Inspiring the next generation of trustees
Inspiring the next generation of trustees
By Zimmie Sutcliffe, Community Development Project Manager, ELBA
ELBA recently hosted Being a trustee, a workshop giving young people from Tower Hamlets an insight into the world of charity governance and trusteeship. Eight young people attended from Osmani Trust, Streets of Growth and Spotlight youth centre.
Hosted at KPMG, the workshop formed part of ELBA’s work with Tower Hamlets Island Community Network (THICN); a grassroots network compromising of local organisations, key individuals, statutory partners and stakeholders aiming to reduce youth violence on the Isle of Dogs. THICN’s work is funded through the Mayor of London’s MyEnds programme.
During the workshop, young people were able to learn what a charity is and the role charities play in supporting communities in Tower Hamlets and beyond. The young people also learnt about the roles and responsibilities of trustees and shared their ideas on the skills and characteristics that make a good trustee.
“I really enjoyed the engagement of the workshop and how it was communicated.”
– Workshop participant
The workshop highlighted the lack of diversity and representation among trustees, as shown by the fact that just 13% of charity boards have achieved gender parity*, and that only 8% of trustees in England and Wales are people of colour, compared to 14% of the wider population**. Furthermore, just 3% of trustees are aged under 30***, highlighting the need to encourage young people’s civic engagement and provide opportunities for them to contribute to decisions that affect them and their communities.
“I expanded my knowledge on trustees and charities and thought about how I want to volunteer in something like this.”
– Workshop participant
Kathryn Mallet, a Tax Partner at KPMG, shared insights into her role as a trustee at Spitalfields City Farm and why she is passionate about protecting green spaces in the city. Kathryn became a trustee through ELBA’s long-running BoardBuilders programme, which aims to enhance trustee diversity by placing corporate employees into trustee roles with ELBA’s community partners in east London and Islington.
Are you an employee at one of ELBA’s corporate partners and interested in becoming a trustee? Why not register for BoardMatch28, taking place on 8 October 2025 at Lloyd’s or contact [email protected].
* Charities Inclusive Governance Report 2022
** Diversity charity calls for end to informal trustee recruitment article, 2025
*** Young Trustees Movement
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