This week is Trustees' Week – and here at Higgs
we're celebrating with a series of articles about the hot
topics in the charity and not for profit arena.
Today, Ellie Williams, Associate in Higgs' Charity and Not for Profit team, discusses the
importance of diversity on trustee boards.
What is it and why is it important?
The Charity Governance Code sets out that Board diversity, in
the widest sense, is important because it creates more balanced
decision making. It increases a charity's legitimacy and
impact. A diverse board, with a range of knowledge, skills, and
experiences, helps the charity manage challenges that may arise and
think flexibly.
The conclusions in the Charity Commission's report on public
trust in charities 2023 suggest that the public have a greater
level of trust in charities which have a close connection with the
local community. One way that trust can be reinforced is by having
a trustee board which represents the community it serves.
