Trustee

About The National History Consortium (NHC)

Our mission is connecting people with the natural world.

We have highly impactful and long-standing programmes such as the Festival of Nature, the UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world, and Communicate, the UK’s conference for environmental communicators.

Founded in 2003, NHC has established itself as a innovative charity that is recognised for its efforts and capability in bringing people together who share one thing in common – a passion for the natural world.

Led by Savita Willmott, Chief Executive and supported by a dedicated Board of member-appointed and independent Trustees, NHC consists of 13 member organisations, each with a longstanding, purposeful commitment to collaboratively drive the partnership forward.

Our small yet dedicated workforce are experts in stakeholder management. We draw together views and ideas from members across the Consortium who are actively involved across NHC’s programmes in shaping and steering the strategic direction and evolution of the Consortium’s work.

Building on our increasing exposure and attendance across our programme of events, our charity is now on track to grow and expand our reach. Through developing and launching a range of new initiatives, we are set to collaborate more deeply with local authorities and governments which will enable us to move into new spheres with even greater prospects for impact.

From our research and people engagement projects with Western Forest, England’s first new national forest in 30 years, to the development of a Government-supported, collaborative learning network that will connect professionals nationwide across the sphere of citizen science, it is an incredibly exciting time to be joining our organisation as we embark on a next period of evolution.

Our 2024 annual report can be found at this link here.

Our Impact

In 2024, the Festival of Nature attracted over 30,000 visitors across 96 different events and featured all 14 of our Consortium members. Last year, the festival supported 153 partners and 77 community organisations while also achieving both regional and national coverage.

Our annual conference involved more than 400 organisations and saw over 1500 people across the UK come together to learn, connect, and build purposeful networks with other nature professionals.

We are constantly testing new impactful initiatives with new audiences. Most recently, we ran focused pilot programmes with community organisers, Disabled Adults, and people aged between 18-30.

Appointment Profile

• Voluntary with travel reimbursed
• 4 meetings per year
• A blend of online and in-person meetings in Bristol

This is a strategic and values-led, non-executive leadership appointment that requires an individual who is passionate about the planet to act as both a thoughtful partner and a critical friend to the CEO and the Board.

Crucially, our next Trustee will help us better understand our culture which embodies a sense of citizenship at its heart. As both a dedicated member of our Board and as a proud ambassador, we require an individual who will be invested in helping us to further expand our influence across and beyond our immediate communities.

Beyond providing a clear sense of direction and ensuring sound governance, you will lead with empathy and integrity as you constructively unify the board while also fostering collaboration and accountability.

We are actively welcoming a passionate and committed individual who will not only bring a fresh perspective and new ideas, but who will also challenge us as we build collaborations between our Consortium partners, while also ensuring that both people and the planet remain at the core of every decision.

Ideally, you'll have an understanding of nature recovery across the South-West, and you might have supported an organisation with building throughout a period of growth. Perhaps you have worked in either a small or growing business or charity, where you have had to maximise resources to fuel operations, ensuring it is delivering effectively and to its fullest extent.

Responsibilities

Core Governance & Oversight:

• Provide strategic governance in support of the charity being well-run, compliant, and accountable, in line with its statutory responsibilities as set out by the Charity Commission.
• Shared responsibility of overseeing resourcing decisions across finance, HR, and operations to support the charity’s strategic plans.
• Review and challenge proposals from the Steering Group to strengthen decision-making and organisational direction.
• Monitor performance, risks, and progress against strategic objectives, especially during a period of rapid growth.

Operational & Resourcing Support:

• Bring small-business or small-charity insight to help maximise limited resources and improve operational effectiveness.
• Support the team as turnover continues to grow, ensuring the organisation scales sustainably.
• Advise on systems, processes, and prioritisation so the charity can operate efficiently and stay agile.

Culture:

• Help the organisation better understand and shape its culture, ensuring it aligns with mission, behaviour, and practice.
• Contribute to an environment where challenge, curiosity, and constructive questioning strengthen outcomes.
• Promote a culture of openness, problem-solving, and shared responsibility.

Mission & Values Alignment:

• Bring genuine interest and passion for the natural world.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity’s purpose, mission and values.

Board Participation:

• Attend a mix of online and in-person Board meeting, arriving prepared and ready to contribute thoughtfully, and at pace.
• Participate in senior-level discussions with a collaborative, supportive, and grounded approach.
• Experience NHC’s delivery programmes during the year where availability permits.
• Offer guidance and challenge that helps the organisation deliver better results for nature, people, and its partners.

Person Specification

While it is welcomed, this position will not require you to have held a Board role previously. Instead, we’re looking for an operationally sound individual who cares about the natural world and wants to contribute their professional expertise that will ultimately help people connect with it.

What matters most is your curiosity, commitment, and willingness to support a growing organisation with purposeful ambitions.

Essential Qualities

• Experience supporting an organisation during a period of growth or change.
• Familiarity of working in a small or growing business, charity, or similar environment.
• Comfortable maximising limited resources to help a team stay effective and focused.
• Ability to balance ambition with practical decision-making.
• Insight into what helps a lean organisation deliver well and operate at its best through a period of expansion and/or evolution.

Above all, we’re looking for someone who cares deeply about nature and people, brings a grounded and thoughtful approach, and who is ready to join a fast-paced, collaborative Board where challenge and support go hand in hand.

If you want to play a part in the next exciting phase of NHC’s evolution and growing influence, we’d be delighted to hear from you.