Becoming a Trustee
We are actively seeking Trustees now
We are recruiting three new Trustees to our Board. The closing date for applications is 16 October 2026.
For two of the three posts, we’re particularly seeking Trustees with experience in:
- fundraising and/or membership
or
- farming, agronomy or land management.
The third post is not sector specific.
Please see our candidate pack below to find out more:
Become a Trustee with the Wildlife Trust BCN (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr6C01MyWU0)
Credits: Holly Wilkinson
Choose to be a Trustee for the Wildlife Trust BCN. Choose the Wild Life.
Choose to give your time to the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants – BCN for short – and you’re choosing to see nature not as a luxury but as the system that keeps us alive.
Choose to shape a brighter future for nature in our three counties, and you’re choosing to work with an organisation that doesn’t just count its outputs, but measures its actual impact.
We’re looking for three new Trustees to provide strategic direction and keep our ambitious plans for a wilder future on track.
We want our Board to reflect our community and actively encourage applications from people of all identities and walks of life. We particularly invite applications from groups currently underrepresented within environmental charities including people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with disabilities.
In return for your input, we’ll give you fascinating insights into nature and charity operations, lively and respectful debate and field visits with expert staff.
To find out about the role and the recruitment process, please see our candidate pack:
To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than 2 pages, explaining why you want to be a Trustee and why you think you would be suitable for the role at the Trust, to: Teresa.stephens@wildlifebcn.live by 5pm on 16 October 2026. Please state ‘Trustee Recruitment’ in the subject line of your email.
FAQs on being a trustee
Who can become a trustee?
Trustees and committee members come from all walks of life. You don’t need to be an expert on wildlife, simply someone who cares deeply about it. The best councils and committees are diverse – just like the best ecosystems! We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and cultures. Our Trustees are a diverse group with complementary skills. This includes not only experts with a scientific and conservation background but also, and just as importantly, others with a wide range of professional interests and expertise, and a passion for nature. You can read about our current trustees here.
How much time do trustees need to give to their role?
Trustees can serve for two terms of three years as a Trustee and up to six years as an officer.
You don’t need to be retired or work part-time or flexibly to be a trustee. Meetings are in the evenings, as are many of the field trips (which are optional).
Full Council meets four times a year and the two Committees (you would be a member of one) also meet four times a year.
What is the role of a trustee?
Trustees automatically become members of our Council. The purpose of Council is to set the overall direction of the charity and to ensure it’s well run.
Our Council of trustees is legally responsible for all the activities that the organisation undertakes. The Trust is also a company limited by guarantee, of which all trustees are directors.
In practice, this is a strategic, policy-making and monitoring role, with the day-to-day running of the Trust delegated to the Chief Executive and his excellent team of staff.
Trustees also join one of our two committees: Resources or Conservation, Education and Community Committee (CECC). The committees allow time for more in-depth discussion and make recommendations to Council. CECC meets about eight weeks before Council, Resources about four weeks. Rarely, a trustee may be a member of both committees.
How do I apply to become a Trustee?
We advertise vacancies as and when they arise. We need to ensure we retain a diverse mix of skills and experience on Council, so if we’re seeking someone from a particular field, the advert will specify that. Alternatively, please do contact our Chief Executive, Brian Eversham, via the Cambridgeshire office.
Candidates who make it to shortlist stage will be interviewed – usually by the Chair of trustees and the Chief Executive.
Successful candidates for committee member posts will be invited to join the committee. In the case of trustees, the successful candidates will be ‘co-opted’ onto the Council pending voting by members at the next AGM. This is nothing to be afraid of – members are generally very supportive of prospective trustees.
As a trustee you will be re-elected by members every three years, and can serve two terms (ie up to six years).