Press release

Appointments to the Board of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Sarah Flannigan appointed and Sir Derek Myers reappointed to the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Defra sign

Lord Gardiner of Kimble has appointed Sarah Flannigan to the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) and reappointed Sir Derek Myers.

The appointments have been made in accordance with the Code issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Sarah Flannigan’s appointment will run until 31 October 2019 and Sir Derek Myers has been reappointed to 2 September 2019.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity to be made public. The appointees have not declared any political activity in the past five years.

Trustees do not receive any direct remuneration for their services, although reasonable travel and subsistence expenses can be reimbursed.

Biographical details of Trustees

Sarah Flannigan

Sarah has recently become Chief Information Officer at EDF Energy. She was previously CIO at the National Trust where she led a major 3 year digital, customer loyalty and internal efficiency transformation programme. Prior to the National Trust, she was VP Global Customer Service at IPC Trading Inc. and Sales and Marketing Director at David Salisbury Ltd. Sarah is also a member of the Board of Governors at Wells Cathedral School.

Sir Derek Myers

Derek has served as a Trustee for RBG, Kew since summer 2013 and he now chairs the Audit and Risk committee. Derek stepped down from a senior career in local government at the end of December 2013. He has most recently been Chief Executive of both the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Both authorities are regarded as amongst the best performing in local government. Derek has previously served on the Board of the Department of Health and chaired the UK professional body of his peers (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives & Senior Managers). He is also Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Board of Public Health England and chairs its Audit Committee. He is married with two children; has lived in Chiswick, near Kew Gardens, for the last 20 years, and is a longstanding Friend of Kew.

Further information:

  • RBG Kew is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body created under the National Heritage Act 1983, sponsored by Defra and which operates under a Board of Trustees.
  • The Board of Trustees for RBG Kew comprises a Chairman and 11 members. Ten members and the Chairman are appointed by the Secretary of State. Her Majesty the Queen appoints her own Trustee on the recommendation of the Secretary of State.
Published 25 November 2016