University of York academic appointed to the Board of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Posted on 22 March 2021

A leading University of York biologist has been appointed to the Board of Trustees at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Professor Ian Graham FRS, from the Department of Biology, is also Director of BioYork and Weston Chair of Biochemical Genetics, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products.

He is also leading on BioYorkshire, a 10-year plan to transform the region into the UK hub for green innovation and enterprise.

Professor Graham, who has been appointed as a Science Trustee by the Secretary of State for the Environment, will play a part in the board’s key role of responding to biodiversity loss in the coming decades.

Biodiversity

Professor Graham said: “I am delighted and honoured to accept this role. My enthusiasm and interest in the work delivered by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew stems from a love of plant biology and a commitment to research that advances knowledge and benefits society.

“Kew’s collections, science facilities and gardens are world-class and it has a huge and urgent role to play through its research and interactions with the public and policy makers in responding to biodiversity loss and climate change.”

Professor Christopher Gilligan, Sir Paul Nurse, David Richardson and Judith Batchelar were also appointed to the board for terms of three years.

Humanity

Dame Amelia Fawcett, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “I am delighted to welcome these talented individuals to the Board of Trustees. Each one brings significant expertise and experience that will add a great deal to an already strong Board.

“This is an important time for Kew, as we launch our 10-year strategy, and each of these new Trustees will have an important role to play in our mission to end the extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected and managed sustainably, for the benefit of humanity and our planet.”

The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew is responsible for ensuring that Kew Gardens operates within the guidelines set out by government, and secures maximum value for money.

Conservation

Kew’s 132 hectares of landscaped gardens, and Wakehurst, Kew’s Wild Botanic Garden, attract over 2.3 million visits every year. Kew is also involved in running The Yorkshire Arboretum along with the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world.