Governance Hub | Global Connections

Governance Hub

Providing resources and networking opportunities for trustees

In the Charity sector, there is an increased focus on governance and its limitations. A review in 2012 by Dame Mary Marsh finds that "Charity governance is stuck in the past" and research from Mike Hudson shows that the greatest improvements in organisations will be through governance reviews and strategic focus. The external environment for charities, including mission agencies, is also changing rapidly. Boards have a responsibility to lead in responding to the changes and if they don't then their organisations are in danger of becoming irrelevant. 

The governance hub is designed to provide access to resources as well as opportunities for trustees, especially Chairs, to meet for mutual support and understanding. There is a focus on addressing and discussing key issues relating to good governance, leadership, recruiting trustees, succession and charity law.

Recent topics covered and papers include:

  • The role of a Board in providing strategic direction and generic thinking about the future
  • Governance in a changing world
  • Charity mergers
  • Recruiting and developing a high performance Board, including diversity and skills audits
  • Reporting Public Benefit
  • The Chair and CEO relationship and responsibilities of the Chair of Trustees
  • Governance models and their various strengths and weaknesses

There is also a governance bulletin available to trustees from member bodies and if you wish to receive this please email us.

Forum papers

Title Author(s) Date Type Description
Are you ready for GDPR? Andrew barton 2018 Article Have you sorted out your Legal Basis of processing yet? And have you thought through all the implications?
CC20 Fundraising Summary Daryl Martin 2017 Paper This summary of Charity Fundraising: a Guide to Trustee Duties (CC20) has been prepared to help busy trustees and charity executives.
Charity Governance Code Daryl Martin 2017 Paper A useful summary to tell a trustee what the regulators expect, with 7 principles as a tool to support continuous improvement.
A Summary of GDPR. Daryl Martin 2017 Paper A series of numbered briefings to help small to medium charities prepare for GDPR.
Data Protection Policy and General Data Protection Regulations Daryl Martin 2017 Paper This is a Data Protection Policy template, taken from the HMRC website.
Role of the Chair Martin Lee 2016 Paper A paper looking at what makes an effective Chair and the relationship with the CEO
Diversity and Skills Mix on Charity Boards Martin Lee 2016 Paper A paper looking at diversity and skills audit with suggested templates for helping a Board govern effectively.
Board Effectiveness and Models of Governance Martin Lee 2015 Paper A paper looking at what makes an effective Board, what governance is and what models can be used to help a Board govern effectively.
Policy checklist for Boards Martin Lee 2015 Resource list A resource list presenting a policies and papers checklist for Boards.
What makes an effective Board? Neil Casey and Denise Pavey 2013 PowerPoint presentation A power-point presentation looking at what is meant by governance raising key questions for the mission sector - September 2013
Charity Director/Trustees Daryl Martin 2013 Forum paper If your board is struggling to find an effective way to operate or if you want to measure your board against good practise, you may find these notes helpful.
Slow Boat to Skype Denise Pavey 2012 Research A paper summarising a dissertation considering the capability of Boards of UK mission agencies to respond to contextual changes - November 2012
Measuring organisational performance Neil Casey 2011 Forum paper A presentation looking at ways to help a Board take its governance role seriously in the area of performance - June 2011
Recruiting and developing Boards Neil Casey and David Parry 2011 PowerPoint presentation A presentation and case study looking a recruitment, skills requirements and development of Boards - June 2011
Merger lessons Martin Lee 2010 Paper A paper looking at issues that need to be addressed when mergers are being considered - May 2010
Overview of Public Benefit Don Horrocks 2009 Forum paper Slides from a power point presentation, The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit - February 2009
Titus - A Trustee with Spiritual Integrity Dr Paul Adams 2009 Forum paper Paper presenting characteristics about Titus - February 2009
Reporting Public Benefit Paul Gibson 2009 Forum paper Slides of power point presentation, "Reporting Public Benefit" - February 2009
Policy Governance and Carver Model Ruth Gracey 2009 Forum paper Slides of a power point presentation, "A Critical Exploration of Policy Governance in UK Voluntary Organisations" - February 2009