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About us
Whether you’re a lifelong member or have only just discovered the National Trust, you can find out more about us by reading up on our history and the work we do today.
About the National Trust
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Who we are and what we stand for
Discover more about our legacy, people and values as a conservation charity. We protect historic places and green spaces while opening them up for everyone, for ever.
![A group of people walking along a grassy path through an avenue of trees in full leaf](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/cheshire-greater-manchester/places/lyme/library/summer/visitors-exploring-the-extensive-parkland-at-lyme-park-cheshire-1434411.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
For everyone, for ever: our strategy
Read about our strategy 'For everyone, for ever' here at the National Trust, which will take the organisation through to 2025.
![Two people crouching down to look at long grass at Pentire, Cornwall](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/our-cause/plant-survey-pentire-cornwall-1334383.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Our constitution
The first National Trust Act passed in 1907. Successive Acts have since been introduced to ensure the National Trust continues to be well governed and remains true to its cause.
Who's who in the National Trust
![Three people looking at a wooden box on a table](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/who-we-are/executive-team/hilary-mcgrady-nt-director-general-at-the-royal-oak-foundation-conservation-studio-knole-kent-1733582.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Meet the Executive Team
Find out more about the National Trust’s Executive Team who provide strategic and operational leadership including setting goals and overseeing performance for the long term vision of the National Trust.
![Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/footer/hilary-mcgrady-september-2020-lyme-park-cheshire-1551793.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Director-General
Director-General Hilary McGrady has worked for the Trust since 2006, having been Regional Director for a number of regions and Chief Operating Officer since 2014.
President
The former Prince of Wales was our President from 2003 until the death of Her Majesty the Queen and his ascension to the throne. In May 2024 he continued his patronage, acting as our Patron.
![René Olivieri, Chair of the National Trust, smiling for the camera](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/footer/rene-olivieri-chair-1604383.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Chair
Find out about René Olivieri, who became Chair of the National Trust in February 2022, and the wealth of experience he brings to his role.
![Sandy Nairne, Deputy Chair of the National Trust](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/who-we-are/sandy-nairne-deputy-chair.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Deputy Chair
Writer and curator Sandy Nairne was appointed Deputy Chair of the National Trust in 2022. Find out about his roles, both within the organisation and outside of it.
![The National Trust's Annual General Meeting 2019 in the Steam Museum, Swindon](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/footer/agm-2019-steam-museum-swindon-1511802.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Board of Trustees
Discover who sits on the National Trust's Board of Trustees, what experience they bring to the role and how they work together to meet the Trust's purpose.
![National Trust Council members standing in a garden listening to someone do a talk](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/who-we-are/national-trust-council-2023-fermanagh-northern-ireland-1812350.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Council
Council applications for this year’s election have now closed. Discover how the members of the Council are elected and how they advise on important decisions, inform strategy and keep us connected to the wider public.
History
![The house and garden at Smallhythe Place showing flowers in bloom in June](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/kent/places/smallhythe-place/library/summer/house-and-garden-summer-smallhythe-place-kent-1251195.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
The history of the National Trust
Discover the history of the National Trust, from its foundation, through key projects and initiatives, to its recent anniversary celebrations.
![Sir Robert Hunter with his daughter (centre), fellow National Trust founder Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley (far right) and a friend in the Lake District around 1900](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/discover-and-learn/history/people/robert-hunter-lake-district-18640.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Founders
Read about our three founders – Octavia Hill, Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley – who set up the National Trust in 1895 to protect natural and historic places.
How we are run
![The National Trust AGM 2023, STEAM Museum, Swindon](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/who-we-are/the-national-trust-agm-2023-steam-museum-swindon.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Annual General Meeting
The 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on 11 November. Watch a video of the event and find out the results of the members' resolutions and Council elections.
![National Trust Council Chair, René Olivieri at the 2023 AGM](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/who-we-are/national-trust-agm-2023-1777174.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
How we are run
Discover how the National Trust is run, how our governance arrangements are underpinned by Acts of Parliament and how they are designed to support and challenge our staff.
Our central office
![National Trust logo on the side of the building at Heelis, the Central Office for the National Trust at Swindon, Wiltshire.](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/heelis-exterior-with-logo-774710.jpg?auto=webp&width=733&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Heelis
Find out how to get to Heelis, the National Trust's award-winning central office in Swindon.
Reports and publications
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Annual Reports
Our Annual Report reviews our performance over the last year and looks forward to our future plans.
![Two female gardeners walk along the garden path at Nymans. The staff member on the left pushes a wheelbarrow full of clippings and they're both wrapped up in fleeces and hats for wintry weather.](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/sussex/places/nymans/library/winter/1378870-gardeners-at-nymans-west-sussex.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Gender and Diversity Pay Gap Report
Read our latest Gender and Diversity Pay Gap Report, see how we compare to the national average and find out what we're doing to close the gaps.
![Childrens' feet in wellies and boots hanging from a tree branch](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/visit/walking/autumnboots769392.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Safeguarding statement
Discover what we’re doing to ensure the safeguarding of all visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors including children, young people and adults at risk.
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Our fundraising promise
When you make a donation to us, you can be confident that our fundraising is legal, open, honest and respectful. Find out more about our fundraising promise.
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Our commitment to inclusion and diversity
We're committed to meeting the needs and expectations of a diverse society. Find out what we're doing to create an inclusive, accessible and welcoming environment for our supporters, staff and volunteers.
Partnerships
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Partners
As Europe’s largest conservation charity, a partnership with us can make a real difference.
![Packets of seed balls with vintage-style illustrations of flowers inspired by National Trust gardens](https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/footer/services/brand-partners/blue-diamond-x-national-trust-garden-inspired-seed-bombs.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Brand licensing partners
We're always aiming to make our retail ranges more sustainable. That's why we collaborate with a variety of product partners who share our values.