Trustee - Board of Trustees

In addition to a sound understanding of good governance and the responsibilities of trusteeship, the MSC is particularly interested in candidates who can offer deep expertise and leadership experience in one the following areas:

• Wild-capture fisheries sector leadership: senior executive or Board-level leader from the commercial wild-capture fisheries sector, with current or recent leadership experience in an MSC-certified fishery and direct knowledge of the MSC Program. Candidates should bring a strong understanding of how the Program operates in practice across fisheries, supply chains and markets, together with the credibility to contribute sector insight to Board discussions on strategic opportunities, implementation challenges and stakeholder engagement.
• Applied fisheries science expertise: internationally recognised fisheries scientist with senior leadership experience in applied fisheries management, fisheries or marine policy development, and/or assessment, including direct experience of MSC’s Fisheries Standard. With a strategic perspective, applicants will provide expertise and assurance to the Board on scientific and fisheries management matters, supporting the MSC in the effective delivery of its mission.

Senior level experience in engaging with government and/or intra-governmental bodies would be desirable in either of the seats.

While appointed for their particular expertise, Trustees contribute as full members of the MSC Board, engaging across the complete range of strategic, governance and fiduciary responsibilities that come before it.

Trustees are appointed for a term of three years and may be invited to serve up to a maximum of two terms. The time commitment averages approximately one day per month.

It is anticipated that the candidates appointed will join the Board from July 2027, using the intervening period as an extended induction period and attending the in-person Board meeting in June 2027 as part of their transition to the Board.

Person specification

Applicants for this Board seat must demonstrate an understanding of MSC’s mission and vision, preferably based on experience. They should have excellent diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships, problem-solving and building consensus among diverse individuals, and a commitment to inclusive practice and championing of diversity.

Candidates for this Trustee role must also be able to demonstrate high levels of integrity, objectivity and fairness, excellent intellectual and analytical skills, and an ability to look forward and see the bigger picture. The capacity to work effectively in a team and to engage in a constructive and open manner is essential, as is understanding and an acceptance of the duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship in a UK legal context. Good spoken and written English skills are essential.

We value and promote diversity within our Board of Trustees. It is vital that our Board Members are drawn from the widest possible talent pool, bringing with them different experiences, ideas and perspectives to inform our discussions and decisions. We therefore welcome and strongly encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates, from all demographic groups, communities and regions, especially those currently under-represented on the Board.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 9am BST Monday 28 September 2026.

You should send your application to MSCBoardRecruitment@msc.org, indicating clearly in the title of the email the seat for which you are applying. Any queries should be sent to the same email address.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with MSC by MS Teams in October 2026.

We are committed to the principles of equality and fairness and do not discriminate on the grounds of age, ethnicity, race, colour, religion or belief, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. If you consider yourself to have a disability and need reasonable adjustments made during the recruitment and selection process, please let us know how we can help you.

Working at the MSC

The MSC’s vision is for the world’s oceans to be teeming with life, and seafood supplies safeguarded for this and future generations. Today, the impacts of overfishing and climate change pose an even greater threat to the ocean and fish stocks. Through our internationally recognised certification and ecolabeling program, well-managed sustainable fisheries are recognised and rewarded throughout the seafood supply chain. Over 700 fisheries around the world, representing 19% of the annual global marine catch, are now engaged in the MSC program and MSC certified and labelled seafood products are now available in over 66 countries. Through partnerships and collective endeavour, we are on a mission to end overfishing.