Use Your Skills to Support Birds of Prey as a Trustee

What will you be doing?

As a Trustee of the Hawk and Owl Trust, you will play an essential role in shaping the charity’s future direction and helping us make a lasting difference for birds of prey, owls, their habitats and the people who care about them.

Trustees are responsible for ensuring the Trust is well governed, financially sound and focused on delivering its charitable aims. You will help set strategic priorities, support good decision-making and provide oversight of our conservation, education, engagement and reserve management work. Your contribution will help ensure the organisation remains effective, sustainable and able to respond to the challenges facing wildlife and the natural environment.

The Hawk and Owl Trust is involved in practical conservation, habitat management, species protection, research, public education and community engagement. As a Trustee, you will work with fellow board members and the senior team to guide this work, consider future opportunities and ensure resources are used wisely for the greatest impact.

We are particularly interested in trustees who can bring relevant skills, experience and fresh perspectives to support the Trust’s development. This may include experience in charity governance, fundraising, communications, marketing, digital engagement, conservation, land management, education or HR. You do not need to be a wildlife expert, but you should share our commitment to protecting birds of prey and inspiring people to value the natural world.

Trustees are expected to attend board meetings, read papers in advance, contribute constructively to discussions and act in the best interests of the charity. You may also have the opportunity to support sub-committees or specific areas of work, depending on your skills and interests. This could include helping with fundraising strategy, public engagement, communications, governance, reserve development or long-term planning.

Our Board works closely and positively with the Trust’s staff and volunteers. We value collaborative, thoughtful and practical trustees who are willing to ask good questions, offer support and help us make sound decisions. The role is voluntary, but it offers a meaningful opportunity to use your experience to support conservation, strengthen the charity and help secure a better future for birds of prey, owls and their habitats.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for trustees who are committed to the aims of the Hawk and Owl Trust and who want to use their skills to support conservation, education and public engagement. Our ideal trustee will care about birds of prey, owls, wildlife and the natural environment, and will be motivated to help the Trust make a lasting difference.

Trustees should be thoughtful, reliable and willing to contribute constructively to Board discussions. We are looking for people who can take a strategic view, ask good questions, listen to others and make decisions in the best interests of the charity. Trustees do not need to be experts in birds of prey, but they should share our values and be willing to learn about our work.

Experience of charity governance or serving on a board would be helpful, but it is not essential. We welcome applications from people who can bring skills in areas

The most important qualities are sound judgement, integrity, commitment and the ability to work collaboratively. Trustees should be able to understand information, consider risks and opportunities, and support the charity’s long-term sustainability. We particularly value people who can bring fresh perspectives, practical experience and a willingness to get involved.

We are also keen to broaden the range of voices and experiences on our Board. We welcome interest from people of different backgrounds, ages and communities, including those who may not have previously considered becoming a trustee. Lived experience of barriers to accessing nature, volunteering, education or conservation would be valuable in helping us make our work more inclusive and relevant.

Above all, we are looking for trustees who are enthusiastic about helping the Hawk and Owl Trust protect birds of prey and owls, restore habitats and inspire more people to care for the natural world.

What difference will you make?

This trustee role will help the Hawk and Owl Trust strengthen its governance, improve long-term planning and increase the impact of our work for birds of prey, owls, habitats and people.

Trustees bring independent oversight, experience and fresh perspectives to the organisation. By joining our Board, the trustee will help ensure that the Trust remains focused on its charitable aims, uses its resources effectively and makes sound decisions for the future. Their contribution will support the charity to remain financially sustainable, well managed and able to respond to both opportunities and challenges.

The role will also help us develop our strategic direction. As the Trust continues its work in conservation, habitat management, education, research and public engagement, trustees play a key part in setting priorities and making sure our activities deliver real benefit. A trustee with relevant skills in areas such as fundraising, communications, governance, digital engagement, land management, education or organisational development could help us build capacity and improve how we operate.

Trustees also provide support and constructive challenge to staff and volunteers. This helps create stronger decision-making, better risk management and clearer accountability across the charity. By sharing their knowledge and networks, the trustee may also help us raise our profile, reach new audiences, attract support and identify new opportunities for partnership or funding.

Ultimately, this role will help the Hawk and Owl Trust protect and restore habitats, support birds of prey and owls, and inspire more people to care about the natural world. The trustee’s input will make a meaningful difference by helping the charity remain resilient, effective and ambitious in delivering its mission.

Before you apply

To apply, please submit a covering letter outlining your motivation for applying and the skills and experience you can bring to the Trust, along with a copy of your CV.