Secretary General

The Board of BGCI is undertaking an international search to recruit an outstanding candidate to

become its Secretary General, when the current holder of that position, Dr Paul Smith, steps

down in 2026.

The Secretary General provides leadership, inspiration and direction to ensure the successful

development and delivery of BGCI\’s strategies and policies on behalf of the Board of BGCI, its

members, donors, partners and wider communities. Their focus will be on the growth and impact

of BGCI through increasing the financial and staff resources and expanding BGCI\’s networks,

outreach and influence.

The Board of BGCI is seeking to appoint a person with proven leadership qualities, and

outstanding organisational, management, diplomatic and communications skills. Candidates for

this post will require a proven track record in the botanic garden/conservation/environmental

sector, with demonstrated sensitivity to complex, multicultural and multinational institutions

and structures. Working within a partnership model, candidates must be able to show their

capacity to innovate and to manage change. They must also be able to inspire donors and BGCI\’s

members around the world, and to have led on the development of significant capital and revenue

schemes.