THE WOODLAND TRUST’S

YOUNG TRUSTEE
RECRUITMENT PACK

Could you be the Woodland Trust’s new young trustee?

Are your skills in ecology, conservation or finance?
Then we want to hear from you
Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 2

CONTENTS
3

11
18

5
Welcome 3
Introduction 5
About us 9
Opportunity 11
The individual 15
How to apply 18
 BEN LEE/WTML

WELCOME
THANK YOU FOR THINKING ABOUT JOINING US
 Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 4

WELCOME TO
THE WOODLAND TRUST
Welcome to the Woodland Trust and thank you for thinking
about joining us. This is an ambitious and exciting time
for the Trust, with tremendous opportunities as well as
challenges! We are growing and making our planet healthier
and happier for everyone. And everything.

As we celebrated our 50th birthday last year, we know

that our woods and trees are under greater threat than
ever before but they are increasingly being recognised
as a real force in combating climate change and the
loss of biodiversity. We’re working hard to reach new
audiences to stand up for trees, particularly people
living in urban areas and from a broader range of ages
and backgrounds.
We are seeking a new trustee to join our excellent
Board who will bring skills in ecology, conservation
or finance, and can help the Trust shape its strategic
future in the digital world. We’re looking for someone
between the ages of 18-30 who feels deeply about the
issues we care about. You will be ideally placed to help
us achieve our vision to see a world where woods and
trees thrive for people and nature. Your strengths could
be just the ones we need to complement those of our
PHILIP FORMBY/WTML, MATTHEW ROBERTS/WTML

other trustees and help us achieve the aims outlined in

our 10-year plan.

Barbara, Baroness Young of Old Scone

Chair, the Woodland Trust
Dr Darren Moorcroft
Chief Executive, the Woodland Trust
 MICHAEL HEFFERNAN/WTML

INTRODUCTION
SUPPORTING WOODS AND TREES FOR PEOPLE AND NATURE
 Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 6

INTRODUCTION
Having just celebrated our 50th birthday in 2022, the
Woodland Trust is at an exciting time in its history. As we
tackle the nature and climate crisis our role has never been
more relevant to the health and wellbeing of people, woods
and wildlife.
Our vision is to see a world where woods and trees
thrive for people and nature, and the Trust is
enjoying a period of record success, financially,
reputationally and in realising that vision. Chaired
by Baroness Barbara Young, the Board is made up
of leaders from the landowner community and the
environment, business, forestry and communications
sectors who drive forward an ambitious agenda.
Over the last few years, the Woodland Trust has
seen significant growth in its structure, scale and
reputation. Our last financial year saw our highest
ever level of income – over £76m. We have a strong
relationship with Government and have responded
swiftly to the changing environment including the
shifting public perception of climate change. But we
know that we need to do more. Our seminal report,
the State of the UK’s Woods and Trees 2021, shows just
BEN LEE/WTML

how important our native woods and trees are and

the many benefits they provide to the physical and
mental health of our society. But it also sets out the
many challenges they face and the dire state of many
of our woods, with only around 7% in good ecological
condition.

We need to be even more ambitious for

woods and trees.

In 2022 we reviewed our strategy and set out our

ambitions to 2030. Protect, Create and Restore
remain our key foundation stones – our core.
 Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 7

We own over 1,000 woods covering a total of 30,000

hectares and work in partnership with many other
organisations at landscape scale to achieve the
greatest impact.
By 2030 we want to:

• make it as socially unacceptable to destroy

an ancient wood or tree as it is to destroy a
masterpiece or building of a similar age

