Kent Wildlife Trust is one of the largest of the 46 Wildlife Trusts, which together make up The Wildlife Trusts federation. KWT is an independent charity supported by three wholly owned income‑generating subsidiary companies which together make up the Kent Wildlife Trust Group. Our Wilder Kent 2030 strategy sets out our vision for creating a nature‑rich, climate resilient Kent, in acknowledgement that we must act now at scale to recover nature across Kent, and the entire UK.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a voluntary Non‑Executive Director to join the board of our subsidiary company Kent Wildlife Enterprises.
Established in 1996, Kent Wildlife Enterprises (KWE) receives and manages our core “non primary purpose” trading income. This includes income generated through retail, our extensive events programme, and our Visitor Centre activities. KWE also receives the funds generated from our reserves through nature‑based solutions (NbS) activities, including the sales of biodiversity net gain (BNG) and carbon units.
In 2026 KWE anticipates realising the benefits of an enhanced visitor experience at our Sevenoaks Visitor Centre following its refurbishment over the last year, as well as a refreshed online retail offering following the launch of our new KWT website.
At a time when the nature and climate crises is becoming all too real, it is critical for the Trust to maximise income opportunities to support its work. KWE donates all its year‑end profits to the parent charity to this aim. If you have the skills and time this role offers an opportunity to use your business and governance expertise to deliver real benefits for UK wildlife and biodiversity.
Responsibilities
* Provide independent oversight, strategic guidance and values‑based leadership to the company.
* Help to ensure strong financial health, business growth and effective risk management.
* Work with fellow directors and the Trust’s senior leadership team to promote the success of the company.
* Ensure compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory obligations and uphold the highest standards of environmental practice.
Qualifications and experience required
* SME business growth
* Visitor centres, destination venues, events and experiences
* Environmental or heritage retail enterprises including e‑commerce
* Eco‑tourism
* Company finance, tax and accounting
* Experience working with or within charities, social enterprises or trading subsidiaries
* Prior experience in a senior leadership role is highly desirable.
The role is unpaid and voluntary, requiring attendance at a minimum of four board meetings per year, primarily online with occasional in‑person meetings.
Next steps
If you’re ready to join our team and help us create a Wilder Kent, simply click “Apply now” to apply via our website. Here you can find out more about the role and complete the online application form. Be sure to include your personal statement in the space provided and upload your CV, and take a moment to review the guidance notes for helpful tips.
Closing date: Sunday 29th March 2026.
Interviews will be held online before invitation to an in‑person meeting at our headquarters near Maidstone, Kent.
For more information, please contact Emma Cuff, Governance Officer at governance@kentwildlife.org.uk.
Kent Wildlife Trust believes that everyone has a responsibility to safeguard children, young people, and adults at risk; we are committed to ensuring their safety and wellbeing is at the heart of our engagement with people. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to references, Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks as appropriate for the role.
The Kent Wildlife Trust Group is Wild About Inclusion. To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better. It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are celebrated, everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature!
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