Board diversity

In a diverse board, the board’s membership is drawn from a wide range of people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives. 

A diverse board actively ensures that trustees from different backgrounds can participate fully in its work.

A diverse board can help ensure a charity’s decision-making reflects the views and interests of the communities it serves. It can also bring in fresh perspectives to decision-making. 

Board diversity can help ensure the board draws on the widest possible pool of talent in its recruitment. 

By being committed to diversity, boards of larger charities can help set an example about diversity and inclusion for the whole charity.

Board diversity might involve recruiting new board members in a systematic and open manner. For example, some charities identify the skills and attributes required of new board members and then ensure that vacancies are advertised and promoted as widely as possible.

Board diversity might also involve providing board members with additional support, to learn about their role as a trustee or to enable them to participate fully in board meetings. For example, some charities design their board meetings to ensure people with disabilities can participate.

Remember that trustees must act in the best interests of the charity as a whole. They cannot be appointed to represent the interests of a particular group.