Who we are

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew currently employs over 1,400 staff at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst. Kew is led by its Director and overseen by the Board of Trustees.

Our Patron, His Majesty The King

Watch a specially recorded message to market the launch of the Great Broad Walk Borders by His Majesty and Patron of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

A red flower in the wildflower meadow at Kew

The Board of Trustees

Appointed by the Secretary of State and His Majesty the King, the Board is responsible for oversight of Kew.

Purple flowers on the Broadwalk border

Executive Board

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is run by an Executive Board. The Executive Board is the key decision-making board that oversees the operations and delivery of RBG Kew’s strategy and plan.

Horticulturalists working at Kew

Organisational structure and staff

Kew currently has over 1,400 staff with a diverse range of expertise, operational and management skills. Some 60 per cent of staff are specialist plant and fungal scientists and botanical horticulturists.

Arecaceae

Kew Ambassadors

The Kew Ambassadors support our mission to unlock the potential of plants and fungi. From our cutting-edge science work to our beautiful botanical gardens, they share our passion for the natural world.

A group of young people standing outside Kew Gardens Herbarium

Youth Council

Kew’s Youth Council is a group of 13 young people between the ages of 17 to 25, working together with our senior leadership team to help fulfil Kew’s mission and ensure that the views and voices of young people are integrated into Kew’s decision-making.