RHS Elections

Held annually, the RHS Elections are the process through which the RHS Council is formed, in accordance with the Bye-Laws. Elected members help guide the policies, priorities and direction of the RHS

What are the RHS Elections?

The RHS Council is the highest decision-making body of the RHS, responsible for setting strategic direction and overseeing delivery of the RHS Strategy, supported by its Boards and Committees. Each year at the RHS Annual General Meeting (AGM), at least three RHS Council Members retire, with vacancies filled by election. The RHS President and Treasurer are also appointed at the AGM.

When recruiting new RHS Council Members, the focus is on individuals with a keen interest in gardening and specific expertise in horticulture or skills and capabilities that are under-represented among current trustees. Annual assessments of RHS Council Members’ skills help anticipate future gaps due to retirements and the organisation’s evolving needs. Find out how to get involved below.

RHS President Election 2027

After serving the maximum seven terms as RHS President, Keith Weed will retire at the RHS Annual General Meeting in 2027. The RHS will begin the process of electing its next President in 2027, seeking a candidate who can provide effective leadership for the RHS Council, champion the purpose of the RHS and serve as its senior ambassador, helping to strengthen its profile, influence and public trust.

Candidates wishing to stand for election with the support of the RHS Council are invited to contact Egon Zehnder*, who are leading the search process. Anyone interested in the role should do so by 18 September 2026.

RHS President Keith Weed
Keith Weed, current RHS President

Keith Weed at RHS AGM
RHS President Keith Weed with RHS Members at the AGM in 2025

Interested candidates must be RHS Members by the date of their nomination, no later than 1 March 2027. The RHS Presidency is subject to annual election and may be held for up to five years, with a further two years in exceptional circumstances.

Candidates wishing to stand for election without the support of the RHS Council should complete and submit a nomination paper (available in the ‘How to apply’ section), supported by the signatures of eight other RHS Members, to the Secretary by 1 March 2027.

Learn more about the RHS President role and how to apply

RHS President: The role
The RHS is seeking its next President as Keith Weed completes his final term after seven years in the role.

The appointment comes at a pivotal point for the RHS, following a period of significant growth, investment and increasing national prominence.

With a clear strategic ambition to broaden the reach and impact of gardening, the RHS is looking for a President who can provide effective leadership of the RHS Council, support the executive team in delivering the charitbale purpose of the RHS and act as a compelling ambassador for one of the UK’s most respected institutions.

It is anticipated the next RHS President will spend a minimum of 30 days per annum on the role, including 12 days of governance meetings (and associated preparation), a strategy day and attendance at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and other shows throughout the year.
RHS President: Responsibilities
Role of the RHS President

The RHS President provides leadership to the RHS Council, champions the purpose of the RHS and serves as its senior ambassador, helping to strengthen its profile, influence and public trust.

The RHS Council approves strategy and oversees its delivery, performance, risk and long-term sustainability, while the RHS Director General and Leadership Team are responsible for implementation and day-to-day management.

Stewardship of the RHS Purpose and Strategy

The RHS President helps ensure that the RHS remains true to its charitable purpose while delivering its long-term ambitions. Responsibilities include:

  • Leading the RHS Council in shaping and approving the strategic direction of the RHS
  • Overseeing strategy delivery, performance, risk, financial sustainability and the stewardship of resources
  • Ensuring the RHS Council receives the information and assurance needed to assess progress and inform decision-making
  • Supporting oversight of major opportunities, risks and investments
Leadership of RHS Council and Governance

The RHS President leads the RHS Council in fulfilling its governance responsibilities and fostering a culture of openness, respect and constructive challenge. Responsibilities include:

  • Building and maintaining an effective RHS Council, including evaluation, development and succession planning
  • Upholding high standards of governance, ethics and accountability
  • Ensuring compliance with the RHS Royal Charter and Bye-Laws and regulatory requirements
  • Fostering productive relationships between the RHS Council and the Leadership Team
  • Ensuring the RHS Council remains focused on long-term priorities and organisational sustainability
Partnership with the RHS Director General

The RHS President develops a strong and constructive relationship with the RHS Director General, based on trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the success of the RHS. Responsibilities include:

  • Providing support, advice and constructive challenge
  • Leading the RHS Director General’s appraisal and succession planning
  • Fostering effective relationships between the RHS Council and the Leadership Team
Ambassador and Champion for the RHS

