Trustee - Jubilee Gardens Trust

About Jubilee Gardens

Visited by over 5.5 million people annually, Jubilee Gardens is a busy and much-loved landscaped park located at the heart of London’s South Bank. The Gardens feature over 90 mature trees, expansive lawns, and an enclosed adventure playground designed for children up to 11 years old.

The Gardens are managed by a local charity, The Jubilee Gardens Trust, which comprises residents’ organisations, local businesses, and neighbouring landowners. The Trust relies on grants and donations to maintain the Gardens’ cleanliness, greenery, and accessibility for the public to enjoy.

The Role
Help Shape a London Landmark

The Jubilee Gardens Trust, the registered charity responsible for managing and maintaining Jubilee Gardens on London’s vibrant South Bank, is seeking new trustees.

The Trust brings together local businesses, residents, and neighbouring landowners to oversee this exceptionally busy riverside green space. With over 5 million visitors each year, Jubilee Gardens is not only a popular destination but also a vital community resource.

The Trust is looking to fill several vacancies on its Board of Trustees and welcomes expressions of interest from residents, employees, or business owners in the South Bank and Waterloo areas, as well as from those located further afield. The ideal candidates will be individuals who can contribute time and enthusiasm to help manage and improve the Gardens, ensuring they continue to play a key role within the neighbourhood. Additionally, there is an exciting prospect of extending the Gardens—offering a unique opportunity to create significant new green space in central London.

Appointment as a trustee provides an opportunity to be directly involved in overseeing and guiding the Trust’s work, while gaining invaluable insight into the management and governance of a registered charity.

Governance

The Board of Trustees holds ultimate legal responsibility for the governance of Jubilee Gardens Trust. This includes setting strategic direction and policies, overseeing risk and control frameworks, and ensuring the Trust meets its aims and objectives. All trustees share responsibility for Board decisions and must act solely in the interests of the Trust.

Responsibilities

Trustees play a central role in governance and strategy, with opportunities to contribute further to specific areas of the Trust’s activities. Areas of oversight include:

Governance and Strategic Direction

• Ensuring compliance with charity law, company law, and the Trust’s governing documents

• Defining and monitoring the Trust’s strategic direction, policies, and performance

• Approving annual business plans, reviewing risks, policies, and Board composition

• Ensuring financial sustainability and effective administration

Operations

• Overseeing the management and maintenance of the Gardens

• Monitoring contractor performance and stakeholder feedback

• Protecting and managing Trust property

Finance

• Approving budgets and monitoring financial performance

• Reviewing annual reports and accounts

• Ensuring appropriate internal controls and investment of funds

Communications and Reputation

• Safeguarding the Trust’s reputation and values

• Representing the Trust with partners and stakeholders

Fundraising

• Supporting funding opportunities, grant applications, and advocacy

Skills

• Contributing relevant expertise, experience, and insight

Person Specification

The Trust welcomes candidates who demonstrate:

• Commitment to the Nolan principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership

• A strong interest in the work of Jubilee Gardens Trust

• Strategic vision and independent judgement

• Willingness to offer constructive challenge and contribute to collective decisions

• Understanding of the legal responsibilities of trusteeship

• A collaborative and inclusive approach

• An interest in community service