Kew Foundation appoints new Trustees to the board

The Kew Foundation today announces that it has appointed Mick Davis, Chief Executive, Xstrata plc, and his wife Barbara Davis jointly to the Board of Trustees. Mick and Barbara will share responsibilities on the Board, making available their considerable joint experience and expertise.

Commenting on the appointment, Marcus Agius, Chairman of the Kew Foundation said: “It is great news for the Kew Foundation that Mick and Barbara Davis have together agreed to join the Board of Trustees. They are both generous benefactors to Kew and have a particular interest in making plant science, conservation and botanical matters accessible to all age groups. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has a vital role to play in the global debate on preserving and protecting our environment and we are fortunate to have two such important new ambassadors”.

Commenting, Mick Davis said: “I am delighted to become further involved in a personal capacity in supporting the important work the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Kew Foundation undertake to conserve the world’s plant resources for future generations. At Xstrata, our global commitment to conserving biodiversity has led us to work closely with Kew, both through contributing to Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank partnership and in becoming the major sponsor of The Xstrata Treetop Walkway at Kew Gardens, which opened in May 2008. Kew plays a vital role in promoting science-based plant conservation worldwide and as a Trustee of the Foundation I look forward to helping to ensure that its valuable work continues for many years to come.”

Barbara Davis said: “From developing projects including Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank partnership, to working with multinationals to promote sustainable biodiversity practices, the Kew Foundation is leading the way in its very practical approach to conservation. We all have a responsibility to our environment and I look forward to working with the Foundation to help promote greater understanding of the importance of plants amongst an ever wider range of audiences.”

The appointment is unpaid and will run until 30 April 2012.

Ends

• For further information please contact Anna Quenby, RBG Kew Press Office, +44 (0)20 8332 5607, pr@kew.org, or Claire Divver, Xstrata, +44 (0)20 7968 2871

Notes to Editors

Mr Mick Davis is Chief Executive Officer of Xstrata plc. Xstrata has a strong environmental policy, including a commitment to biodiversity conservation. Barbara Davis is a solicitor. Mr Davis is Chairman of the United Jewish Israel Appeal and a member of the Jewish Leadership Council.

The Kew Foundation - Established as an independent charity in 1990, the Foundation & Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (the Foundation) raises much needed funds from individuals, companies and trusts to support Kew’s work. The Foundation is a Company limited by guarantee, regulated by the Charity Commission and governed by its Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees for Kew Foundation, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew comprises a Chairman and 9 members.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and world-class herbarium as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major international visitor attraction. Its 132 hectares of landscaped gardens attract over one million visitors per year. In 2009 RBG Kew celebrates its 250th anniversary and Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank partnership will have conserved 10% of the world’s wild plant species.