Celebrating Trustees and the Power of Purposeful Leadership
Published for Trustee Week UK
During Trustee Week in the UK, we celebrate the individuals who dedicate their time, expertise, and leadership to guide charitable and not-for-profit organisations.
Trustees play a critical role in ensuring that charities and foundations are well-governed, accountable, and focused on their mission. But trusteeship isn’t only valuable to the organisations they serve, it also offers professionals an exceptional way to build board experience, develop strategic governance skills, and make a real social impact.
But what do trustees do? And how does trusteeship differ from Non-Executive Director (NED) roles? Why is it an excellent step in a board career? How can you get started?
What Is a Trustee?
A trustee is a board member responsible for the governance and strategic direction of a charitable or not-for-profit organisation.
Trustees are accountable for ensuring that:
- The organisation acts in line with its governing documents and relevant laws, such as the Charities Act 2011 in the UK, and the relevant laws in respective countries.
- Funds and resources are managed responsibly.
- Activities support the charity’s stated purpose.
- The organisation is run effectively, transparently, and in the public interest.
In many countries, trustees are known by different titles, for example, governors in education, foundation board members in the US, or directors of non-profit organisations internationally. Nonetheless, the essence of the role remains the same: trusted stewardship of an organisation’s mission and resources.
Trustees vs Non-Executive Directors (NEDs): Understanding the Difference
Trustees and NEDs share many responsibilities, but they operate in different contexts and under distinct legal and governance frameworks.
| Aspect | Trustee | Non-Executive Director (NED) |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Charitable / Non-profit | Corporate / Commercial |
| Purpose | Mission-led, serving beneficiaries | Profit-led, serving shareholders |
| Legal Framework | Charity law / Not-for-Profit governance codes | Company law / Corporate governance codes |
| Remuneration | Usually voluntary (unpaid) | Usually paid |
| Primary Duty | To the organisation’s mission and integrity | To the company’s performance and compliance |
| Typical Skills | Strategic oversight, fundraising, risk, safeguarding, impact measurement | Strategy, finance, risk, remuneration, stakeholder engagement |
Many board professionals find that trusteeship provides an excellent foundation for NED roles. It develops governance experience, builds confidence in board settings, and demonstrates commitment to public service. However, do not simply use it as a stepping stone to a portfolio career. Check your motivation for becoming a trustee. If you want to be an effective trustee, the passion for the role itself needs to be there.
Why Becoming a Trustee Can Be a Smart Step in Your Board Career
Trusteeship is one of the most effective and meaningful ways to build boardroom experience. There are many reasons for this.
1. Real Governance Experience
When you are serious about building a board career, you need to gain hands-on experience in board meetings, strategic planning, and risk management. Trusteeship provides a practical introduction to governance in a collaborative, purpose-driven setting.
2. Purpose with Impact
Trusteeship allows you to apply your professional expertise to causes that matter – from education and the arts to environmental or community initiatives. And you get to live your passion in a practical way. Being a trustee is leadership with tangible social benefit.
3. Strategic and Financial Insight
While serving as a trustee, you will help shape budgets, review performance, and oversee key decisions. These experiences strengthen the analytical and oversight skills essential for corporate board roles.
4. Enhanced Reputation and Network
Serving as a trustee demonstrates integrity, social responsibility, and commitment to good governance. It also connects you to an influential network of senior leaders, philanthropists, and policymakers.
5. A Global Skillset
The principles of trusteeship (accountability, stewardship, and transparency) are valued in every governance system worldwide. These skills translate well into international board roles.
Trusteeship Around the World
While the word trustee is a particularly British term, the concept exists globally and is used in different forms across different regions:
- In the United States, non-profit boards have board directors or board of trustees roles.
- In Europe, trusteeship often aligns with foundation governance.
- Across Asia and Africa, community-led and NGO boards adopt similar models of ethical, purpose-driven governance.
A trustee by any other name is still a trustee. Wherever trustees serve, they share a commitment to integrity, accountability, and social impact, ensuring organisations thrive for the benefit of others.
How to Become a Trustee
If you are ready to explore trusteeship, consider these steps:
- Identify causes you care about – your motivation matters.
- Assess your skills – finance, legal, HR, marketing, strategy, and digital transformation are in high demand.
- Search for trustee vacancies – through platforms such as our website and others, you can find many of these vacancies, as organisations are always looking for new talent.
- Prepare a strong trustee application – emphasise governance experience, leadership, and alignment with the organisation’s purpose.
- Understand the responsibilities – including charity law obligations and fiduciary duties.
(NED Careers offers tailored guidance on board applications and trustee CVs. See below for details.)
Celebrating Trustees During Trustee Week
Trusteeship is leadership in its purest form: service before self, responsibility without reward, and governance for the public good.
During Trustee Week, we celebrate the contribution of trustees across the UK and internationally, who give their time, insight, and judgement to help organisations make a lasting impact.
Their dedication embodies the best of board leadership: purpose, integrity, and accountability.
Interested in Becoming a Trustee or Expanding Your Board Career?
At NED Careers, we support aspiring and established board members through:
- Board CV and application development
- Governance readiness coaching
- Trustee and NED career strategy
Explore our Board Career Resources
Make an appointment to discuss your next board opportunity.
