Non-Executive

Job header

How is the ACG¶¯Âþ run? Who makes the fundamental decisions that shape our future? As a non-executive volunteer, it could be you.

As Europe’s largest conservation charity, we’re also a major commercial enterprise, employer, retailer, and a visitor attraction. There is no other organisation in the UK like the ACG¶¯Âþ. And it’s that exceptional breadth of opportunity and challenge that makes working with us so incredibly stimulating.

Working with us in a non-executive capacity is a wonderfully rewarding experience: it’s an opportunity to have a real say in our current and future operations. In return for your time, knowledge and expertise, you’ll have the chance to shape our work as you help to grow the nation’s access to nature, beauty and history.

Whatever your area of interest, you’ll find a range of appealing non-executive opportunities here. The ACG¶¯Âþ is here for the benefit of the whole nation and we’re keen to reflect this in our non-executive community, ensuring it reflects the breath of our work and the public we serve. The details of our appointment or election processes are clearly outlined in each vacancy.

Typical non-executive opportunities

Trustee

Our Board of Trustees is the ACG¶¯Âþ’s governing body with ultimate responsibility for the leadership of the Trust and how it operates. Their role is to ensure that we have a clear vision and a strategy in place to deliver on our objectives as a charity.

Council Member

Providing guidance and perspective, appointing our Trustees and ultimately holding the Board of Trustees to account. The Council ensures the Trust is true to our founding objectives.

Committee Member

Our Audit & Risk, Investment and Senior Management Remuneration Committees provide oversight and assurance in their specialist areas and report into our Board of Trustees.

Other types of non-executive opportunities

Member of a Regional/Country Advisory Group

You’ll advise, support and challenge Regional/Country Directors and their teams to help them deliver the Trust’s strategy in the region or country in which they work.

Member of a Specialist Advisory Group

With your specialist perspective, and skills and knowledge which complement that of our staff, you’ll provide advice to assist in developing and delivering the Trust’s strategy in one of the following areas: Historic Environment; Natural Environment; Collections and Interpretation.

The principles underlying our non-executive appointments

We recognise that one of the most important means by which openness, transparency and accountability can be achieved is through the appointment of high-calibre volunteers capable of overseeing the governance arrangements of the Trust

Our non-executive roles are advertised externally, with a role descriptor outlining the skills and experience required for the role, and against which all applications are assessed. All candidates are required to submit a formal application, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.

Current non-executive opportunities

You’ll find more about the application process for all non-executive positions by viewing them individually here.

Member of the Investment Committee

  • The ACG¶¯Âþ is looking to appoint a new member to its Investment Committee from February 2026. Working with us in this capacity is an opportunity to contribute to the success of the ACG¶¯Âþ where our investments play a key role in both the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation and in the furtherance of our climate strategy.

    About the Investment Committee

    The Investment Committee is appointed by to establish the investment strategy and structure of the Trust's investments and to select and monitor investment managers to implement this strategy. Our investment portfolio totals approximately £1.5bn and you can find out more in our .

    About you

    We are looking for an individual with significant 'hands on' investment expertise to join our Investment Committee, for example through experience as an asset owner, investment manager or investment consultant. This individual will be expected to provide independent, objective and challenging views in the discussions that take place within the Investment Committee. You also play an important role in the programme of engagement with our asset managers to ensure alignment with the Trust's strategic goals, particularly related to climate change and nature diversity.

    You will have experience of working with large organisations in a non-executive capacity. Knowledge of the not-for-profit sector, charity accounting and an understanding of the role of an Investment Committee is not essential but would be an advantage. As part our ongoing commitment to achieving greater inclusivity we strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply.

    This non-executive role is voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

    Please read our Code of Conduct which applies to everyone who volunteers in a non-executive capacity.

    Time commitment

    The appointment is for an initial term of three years. The expected time commitment is approximately 10 days a year, split between four formal Investment Committee meetings and other associated activities. This commitment may be higher in the first year to allow for a full induction.

    Investment Committee meetings are typically held in late February, May, July and November. Meetings are typically held in London, with the May meeting incorporating a visit to see the Trust's work in action.

    More information

    Find out more about the charity and how we are run on our . Where you'll also find our .

    Further details of the Investment Committee's role and the candidate profile setting out the qualities and experience required for the role are included in the Information Pack below.

    Closing date and interviews

    Please ensure your application reaches us by 30 November 2025.

    In-person interviews will be held on 12 January 2026 in central London.

