Application to join the Plant Heritage Board of Trustees
All members of Plant Heritage’s Board of Trustees must be elected by the Council – meetings for which are
held three times a year (usually April, July and November).
Trustees come into their roles via several routes
a) those who join Council as their local Group Council Representative. (Council Reps are elected for a
term of office of three years, at the expiry of which they are eligible to stand for election for a further
term of three years.) A Council Rep can put their name forward to serve on the Board and is elected
by the Council. They can serve on the Board as long as they continue to serve as a Council Rep.
b) Those who are not Council Reps but who can take up one of eight places as an “Appointed
Representative” (appointed by Council) who serve for a one year term, but can be re-appointed on
an annual basis up to three years.
c) Those who are in ex-officio roles such as Chairman, Treasurer etc who are appointed by Council.
In accordance with the charity’s Articles, to stand as a candidate for the office of Trustee you must fully
support the aims and objects of the charity and be a current member. In addition you must be:
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Resident in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
Aged over 16 and eligible by law to be a charity trustee and company director
(please see the information sheet below)
Plant Heritage values diversity and is committed to change to ensure equal opportunity in every
aspect of the charity’s work. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
A prospective trustee is welcome to contact the Chairman Mike Buffin for an informal chat before submitting
their application (07881 8424488). You may also speak to another Trustee by phone if you wish.
Before election by Council, where possible those interested in the role will be invited to attend a Trustee
Board meeting to give you an opportunity to see what the role is likely to involve.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of the process, please contact Sarah Quarterman, Chief Executive
[email protected] 01483 447540.
Application form
Please use the attached form. In addition to basic information, you are asked to provide:
a. A short biography (no more than 200 words) to include:
 Relevant experience inside Plant Heritage or in any other organisation
 Qualifications and/or membership of professional bodies or other organisations
 Any additional interests, skills or experience relevant to the role
(You are also welcome to supply a full curriculum vitae)
b. A statement setting out why you are seeking election as a Trustee and of how you support Plant
Heritage’s aims and objects (no more than 200 words)
c. A brief description of any interests or loyalties you may have which might conflict, or be perceived to
conflict, with the duties and responsibilities of a member of the Plant Heritage Board of Trustees.
Plant Heritage is the working name of National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens
12 Home Farm, Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1HS. Tel: 01483 447540 Fax: 01483 458933
[email protected] www.plantheritage.com
NCCPG is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Cardiff 2222953. Registered Charity Number 1004009
Application to join the Plant Heritage Board of Trustees
Note on legal eligibility requirements for trusteeship:
When preparing to appoint a new trustee, a charity must ensure that the person is qualified to act in this
capacity. Some people are disqualified by law from acting as trustees, including anyone described in section
72(1) of the Charities Act 1993. This includes:
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Anyone who has an unspent conviction for an offence involving deception or dishonesty (theft, fare
evasion, or falsely claiming benefit, for example)
Anyone who is an undischarged bankrupt
Anyone who has been removed from trusteeship of a charity by the Court or the Commissioners for
misconduct or mismanagement; and
Anyone under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (see
below).
Anyone who has defaulted on payments under county court administration orders.
It is a criminal offence to act as a charity trustee while disqualified.
For further information please refer to the Charity Commission for England and Wales (with whom
NCCPG/Plant Heritage is registered as a charity) at http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/
Plant Heritage is a charity and a company limited by guarantee and so UK company law also applies. A
court may disqualify people from being a company director if they have a:
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Conviction for criminal offences relating to the promotion, formation, management or liquidation of a
company
 Conviction for fraudulent trading or fraud
 Record of persistent default on company legislation for filing accounts and other documents
 Record of conduct as a director that makes them unfit to be involved in company management
(Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986)
For the 2015 selection process, forms must be returned to the Chief Executive by 31st May. Shortlisting will
be in the following week along with short interviews either by phone or in person, to be mutually convenient.
The final recommendations will be put to the Council on 8th July.
Plant Heritage is the working name of National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens
12 Home Farm, Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1HS. Tel: 01483 447540 Fax: 01483 458933
[email protected] www.plantheritage.com
NCCPG is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Cardiff 2222953. Registered Charity Number 1004009
Application to join the Plant Heritage Board of Trustees
Contact Details
Name:
Membership No (if already a member):
Address:
Telephone Home:
Work:
Mobile:
Biography (no more than 200 words)
Statement setting out why you are seeking election as a Trustee and of how you support Plant Heritage’s
aims and objectives (no more than 200 words)
Plant Heritage is the working name of National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens
12 Home Farm, Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1HS. Tel: 01483 447540 Fax: 01483 458933
[email protected] www.plantheritage.com
NCCPG is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Cardiff 2222953. Registered Charity Number 1004009
Application to join the Plant Heritage Board of Trustees
Declaration of Conflict of Interests.
Please note below any interests you may have, either in Plant Heritage or in any other way, which might
conflict, or be perceived to conflict, with the duties and responsibilities of a member of the Plant Heritage
Board of Trustees.
REFEREES
Please list the names and addresses of two persons from whom we may obtain a reference relating to
your relevant experience that you are offering as part of your application.
Referee 1
Referee 2
Address
Address
Tel No:
Tel No:
Email:
Email:
Please feel free to attach your CV in addition to this application form.
Please return completed application forms to:
Sarah Quarterman, Chief Executive, Plant Heritage,
12 Home Farm, Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1HS
[email protected]
01483 447540
Plant Heritage is the working name of National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens
12 Home Farm, Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1HS. Tel: 01483 447540 Fax: 01483 458933
[email protected] www.plantheritage.com
NCCPG is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Cardiff 2222953. Registered Charity Number 1004009