Trustees’ Week 2025: Charity trustees and effective governance

The six main duties of charity trustees as articulated by The Charity Commission in The Essential Trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do, are well-publicised but how do effective boards use good governance to support their trustees and leaders in their roles?

Sometimes governance can be negatively perceived as ‘bureaucracy’ that gets in the way of the charity’s mission being fulfilled and business being discharged. However, done well, effective governance helps charity trustees and leaders with effective decision-making and use innovation to drive their charity’s mission.

To celebrate Trustees’ Week, we will examine what it means to be a charity trustee, the role of charity trustees and the key legal frameworks they operate in. We will also look at pragmatic techniques that charity trustees can apply in fulfilling their roles and discharging their legal duties.

What you'll gain

• Clarity on the role and remit of charity trustees and the key legal frameworks charity trustees operate within
• A plain English guide to the core legal frameworks that shape trustees’ meetings and decision-making
• Practical tips on managing conflicts of interest, the role of the Chair, succession planning, quality agendas and minutes
• Ensuring your charity’s governing document is up to date in terms of legal procedures for convening and holding quorate meetings and decision taking.
• Peer insight and networking with fellow charity trustees and leaders

Who is this event aimed at

This expert-led event equips charity trustees, secretaries and clerks to charity boards, charity leaders, chief executives, chairs of trustee boards, and deputy chairs to practice effective governance in line with current statutory guidance and best practice.

Speakers

– Partner and Head of Charities at Wilkin Chapman Rollits, Gerry has over 20 years’ experience advising charity trustees on governance, compliance and risk management and charity law and regulations.

, Senior Associate in Charities at Wilkin Chapman Rollits, Harriet regularly advises charity trustees on their legal duties and responsibilities, provides trustee training and advises charities on updating their governing documents.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Rollits LLP