Henry Smith Foundation launches “Better Boards” to tackle board diversity gap
Stuart McKay · Posted on: January 12th 2026 · read
In December, the Henry Smith Foundation launched its Better Boards Initiative, designed to support more representative and inclusive governance across the charity sector.
The programme will provide multi‑year, core funding to four organisations with a proven role in strengthening governance: Reach Volunteering, Board Racial Diversity UK, the Young Trustees Movement, and the Association of Chairs.
These organisations were selected for their complementary work in trustee recruitment, development and board diversity, areas that are often under‑resourced despite their importance to long‑term organisational effectiveness.
The Foundation has framed the programme as an investment in “stronger, more inclusive” boards. In announcing the initiative, the Foundation pointed to research showing that trustee boards still do not reflect the communities they serve, which can limit effective challenge, reduce insight into beneficiary needs and ultimately weaken strategic decision‑making.
Structural barriers remain significant, including lack of time, confidence or professional networks among potential trustees, as well as limited development opportunities and succession planning for existing trustees.
Sector voices have broadly welcomed the move, while acknowledging that progress will require sustained effort. Board Racial Diversity UK founder, Malcom John, described the availability of unrestricted, long‑term funding as critical to widening access to governance roles, particularly for younger people and individuals from under‑represented backgrounds. Leaders from the other participating organisations similarly emphasised that better‑supported boards are more confident, more accountable and better equipped to lead charities through periods of uncertainty.
A diverse trustee board brings a broader range of perspectives, lived experience and professional judgement to strategic discussions, factors consistently associated with improved governance quality and organisational resilience.
"As funders, regulators and stakeholders place increasing emphasis on governance standards, charities may wish to use this moment to reflect on their own board composition, identify barriers to inclusivity, and take practical steps to broaden recruitment and development pathways."
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