RHS appoints two new Directors
The RHS has appointmented two new Directors; Jill Cherry joins the RHS as Director of Gardens and Estates and Simon Thornton-Wood is promoted to Director of Science and Learning.
Andrew Colquhoun, Director General of the RHS, said: “The two roles replace the existing role of Director of Horticulture, Science and Education, which is currently held by David Gray who retires at the end of March. The RHS has grown rapidly in recent years and the range of activities in this directorate now requires two heads rather than one. “We’re looking forward to Jill coming on board during a period of major developments at the four RHS gardens which now attract over a million visitors a year. Her experience of running major public gardens will be very helpful.”
“We’re reaching out to new audiences of all ages and experience to help them learn more about gardening and the science that underpins it. Simon already has a strong track record in this area and will be bringing in a new phase for the RHS and education, for example developing RHS qualifications and informal learning.
“I’m also delighted that David Gray has agreed to continue in a consultancy role to project manage the Bicentenary Glasshouse and Learning Centre development at Wisley through to its completion in spring next year.”
Jill Cherry has been Director of the VanDusen Botanic Garden in Vancouver since 2000, and previously was Regional Director for the City of Toronto and Director of Parks & Urban Forestry. She has degrees from Canadian universities in environmental studies and landscape design. Her family roots are in Surrey where her parents still live. Jill joins the RHS on 2 May.
Simon Thornton-Wood has been Assistant Director of Science & Learning since 2004 and takes up his new post on 3 April. He joined the RHS in 1996 as Head of Botany and in 2001 became Head of Science, Advice and Libraries. Prior to the RHS he was a Horticultural Taxonomist at the National Trust and Botanist at the Natural History Museum. He has a PhD from Reading University in plant taxonomy & evolution and BSc in Botany with Soil Science. He is a Fellow of the Linnean Society and was previously Chairman of PlantNetwork, the plant collections network of Britain & Ireland.
Jill Cherry said, “I am truly delighted to be joining the RHS as Director of Gardens and Estates. I am greatly looking forward to working with Director General Andrew Colquhoun, the rest of the executive team and garden curators to do my part in forwarding the progressive vision of the RHS. The RHS is, of course, known world-wide for excellence and I hope to contribute my enthusiasm for gardens and my skills and experience to maintain and develop these high standards.”
Simon Thornton-Wood said, "The RHS commitment to education and science has never been greater, at a time of tremendous change and opportunity in horticulture and gardening. I look forward to taking on this new role of Director of Science & Learning, and in particular the challenges of bringing our Plan for Learning to fruition, and strengthening the science basis of our work to support all gardeners."