• have kickstarted nature’s recovery by

improving the ecological condition of native
woodlands

• have significantly scaled up our woodland

creation work to support the UK’s efforts to
meet net zero carbon emissions and support
nature’s recovery.
As an organisation, we also need to diversify our
supporter base and inspire greater numbers of people
from a wider spectrum of society to act for woods and
trees and support us, with money, time and voice.
We are looking to shift the relationship people have
with woods and trees to one where they are prepared
to take action. Additionally, we want to establish
greater public and policy understanding of the vital
role woods and trees play in sustainably adapting to
and managing climate change.
We want The way the organisation inspires and motivates
PHILIP FORMBY/WTML

to grow a diverse audiences, old and new, will be critical if we are

movement of to succeed in these ambitions, and help grow a mass
people who movement of people who love woods and trees and are
will stand up prepared to stand up for them.
for woods and To enable this activity, the Trust must continue to
trees. grow, embrace more enterprising models of investment
and delivery, and be able to move at pace.
Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 8

OUR VISION:
A world where woods and trees
thrive for people and nature

We We We
PROTECT RESTORE CREATE
ancient, veteran the ecological condition of quality native woods
and valuable woods existing native woods and and trees
and trees trees

INSPIRE: We will capture the hearts and minds of many

We will be evidence-led to enable everyone to

ENABLE: contribute to high-impact outcomes for nature,
climate and people

We are transforming how we operate, ensuring

TRANSFORM: we are the high performing team that our cause
needs us to be
 JILL JENNINGS/WTML

ABOUT US
WE’RE HERE FOR THE HEALTH OF THE PLANET
 Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 10

OUR
ORGANISATIONAL
NATURE
Values and ways of working.
GROW TOGETHER
We are a team that grows together; made up of unique
roles and expertise. We communicate effectively,
forging partnerships inside and out, building
understanding and trust, valuing differences and
recognising each other.

EXPLORE
We know exploration is important, it’s how we come up
with the best ideas. We won’t always get it right but
learn and share as we go. We are bold about who we
are and encourage healthy challenge.

FOCUS
We create clarity and stay focused, ready to adapt
JOHN BRIDGES/WTML

when we need to. We are empowered to take the time

to reflect so that we can develop and work smarter.

MAKE IT COUNT
We need to create a lasting positive impact. We
keep the big picture in mind, harnessing passion and
inspiring others to connect with us as we aim to make
a genuine difference.
 LAURIE CAMPBELL/WTML

OPPORTUNITY
HELP US ACHIEVE OUR 2030 STRATEGIC PLAN
 Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 12

OPPORTUNITY
The Board of Trustees is a group of individuals who have
overall responsibility for the Woodland Trust. It is an unpaid,
volunteer role.
The trustee role is focused on the strategic direction
of the charity and its effectiveness and accountability.
You can find out more about our current trustees here.
To help the charity achieve its 2030 strategic plan, the
specific duties of the Board are to:
• help formulate and agree the strategy, objectives
and resource allocation for delivery
• approve key performance measures, budgets and
policies
• review the organisation’s performance and hold the
executive leadership team to account for delivery,
through both challenge and support
• report for the organisation (e.g. annual report and
review)
• appoint and supervise the chief executive
• guard the brand and reputation of the organisation
• ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory
BEN LEE/WTML

requirements
• ensure appropriate consideration and management
of risk
Depending on experience and interests of individuals,
trustees have the chance to join committees
too. The Board currently has three standing
committees: the Board Affairs Committee, which
deals with governance matters and appointments,
the Remuneration Committee, and the Finance
Committee (of which members also comprise the Audit
and Investment Committees).
 Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 13

In addition to being on the Board and on a committee,

trustees are expected to fulfil some wider roles, such
as being an ambassador for the Trust, using their own
networks for advocacy, fundraising and championing
different areas of the Trust.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Joining our Board of Trustees will offer you a brilliant
opportunity to learn, develop skills and progress in
your career. It is a fantastic volunteering opportunity
with a well-known organisation that will benefit your
CV. Through being a trustee, you will develop your skills
in strategic thinking, decision making, management
and leadership. It is also a great chance to build your
networks and connect with new people.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT TAKE?

