Kent Wildlife Trust Trustee

Tyland Barn Nature Park & Gardens,

Chatham Road
Sandling
, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD

Kent Wildlife Trust has ambitious plans over the next five years to grow the income raised by the charity, and its subsidiaries, to help support our strategy.

Globally and nationally wildlife is in steep decline. We appear to be reaching critical tipping points around the loss of biodiversity as well as around climate change, both being interlinked. Human society cannot prosper without wildlife and healthy ecosystems.

Kent’s wildlife needs to be restored to much higher levels. We can no longer allow common things to become rare. We can only do this by restoring large-scale natural habitat areas and processes. Doing this will contribute to solving global problems. But we won’t be able to do this unless we publicly aspire to a higher level of impact and show that we can deliver this.

KWT is one of the largest of the 46 Wildlife Trusts in the UK, which together make up The Wildlife Trusts federation. We are an independent charity supported by over 30,000 members with an overall objective to manage, protect and enhance the recovery of wildlife in Kent. To this end, we own and manage 80+ nature reserves; are actively involved in habitat recovery and species re-introduction; engage with politicians, decision makers and landowners to promote habitat management at a landscape level; and run a full programme of education work with schools, colleges, and adult groups. We also have three Visitor Centres across the county.

2023 is an exciting time to join KWT as we launch the Wilder Kent 2030 Strategy – an ambitious plan to address the nature and climate crises through conservation action and innovation. Our vision is a Wilder Kent where nature is in recovery and valued as a critical human life support system. Our mission - to work with people to restore, save and enhance our natural heritage, has never been more important or more urgent!

KWT operates from its headquarters at Tyland Barn, just north of Maidstone. It is composed of over 100 professional and support staff who work within teams including Conservation & Engagement, Estates, Fundraising, Marketing and Communications, Development and Finance and Operations. The CEO is Evan Bowen-Jones.

KWT has three trading subsidiary companies, Kent Wildlife Enterprises, KWT Consultancy Services, and Wilder Carbon – a landmark initiative which aims to rapidly scale up native habitat restoration in the UK by leveraging green carbon finance. Together with the parent charity they form the Kent Wildlife Trust Group.

Trustee appointment

Charity trustees are the people who share ultimate responsibility for governing a charity. A full description of what being a trustee involves can be found on the Charity Commission website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-involved

KWT currently has a Board (Council) comprising eight trustees, of whom Dr Chris West is the Chair. We are now seeking to appoint another trustee with the following skills:

• Financial management – the person will have operated at a senior level providing strategic financial oversight and planning to executive management.
• Experience managing (or demonstrable understanding of) charity finances at top lines is highly desirable.
• An accountancy qualification or equivalent experience / expertise would be desirable but is not essential. Candidates with additional expertise in tax and investment management are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities include working alongside other trustees to:

• Periodically review and approve the strategy of KWT and performance against annual targets.
• Attend quarterly Council meetings (as held either in-person at Tyland Barn or on-line).
• Contribute actively to Council meetings, ensuring KWT delivers its charitable objects.
• Participate as requested by the Chair in the governance of the Trust’s trading subsidiaries, and/or any Council sub-committees and/or specific “task and finish” groups that might be running at any given time.
• Uphold and safeguard the reputation of the KWT Group.

In support of the Treasurer and other members of Council, the new trustee will be expected to use their financial experience to:

• Oversee and approve budgets, annual accounts, monthly management reports and all other financial statements.
• Assure the financial resources of KWT meet its present and future needs.
• Ensure appropriate financial/accounting procedures and controls are in place and are fit for purpose.
• Advise on the financial implications of the Trust’s strategic plans.
• Ensure the Trust has appropriate reserves and investment policies.
• Monitor the Trust’s investment activity and ensure it is consistent with its policies and legal responsibilities.
• Ensure that accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, for example the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Support, as requested, the external audit and ensure any recommendations are implemented.

Application & interview process

To apply, please visit our website at www.kentwildlife.org.uk/jobs where you can access the application form, submit a CV, and cover letter. For further information about this role please contact the Governance Officer emma.cuff@kentwildlife.org.uk

The interview process will consist of an informal conversation with shortlisted candidates with Chris West, Chair of Trustees, followed by an interview with other Trustees and Senior Management.

Closing Date: Open-ended recruitment until the vacancy is filled

Interview Date: By agreement with shortlisted candidates

We are unable to recruit anyone who does not have a right to work in the UK.

APPLY HERE