Advice

Trustees are not required to be experts in all aspects of their role, but the board should take advice where it will assist it in carrying out its duties. 

The board might take advice from a range of sources – from staff, from professional advisors, from volunteers or from consultants – but they should not rely exclusively on a single source of advice.

There are some legal requirements over the taking of advice, for example in relation to property transactions and investments.

Trustees including the chair or other honorary officers can only act on behalf of the board if they are authorised to do so by the other trustees and/or as set out in the governing document. This is relevant if, for example, a trustee is seeking paid advice on behalf of the board.