Thousands invited to vote on charity’s future

Scotland’s largest membership organisation has opened a ballot to choose four people who will serve on its Board of Trustees.

The 370,000 members of the conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland are being invited to cast their votes and make their choice from a total of nine candidates who have put themselves forward for election.

The vacancies on the Board of Trustees arise because four Trustees are reaching the end of their terms of office, with two, having completed two four-year terms, stepping down and the remaining two eligible to stand for a second term.

Votes can be cast online or by using a voting slip that is being included in the Trust’s summer magazine that is currently being distributed to all its members.

Candidates, who themselves must be members of the Trust, were invited to come forward based on four areas of expertise or experience judged to necessary for the appropriate balance of skills on the Board.

They are:

Professional Built Heritage Conservation

Wendy Corrigan, a Glasgow-based architect; Hugh Garratt, a Chartered Surveyor; Nicholas Groves-Raines, an Edinburgh-based architect.

Natural Heritage, Wildlife and Environment

Dr James Fenton, a specialist in landscape conservation; Dr Will Williams, a former government conservation specialist.

Formal Education, Learning and Research Activities

Professor Murray Pittock, Pro Vice-Principal at the University of Glasgow; Kevin Reid, an education specialist with Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden.

Current Visitor Experience and Interpretation in Heritage or Other Attractions

Caroline Borwick, a member of the Historic Houses council and tourism committee; Penny Martin, a museums and galleries specialist and editor of The Gentlewoman

The National Trust for Scotland’s deputy chair, Jill Carrick, who is stepping down from the Board of Trustees said: ‘The National Trust for Scotland would not survive without the thousands of volunteers who perform a myriad of tasks to care for our country’s heritage – and the Board of Trustees are themselves volunteers who give up their time to help steer the charity.

‘More than that, the elected Trustees influence and oversee the decisions that are made for the wellbeing of the places in our care.

‘It’s therefore vital that all of our members take the trouble to use their vote to influence who will take on these vital responsibilities. The Trust is at a crossroads and sound and wise counsel has never been more important as our charity’s strategic investments, such as the Hill House Box, come to fruition and we strive to conserve our heritage for future generations.’

The ballot closes at the Trust’s annual general meeting, which takes place at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 21 September, at which the results will be announced.