Welcome to our monthly governance round-up. This month we share reflections on the recent Charity Commission board appointments along with updates and upcoming events.
The government has appointed three new board members to the Charity Commission. The Secretary of State has selected Rory Brooks CBE, Shrenik Davda, and Mark Simms. They will all serve three-year terms starting at the end of March this year.
We congratulate the new members. We hope to continue our constructive relationship and build on our work in recent years.
During the appointment process for the next chair of the Charity Commission, we set out the key attributes ACEVO and NCVO would like to see in the preferred candidates. This focused on regulation experience, personal independence, understanding of charities, and party-political independence.
As we noted during the chair process, we once again have concerns about the continued political party links of proposed and appointment candidates to the Commission's board.
Charities must quite rightly be impartial when it comes to party politics. They adopt positions and campaign where doing so supports their charitable purposes and public benefit. Charity Commission chair, Orlando Fraser, recently gave a speech reminding charities of this duty.
This strengthens charities, promotes confidence, and ensures the best outcomes for communities. Those on the board need to demonstrate party-political independence. By doing this, the Commission will retain the trust of those it regulates.
Put simply, it has to work both ways.
A reminder that the second round of changes in the Charity Act 2022 will come into force this June.
These include changes which aim to make it easier for trustees to use statutory powers when:
As well as the Commission's power to change charity names.
John Williams from the Association of Chairs has called for board inductions to be an ongoing process which doesn’t overwhelm new starters.
We have useful guidance for planning your trustee induction. This includes our simple and accessible eLearning course on trustee roles.
Tania Masion calls on charities to consider: Who is really the best person to deliver your charity’s message?
In her editorial for Civil Society she says, ‘a charity’s CEO is not always the best person to speak on its behalf. It can be much more powerful for those with lived experience of the cause to have the voice.’
The decision to close an organisation can feel daunting. Join us for a free webinar on 11 July exploring how to navigate the closure of a small organisation.
The session will consider how to approach closure with care and compassion. We’ll also lay out the practical and legal elements you need to know.
We run regular online trustee inductions and refresher courses over two half-days. We’re also offering brand new courses on the following areas.
Browse our upcoming governance training
We offer an eLearning module for trustees.
This course gives trustees a low-cost introduction to their roles.
We hold regular member assembly and welcome events.
