RHS Directors

Meet the leadership team shaping the future of the RHS

The RHS employs around 1,000 full-time staff, as well as receiving valuable support from more than 2,000 volunteers across our gardens, shows, community outreach and governance. The RHS Council retains ultimate responsibility for our staff, but the day-to-day running is delegated to the RHS Directors.

Clare Matterson | Director General

From growing vegetables with her grandad and setting up an ‘insect hospital’ aged 7, Clare has been passionate about biology, gardening, science and the natural world from a young age. With a degree in Zoology from Oxford University and senior roles at the Wellcome Trust and the Natural History Museum, Clare was awarded a CBE for her services to public engagement. She joined the RHS to help make a difference for people and nature, through inspiration, science and the beauty of gardens.

Professor Alistair Griffiths | Director of Science and Collections

Alistair loves gardening and leads our team of scientists, advisors, information and heritage specialists, and librarians. He has a First and National Diploma in Horticulture, a Botany degree and a PhD from the University of Reading. Alistair is a visiting Professor at Royal Holloway, University of London. Before working at the RHS, he was The Eden Project’s Head Scientist. His ambition is to use horticultural science to build a healthy and resilient gardening community that can help tackle the climate and biodiversity crises.

Hayley Monckton | Director of Communications

A keen gardener, Hayley is passionate about championing the difference we can all make through growing plants to mitigate against the climate and biodiversity crises and supporting health and wellbeing. She heads up the Communications division, responsible for press, PR and social media. Hayley graduated from the University of Surrey with a BA in English and Business Studies.

Helena Pettit | Director of Shows, Commercial and Innovation

Helena loves gardening and being outdoors. With more than 25 years of commercial application, sponsorship, operational management, attractions and large-scale event experience, Helena wished to bring her passion and knowledge to support the growth of the RHS and horticulture. Helena’s division encompasses RHS Shows including RHS Chelsea Flower Show, catering, retail and commercial events within our five RHS Gardens, RHS venues, online and licensing business and commercial sales.

Dr Tim Upson | Director of Gardens and Horticulture

A lifelong horticulturist and botanist, Tim is passionate about plant diversity and conservation. A graduate of RBG Kew and the University of Reading, he was Deputy Director at Cambridge University Botanic Garden before joining the RHS. He oversees horticulture at all five RHS Gardens and manages RHS networks, including Partner Gardens, Trials, and Expert Groups. His wider work focuses on cultivated plant conservation and the mint family, particularly lavender and rosemary. He is a Fellow of the Landscape Institute and a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.

Martine Parnell | Director of Members, Marketing and Digital

As an enthusiastic gardener, Martine was drawn to work for the RHS by the potential of sustainable gardening to improve our lives and environment. She has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and digital, gained across FTSE 100 and start-up organisations, and graduated in Modern and Medieval Languages from Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Martine leads the marketing, editorial, membership services and digital teams, which work to bring new audiences to the RHS and improve service for members.

Jon Simpson | Director of IT

Jon is responsible for all aspects of IT spanning engineering, programme management, operations, data and analytics. He joined the RHS in 2021 after 15 years of creating global platforms for the travel industry. The RHS provides an exciting challenge for Jon to explore innovative ways in which technology and data can support gardening and gardeners across the diverse interests of the RHS. He has a passion for technology and strives to ensure it delivers real value and a great user experience.

Carole Goldsmith | Director of People

Being part of something that has heart and soul and is not just about wealth creation is what drew Carole to the RHS. She has more than 20 years of experience working within the ‘people’ space, including corporate and privately owned SMEs. Carole heads up our People team, comprising People and Development; Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing; People Systems; Internal Communications and Volunteer Development. She has a first-class honours degree, a Masters in HRM, and is a Chartered Member of the CIPD.

Dr Suzanne Moss | Director of Learning and Public Engagement

Sue began her career as a horticultural student at RHS Wisley and this led to a PhD on the history of gardens as scientific collections from The University of York, and a post-doctoral fellowship on the contributions of marginalised groups. Engaging others with horticulture is her passion, particularly sharing the wellbeing and environmental benefits that come with new knowledge and skills. Sue heads up the RHS Schools, Learning, Education, Community, Garden events and Interpretation teams.

James Wren | Director of Development and Corporate Partnerships

James works with his team to support the RHS by building relationships with people and businesses to make a difference for people and nature. He has worked in a range of sectors and has spent the last 15 years at an executive level in the charity and leisure sector in fundraising, marketing, corporate partnership, and communication roles. At the RHS, James is responsible for charitable income generation and corporate partnerships.

Richard Green | Director of Visitor Experience and Estates

Richard, formerly Head of RHS Garden Bridgewater, skilfully led the RHS Bridgewater team in the transformation of the 154-acre site and helped enhance and strengthen the visitor experience. He has worked in the management of strategic operations and visitor experiences, both at the RHS and at prominent leisure attractions such as the Science Museum Group. This work is invaluable in creating a consistent and unified visitor engagement and operational excellence across all five RHS Gardens. In addition to this, Richard oversees estates and sustainability.

Ingrid Fernandes | Director of Finance and Corporate Services

Ingrid leads the Finance, Legal, and Health and Safety teams at the RHS, overseeing financial strategy and performance while delivering corporate support across areas of the charity. An experienced business leader, she has a strong background in leisure and hospitality, having led Finance and IT at Blenheim Palace and driven strategic growth at Merlin Entertainment’s LEGOLAND Resorts. With experience spanning financial services, retail, and housebuilding, she is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.