BoardBuilders 2017-2022: 6 years of BoardMatch impact

Written by Anya Rudolphy, ELBA Community Development Project Manager

ELBA and BIG Alliance established the BoardBuilders programme, BoardMatch, in 2017. BoardMatch provides business professionals with the opportunity to join the boards of charities and social enterprises in East London and Islington. It was established as a high impact programme that supports the professional development of business volunteers. For our community partners, BoardMatch provides the opportunity to draw on the expertise of business volunteers at a strategic level, applying their skills in a new context to strengthen their boards.

To date there have been 18 events hosted by 9 of our business partners. In 2020 BoardMatch went virtual and we have continued to support trustee placements through our BoardMatch: Digital Edition.

ELBA and BIG Alliance are very pleased to be returning to an in-person event for BoardMatch19 on the 18th of October with thanks to UBS who are hosting. Over the past 18 events we have had 43 UBS employees join charity boards.

Becoming a trustee of a charity board is a rewarding way to support organisations and engage meaningfully at a community level. East London and Islington organisations continue to be challenged in their work by pressing issues including impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, cost of living and climate. The need to build and strengthen the capacity of boards to support the sustainability of an organisation remains essential. 

The 2017 Charity Commission report, “Taken On Trust”, found that 66% of charity trustees in England and Wales are male, 92% are white and the average age of a trustee is 55-64. We are committed to increasing the diversity of boards in east London and Islington. We hope to encourage all employees from our business partners to attend a BoardMatch event, regardless of experience, level of seniority or professional background.

ELBA and BIG Alliance are hosting a BoardBuilders information session on the 21st of September from 12:30pm-1:30pm. If you are interested in attending an information session or would like event details for BoardMatch19 get in touch with your internal volunteering coordinator or contact boardmatch@elba-1.org.uk.

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