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, with overall responsibility for the organisation, providing strategic direction and monitoring the delivery of the RHS Strategy with support from its Boards and Committees. Each year at the RHS Annual General Meeting, 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 results of the 2026 elections below.

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 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.

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

Nomination process for election

View of the RHS Annual Report and plans for the future

The RHS encourages applications from candidates with senior expertise (expected) and 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.

Information: Results from the 2026 elections can be found above. Nominations for 2027 open in September 2026.

Each year, candidates seeking the support of 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 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.

RHS Members asking questions at RHS Annual General Meeting

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

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.

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