Skip to content
Two women behind a serving counter laden with cake
Staff in the cafe at Lyme Park, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

About us

Whether you’re a lifelong member or have only just discovered the National Trust, you can find out more about us by reading up on our history and the work we do today. 

About the National Trust

View of the ruins of Corfe Castle, lit in golden autumn sunlight, with a hill in the background
Article
Article

Who we are and what we stand for 

Discover more about our legacy, people and values as a conservation charity. We protect historic places and green spaces while opening them up for everyone, for ever.

A group of people walking along a grassy path through an avenue of trees in full leaf
Article
Article

For everyone, for ever: our strategy 

Read about our strategy 'For everyone, for ever' here at the National Trust, which will take the organisation through to 2025.

Two people crouching down to look at long grass at Pentire, Cornwall
Article
Article

Our constitution 

The first National Trust Act passed in 1907. Successive Acts have since been introduced to ensure the National Trust continues to be well governed and remains true to its cause.

Who's who in the National Trust

Three people looking at a wooden box on a table
Article
Article

Meet the Executive Team 

Find out more about the National Trust’s Executive Team who provide strategic and operational leadership including setting goals and overseeing performance for the long term vision of the National Trust.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust
Article
Article

Director-General 

Director-General Hilary McGrady has worked for the Trust since 2006, having been Regional Director for a number of regions and Chief Operating Officer since 2014.

His Majesty The King, our Patron, President of the National Trust
Article
Article

President 

The former Prince of Wales was our President from 2003 until the death of Her Majesty the Queen and his ascension to the throne. In May 2024 he continued his patronage, acting as our Patron.

René Olivieri, Chair of the National Trust, smiling for the camera
Article
Article

Chair 

Find out about René Olivieri, who became Chair of the National Trust in February 2022, and the wealth of experience he brings to his role.

Sandy Nairne, Deputy Chair of the National Trust
Article
Article

Deputy Chair 

Writer and curator Sandy Nairne was appointed Deputy Chair of the National Trust in 2022. Find out about his roles, both within the organisation and outside of it.

National Trust Council Chair, René Olivieri at the 2023 AGM
Article
Article

Board of Trustees 

Discover who sits on the National Trust's Board of Trustees, what experience they bring to the role and how they work together to meet the Trust's purpose.

National Trust Council members standing in a garden listening to someone do a talk
Article
Article

Council 

Council applications for this year’s election have now closed. Discover how the members of the Council are elected and how they advise on important decisions, inform strategy and keep us connected to the wider public.

History

The house and garden at Smallhythe Place showing flowers in bloom in June
Article
Article

The history of the National Trust 

Discover the history of the National Trust, from its foundation, through key projects and initiatives, to its recent anniversary celebrations.

Sir Robert Hunter with his daughter (centre), fellow National Trust founder Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley (far right) and a friend in the Lake District around 1900
Article
Article

Founders 

Read about our three founders – Octavia Hill, Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley – who set up the National Trust in 1895 to protect natural and historic places.

How we are run

The National Trust AGM 2023, STEAM Museum, Swindon

Annual General Meeting 

Your Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place at 10am on Saturday 2 November 2024. Vote now, register to attend and view this year's resolutions and elections.

National Trust Council Chair, René Olivieri at the 2023 AGM
Article
Article

How we are run 

Discover how the National Trust is run, how our governance arrangements are underpinned by Acts of Parliament and how they are designed to support and challenge our staff.

Our central office

National Trust logo on the side of the building at Heelis, the Central Office for the National Trust at Swindon, Wiltshire.
Article
Article

Heelis 

Find out how to get to Heelis, the National Trust's award-winning central office in Swindon.

Reports and publications

Visitors taking a photo and enjoying the display of sunflowers at Rhosili and South Gower Coast, Wales
Article
Article

Annual Reports 

Our Annual Report reviews our performance over the last year and looks forward to our future plans.

Volunteers laugh as they walk at Tyntesfield, Somerset
Article
Article

Gender and Diversity Pay Gap Report 

Read our latest Gender and Diversity Pay Gap Report, see how we compare to the national average and find out what we're doing to close the gaps.

Childrens' feet in wellies and boots hanging from a tree branch
Article
Article

Safeguarding statement 

Discover what we’re doing to ensure the safeguarding of all visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors including children, young people and adults at risk.

A man and a child flying a kite at Rhossili Bay, Gower
Article
Article

Our fundraising promise 

When you make a donation to us, you can be confident that our fundraising is legal, open, honest and respectful. Find out more about our fundraising promise.

Visitors take a photo beside flowering heathers at Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, Derbyshire
Article
Article

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity 

We're committed to meeting the needs and expectations of a diverse society. Find out what we're doing to create an inclusive, accessible and welcoming environment for our supporters, staff and volunteers.

Partnerships

A man carries saplings across a field in the Lake District

Partners 

As Europe’s largest conservation charity, a partnership with us can make a real difference.

A group of four people walking through long grass wearing outdoor jackets.

Brand licensing partners 

We're always aiming to make our retail ranges more sustainable. That's why we collaborate with a variety of product partners who share our values.