About the role
Introduction
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the success of The Royal Parks (TRP) and wants to help shape its future.
TRP has just embarked on an ambitious five-year strategy to ensure the long-term enhancement and protection of the parks for the benefit of this and future generations. The strategy, with sustainability at its core, envisages significant investment in the parks, including the delivery of two flagship projects – a major lottery-funded restoration project, Greenwich Park Revealed, and the transformation of a brownfield site in the middle of The Regent’s Park into a new two-acre garden in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.
TRP is in the process of examining the longer-term structure and business model of the organisation, including potentially insourcing some functions so that a wider range of services can be delivered directly. Work is also ongoing to explore new ways to diversify income.
Role description
The main responsibilities of the Chair are:
- Board leadership: agreeing agendas for and chairing main Board meetings; ensuring Board effectiveness and Trustee appraisals; potentially chairing key sub-committees.
- Working with the Chief Executive and senior executive team: supporting and holding the Chief Executive to account, setting and reviewing annual objectives, routine working meetings (every two weeks), regular phone calls/emails for consultation and sharing information, support and guidance as required.
- Visible leadership: inside and outside TRP – attending and speaking at TRP events; visits to projects; attending external events on behalf of TRP.
- Senior stakeholder and partner relationships: acting as an ambassador for TRP, building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and partners (i.e. Government especially The Department for Culture, Media & Sport; The Royal Household, City Hall and chairs of other organisations.
Organisation description
The Royal Parks is a charity and Public Corporation. Its purpose is to oversee the day-to-day management of 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 Royal Parks are owned by the Monarch in right of the Crown. Statutory responsibility for their care rests with HM Government.
The Royal Parks has a contract with the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport to carry out day to day management of the estate on her behalf, that currently runs until 2027. Within the first term of the new chair, this contract will be up for renewal.
The Royal Parks receives over 77 million 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 DCMS, the Mayor of London, charitable, sporting, environmental and cultural agencies.
Board composition
Up to seven appointments including the chair are made by the Secretary of State and up to six are made by the Mayor of London. There is also ex officio representation from the Royal Household.
Regulation of appointment
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website
Person specification
Essential criteria
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate in their application most of the following essential criteria:
- A clear grasp of the historical significance and distinctive role and character of the parks and an understanding of the importance of TRP’s relationship with government and the role the Parks play in key national events;
- Senior experience within a sizeable organisation, at Board level, and an understanding of the principles of corporate governance;
- An understanding of, or experience at a senior level in, the commercial sector;
- Good communication skills and the ability to act as an advocate for the charity with Government, donors, supporters, and visitors;
- A commitment to widening access to the Parks for a diverse range of backgrounds, considering the needs of all park users and encouraging new people to engage with the Parks.