The Challenge
There are over 168,000 charities in the UK, and more than 50% of charities have vacancies for Trustees at any one time. Trusteeship is a significant responsibility to take on, and yet there are very few professional development opportunities that empower individuals with an understanding of how to be effective in the role.
Recognising this problem, Cause4, Close Brothers Asset Management and the Clothworkers’ Company came together in a cross-sector partnership to launch the Trustee Leadership Programme in 2014.
Our Solution
The Trustee Leadership Programme supports existing and aspiring Trustees to provide effective leadership for the charity sector. Through a one-day or evening course, participants learn the essentials of Trusteeship, covering: strategic planning, governance laws, finance and fundraising.
Each course is complemented by real-world insights from sector experts, and contains a charity-matching event to help participants find a suitable Trustee role in a charity that they are passionate about.
In addition to the core programme for Trustees, the Trustee Leadership Programme now also offers specialist training for charity Chairs (Emerging Chairs Programme), school governors, Trustees in the cultural and sporting sectors, and for Trustees of grant making bodies.
The Trustee Leadership Programme and Emerging Chairs Programme are now Approved by the Institute of Leadership & Management, allowing alumni to receive certification and access to further e-learning resources.
"Incredibly fulfilling … in terms of broadening and deepening my own skill set, my own networks and contacts within the industry"
Deepak, Trustee Leadership Course graduate 2017
Cause4 has engaged over 1,500 people in the Trustee Leadership Programme, and matched 372 participants with vacancies on boards.
