Charity governance consultant Penny Wilson has expressed disappointment at a lack of progress in the diversity of trustee boards.
Reflecting on the results of think tank PBE and the Charity Commission’s recent research on trustee diversity, Wilson told an online event last week that the figures were “massively disappointing” with only a “vague improvement” in gender diversity.
According to the report, the racial and age profiles of trustees were not representative of the diversity of the general population.
Among its key findings were that 57% of trustees and 65% of chairs were male, while 55% of all trustees were aged over 65, with only 1% of trustees being under 30.
Speaking as part of a panel at the webinar organised by PBE, Wilson said: “We’ve got a bit of a move in household income towards the wider population.
“But it’s still nothing to be proud of, is it? And racial diversity has worsened since 2017. So, I just feel like the time for talking is over.
“We really need bold and urgent action at the moment. How can we do our best as a sector when our most senior leaders just don’t reflect the communities we serve?”
Also on the panel, Malcolm John, founder of Board Racial Diversity UK, said: “After 2020, BLM and George Floyd’s murder, whether actually there was a big move towards diversity on boards, more inclusive recruitment and whether experience on boards and inclusion has not been as it should be and people have actually left, is worth exploring in some future research.”
Paying trustees debated
The panel also discussed the subject of paying trustees in order to improve diversity, with opinions being divided between them.
“I think we should be thinking about paying trustees for inclusion purposes,” she said.
“I personally have spoken to tens and tens of people who personally said that the lack of payment is a barrier to being a trustee.”
Wilson added: “I don’t see why those of us already on board should be deciding whether or not we should think about paying trustees. We’re asking the wrong people and coming up with the wrong answer.”
However, John pointed out that in the current climate, “most charities in themselves can’t afford to pay trustees.”
“Changing the way that charities are run so that governance fits in with people’s lifestyles a lot more […] I don’t think we’re anywhere near that sort of approach,” he added.
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