TRUSTEES URGED TO TAKE PART IN RESEARCH TO HELP REGION’S CHARITIES TACKLE BOARD RECRUITMENT PROBLEM

A new study is aiming to identify the issues charities in the region face in attracting trustees – and existing trustees are being urged to take part in the research to help the sector tackle a growing issue.

Lovewell Blake’s specialist Charities team has created an online survey with the aim of finding out the major barriers to filling trustee vacancies, and identifying what would make the role of Trustee more attractive.

The team aim to use the results of the survey to give relevant guidance to charity clients, who are facing both a growing trustee recruitment problem and challenges in retaining existing trustees.

“We know that many charity boards in our region are operating at below capacity, and we are keen to find out what the barriers are to finding trustees, and where the skills gap lie,” said Stef Smith, manager in Lovewell Blake’s Charities team.

“Understanding why people with the right skills are not coming forward to join charity boards will help us support charities in formulating strategies to attract and retain enough people with the right skills and background to create effective boards.  This is absolutely crucial in the effective running of any charity, as well as in ensuring good governance.

“We really hope that existing trustees in the region will take the time to complete our brief online questionnaire, something which could well help a large number of charities tackle one of the most pressing issues they face.”

The online survey is aimed at existing charity trustees, and takes about ten minutes to complete.  It can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/charitytrusteesurvey.