Join us as a co-opted Trustee

Help shape the future of the John Muir Trust and apply to join our Board as a co-opted Trustee.

The John Muir Trust is the UK’s leading voice for the protection and conservation of wild places in the UK. We have ambitious targets and are now inviting applications for two co-opted Trustees who will bring new skills to the Board of Trustees and help shape our future.

We’re looking for individuals who can bring strategic insight and proven experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Strategic communications and networking – able to inspire, influence, and engage stakeholders.
• Environmental governance – ideally with an understanding of international frameworks and policy landscapes.
• Strategic income generation – helping us unlock new opportunities to grow our impact.
• Wild places and ecology – whether scientific, strategic, or practical experience.

Successful applicants will become full members of the Board from their date of appointment until the AGM in 2026, with the possibility of extending this term by being re-co-opted, or standing for election by the Membership as Trustees.

Essential criteria

• Awareness of the value of wild places within the man-made landscapes of the UK.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically.
• Willingness to join the Trust if not currently a Member. 
• Ability to commit to the role for an initial period of nine months. This involves reading paperwork in advance of attending around six full-day meetings: three Board meetings, usually in Edinburgh (hybrid format) and three topical discussion meetings (in person meetings at locations around the UK). 

Please note that the role is voluntary and not renumerated.

To apply

If you’re motivated by the challenge of protecting wild places for future generations and you’d like to contribute your skills at Board level, we’d love to hear from you. Your experience could include:

• Any relevant qualifications or training you have completed
• Past/current employment
• Volunteering

Applicants are welcome from all walks of life with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our work on behalf of wild places.

Please submit your application by Monday 12 January 2026 to: returning.officer@johnmuirtrust.org

Your application should include: 

• Candidate statement – please share in no more than 250 words your suitability to be a John Muir Trust Trustee, and how you bring experience in one or more of the following areas: strategic communications and networking; environmental governance; strategic income generation; or wild places / ecology.
• CV (one page)
• Completed Code of Conduct declaration (Trustee Code of Conduct)

Contact 

To arrange an informal discussion ahead of application or for any questions on the role of a Trustee, please email the Returning Officer.

Next steps 

The Trust will review all applications and respond to all those who have applied as soon as possible after the deadline. If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to participate in a short online interview to discuss your application. We expect interviews to be held in January in order that the successful candidates are in place, and have received induction training, before the March 2026 Board Meeting.