Understanding Governance Stage 1: The Trustee Role

10–11 September 2025

Governance fundamentals for new and experienced trustees.

If you are new to the role of being a charity trustee, this course will provide the perfect introduction, while experienced trustees will also benefit from a refresher of their responsibilities and comprehensive updates on evolving elements of the trustee role.

This course will take place online via Zoom.

A £40 discount is available to Governance & Leadership subscribers.

Speakers

  • John Williams

    John has a professional background originally in marketing and corporate communications.
    For the last 20 years he has been actively involved in the charity sector, as a Chair, trustee, consultant and regulator.  He served for five years as Charity Commissioner and, more recently, for eight years as trustee and Vice Chair of the Association of Chairs. 
    John has been a regular conference speaker and is a former columnist for Governance & Leadership magazine.

Programme

PART A 

9.55am

Log in to ensure prompt start at 10am

10.00am

 

Introductions

The changing environment in which trustees and charities have to operate

CC3 – Duties of trustees

Including:

  • collective authority and responsibility of trustees

  • acting solely in the interests of the charity

  • not benefiting

When trustees can be personally liable

Duties of Company Directors

10.15am

What is governance?

  • The relationship between governance and management

  • Trustees’ role description

  • Success and failure of organisations and the link with governance

  • Three different models of governance and what each has to offer

12. 30pm

Lunch

1.00pm  

Information needs of trustees

  • When too much detail is dangerous – when detail could be important

  • What should be in a CEO’s report to the board

  • Basic rules for board papers

Planning the work of the board

  • Why planning of the board work programme is vital to help trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities

  • One way to plan the work of the board

2.15pm  

End

NOTE: There will be a short comfort break at about 11.30am

PART B

Please read the case study before you join PART B

9.55am

Log in to ensure prompt start at 10am

10.00am

Case study

11.00am

Break

11.10am

Re-join

Relationships with your chief executive and chair of trustees

  • holding the CEO to account without meddling in management;

  • getting the right balance between support and constructive challenge;

  • Julia Unwin’s 5S model for high performance boards

12. 30pm

End

 

Please note, this programme is subject to change.

Testimonials

 

Caroline Thomas

Trustee And Hon. General Secretary

Casualties Union

I now feel more confident that my charity is functioning well and have taken dozens of tips and ideas away for doing even better

Liz Gould

Trustee

JWA

Every trustee should attend one of these courses if they are to do their job properly

Joe Curran

Resources Director

Interights

An extremely useful course with excellent materials

Prices

(prices exc VAT)

Governance & Leadership subscriber - £195
Standard rate - £235
Non-charity Governance & Leadership subscriber- £300
Non-charity delegate- £400

For group bookings email [email protected] 

FAQs

When will I receive course materials and Zoom link to access the course?

After booking you will receive the following correspondence:

1 week before the course – an e-mail with your joining information, this includes the course programme and any other relevant materials.

1 day before the course – an e-mail with your final information, this includes the Zoom link, course programme any other relevant materials.

When will I be invoiced for my booking?

Invoices are manually processed so this will be sent to you by our events team shortly after your booking.

Will presentation slides be provided?

Presentations are provided in advance for the majority of our courses but this can vary and is down to the course leader’s discretion.

Will the sessions be recorded?

We do not record our courses as we feel this gives delegates the opportunity to have more open discussions and freely ask questions around the running of their charities.

Will I get a reminder prior to my course?

Yes, you will get e-mails one week and one day before your course with all of the information you need. You won’t receive a calendar invite so do make sure you put the date in your diary.

What if I can no longer attend the course?

Up to and including 14 days prior to the event, a refund (less a 15% administration fee), a substitution of a colleague, or one complimentary transfer to another training date can be issued. Only one complimentary transfer can be issued, no refund will be issued for a cancelled transfer. Once a transfer has been processed, refund for the original booking will not be issued. Refunds or transfers are not available less than 14 days before the event date. Confirmation of cancellations MUST be in writing and sent to [email protected]

For any other queries, please get in touch at [email protected].

Terms and conditions

Substitution and cancellation policy: On receipt of your booking form, your place is confirmed. Delegate substitutions are allowed. Up to and including 14 days prior to the event, a refund (less a 15% administration fee), or one complimentary transfer to another training date can be issued. Only one complimentary transfer can be issued, no refund will be issued for a cancelled transfer.  Once a transfer has been processed, refund for the original booking will not be issued. Refunds or transfers are not available less than 14 days before the event date. Confirmation of cancellations MUST be in writing and sent or faxed to Civil Society Media at 15 Prescott Place, London, SW4 6BS 020 7819 1200 (fax: 020 7819 1210).