The Council

The Council helps look after our inspiring places for future generations. Its members advise on important decisions, inform strategy and keep us connected to the wider public.
What does the Council do?
The Council plays an important role in how the National Trust is governed. Its main responsibilities are to appoint Trustees and to monitor and support their work. Council members meet three times a year to debate key strategic issues and advise the Board of Trustees. They also use their networks to inspire support for the Trust among members and the wider public.
Who's involved?
The Council is made up of 36 members who have a range of expertise in everything from education and agriculture, to nature and the built environment. Half are elected by National Trust members and half are from organisations which have a connection to the Trust.
Council members serve an initial term of three years, and are then eligible to restand. Normally Council elections take place every year. For 2020 the Board and Council have decided to cancel this year's elections to the Council. The temporary constitutional changes allowing this to happen have been approved by the Charity Commission. With no elections this year, the Board and the Council have agreed that all existing elected members of the Council will serve one additional year. The Council elections will proceed as usual in 2021.
Hear from the Council
Meet the Council
The Council is the guardian spirit of the National Trust. It is not our governing body, but its responsibilities include appointing our Board of Trustees and monitoring their work and performance.