The RHS President is the senior representative of the RHS, using their profile, influence and networks to advance its mission, reputation and long-term success. In partnership with the RHS Director General, the President helps deliver the RHS ambitions. Responsibilities include:

  • Championing the RHS, its mission and values
  • Building relationships with key stakeholders, partners, donors and supporters
  • Supporting advocacy, philanthropy and strategic partnerships that advance the RHS ambitions
  • Representing the RHS at significant events and public occasions
  • Protecting and enhancing the reputation of the RHS
RHS President: Detailed specification
Board leadership 

Must have:

  • Chair ready (committee Chair experience as a proxy)
  • Experience operating at senior Board level

Nice to have:

  • Demonstrable experience as Chair of a Board
  • Experience in Board and ExCo development and successions
Professional experience

Must have:

  • Strong track record in commercial environments
  • Interest and passion for horticulture
  • Proven capability navigating financial pressures, investment trade-offs and growth
  • Driving innovation, transformation and organisational evolution

Nice to have:

  • Diversified revenue models
  • Membership and charitable organisations
  • Fundraising / sponsorship environments
Other considerations

Must have:

  • Experience of diverse stakeholder groups
  • Understanding balance between commercial performance and charitable purpose
  • Ability to guide long-term strategic thinking and prioritisation
  • Credibility, presence and network in the UK
  • Commitment to make this role a clear priority
  • Ambassadorial presence and willingness to engage in external engagement
  • Capacity to carry out responsibilities beyond the Board room
How to apply

If you’re interested in applying for the role of RHS President, please submit your expression of interest to Egon Zehnder at [email protected]*.

Alternatively, to stand for election without the support of the RHS Council, please complete the nomination form and provide the required supporter information using the forms below.

Please send all nominations to the Secretary by post to RHS, 80 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE or email [email protected].

RHS President role brochure (1.2MB pdf) 

*Data privacy: Please note, for interested candidates, that Egon Zehnder will act as the data controller for any personal information provided directly to them during the process. Where any relevant candidate information (e.g., CVs, references) is shared with the RHS as part of the recruitment process, the RHS will become a separate data controller for that information. For further information, please see Egon Zehnder’s Privacy Policy and the RHS Privacy Policy.

RHS Council Election 2027

The RHS encourages applications from candidates with prior Board experience. Specific areas of interest are outlined when nominations open each year. Applications are welcomed from all eligible** RHS Members. The RHS is committed to providing equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices, and encourages applications from all sectors of the community. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.

See the results from the 2026 elections below

View of the RHS Annual Report and plans for the future
View of the RHS Annual Report and plans for the future

Members asking questions at RHS AGM
RHS Members asking questions at RHS Annual General Meeting

Each year, candidates seeking the support of the RHS Council are invited to submit an informal expression of interest, including a CV and a supporting statement of no more than 500 words, to the Secretary by October in the year of election. The RHS Governance and People Committee considers all expressions of interest. Candidates wishing to proceed directly to the election without the support of the RHS Council should complete and deliver a nomination paper, supported by the signatures of eight other RHS Members, to the Secretary by the 1 March in the year of election.

Nominations for the 2027 RHS Council Election will open on 10 September 2026.

**Please note: Eligible candidates must have been RHS Members for three years at the date of their nomination. However, in exceptional circumstances, the RHS Council may waive this requirement.

Results from RHS Council Elections 2026

The 2026 RHS Election nominees reflected a balance of experience and fresh thinking in support of the future of horticulture. Keith Weed was re-elected unopposed as RHS President for his seventh and final term, while David Mathers was elected unopposed as RHS Treasurer, succeeding Matthew Lindsey-Clark.

Matt Davies, Stephen Hill, Wesley Kerr and Nicola Spence were elected unopposed to the four available positions on the RHS Council. Together, they bring a broad range of expertise across communications, science, finance and commercial leadership, along with a shared commitment to supporting the work of the RHS and guiding the charity’s future direction.

RHS Election nominees

Left to right: Keith Weed, David Mathers, Matt Davies, Stephen Hill, Wesley Kerr and Nicola Spence

Additional resources

Have a question?

For more information about RHS Elections, please see the Charter and Bye-Laws and associated regulations. For further queries, write to RHS, 80 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE; email [email protected] or telephone 020 3176 5800.
 

Email

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The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.