Chelsea Physic Garden appointed six new Board Trustees

The Chelsea Physic Garden is one of the oldest and most respected botanic gardens in Europe. Chelsea Physic Garden’s plant collection is unique in being the only botanic garden collection focused on medicinal, herbal and useful plants. Run as an independent charity, the garden relies on visitors, friends and supporters to protect, maintain and nurture the garden for future generations.

In the spirit of ‘one Garden, one Place’ the Board of Trustees works to embrace the garden’s mission, purpose and behavioural values. Chaired by Sarah Flannigan, the six new trustees have been appointed to the Board to further expand their experience across horticulture, science, fundraising, heritage, and business.

The new trustees join as the garden prepares to launch its first 10-year strategy, which it describes as “a bold and forward-looking plan to protect and enhance this historic space, expand our educational reach and inspire future generations through the power of plants.” Central to this vision is a strong commitment to championing horticultural innovation, fostering new approaches that celebrate plant diversity and address the challenges of a changing world.

The newly appointed Board of Trustee members:

• Professor Jane Anderson is a consultant physician and HIV researcher focused on health equity, particularly for women and migrant communities, with academic roles at Queen Mary University of London and UCL. She also advocates for the links between human, plant, and planetary health, and chairs the National AIDS Trust and Paintings in Hospitals.
• Lucy Clark is an architect and museum professional with a track record of delivering transformative capital projects for leading cultural institutions. She is currently Head of Public Space Programme at Natural History Museum where she leads teams to reimagine the Museum’s public spaces, supported by NHM150 which aims to raise £150m by 2031.
• David Mathers has 35 years’ experience in banking and finance and is co-founder of The Mathers Foundation, a plant conservation charity caring for over 20,000 orchids and six National Plant Collections. He is Vice Chair of the RHS Orchid Expert Group and a Trustee of Plant Heritage.
• Bernadette O’Sullivan is a senior leader in the museums and heritage sector with experience at Tate, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Trust, specialising in growing audiences and maximising charitable and commercial income. She has led major capital campaigns, developed cultural programming in historic landscapes, and now advises arts, heritage, and charitable organisations.
• Matthew Pottage is currently the Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy for The Royal Parks in London, and former Curator of RHS Garden Wisley. An author, a panellist for BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time, and advisor to leading gardens, he brings extensive expertise in plants and landscape management.
• Jennie Younger is a senior leader with 40 years’ experience in philanthropy, investor relations, corporate affairs, and communications across global healthcare, finance, higher education, and charities. Formerly Executive Director at King’s College London, where she led a £250m fundraising campaign, she now holds multiple Chair and Non-Executive roles in charity and commercial sectors.