RHS Council is the governing body of the Society and, in accordance with the Charter and Bye-laws, is responsible for:
- The future direction of the Society
- The investment and disposal of Society assets
- The strategic management and performance of the Society
Boards and committees
Although RHS Council takes all major strategic decisions and those expressly reserved to it, some decision-making powers are delegated to a number Boards and Committees:
Horticulture Board – responsible to Council for all activities relating to the encouragement and improvement of the science, art and practice of horticulture in all its branches within the Society.
Commercial Board – responsible to Council for the proper management of all aspects of the Society’s financial affairs and resources, including oversight of the activities of the Society’s trading companies and is responsible for representing the Society as the “employer” in the funding and support of the RHS (1974) Defined Benefit Pension Scheme and the provision of alternative pension arrangements if appropriate.
Audit and Risk Committee – responsible to Council for ensuring, in a non-executive capacity, that all aspects of the Society’s financial and risk management policies, procedures and controls are effective and appropriate. The committee also monitors the approval of contracts with trustees of the Society and connected parties.
Nominations, Appointments and Governance Committee – responsible to Council for governance of the Society and identifying and recommending candidates for election and appointments to Council and advisory, governance and decision-making boards and committees.
Pensions and Remuneration Committee – responsible to Council for making recommendations on the remuneration and benefits for the Director General and all Executive Directors of the Society.
Investments Committee – responsible for the review and maintenance of the Society’s investment portfolio including bursary funds.
Plant committees
There are seven specialist RHS plant committees, some of which are operated jointly with the relevant plant society. They are responsible to the Horticulture Board for encouraging excellence in cultivation, the introduction of new plants and the maintenance of selected plant material and trials.
- Bulb Committee
- Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Committee
- Herbaceous Plant Committee
- Joint Rock Garden Plant Committee
- Orchid Committee
- Tender Ornamental Plant Committee
- Woody Plant Committee
Other committees
There are four other committees, reporting to the Horticulture Board and providing advice on specailist areas:
- Awards Committee
- Bursaries Committee
- Education Committee
- Gardens Committee
- Science Committee
Advisory groups
Council also appoints advisory groups, reporting to committees but sitting outside the formal governance arrangements of the Society. These include:
- Narcissus Classification Advisory Group
- Nomenclature & Taxonomy Advisory Group
- Orchid Hybrid Registration Advisory Group
- Qualifications Advisory Group
For more information about the governance arrangements of the Society, please contact: secretary@rhs.org.uk