Lack of diversity and legal expertise on charity boards, regulator’s research finds
· Posted on: May 19th 2025 · read
A new report from the Charity Commission and Pro Bono Economics has found that charity trustee boards fail to represent the diversity of the wider population and lack legal skills.
The Research, conducted between July and August last year, found that younger people and those from ethnic minority backgrounds are underrepresented. However, there is greater gender parity than in previous years. A total of 2,194 trustees responded.
Legal Skills
- 12% of trustees surveyed stated that their board has no legal skills or experience.
- 23% of trustees stated their boards sourced legal expertise externally.
The Report stressed that complying with charity law is a “critical role for all trustees”.
Lack of Diversity
- 8% of charity trustees are from ethnic minority backgrounds, compared to the general population of England and Wales where 17% are from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Not for Profit
Read more about Not for ProfitRead moreFounder of Board Racial Diversity UK, Malcom John, commented on the lack of progress since the Charity Commission’s Taken on Trust research in 2017.
Encouraging more diverse trustees
However, there is cause for optimism. The majority of those surveyed said the role made them feel they were having a positive impact on the world, emphasising the fulfilling nature of the role. Indeed, the commission’s chief executive David Holdsworth said: “This rich and detailed research gives us valuable new insights into the people on whom all charities, of all sizes, ultimately rely.
Pro Bono Economics head of social sector Anoushka Kenley said:
“This new research provides plenty of room for optimism, with the vast majority of trustees saying that they find their role rewarding and evidence of an improvement over recent years in the representativeness of the trustee population”.
Greater diversity of Trustees will lead to stronger boards and better support communities.
