Chief Executive Officer

For over 180 years, Rothamsted has been at the forefront of agricultural science and innovation. At the heart of the Campus is a unique partnership between Rothamsted Research, Rothamsted Enterprises and the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT). LAT provides the land, facilities and funding to support the pioneering agricultural research that takes place at Rothamsted. Originally established in 1889 by Sir John Bennet Lawes, LAT is a charity, and plays a key role in maintaining and investing in the Rothamsted estates across the main site in Harpenden and Broom’s Barn in Suffolk.  LAT is currently embarking on a strategic estates planning exercise to renovate and reinvigorate the existing estate and to further enable the vital work of Rothamsted Research and the campus’ tenants.

We are now seeking to appoint an outstanding leader as the next Chief Executive Officer of the Lawes Agricultural Trust. Reporting directly to the Chair of the Board of Trustees of LAT, the CEO will lead a small charity, and will also work across Rothamsted Campus’s three constituent organisations. They will be responsible for creating, developing and implementing the Trust’s strategy for the future, with a particular focus on making optimal use of LAT’s assets. They will oversee a diverse estate that includes farmland, residential accommodation and laboratories, supporting future growth and sustainability. They will work in collaboration with Rothamsted Research, the BBSRC and Rothamsted Enterprises to foster collaboration across the campus and to achieve the full realisation of LAT’s charitable objectives.

We are seeking an accomplished and collaborative leader with experience of managing substantial resources. Candidates will have operated in complex environments and must be effective in stakeholder management. They will bring a familiarity with charity governance and compliance, as well as a proven track record of working with complex estates and multidisciplinary teams. They must be able to inspire their team and get the most out of the experts with whom they work. They will also have the skill to operate at all levels in the organisation, rolling up their sleeves when needed and engaging effectively with the Executive Team and the Board.

The closing date for all applications, which should be in the form of a CV and cover letter, and addressed to rothamsted@minervasearch.com is by Monday 16^th November 2026.

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