Royal Parks Board - Trustee
Date: 5 Nov 2026
Location: TBC, Greater London Authority
Company: TfL, GLA or OPDC
Royal Parks Board - Trustee vacancies
Job reference number: RP001
Contract type: Fixed Term appointment for four years
Closing date: Sunday 22nd November 2026 23:59
Interview date: Week Commencing 7th December 2026
Salary: Unremunerated
Grade: Board Member
Support the work of London’s most impressive open spaces.
This is a unique opportunity to serve as a Trustee of The Royal Parks, securing and shaping the ongoing future of this well-loved collection of open spaces. The Royal Parks is the charity that cares for over 5,000 acres of London’s most iconic open spaces. The estate is home to important national heritage and hosts regular national ceremonial events and is an important provider of sporting facilities in London. The Royal Parks receives tens of millions of visitors a year and plays a key role in the tourism and cultural life of the country.
As a Trustee, you will contribute to how the charity is run, overseeing how finances are allocated, and ensuring that its work falls within its charitable objects and is for the benefit of the parks and visitors.
Bringing your board and senior level skills and experience to support the work of the charity, you will have experience in the public and private sector and a clear understanding of the principles of corporate governance. In addition to serving on the charity’s Board, the successful applicant may be required to chair or be a member of one or more sub-committees to the Board.
You will have the personal stature and credibility to interact with and contribute to a high-profile Board and to operate as a high-profile ambassador for The Royal Parks. You will have the ability to work effectively as part of a team, with experience of collective decision making at a senior level and will contribute to decision making and to think strategically, independently and imaginatively.
The successful candidates will be required to attend approximately six Board meetings a year in addition to any sub-committee meetings together with other ad hoc activities. While this role is not remunerated, it does offer a unique opportunity to be involved in overseeing world class amenity spaces and activities.
For information on the roles and application criteria, please read the Application Pack below.
Further information on The Royal Parks can be found at https://www.royalparks.org.uk/
London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to reflect this in all Board appointments. The aim is for the Royal Parks Board to contain a broad range of experience and reflect London’s diversity. As such, we strongly welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying, please submit your CV and a covering letter (max 2 sides) via our online recruitment system. You will also be asked to provide recruitment monitoring information.
The CV should include details of employment, public appointments, qualifications history and the name and contact details of two referees who are willing to provide a reference. It should also include any relevant information regarding your eligibility for appointment and any other directorships you hold.
The covering letter should provide details of relevant experience that equips you to serve as a Trustee of The Royal Parks, addressing the following essential
- An understanding of, and commitment to, the charitable objects and work of The Royal Parks, including protecting and enhancing the parks’ intrinsic qualities.
- Strategic decision-making ability.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team, with experience of collective decision-making at a senior level supported by their experience at Board/Senior Executive level in a significant organisation in the public or private sector.
- Excellent communications and representational skills with the personal stature and credibility to interact with and contribute to a high-profile Board and to operate as a high-profile ambassador for The Royal Parks.
In addition to the core criteria, candidates will bring expertise or experience in the following areas
- Experience in supporting significant commercial activity
- Expertise in fundraising for a medium-large charitable organisation
- Knowledge of or experience in horticulture and biodiversity
Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.
Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)
As part of our continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination
If you have any queries regarding the application process or require information in an alternative format, please contact Boardresourcing@london.gov.uk
Appointments are subject to pre-appointment checks and confirmation by the Mayor of London.
Please note we hold the right to close the post early due to high volumes of applications
APPLICATION PACK
Trustee positions
Dear Applicant,
Membership of The Royal Parks
Thank you for your interest regarding The Royal Parks Board.
The Royal Parks Board has three vacancies for positions appointed by the Mayor of London. Its Governance & Nominations Committee has identified the specific skills and expertise that would be of most benefit to the Board.
The Mayor of London, Rt Hon Lord Sadiq Khan, is therefore seeking to appoint new Trustees to The Royal Parks Board. The successful applicants will become members of the Board and will be required to serve on other relevant sub committees, where necessary.
This application pack provides you with information on the role and responsibilities of the Trustees and these positions, as well as details about the application process.
If you have any queries about the work of The Royal Parks please contact James Crudgington, Head of Policy and CEO’s Office, at: Jcrudgington@royalparks.org.uk
If you have any questions about the Greater London Authority appointments process for this role, please contact Savvas Tsiattala, Resourcing Adviser, at: Savvas.Tsiattala@london.gov.uk
We look forward to receiving your application.
David Bellamy Dr Linda Yueh CBE
Mayor’s Chief of Staff Chair, The Royal Parks
Contents
3. Role Specification: Criteria
About The Royal Parks
The Royal Parks is a charity and a Public Corporation. Its purpose is to oversee the day-to-day management and maintenance of the eight Royal Parks: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James’s Park. It also cares for other spaces in the capital including Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens. The estate is home to important national heritage and hosts regular national ceremonial events and is an important provider of sporting facilities in London.
The Royal Parks are owned by the Crown with their responsibility resting with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The Royal Parks has a contract with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to carry out day to day management of the estate on their behalf, which currently runs until 2027.
The Royal Parks receives tens of millions of visitors a year and plays a key role in the tourism and cultural life of the country. The Royal Parks works closely with key partners including the Mayor of London, DCMS, charitable, sporting, environmental and cultural agencies. Most of the Royal Parks’ income comes from commercial activities.
