The Charities Commissioner has issued an update to the publication CC30, for England and Wales, “Finding and Appointing New Trustees” (May 2025).
The guidance encourages charities to think broadly about who could be a trustee for their charity, and how to reach them.
Many trustees are recruited using personal connections with existing trustees, and whilst it may feel like a comforting approach, the trustee may not bring the most beneficial skill set.
CC30 recommends that a charity should consider writing a list of the skills, experience and knowledge that your trustee board needs. This may include:
- Someone who has insight to the charity’s field of work, or has a real commitment to the work the charity is doing
- Specific skills or experience which will fulfil a useful role, such as finance, governance, safeguarding, digital, or risk
- a person that has been involved working within the locality or communities your charity supports, perhaps has lived in and experienced those circumstances
To support your charity when working on the skills your charity may need, the commission has free resources
Remember that your charity’s rules may include details on who can be appointed as a trustees, as well as the number of trustees that should be appointed, and the number required for a quorum to enable decisions to be made.
If your charity would appreciate professional support from us, please get in touch. We’ll be very pleased to meet up, either in person, or by phone or video link.