    How to apply and contact us

    When applying please provide the following:

    • An application which explains your interest and how you are suited to this role, and includes the names and contact details of two referees
    • A full CV

    Upon receipt of your application, you will be invited to complete an equality and diversity monitoring form.

    The email address for any queries and submitting your application is: governance@nationaltrust.org.uk.

    The ACG¶¯Âþ wishes to be fully inclusive and fair to all candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments to submit your application, please let us know.

    Alternatively, you can send your application by post to:

    Simon Matthews(Governance Officer)
    ACG¶¯Âþ
    Heelis
    Kemble Drive
    Swindon
    SN2 2NA

    Thank you for your interest - we look forward to hearing from you.

    Download the ACG¶¯Âþ Investment Committee info pack.

Trustee Director of the Pension Fund Board

  • The ACG¶¯Âþ is looking to appoint a Trustee Director for its Defined Benefit Pension Scheme from March 2026. Working with us as a Pension Trustee Director is an opportunity to contribute to the success of the pension scheme. In return for your time, knowledge and expertise, you'll have the chance to work alongside a group of high performing .

    About the Pension Scheme

    The Scheme is a Defined Benefit Scheme which was set up in 1947, closed to new entrants in 2003 and closed to future accrual in 2016 although still retaining the salary link. There are still approximately 400 members in the Scheme who work for the ACG¶¯Âþ. The Scheme also has approximately 1,800 deferred pensioners and 3,000 pensioners. The Scheme has assets in excess of £560m and has an active Investment Committee which oversees the relationship with the Scheme's investment consultant and fund managers.

    About the role

    As a Trustee Director for the ACG¶¯Âþ Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme you will utilise your pensions and investment knowledge to provide direction to the Scheme and its advisers. The Scheme operates through a Corporate Trustee and you will be part of a team of eight Trustee Directors (four employer-nominated and four member-nominated) fulfilling their responsibilities for the Scheme's overall governance and strategic direction.

    As Trustee Directors you will need to ensure that the Scheme is administered in the interests of its members and in line with prevailing legislation, the Trust Deed and Rules and relevant Codes of Practice. The successful candidate will also be expected to participate in the Investment Committee and may be asked to join other Working Groups from time to time which support the work of the main Board.

    This non-executive role is voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

    About you

    We are looking for candidates with a real passion for the Trust who understand and appreciate our core purpose and strategy. Our ethos is based on looking after and sharing special places, and as a member of the Pension Fund Trustee Board you'll have a valuable part to pay in how this happens. You'll be helping to ensure we manage the ACG¶¯Âþ's Defined Benefit Pension Scheme in a sustainable manner and take decisions with an appreciation of all of the stakeholders involved.

    We are looking for a strategic thinker, with sound understanding of sizeable defined benefit pension schemes and particular expertise in investment and other technically complex matters, including previous experience as a Trustee of, or advisor to, a scheme. Knowledge of the charity sector and an understanding of the ACG¶¯Âþ would be an advantage but is not essential. As part our ongoing commitment to achieving greater inclusivity we strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply.

    Time commitment

    The appointment is for an initial term of three years. The expected time commitment is approximately 15-20 days a year, split between four formal Pension Trustee meetings, four Investment Committee meetings, and other associated activities. This commitment may be higher in the first year to allow for a full induction.

    Full Pension Board meetings are typically held in late March, June, September and December with the Investment Committee meetings earlier in those months - with typically two meetings of each held in London and two online.

    More information

    Find out more about the charity and how we are run on our .

    View the ACG¶¯Âþ's latest results in our .

    View the Pension Fund's Annual Accounts.

    Closing date and interviews

    Please ensure your application reaches us by 30 November 2025.

    Interviews will be held on 16 January 2026 in central London.

    How to apply and contact us

    If you would like an informal conversation about the role or how to apply please contact us to arrange this. When applying please provide the following:

    • An application which explains your interest and how you are suited to this role, and includes the names and contact details of two referees
    • A full CV

    Upon receipt of your application, you will be invited to complete an equality and diversity monitoring form.

    The email address for any queries and submitting your application is: governance@nationaltrust.org.uk.

    The ACG¶¯Âþ wishes to be fully inclusive and fair to all candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments to submit your application, please let us know.

    Alternatively, you can send your application by post to:

    Libby Johnstone(Governance Manager)
    ACG¶¯Âþ
    Heelis
    Kemble Drive
    Swindon
    SN2 2NA

    Thank you for your interest - we look forward to hearing from you.

    Download the Pension Board of Trustees info pack.