The Royal Parks is in the early stages of developing an exciting new strategy for the long-term enhancement and protection of the parks for the benefit of this and future generations. Its current strategy is coming to an end, which saw record levels of investment in the parks. The new strategy is likely to focus on resilience and consolidating charity delivery against its charitable objects.
The Royal Parks is in the process of examining the longer-term structure and business model of the organisation, including potentially insourcing some functions, as it has started to do, so that a wider range of services can be delivered directly.
Board of Trustees
As a charity, The Royal Parks is overseen by a Board of Trustees, which decides how the charity is run, how money is spent, and ensures that its work falls within its charitable objects and is for the benefit of the parks and visitors. The Trustees are led by a Chair and are appointed for their skills and experience. Appointments are made by either the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport or the Mayor of London. The Board also contains an ex officio member from the office of the Royal Household.
A senior management team, led by Chief Executive Andrew Scattergood CBE, oversees the day-to-day running of The Royal Parks. The team is supported by a committed workforce of staff and volunteers.
The Mayor of London is currently seeking to appoint three Trustees to be members of The Royal Parks Board of Trustees.
Role Specification: Criteria
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- An understanding of, and commitment to, the charitable objects and work of The Royal Parks, including protecting and enhancing the parks’ intrinsic qualities.
- Strategic decision-making ability.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team, with experience of collective decision-making at a senior level supported by their experience at Board/Senior Executive level in a significant organisation in the public or private sector.
- Excellent communications and representational skills with the personal stature and credibility to interact with and contribute to a high-profile Board and to operate as a high-profile ambassador for The Royal Parks.
In addition to serving on the Charity’s Board, the successful applicants may be required to chair or be a member of one or more sub-committees to the Board.
In addition to the core criteria, candidates will bring expertise or experience in the following areas:
- Experience in supporting significant commercial activity
- Expertise in fundraising for a medium-large charitable organisation
- Knowledge of or experience in horticulture and biodiversity
The role will provide strategic leadership to the Charity and advise other Trustees and the Executive, to make sure The Royal Parks operates within the rules and guidelines set out in the organisation’s governing documents and relevant legislation and will contribute to helping The Royal Parks to achieve its mission.
Profile of successful candidates
London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to reflect this in all Board appointments. The aim is for the Royal Parks Board to contain a broad range of experience and reflect London’s diversity. As such, we strongly welcome applications from underrepresented sections of the community, in terms of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
Duties
The successful applicants will be expected to act in accordance with the Royal Parks charitable objectives. Individuals will also be required:
- To demonstrate understanding of and commitment to the objectives and work of The Royal Parks including protecting and enhancing their intrinsic qualities and to ensure The Royal Parks is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
- To comply with The Royal Parks governing document and the law and demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles of corporate governance.
- To ensure The Royal Parks is held accountable in its decision making.
- To manage The Royal Parks resources responsibly and implement appropriate financial controls and manage risks.
- To be aware of any problems and ensure they are being dealt with, and obtain professional advice where necessary, and act with reasonable care and skill.
- To act in the best interests of The Royal Parks and deal with conflicts of interest and put the interests of The Royal Parks above any personal or business interests.
- To understand and take account of the views of a wide variety of stakeholders, including community stakeholders.
- To use personal knowledge and experience to support The Royal Parks to achieve its mission and operate effectively, including a commitment to supporting fundraising activity.
- To bring an understanding of, and commitment to, the development of equality opportunities, diversity and inclusion, and safeguarding, and its practical application.
Appointment Details
Time Commitment
There are approximately six Board meetings each year, in addition to sub Committee meetings and at least one strategy day.
The successful candidate will be required to attend the Board meetings, preferably in person, and any sub Committee meetings together with other ad hoc activities in addition to this. All Board meetings take place in locations within The Royal Parks’ estate in Greater London.
Remuneration/Expenses
The Trustee roles are non-executive and unpaid, but reasonable expenses will be met in accordance with The Royal Parks renumeration policy.
Term of the Appointment
The term of appointment is up to four years. Trustees may serve a maximum of two terms.
Start Date
Appointees are expected to be available to take up their role from January 2027 onwards. Offers of appointment are subject to pre-appointment checks prior to confirmation of appointment this will also include a social media check.
Appointment Process
Following assessment of applications against criteria for appointment, shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in person at City Hall.
For each Trustee position the selection panel will include a Mayoral representative, the Chair of The Royal Parks, a senior GLA Officer, and an Independent Panel member. Recommendations for appointment will then be made to the Mayor of London.
Interviews are to be held on W/c Monday 7th December 2026.
The Mayor of London will confirm appointments to the Board.
Please view our Protocol on Mayoral appointments for further details.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and a covering letter (max two sides) giving details of experience relevant to the ‘Criteria’ outlined in the Role Specification.
Please include the name and contact details of two referees and any relevant information regarding your eligibility for appointment and any Directorships you hold.
Applications should be submitted via our online recruitment system. You will also be asked to provide recruitment monitoring information
Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.
Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)
Conflict of Interests
Candidates should provide details of any business, or other interests, or any personal connections which, if appointed to The Royal Parks Board of Trustees, could be misconstrued or cause embarrassment to the Mayor, the Greater London Authority or The Royal Parks. This includes financial interests or share ownership, active connections or memberships of societies or associations.
If you would like to discuss the position informally, please contact James Crudgington jcrudgington@royalparks.org.uk
If you have any queries regarding the application process or require information in an alternative format, please contact Savvas.Tsiattala@london.gov.uk
The closing date for submission of applications is 22nd November 2026. 23:59
Please note we hold the right to close the post early due to high volumes of applications