We are the Horniman Museum and Gardens, an inspiring, surprising, family-friendly, free attraction in South London’s Forest Hill.

The Horniman Museum and Gardens is Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022!

We’ve been open since Victorian times, when Frederick John Horniman first opened his house and extraordinary collection of objects to visitors. Since then, our collection has grown tenfold and includes internationally important collections of Anthropology and Musical Instruments, as well as an acclaimed Aquarium, a Butterfly House and Natural History collection. Learn more about the History of the Horniman Museum and Gardens.

The Horniman connects us all with global cultures and the natural environment, encouraging us to shape a positive future for the world we all share.

Unusually for such an important Museum, you can see our collection up-close and face-to-face. You can even pick up, try on and play with some of our objects.

Our visitors come time and again to explore our free Museum, take part in our activities and enjoy our 16-acre gardens. And they discover something fascinating and mesmerising every time.

Michael Salter-Church Chair

Gordon Seabright Chief Executive

Why the Horniman Museum and Gardens is supporting Boardroom Apprentice

The Boardroom Apprentice is a unique learning, development and placement programme that gives people the opportunity to learn how to serve on a public or third sector board and gain experience.

We think it is important to have people on the Board that represent the communities that we serve, and it is important that boardrooms include diverse people to share their skills and lived experiences with us. We would love the opportunity to welcome a Boardroom Apprentice to join us.

Location of Board and Committee Meetings

We hold both in person and hybrid meetings. The in-person meetings are held in a meeting room at the museum

Frequency and timing of board/committee meetings

The Board meetings are held on a quarterly basis and usually in the afternoon, whilst Audit Risk Committee meetings are held 3 times a year in the mornings. The dates and times of the meetings are displayed below.

Date of Board Meetings (January – December 2025)

Monday 21st Oct 2024 2pm – 3.30pm In person Monday 20th Jan 2025 2pm – 3.30pm Hybrid Monday 21st Apr 2025 2pm – 3.30pm Hybrid Monday 21st Jul 2025 2pm – 3.30pm                    In person Monday 20th Oct 2025 2pm – 3.30pm                   In person Monday 19th Jan 2026 2pm – 3.30pm                    Hybrid

Committee of the Boards and meeting dates (January – December 2025)

Audit & Risk Committee meetings

Wednesday 19th Mar 2025  10am-11.30pm  In person

Thursday 26th June 2025   10am – 11.30pm In person

Thursday 20th Nov 2025     10am – 11.30pm In person

Security checks

A Basic DBS check is required for this post

Payment of travel expenses

Yes