William Robinson Gravetye Charity owns and maintains the Gravetye Estate, a beautiful estate of considerable heritage and landscape value in the heart of Sussex. The estate was bought and improved by William Robinson, a major figure in the Victorian gardening and landscape movement.

William Robinson, using the proceeds of his successful writing career, purchased Gravetye Manor, an Elizabethan manor house built in 1884, alongside surrounding pasture and woodland which he gradually added to. He completely redesigned the existing garden in his signature style and began work on the surrounding estate. On his death, he left the estate, including Gravetye Manor, to the State. The William Robinson Gravetye Charity was set up by the Forestry Commission to maintain the estate.

William Robinson Gravetye Charity's vision is to become a beautiful, sustainable estate dedicated to the understanding of forest resilience and research. Its mission includes securing, improving and interpreting the legacy of William Robinson at the Gravetye Estate in order to provide public enjoyment and benefit through careful stewardship, experimentation, and research. It aims to create a well-maintained estate representing the values of William Robinson in demonstrating resilient woodlands, experimental planting and learning from the power of nature.

Trustees

Trustees will have a strong alignment with the vision and mission of William Robinson Gravetye Charity and pro-actively help to work towards its success and growth. In addition to the formal Board and committee meetings, Trustees will be willing to undertake informal engagement with the charity, including providing advice on an ad hoc basis to the management team. Trustees will be expected to use their specific knowledge and experience to help the Board reach sound decisions; assist the senior leadership team with advice as required; and keep informed about, and support as appropriate, the activities of the organisation.

Responsibilities of the Trustee may include:

• Offering support, guidance and constructive challenges to the management team
• Assisting with strategic, long-term planning to realise William Robinson Gravetye Charity's ambitions, whilst responding to challenges and opportunities as they arise
• Offering specific guidance in their areas of expertise
• Ensuring that the charity applies its resources in line with its charitable objects
• Carrying out the core responsibilities of charity governance, as set out in Charity Commission Guidance

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Treasurer

The Trustee Treasurer will play a key role in the effective governance of the charity. While financial matters are the responsibility of all trustees, the Treasurer will take the lead in guiding Trustees on all aspects of the charity’s investment, financial management and financial reporting. The Charity Administrator also holds a modest budget to handle items related to charity administration and governance.

Responsibilities of the Treasurer Trustee include:

• Monitoring the financial administration of the charity and reporting to the board of trustees, in compliance with the governing document
• Overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process
• Acting as a counter signatory on payments and applications to funders; where required
• Board-level liaison with the external audit / independent examination
• Overseeing the production and presentation of investment proposals, budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees
• Reviewing the reserves, investment, financial delegation and other policies related to finance and recommending changes and updates to Trustees
• Overseeing the charities banking and investment arrangements to ensure that returns are optimised within the investment policy and sufficient cash is available to fund operations and investment
• Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly invested and economically spent
• Liaising with staff and contractors on finance, risk and assurance matters (the Development Manager, Land Agents and Charity Administrator)
• Be the primary Board contact for the external audit/independent examination

Trustees

William Robinson Gravetye Charity is looking to appoint up to two new Trustees new Trustee who will have a background in at least one of the following areas:

Culture and heritage: Candidates should bring a strong background in culture and heritage preservation. Ideally, the successful candidate would have been involved in bidding processes of grant-giving organisations within the sector (i.e the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Garfield Weston Foundation). A strong connection with similar culture and heritage organisations and an affinity to the South East region is desirable.

Tourism and leisure: Candidates should bring deep knowledge of current trends and strategies in the tourism and leisure sector, preferably in the South East region. They will be able to advice the Board on sector-specific matters and lead conversations and initiatives that enhance the vibrance of the estate and its properties to the public, thus attracting and retaining increased visitors.

The charity is open to receiving applications from those who are seeking their first board-level position, as long as they are able to form constructive relationships with other Trustees.

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Treasurer

William Robinson Gravetye Charity is looking to appoint a new Trustee Treasurer who will be supervising its finance and accounting arrangements and its investment plans as it ramps up investment and expenditure on the estate.

Applicants must bring strong financial experience having run or managed the accounts of small and medium sized companies as a senior-level finance director, and will have the ability to advise and monitor the financial / accounting health of an organisation.

William Robinson Gravetye Charity is open to receiving applications from those seeking their first non-executive role, as long as they are committed to the mission and vision of the charity, feel comfortable working with a small team of Trustees and staff, and be prepared to take on projects as well as contributing at meetings.

These positions are not remunerated but reasonable allowable expenses will be reimbursed. The charity holds four Board meetings a year, two are held virtually and two are held at the Gravetye Estate alongside a tour to review the estate. The appointed Treasurer is also expected to set up a meeting twice a year to review the risk register and the financial accounts. Participation in other task groups may be requested as identified with the Chair and Trustees. Candidates will be UK-based and ideally based reasonably close to Gravetye (but this is not essential for these appointments).