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Chief Executive Officer, TREBAH GARDEN TRUST
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Chief Executive Officer, TREBAH GARDEN TRUST
Chief Executive Officer – Trebah Garden
Trebah Garden is one of Cornwall’s most treasured visitor attractions and one of the finest subtropical gardens in the world. Welcoming more than 113,000 visitors per year, Trebah combines horticultural excellence with a thriving charitable and commercial operation, encompassing retail, catering, events, education, and membership opportunities.
About the Role
We are seeking an outstanding Chief Executive Officer to lead Trebah into its next chapter.
Trebah is financially strong, operationally mature and highly respected, so this is not a role requiring major transformation. Our next Chief Executive will:
- Build on strong foundations through inspirational leadership for the talented team
- Ensure Trebah continues to flourish for generations
- Commit to organisational sustainability and charitable impact while delivering an exceptional visitor experience
Reporting to the Chair and Council of Management, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of the organisation. Responsibilities include:
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- Acting as the public face of Trebah, fostering strong relationships with visitors, members, partners, volunteers, and stakeholders while prioritising excellence in the visitor experience.
- Balancing commercial success, environmental stewardship, and community impact in a unique and inspirational setting.
Requirements
We are looking for a values-led leader with the following attributes:
- Strong commercial judgement and excellent people leadership skills
- An understanding of customer-focused industries, such as tourism, hospitality, leisure, heritage, culture, or retail
- Whilst an appreciation of horticulture and heritage is helpful, your ability to:
- Lead cross-functional teams
- Manage complex operations
- Align commercial success with organisational purpose is what truly matters
This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally-recognised destination, successful charity, and dedicated team within one of the most spectacular working environments in the UK.
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How to Apply
Application Deadline: Midday, Tuesday 4 August 2026
Submit your application by emailing applications@publicleadersappointments.com with:
- Your CV
- A cover letter (no more than three sides of A4) detailing:
- Your motivations for applying
- How your skills, knowledge, and experience align with the requirements for this role
- Two professional references (providing written consent for contact)
- These should reflect your leadership and professional abilities
Interviews will take place on: 8, 9, and 10 September 2026
For further enquiries, email Anna Jay, Managing Director at Public Leaders Appointments.
About Our Organisation
Equality, diversity, and inclusion are core to Trebah’s values. We strive to create an inclusive culture where every employee feels respected and empowered. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and welcome candidates with diverse experiences.
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