RHS Directors

Meet the leadership team shaping the future of the RHS

The RHS employ’s 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, Botany degree and 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.

Mark Norman | Director of Finance and Corporate Services

The diverse and broad range of operations and activities at the RHS was the attraction for Mark when he joined us in 2015. Mark is a Chartered Accountant with more than 35 years of experience covering an array of sectors, from accounting, software consultancy and food manufacturing to the travel industry. He currently leads the Finance, Estates and Governance teams.

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 includes 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 has always had an interest in growing plants, their diversity and conservation. A graduate of RBG Kew and the University of Reading, before joining the RHS he was Deputy Director at the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden. Tim is responsible for the five RHS Gardens, working closely with the Heads of Site and Curators to develop each garden and their collections. He is also responsible for horticultural networks, including RHS Partner Gardens, RHS Trials and Plant Committees, and also chairs the RHS Sustainability Committee.

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 Society. 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.

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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.