A UNIQUE opportunity to play a leading role in the running of a beautiful 1,200 acre estate has arisen.

Dartington Trust is seeking a new chairperson to head up its board of directors when its current chair, Dr Greg Parston, steps down at the end of his term of office in March 2023.

The visitor destination on the edge of Totnes is also a centre for progressive learning in the arts, ecology and social justice.

Dr Parston said: “It has been an honour to follow in the footsteps of many memorable trustees and to serve as chair of the board of Dartington for nearly eight years.

“The role has been both demanding and invigorating; there have been both challenges and periods of real enlightenment and achievement. 

“With the hard work and dedication of Dartington employees and volunteers, we have set the trust on a renewed path of ‘learning by doing’ in ecology and the arts. A future of sustainability and social fairness is now there to be made.”

The trust says it hopes to hear from a diverse range of candidates who share its mission and values; along with someone with a successful record in best-practice management, expertise in managing change, proven commercial acumen and a thorough understanding of the responsibilities and governance requirements of leading a charity. 

It is also desirable or the new chair to have connections with Dartington, Devon or the South West.

Alan Boldon, chief executive, Dartington Trust said: “We thank Greg Parston for his tireless work and passion over the last eight years. A great deal has been achieved in that time and foundations put in place to build on our success.

“We are proud of the legacy bequeathed to us by the remarkable Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst, who bought the estate and created the ‘Dartington experiment’ 97 years ago. 

“As we gear up to celebrate the centenary of the Elmhirsts coming to Dartington, we are well aware that a key element of this legacy is that we should not accept the status quo, but look to the future, do things differently and celebrate the unorthodox and unexpected.

“With impressive achievements in all areas of the trust’s work and ambitious plans for the future, this is a unique opportunity to lead one of the UK’s most progressive and innovative charities.”

The new chairperson will lead the trust and its varied activities which include a portfolio of innovative postgraduate and undergraduate programmes at Schumacher College and Dartington Arts School.  

The estate also boasts a thriving year-round arts programme that incorporates live theatre and music, family friendly events and an independent cinema venue, plus studios for residencies and hire. 

Anyone wishing to apply should email jaimi.shanahan@green‑park.co.uk.