Eden Trust

The Eden Trust is a well-known UK charity - owner of the iconic Eden Project which was founded in Cornwall 25 years ago.

We wish to recruit a new Trustee to the Board with the necessary experience and knowledge to support Eden's growth, with particular focus on the exciting new project of Eden North in Morecambe.

Eden, co-founded by Sir Tim Smit, turned a redundant clay mine into a captivating and biodiverse space, serving as "a living theatre of plants and people".

Eden Cornwall's huge geodesic biomes house a Mediterranean ecosystem and the largest rainforest in captivity, while its surrounding gardens host plants, sculpture, activities and events.

Our mission is to harness the power of transformation, showing how people can live in greater harmony with nature and with each other.

As the planetary emergency intensifies, our mission is becoming ever more urgent.

We are increasingly showcasing new solutions and bringing people together in a spirit of hope and innovation to tackle our planetary crisis.

In 2021, world leaders chose Eden Cornwall as the venue for their G7 summit.

We also use our convening power and influence well beyond the Cornwall site and have ambitions to do much more.

We own the National Wildflower Centre and are pursuing ambitious plans to expand its reach; we have just finished a major project to harness geothermal energy; and we have a thriving educational offering, covering all age groups, face to face and online.

We also play a substantial role in promoting healthy neighbourhoods and citizenship values through programmes such as The Big Lunch, which attracts millions of participants every year.

The Eden project is led and managed by its CEO and senior leadership team, who have advised organisations around the world on the development of similar projects.

We currently have a showcase operation in Dubai, live projects in China and Costa Rica, as well as Dundee and of course, Morecambe.

We are working hard to expand and amplify our digital outreach and influence.

Eden North was granted full planning permission in early 2023 and, in partnership with Lancaster City Council it has been granted £50m from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund.

Current activities at Morecambe include community engagement, definition of the visitor experience, and initiatives to secure the required £50m match-funding.

We intend that Eden North will support the local economy in the Northwest of England, as Eden Cornwall has done for the Southwest.

The Role

The new Trustee will join the Trust board which oversees Eden's strategy and governance, ensuring the charity is true to its purpose and values.

Their excellent knowledge of the Northwest and demonstrable enthusiasm for building future prosperity in the region will enable them to support the development of Eden North.

Their experience of large-scale building projects will enable them to advise the Board and senior leadership team on the commissioning and supervision of the Eden North visitor attraction.

They should be willing and able to help with fundraising and would ideally be well-connected to potential donors.
Essential

• Significant leadership and boardlevel experience.
• Experience in effectively commissioning, supervising or developing large scale construction programmes, especially those that have required multiple sources of funding.
• Highly credible connection with the Northwest and a passion to improve the local area through regenerative ideas and projects.
• Personal integrity and willingness to adhere to the Nolan Principles of public life.
• Willingness to devote the time required for Board and other key meetings in London, Cornwall, Morecambe and occasionally elsewhere.
• Sensitivity to the needs and operation of charities, probably as a result of experience in the sector. Understanding and respect for proper governance and the role of the Board.
• Personal credibility and the disposition to listen to others' contributions, provide constructive challenge and foster productive relationships with and between other Trustees, the Chief Executive, the Chief Financial Officer and the cofounder.
• Ability to work with existing networks and share/build others specific to this project in the Northwest.

Desirable

• Experience of multisite or other complex organisations entering a significant growth phase
• Globally entrepreneurial outlook and spirit.
• Demonstrable interest and credibility in the environmental or social areas in which Eden operates.

Time Commitment:
Six Board meetings per year; a mix of hybrid and in-person meetings in London/Cornwall. Additionally, agreed senior meetings related to the work streams and sub committees for the Morecambe project.

The Trustee can also expect to have regular conversations with the Chair of the Trust, the CEO and CFO, and other Committee Trustees.

Terms of office:
Trustees are appointed for an initial three-year term, after which they may be eligible for reappointment for a f

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