Successor sought for next year

Scotland’s biggest conservation charity is on the hunt for a new chair to replace Sir Kenneth Calman who steps down next year.

Sir Kenneth will have served as chairman of the National Trust for Scotland for five years by the time of the charity’s annual general meeting in September 2015 and will formally relinquish the role to the new appointee.

The trust’s nominations committee has now begun the task of finding his successor beginning with adverts placed in a national newspaper this week.

The new chair will be expected to represent the trust externally and to promote its interests to the outside world.

The board want to be confident they appoint the right person to take on the role - Kate Mavor

He or she will also convene the charity’s board of trustees, which is ultimately responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the trust.

Sir Kenneth said: “I took on the role of chairman in 2010 at a time of significant change. Over the past four years much has been accomplished thanks to the input of trustees, volunteers and staff, as well as local communities. There is still much to do.”

Kate Mavor, NTS chief executive, said Sir Kenneth will be hard act to follow.

“This is why we are allowing such a long lead-in time to appoint his successor.

“The board want to be confident they appoint the right person to take on the role, secure in the knowledge that Sir Ken’s wise guidance and counsel will continue during this period.”

Potential candidates are being invited to visit Saxton Bampfylde’s website.