Board Governance
Helping social enterprises and third sector organisations to embed good Board governance practices
We’re passionate about helping social enterprises and third sector organisations embed strong board governance practices that drive success and maximise social impact. Our team of expert advisers brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the table, delivering practical, engaging support that empowers current and new trustees to navigate the complexities of governance with confidence.
From recently incorporated organisations to established boards, we’re here to demystify the world of governance. We’ll break down legal forms and terminology, clarify board roles and responsibilities, and distinguish between board and management duties using real-life examples that make these concepts come alive. Our advisers are skilled at translating the general and specific legal requirements that keep charities running smoothly into actionable insights that your board can put into practice.
We understand that effective financial governance is the foundation of a thriving organisation, and we’re committed to providing guidance on assets and liabilities that empowers your board to make informed decisions. But we also recognise that your reputation is one of your most valuable assets, and we’ll work with you to safeguard and enhance it every step of the way.
As a team that’s dedicated to supporting volunteer trustees, we know first-hand the challenges you face: managing community expectations, navigating resource and time constraints, securing funding, and tackling recruitment and retention. That’s why we’re here to help you build the capacity and sustainability you need to deliver on your vision and mission with unwavering focus and determination.
Is your Board seeking to improve governance? Do Trustees understand their roles and responsibilities? Can they identify and deliver strategic aims confidently and effectively? Our team of business advisers is skilled and experienced in supporting Boards with good Governance, the process of making informed decisions for charities to function well.
The people in charge of a charity and responsible for its management and administration are its ‘charity trustees’ and have legal responsibilities (2005 Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act). We help Boards to understand how guidelines and statutory requirements impact them and the importance of keeping up to date with changes in legislation.
If your Board requires a review of its Constitution (governing document), has an enquiry about what it can and can’t do, or is considering a fundamental change, our specialist advisers are here to help.
We support community groups aiming to become constituted with understanding the different legal forms to make an informed decision about which is most appropriate for them and established charities and social enterprises with their rationale for considering a change of legal form or introducing a separate trading subsidiary.
If your Board has identified that Trustees need to develop new skills or refresh existing skills, we offer remote support. We understand that Trustees may be time-pressed with logistic challenges to meeting up and can offer more flexible ways of accessing learning.
For Boards who can take advantage of meeting in person, we facilitate workshops aimed at building your Board’s capacity. These are delivered in-house or during an awayday depending on the organisation’s resources.
We also signpost to partner organisations who offer accredited and non-accredited courses for skills development. Boards typically seek guidance during change or when planning. We use tools to help Boards identify strategic aims and objectives through active participation in the process. We report on findings and recommendations that inform action planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
Developing and implementing a successful succession plan will help ensure that your Board remains strong and stable as Trustees change. Our team understands the challenges that Boards face with recruitment and retention. We provide support with the process through identifying skills required, how and where to advertise, interviewing, electing, and inducting new Trustees. This can take the form of a webinar, workshop, or one-to-one support.
We promote learning about EDI to help Boards to become more inclusive and reflect the communities they serve.
Ready to Strengthen Your Board?
Effective governance is the cornerstone of a thriving social enterprise or third sector organisation. Don’t let the complexities of governance hold you back from achieving your mission. Contact us today to discover how our expert support can help you embed strong board governance practices that drive success and maximise your social impact. Together, we can build a more resilient, sustainable future for your organisation and the communities you serve.
