Hive Institute for Vernacular Ecology 

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HIVE Institute for Vernacular Ecology is a new non-profit institute founded by the team behind Hive Earth, a Ghana-based natural construction company specialising in earth-based building and materials.

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The Institute has grown from our experience working with natural materials and earth construction, and from a desire to make the knowledge, skills and opportunities within this field more accessible.

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HIVE is being established to advance education, research and innovation in vernacular architecture, natural materials and environmentally responsible construction.

Our ambition is to create a centre for learning, experimentation and knowledge-sharing around the ways we build with natural and locally available materials.

We will begin with practical education and skills programmes, including hands-on cohort-based training in natural and earth-based construction. Over time, HIVE aims to expand into research, materials testing, technological innovation, knowledge-sharing and collaboration with practitioners, researchers, universities and other institutions.

Rooted in Africa and connected globally, HIVE aims to contribute to a future in which knowledge of natural and locally appropriate ways of building is not only preserved, but researched, developed and applied to the challenges of contemporary construction.

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The Opportunity

We are currently establishing HIVE and are seeking five Founding Trustees to join our inaugural Board of Trustees.

This is an opportunity to help shape an organisation from its earliest stages.

Working alongside our sixth founding trustee, the successful candidates will help establish HIVE's governance, strategic direction and priorities as we move towards registration as a CIO and the launch of our first programmes.

We are particularly interested in people who are excited by the intersection of architecture, education, sustainability, materials, research and skills development.

You do not need to be an expert in natural construction to contribute.

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We are particularly seeking experience in

• Architecture / Built Environment / Sustainability — ideally someone with the experience and leadership qualities to potentially serve as Chair.

• Finance / Accounting — ideally someone comfortable overseeing charity finances, budgets, controls and financial reporting, with the potential to serve as Treasurer.

• Education & Training — including vocational education, curriculum development, skills programmes, universities or alternative models of learning.

• Research & Technical Development — including materials science, engineering, architecture, construction, environmental research or related fields.

• Charity Governance / Non-Profit Leadership — particularly experience of UK charities, CIO governance, compliance, safeguarding, policy or organisational development.

Our sixth founding trustee brings experience in business, fundraising and organisational growth.

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We welcome applicants whose experience crosses more than one of these areas.

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What Founding Trustees will do

As members of HIVE's first Board, trustees will collectively be responsible for the governance and strategic oversight of the organisation.

This will include helping to shape HIVE's strategy and priorities; ensuring its activities further its charitable purposes and deliver public benefit; overseeing finances, risk and governance; supporting the development of appropriate policies and controls; contributing professional knowledge and networks where appropriate; and supporting and constructively challenging the executive leadership as the organisation develops.

Founding trustees will also play an important role in establishing the culture and values of HIVE's board.

Trustees are not expected to manage HIVE's day-to-day operations.

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Trustee Responsibilities

As a Founding Trustee, you will work collectively with the Board to provide governance and strategic oversight of HIVE Institute for Vernacular Ecology.

Trustees will be responsible for:

• Helping to shape HIVE’s long-term strategy, priorities and direction.

• Ensuring HIVE remains focused on its charitable purposes and delivers public benefit.

• Overseeing the organisation’s financial management, risk and governance.

• Supporting the development of appropriate policies, procedures and organisational controls.

• Contributing professional knowledge, experience and networks where relevant.

• Providing support and constructive challenge to the Executive Director and leadership as HIVE develops.

• Helping establish a strong, transparent and collaborative culture for HIVE’s Board.

• Acting in the best interests of HIVE and supporting responsible decision-making as the organisation grows.

Trustees are not expected to manage HIVE’s day-to-day operations. Their role is to provide strategic direction, oversight and good governance, while the Executive Director and operational team are responsible for delivering HIVE’s programmes and activities.

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Independence

HIVE is being established with an independent Board of Trustees.

The Founder will not serve as a trustee and will be responsible for developing and managing the organisation's activities under the strategic oversight of the Board.

This separation is intentional and is designed to establish strong, transparent governance from HIVE's beginning.

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How to express interest

Please send to info@hiveinstitute.org

Your CV or LinkedIn profile and a short expression of interest explaining why HIVE interests you and what experience or perspective you believe you could bring to the founding board.

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Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal online HIVE Introduction Session, where we will share more about the vision, proposed programmes and plans for the Institute.

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This will be followed by an individual conversation with selected candidates.

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Applications close 30th october 2026

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