Trustee
We are looking for people who share our vision and commitment of nature recovery to take up vacant positions on Gwent Wildlife Trust’s board of trustees. In particular, we are looking for a Company Secretary as well as trustees with financial oversight skills to succeed to Treasurer, however these are not the only requirements, applications for general trustee positions are also welcome.
• Are you committed to protecting and restoring our natural world?
• Do you enjoy working as part of a diverse team?
• Do you share our core values of commitment, integrity and inclusiveness?
• Are you willing to play your part in collaborating with other Wildlife Trusts?
• And are you able to give at least half a day of your time each month as a volunteer?
We’d love to hear from you if so.
Our activities and the communities we serve across Gwent are diverse and we want our Board to reflect this, and include a diversity of gender, colour, age, ethnicity, physical ability, sexual orientation and religious belief. We particularly need people with specific skills or experience including financial, secretarial, legal, governance, fundraising/marketing, people engagement, business and social partnerships, farming and conservation.
So what do Gwent Wildlife Trustees do?
The Board is responsible for governance and the strategic matters facing the Trust, including finance and funding, programme development and HR with operational matters delegated to the CEO and our professional and committed staff team. Our Board meets every two months; a mix of in person and remotely or hybrid. Trustees need to devote some time in advance of these to read relevant papers so they can ask questions and provide strategic direction on plans and issues. In addition there are sub committees where trustees advise staff on key policy and operational matters.
If you join us, you will be part of a friendly and positive group of Trustees, helping to ensure a better future for the wildlife and people of Gwent as well as contribute to the Federation of Wildlife Trusts’ 2030 Strategy.
The Trust is a charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. Trustees must be members of the Trust. Trustee appointments are voluntary and decided by the Trustees following a process outlined in our constitutional document.
What’s it like, being a Gwent Wildlife Trust trustee?
My experience as a young trustee, Lucy Holland Ford:
I applied to be a Gwent Wildlife Trust Trustee at the age of 25. I was already volunteering for GWT, and a member of staff highlighted the opportunity to me. I googled ‘trustee responsibilities’ … ‘lead’, ‘govern’, ‘executive level’ are some of the words that popped up. An array of uncommon and daunting key words I’d see in the standard job descriptions I’d come across at this age.
My passion for nature and motivation for positive change outweighed my self-doubt. Application and interview complete, I was now working at the heart of GWT. Two and a half years later, my experiences as a Trustee have been invaluable! Sixteen Board meetings in, I can safely say that I’m no longer afraid of financial reports. I’ve developed the confidence to speak up and have realised that my insights are valuable.
You can read more about our Board of Trustees here
If you would like to apply to become a Gwent Wildlife Trust Trustee, please complete the application form and send it to HR@gwentwildlife.org
Contact details
If you would like an informal chat to find out more about becoming a Trustee and what the roles involve, email Marc Leppard, Chair at mleppard@gwentwildlife.org.