Trustees play a crucial role in helping charities across England and Wales achieve their missions. But who are today’s trustees, and how can we build more inclusive, effective boards for the future?  

PBE, in partnership with the Charity Commission, has conducted the largest trustee survey since 2017. Over 2,000 trustees took part, and the findings offer a rare insight into who serves on boards, how they are recruited, the skills they bring, and their lived experiences.  

While there are signs of progress, the data highlights ongoing challenges: 

• Only 43% of trustees are women  
• 55% are retired, compared to 22% of the general population  
• Just 8% are from ethnic minority backgrounds, compared to 17% of the population  
• Only 17% of trustees have a disability, compared to 24% of the wider population  
• Most trustees are recruited informally: 29% were invited by the chair, 24% by another board member or via internal nomination, while just 6% responded to a public advert 

Despite the work of specialist organisations like Young Trustees Movement, Black on Board, Action for Trustee Racial Diversity, and others, more can be done to recruit trustees from diverse groups. What more can be done, and what should we be aiming for? 

The Charity Commission has recently released updated guidance to help charities open up opportunities for new trustees— making this an apt time to rethink how boards recruit and include a wider range of people. 

Join us as we reflect on the state of trustee diversity and explore practical steps to help charities develop more inclusive and representative boards. 

Speakers:  

• Chair: Anoushka Kenley, Head of Social Sector, PBE  
• Ghino Parker, Building Independence ~ Programme Director, Henry Smith Charity
• Malcolm John, Founder, Action for Trustee Racial Diversity
• Penny Wilson, Inclusive Governance Consultant and Former Chief Executive, Getting on Board