Could you be our new Chair?

We are looking for a new chair to lead Dorset Local Nature Partnership. This is an exciting opportunity to shape our future direction.

Luke Rake, who has led the partnership since December 2020, stepped down in February 2025 to take on a new national education role. We thank Luke for his strong leadership and support to the partnership during his time on the board and wish him well in the future.

We are in a climate and ecological emergency and the next year will be an interesting time for Dorset LNP with some potential threats, uncertainties and new opportunities for nature, such as: changes to funding for farmers, the spending review, local authority funding pressures, changes to the planning system, the adoption and initial delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, a new Environment Improvement Plan, NHS Change, potential devolution, and national food strategy.

We need a passionate new chair who can lead us through these changes to maximise Dorset’s environment for wildlife, people and the economy. The chair will also regularly link with neighbouring LNPs in the South West and work with LNPs across England to influence national policy.

Responsibilities and Person Specification

Please see the Dorset LNP Chair Recruitment Pack for more details about Dorset LNP, the board and the chair responsibilities and person specification.

This is voluntary position, but some expenses can be covered (see recruitment pack for details).

Timetable

  • Closing date for applications: 9pm Monday 12 May 2025
  • Interviews: Friday 23 May 2025
  • Appointment to be made w/c 26 May 2025
  • First Board meeting: 11 June 2025 – 2pm-5pm in person in Purbeck

Future LNP Board dates are usually held from 2pm-4pm on the second Wednesday in the months of March, June, September and December. In the next 12 months these will be: 11 June, 10 Sept 2025, 10 December 2025 and 11 March 2026. Meetings are usually held via Teams with the June meeting often in-person. An Annual Forum is held in February or March each year.

To apply

Please read the Recruitment Pack and then complete a simple application form, attach a CV, and send to Maria Clarke, Dorset LNP Manager by 9pm Monday 12 May 2025 to via info@dorsetlnp.org.uk

If you have any queries, or would like to discuss this opportunity, please contact Maria Clarke – Dorset LNP Manager on 07436 158308 or via info@dorsetlnp.org.uk (please note, she will not be available on the following days: 18, 21, 22, 25 and 28 April and 5 and 9 May).

For more information about the Dorset LNP please see the rest of our website: www.dorsetlnp.org.uk.