The Kelmarsh Trust is an independent Charity responsible for the management of the historic Kelmarsh Hall (a Grade 1 listed building); it’s Grade 2* listed Gardens and the wider Kelmarsh Estate.

We are looking to appoint a number of new Trustees to join our Board.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the Trust, managing one of Northamptonshire’s finest country estates which is a major heritage site, visitor attraction, events venue and edication centre as well as being a working estate with several farms and a number of let properties.

We are looking for individuals with a passion for the traditional country house and estate, some experience of working at Board or senior management level and who have an interest, expertise or background in at least one of the following disciplines:

• Estate management
• Garden design
• Landscape management
• Heritage architecture and surveying
• Interior design
• Rural planning
• Education/community work
• Event management

We look to have a strong contingent of Trustees who are based locally to Kelmarsh but not to the exclusioon of suitable individuals from further afield.

The Trust meets four times each year and there are sub-committee and other ad-hoc meetings.

The Role

• The delivery of the Trust’s objectives as set out in the Articles of Association
• Setting a strategic direction for the Trust supported by a clear vision and values
• Formulating a corporate plan which sets out the Trust’s priorities and ambitions
• Agreeing and monitoring the annual budget
• Looking at strategic opportunities for Kelmarsh to improve its financial stability in a way that is consistent with its heritage, ethos and objectives
• Ensuring the operation of the Estate is well run by having a strong management team which is well led, efficiently organised and properly resourced
• Appointing and overseeing the relationship with key external advisors – in particular the accountants and land agents
• Ensuring the best governance practice is followed in line with Charity Commission Guidelines

There will also be opportunities for Trustees to serve as directors of Kelmarsh (Events) Ltd (the wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the Trust which manages the events business), to be members of the Finance Sub-Committee which is responsible for advertising the Trust on financial matters and other ad-hoc sub-committees that may be set up from time to time.

The Trust meets quarterly at Kelmarsh. The Events Board and Finance Sub-Committee also meet quartarly either at Kelmarsh or via Zoom. There are occasional ad-hoc meetings (eg. strategy days, social occassions) which are normally held at Kelmarsh.

Trustees are appointed for an initial period of three years with the scope to extend their period of office for a further three year term. These posts are not remunerated but out of pocket expenses are paid.

Background Information

Kelmarsh Hall is an 18th century Grade 1 listed property, set in iconic Grade 2* listed gardens at the centre of a traditional working agricultural estate of 3500 acres.

The Kelmarsh Trust was established in 1982 following the death of the last member of the Lancaster family who had owned the estate since the beginning of the 20th century. Its purpose is to promote, conserve and protect the heritage of the Hall and its environs, to make the Hall and Gardens open and accessible for public appreciation and to provide an education resource and facility for a variety of interested individuals and organisations.

The Trust is working to make Kelmarsh one of Northamptonshire’s major visitor attractions with a variety of events open to the public – including garden walks, musical evenings, food and drink markets, children’s activities, picnics and seasonal fairs.

The Trust has a number of sources of revenue including rental income from six working farms and thirty residential properties (which comprise the wider estate); income from a wind farm located on the estate; returns from a tea room and shop; investment income and occassional grants from various external bodies.

The management of the Trust is led by Lesley Denton, our CEO, who leads a small dedicated and highly effective team of full and part-time staff, ably supported by our fantastic volunteers and our first class professional advisors.

How to Apply

In line with our Equal Opportunities Policy, we welcome applications from the widest possible and most diverse range of individuals.

Please apply in writing a short covering letter and CV to:

Lesley Denton, lesleydenton@kelmarsh.com

Applications close on 30th November 2022