Charity Trustee Recruitment: How to Build a Strong Board

Your board determines your charity's future. A strong board provides governance, strategy, connections, and expertise. A weak one creates risk, stagnation, and regulatory problems.

Start with a Skills Audit

Before recruiting, map what you have and what you need:

Where to Find Trustees

• Reach Volunteering (reachvolunteering.org.uk) — the UK's largest trustee recruitment platform
• Getting on Board — trustee recruitment service focused on diversity
• LinkedIn — search for professionals with the skills you need
• Professional networks — accountancy firms, law firms, tech companies
• Your supporters — existing donors, volunteers, beneficiaries
• Local community — community forums, faith groups, business networks

The Recruitment Process

1. Write a trustee role description — what the role involves, time commitment, skills needed
2. Advertise widely — don't just rely on word-of-mouth (that's how boards stay homogeneous)
3. Informal conversation — before formal interview, have a coffee chat
4. Formal interview — values alignment, understanding of role, what they bring
5. Reference checks and DBS (if required for your charity)
6. Board approval — existing trustees vote on appointment
7. Induction — the most important and most neglected step

Diversity Matters

A board that looks like the community it serves makes better decisions. Actively recruit for:

• Ethnic and cultural diversity
• Age range (including younger trustees)
• Gender balance
• Disability representation
• Lived experience of the issues you address

Induction Essentials

• Governing document
• Governance code and key policies
• Latest accounts and annual report
• Strategic plan
• Board meeting schedule and papers
• Introduction to staff, key stakeholders
• Charity Commission guidance on trustee responsibilities