the desire to engender beauty, are the starting points for any landscape designer; what I add to the mix is a deep knowledge of plants; broad, analytical thinking; and the leadership and management skills to bring my designs successfully from the page to the ground.  
 
Since 2015, I have dedicated my time to the RHS specifically as an active member in the following governance areas:

• Commercial Board (2015)  
• Audit and Risk (2020), Council Technology Group (2020), NAG Committee (2020) 
• Council Member (since 2020) 
• Chair of the Nomination, Appointments and Governance (NAG) Committee from 2023  
• People and Remuneration (2023) 
• I am on selection panels and judge at RHS Flower Shows  

Proposed by: Mark Line  
Seconded by: Ann Clarke  
Supported by: Eileen Atkinson, Rachel Fogg, Kathleen Hanglin, Jill Hutton, Sarah Severn, Janice Topham. 
 
I am standing for RHS Council as an RHS Life member who is passionate about gardening and gardens. Gardens bring us joy and support wildlife. Visiting gardens, reading and learning about plants and horticulture, creatively designing our own spaces, overcoming setbacks and then watching our gardens develop and bloom is both a privilege and a huge thrill. I believe that gardens also bring enormous benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing – both of which underpin my personal values for living more sustainably. 
 
If elected, I would bring to the role more than 40 years of knowledge and experience in communications, public engagement and sustainability – criteria highlighted for this year’s election – in the public and voluntary sectors, mainly in health, medical research and the environment. During my career, I have spearheaded high-profile national and international public awareness campaigns, led the communications for an NHS Trust during Covid, masterminded two charity centenaries (different charities), run campaigns to broaden public engagement and community and volunteer participation, and secured policy changes for charities. 
 
I have also been a charity trustee, an elected parish council member, school governor and served other honorary roles, so I recognise the range of responsibilities involved in wider board governance and oversight. 
 
I applaud the efforts of the RHS to widen its appeal, embrace the science of cutting-edge horticulture, enhance the visitor experience and nurture the gardeners of tomorrow. I would be honoured to represent you on the RHS Council and contribute to the ongoing stewardship and development of the RHS.