A new Chair of the Board of Trustees is being sought by Scottish Government Ministers for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) as its current Chair Sir Muir Russell KCB FRSE prepares to step down after his final term.

The new Chair will be responsible for extending the reach, impact and profile of this world-leading botanic garden at a crucial time in its history. RBGE will celebrate its 350th anniversary in 2020, which will provide an immediate focus, and its visionary Edinburgh Biomes project has recently received planning approval.

The £70m Edinburgh Biomes project, which will take seven years to realise, will bring together RBGE’s research, horticulture, education and infrastructure facilities and restore its Grade A listed Victorian Palm House, 1960s visitor and research Glasshouses. The project will protect the Garden’s globally important plant collection of 13,500 species and secure its work for future generations.

RBGE’s wealth of expertise on biodiversity and climate change makes it a key organisation in shaping Scotland’s understanding and action in response to global challenges. The Chair will lead the Board of Trustees and act as an ambassador for RBGE, keeping Scotland at the cutting edge of plant science and conservation and building positive relationships of influence to support the organisation’s ambitions, including Edinburgh Biomes.

Commenting, Regius Keeper Simon Milne MBE says: “The need for our pioneering work has never been greater, be it through innovative science, impactful education or inspiring people with the beauty and value of plants. We look forward to working with the new Chair to deliver even more for society in Scotland and around the world and to move forward with Edinburgh Biomes, our most significant project to date.  

“Plans are well advanced to celebrate our 350th anniversary and we are excited about the whole RBGE community coming together to capitalise on this opportunity to promote our work, build a strong platform for fundraising and to grow RBGE’s legacy”

The appointment will take effect in December and will be for a period of four years. Further information can be found on the Scottish Government website vacancies page and at rbge.org.uk/vacancies.

ENDS

For further information, interviews and images please contact Shauna Hay on +44 (0) 131 248 2900/07824 529 028
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a leading international research organisation delivering knowledge, education and plant conservation action around the world. In Scotland its four Gardens at Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan attract a million visitors each year. It operates as a Non Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Government. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by Ministers. Its mission is “To explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future”.

Learn more: www.rbge.org.uk