Horticultural society may change rules to boost diversity

THE Royal Horticultural Society may change its eligibility rules for board members in a bid to boost diversity.

In a New Year’s Eve email, Keith Weed, the RHS president, outlined changes he wanted to make to how the 17-member ruling council was chosen.

Instead of having to be a member for three years, the board could be elected immediately under proposed changes.

In the email, sent to all 500,000 members, Mr Weed said it would affirm the “council’s commitment to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion”, according to Mail Online.

“We need to widen our pool and reach out to people who might not already be in, or even be aware of, the RHS. The society wants to help people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to enjoy the benefits of gardening,” he wrote.

Mr Weed said the council had a wealth of horticultural expertise but needed people with other skills, such as in technology, data and sustainability.

Television’s Danny Clarke, known as The Black Gardener, said: “You need diversity and once you get it, the rest will follow. If more people who look like me are seen at the top of the RHS, more people of different diversity will be attracted to the organisation.”

But Jekka Mcvicar, society vice-president, said she was “gobsmacked” at the plan and warned that it ran the risk of diluting the level of expertise. “On the council, you need to understand everything about this amazing club,” she said.

Established in 1804, the RHS is the UK’S leading gardening charity.

Society ambassadors include Alan Titchmarsh, Mary Berry and James Wong, the youngest-ever medal-winning designer at the Hampton Court Palace flower show.