Non-Executive Director

The James Hutton Institute is an independent research organisation conducting science on lands, crops and natural resources. The products of our research benefits current and future generations in Scotland and beyond.

We use science to understand our world better and to provide solutions to the climate and nature crises. We innovate, we invent, we discover, we model, we predict, we test, we verify, we provoke, we reassure, we advise, we challenge, we motivate, educate and inspire. We use our accumulated knowledge, resources and the skills, talents, experience of our people to understand and enlighten the choices that governments, society and individuals need to make in relation to land use and natural resources for a better world for future generations. We work in the lab, field, farm in natural ecosystems and with communities on the soil, water, vegetation, crops, nature, people and society.

We work with partners in over 55 different countries worldwide. Our approach is to take our expertise, skills and knowledge from Scotland to other parts of the world, and to learn and bring international expertise, knowledge and skills back to Scotland.

The JHI Board currently comprises thirteen Non-Executive Directors and due to some long-serving Board members retiring we now wish to appoint at least 4 new members to our Board by September 2023. The Institute is committed to an inclusive and diverse representation on the board. We have maintained a 50:50 gender balanced board since 2017 and we are seeking to consolidate and expand our board’s inclusiveness. Our first female Chair in Susan Davies takes over from Ian Gambles starting in September 2023. As an Institute focussed on the needs of future generations, we are keen to encourage applications from those who are in the early years of their career to further increase our diversity of thought and experience.

The main purpose of the role of the Non-Executive Director is to participate fully in the activities of the Board and Sub-Committees to ensure that the organisation meets its commitments to stakeholders.

The Institute would be keen to receive applications from candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Knowledge of the UK research and innovation landscape
• Science, policy or practice background relevant to the Institute mission
• Knowledge of and/or commercial experience within the agricultural sector
• Knowledge of Environmental, Sustainability and Governance aspects of leading an organisation
• Qualified Chartered Accountant

The Non-Executive appointments are not remunerated but travel and subsistence expenses are met.

The time commitment ranges from 8 – 12 days per annum, including committee work.

Further information on the Institute and a recruitment pack can be found at Aspen website.

For a confidential discussion contact Donogh O’Brien, Lauren Crichton or Gillian Blackadder at Aspen website.