How to be a good trustee - understanding your role and responsibilities

Almost all charity trustees feel confident in their role - in fact, 99% of trustees surveyed by the Charity Commission for England and Wales say they are. But the Charity Commission’s latest research, published in July 2026, also suggests that confidence doesn’t always translate into a complete understanding of trustees’ responsibilities.

Confident in your role? Make sure your knowledge is keeping pace

While 94% of trustees feel confident handling conflicts, only 42% understood that they should not make decisions that benefit other organisations they are involved with, and just 42% recognised that personal views should not influence their decisions.

With charity law and regulation becoming increasingly complex, and trustee responsibilities evolving as charities grow and circumstances change, ongoing training is an important part of good governance - for new trustees and experienced board members alike.

We can help

This online session will provide an introduction to new or prospective trustees, and a valuable refresher for those already in post. It will give you the practical tools you need to:

• Understand how your legal duties influence effective decision-making
• Know the key Charity Commission guidance you should keep in mind
• Recognise and avoid situations where trustees could become personally liable

There will be anecdotes and case studies to bring the session to life and an opportunity to share your own insights and ask questions.

Please register via the " Book Your Place " button.

If you require any further information, please contact our events team using [email protected] or call 0191 211 7777.