Record number of National Trust members stand for election to charity’s Council at Annual General Meeting

For the second year running, a record number of National Trust members applied to join its Council, which plays a key role in the charity’s governance. This year 200 members with valid applications chose to go forward to ballot, a rise on 127 members standing last year.  The Council, the governing body that appoints trustees and helps to monitor and support their work, is made up of 36 members who have a range of expertise in everything from education and agriculture to nature and the built environment.

René Olivieri, Chair of the National Trust’s Board of Trustees, said: “As Chair, I am personally delighted to see so many members looking to play their part in our work by joining our Council. The Board works closely with the Council on the effective governance of the Trust, making sure we can fulfil our charitable purpose to the best of our ability, and having Council members with different skills, expertise and backgrounds is an important part of this.

“As ever, I’ve valued the opportunity to meet with members and hear their views at the AGM today. Our venue at the STEAM Museum in Swindon feels especially fitting; the National Trust was born in the wake of the Industrial Revolution and this strong link with Britain’s industrial heritage will continue through our future stewardship of Ironbridge, widely regarded as its birthplace. As we mark the 130th anniversary of our founding, the Trust’s mission is ever relevant and under our careful stewardship - nature, beauty and history will be protected for everyone, for ever.

Following the vote, the members joining the Council are:

Jane Dean 35,176 ELECTED

Will Wilkin 34,940 ELECTED

Anne Marie McAleese 34,882 ELECTED

Marcus Buck, 34,698 ELECTED

Richard Grayson 34,534 ELECTED

Ismail Kholwadia, 34,326 ELECTED

Stephen McMahon, 34,249 ELECTED

Members also shared their views and voted on two resolutions. One resolution called for increased signage and communications to raise awareness of ticks at National Trust places, a position both the Board of Trustees and the majority of voting members supported. A second resolution related to insurance provision of historic buildings in the Trust’s care. Members’ voted against the resolution, which aligned with the Trustees’ recommendation.

A summary of the results of members resolutions voting is as follows:

Resolution 1. Members’ resolution about insurance of historic buildings – not carried (23,390 for/ 49,817 against)

Resolution 2. Members’ resolution about increasing tick awareness – carried (70,881 for / 2,575 against)

The Board of Trustees will now reflect on the outcomes of voting and will be back in touch with members through the usual communications in the coming weeks.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “The National Trust has an important role to play as our nation faces major challenges - bringing people together through culture, heritage and nature, while taking practical steps to address climate change and the urgent need to restore nature.

“At today’s AGM, we celebrated our achievements over the past year with our members: from launching Nature, Towns and Cities with Natural England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to make green space more accessible to communities, to significant investment in conserving our shared national heritage. Despite the financial pressures affecting us and many other charities, our work to protect nature, beauty and history for future generations continues.”

Questions from members ranged from the Trust’s banking arrangements and ensuring high standards of conservation, to increasing wildlife-friendly areas in gardens and raising awareness of National Trust supporter groups.

The results of Quick Vote were 54% for resolutions and 56% for Council elections.

The full resolution results can be read here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/annual-general-meeting The complete day’s recording will be available shortly on the same page.