Sorry, this vacancy is now closed and applications can’t be submitted!

Council members 2017
the national trust

Job Description

2017 Election to the National Trust's Council

We are expecting six election vacancies on our Council in October this year. The following information tells you about our Council, its role, the time commitment and how you can stand for election.

About the Council

Our Council is a group of 42 volunteers (reducing to 36 in 2018). Half are elected from the membership and half are appointed from kindred organisations which we call appointing bodies.

Our Council is the guardian spirit of the National Trust as embodied in its core purpose. It is not our governing body, but its specific responsibilities are to appoint our Board of Trustees (including the Chair and Deputy Chair) and to monitor and support our Board’s work and performance. Our Council debates important issues of strategy and policy and shares its views about them with our Board.

Our Council’s strength comes from the breadth of knowledge of our appointed and elected members – most important we look for people with a real passion for the Trust and who love what it stands for. Some of our Council members go on to become Trustees. 

Council member terms and time commitment

Council members are elected from October 2017 for three years, and usually serve a maximum of two terms, subject to re-election. You and can expect to spend about ten days a year on Council business. Council membership is a voluntary role but we reimburse expenses. 

What skills and experience are we looking for?

We welcome applications from people of all ages, ethnicity and backgrounds, who can contribute to our work. You should be able to demonstrate a broad range of the qualities and experience we’re looking for – find out more about these here. In particular this year, we are also looking to enhance the diversity of the Council with enhanced representation of members from East Anglia, Midlands and North of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Please note that in order to be eligible to stand for election to our Council, our constitution requires that candidates are Trust members. 

About the election and apply

Anyone who thinks they meet the criteria noted above and is able to contribute to our Council is welcome to apply. 

If you would like to stand for election, please click on apply or visit our website, where you will find all necessary documents that need be submitted and more information on the election process.

Thank you for your interest – we look forward to hearing from you.