Trustees should be willing to commit around 12 days a
year to the Trust. This comprises:
• 4 x face-to-face, day-long board meetings per
year. These usually take place in Grantham, and on
weekdays

• 1 x two-day site visit per year

• Participation in committee meetings

BEN LEE/WTML

• You’ll have the option to attend events you might be

invited to

• Annual review meeting with the Chair

You’ll need to prepare for the meetings and read

relevant papers beforehand. This will take less time
as you become accustomed to the role. Trustees are
appointed for four years. This term can be extended
by a further four years following a review and mutual
agreement.
 Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 14

WHAT SUPPORT DO WE OFFER?

New trustees will be given a full induction to equip
them with everything they need to know to fulfil their
role. This will include:

• An introductory meeting with the Chair of the Board

• A “board buddy” with an existing member of the

board for 6-12 months. This is to provide informal
support by someone the trustee can ask questions
of, talk things over with and go to on an informal
basis for further background on issues as they
come up

• An induction programme including opportunities to

meet with the executive leadership team

• A Woodland Trust site visit with one of our woodland

officers at a location convenient to the trustee

• We wish to invest in the training, support and

development of our trustees, both individually and
collectively, in order to increase the contribution
that individual trustees and the Board can make
to our Governance and achievements. The range of
opportunities includes off the shelf courses from
organisations such as the National Council for
BEN LEE/WTML

Voluntary Organisations, tailored courses on specific

topics, board briefings and visits to other charities.

For those who have not been a trustee before, we can

offer coaching to support them to quickly gain the
skills they need to be an effective board member.
Trustees can claim travel, accommodation and
other expenses in line with our policy.
THE INDIVIDUAL
YOU HAVE INTEGRITY, COMMITMENT AND PASSION
 Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 16

THE INDIVIDUAL
All our trustees need to have certain qualities, such as
integrity, commitment and a passion for our cause. As
well as this, at the Woodland Trust, we want to reflect and
represent the full richness of diversity in the UK.

To ensure we broaden our reach and impact we need

diversity of thought and ideas on our Board of Trustees.
We have few employees and trustees under 30, therefore
we are particularly keen to receive your application if you
are between 18-30 and have skills in the following areas.
We would also like to hear from those at different career
stages and encourage applications from people who have
not been a trustee before.
We look for the following qualities:
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
• Passion for trees and woods
• Ability to contribute to discussions
JOHN BRIDGES.WTML

• Ability to focus on key issues

• Ability to build and accept collegiate decisions
• Ability to challenge management constructively
• Ability to think strategically
• Ability to understand financial information
• A good team worker
• Ambitious on behalf of the Trust
• Willingness to help fundraise
We are looking for a new young trustee to
join our Board from 2023 who can bring
specific experience and expertise in ecology,
conservation or finance. Do you have experience
in evidence-based landscape ecology and
conservation management, ideally with a focus
on wooded habitats? Or are you experienced
in finance and interested in the connections
between finance and sustainability?
 MARK ZYTYNSKI/WTML

HOW TO APPLY
ARE YOU INSPIRED TO JOIN US?
 Young Trustee candidate brief 2023 18

HOW TO APPLY
The online application process can be found at
jobs.woodlandtrust.org.uk and consists of a full CV and
personal statement, outlining your motivation, skills and
attributes that make you a good candidate for the role.
We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible
application process, so please let us know if you require any
adjustments at recruitment@woodlandtrust.org.uk .
If you have any questions, please email
youth@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The appointments will be made subject to receipt of
satisfactory references.

Closing deadline THURSDAY 6 APRIL

12PM

Stage one screening call 26-27 APRIL

ANITA NICHOLSON/WTML

Shortlisted candidates WEEKS COMMENCING

will be invited to a panel 22 AND 29 MAY
interview

Induction JUNE

1st board meeting 30 JUNE

 With more than 1,000
sites that are free for all
to visit, we’re creating
happier and healthier
habitats for people and
wildlife.

The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales no. 294344 and in
Scotland no. SC038885. A non-profit-making company limited by guarantee, registered in
England no. 1982873. The Woodland Trust logo is a registered trademark.
Cover image: Richard Faulks/WTML CP01004 2/23