The National Trust has advertised a head gardener position to oversee three historic estates in North Warwickshire: Baddesley Clinton, Charlecote Park, and Packwood House. While some may view this as a dream job, the offered salary has sparked criticism on social media.
Role and Responsibilities
The permanent, full-time role pays £30,966 per year. Candidates must have experience managing varied and listed gardens across all seasons, possess excellent plant knowledge, and handle operational risk and compliance in horticulture.
Public Reaction
On the National Trust's Facebook page, many expressed disappointment. One commenter noted: "Blimey - the pay for this job seems low when you consider minimum wage is £25k - and the amount of knowledge and experience necessary and requirement to manage other people."
Another added: "Full time job for part time pay! You would definitely be doing it for the love of gardening!"
Despite the criticism, some were enthusiastic. One user wrote: "Dream job. I so wish I had the skill and knowledge to create beautiful gardens."
National Trust's Response
A National Trust spokesperson stated: "We aim to offer competitive salaries for all roles. Over the last few years we have invested significantly in staff pay through annual pay awards. We benchmark our salaries to the public and not-for-profit sectors and consider salaries in the private sector. Our ability to recruit and retain the quality staff we need is monitored through the salaries we offer and by listening to staff feedback."
