Shared challenges and lessons in charity leadership
To mark the start of this year’s Trustees’ Week, the Penningtons Manches Cooper charities team welcomed trustees, charity leaders and aspiring trustees to the firm’s London office for a panel discussion, exploring both the rewards and responsibilities of charity leadership, as well as the practical challenges of helping organisations grow.
Chaired by head of charities Virginia Henley, the panel brought together representatives from Northampton Saints Foundation, National Numeracy, Schools Consent Project, Head for Change, Coram and Hernia International Carpenter. Despite their different causes and activities, the panellists shared many of the same challenges, several of which are explored in the article below.
Planning for the next generation
Succession planning was a recurring theme. Founding and longstanding trustees bring commitment, knowledge and continuity, but charities also need fresh perspectives and the confidence to prepare for change.
The skills a board needs will evolve with the charity. Expertise in artificial intelligence, for example, may now be valuable alongside more familiar financial, legal and fundraising experience. Roles can change too, making it important to distinguish board oversight from executive responsibilities as organisations develop.
For boards, the practical lesson is to review their composition regularly and plan ahead for departures, rather than wait for a vacancy. Recruitment should reflect the charity’s future needs as well as its present demands.
Finding people remains difficult, particularly with limited budgets. LinkedIn, Guardian Jobs and personal recommendations were identified as key recruitment channels, although panellists noted the sector’s desire for more accessible, affordable ways to connect charities with prospective trustees. Drawing on personal networks can be effective, but expanding recruitment efforts beyond existing connections can help charities reach individuals who might never have considered trusteeship.
Helping people understand the impact
Competition for funding was another shared concern across the panel, with effective communication seen as part of the solution. Valuable work can struggle to attract support if potential donors, partners and the communities they serve do not understand the need it addresses or the difference it makes.
Strong storytelling is therefore essential. Charities must explain their purpose and impact clearly, while trustees can help by making introductions and ensuring that communications receive attention alongside operational priorities.
A lighter discussion about dream patrons, with suggestions ranging from royalty to international football stars, reflected a serious point: reaching new audiences can open doors. The wider challenge lies in turning that attention into lasting engagement and support.
Working together for greater impact
The discussion also explored the tension between competition for resources and the opportunities for collaboration. Where charities are working to address similar needs, sharing expertise and working towards a common goal can reduce duplication, increase impact and help limited funds go further.
In some cases, that collaboration can evolve into a merger. While such decisions can bring opportunities, they can also understandably raise concerns around employees, volunteers and organisational identity. Keeping beneficiaries’ interests at the centre of decision-making helps boards assess options while recognising the human consequences of change.
Hernia International Carpenter’s work supporting healthcare in northern Ghana offered a particularly moving example of what sustained commitment and partnership can achieve. What began as early surgical missions and equipment donations has grown into ongoing support for surgery and medical education at Leyaata Hospital.
International partnerships also highlighted the importance of agreeing clear objectives and priorities from the outset. Defining how funds will be used, and what they should achieve, along with establishing clear responsibilities and an understanding of the legal frameworks in different countries, helps turn shared intentions into effective collaboration.
Bringing beneficiaries closer to the board
When asked what they would change about their boards, panellists highlighted the value of hearing more directly from the people their charities help, as well as those delivering services on the ground. One suggestion from National Numeracy, a charity that promotes the importance of numeracy and ‘everyday maths’, was to invite schoolteachers to speak directly to its board. They could explain which activities help pupils build confidence with numbers and where pupils still need support, helping trustees decide which resources to develop and where to focus assistance for schools.
Young people’s involvement was another important theme. Dedicated youth panels, mentoring and buddy arrangements can provide routes into governance and help new participants build confidence.
For these approaches to succeed, boards need to listen to the people their charity supports and those who work with them, and show how their feedback informs decisions about the charity’s activities. Bringing younger people and beneficiaries into the conversation can challenge assumptions, improve understanding of needs and help charities develop future leaders.
The rewards of trusteeship
Virginia’s question to the panel about whether charity leadership is life-affirming or keeps people awake at night captured much of the discussion. The responsibilities can be demanding, particularly during periods of funding pressure, staffing challenges or organisational change. Yet there was also a strong sense of pride in seeing an idea grow into an organisation that changes lives.
The event offered an opportunity to share those experiences openly and learn from organisations facing similar decisions. Thank you to our panellists and everyone who joined the discussion for their candour and practical ideas, and for the contribution they make to the sector.
If any of the topics discussed resonate with your organisation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the article authors or your usual charities team contact.