The new Chair of the Charity Commission, Dame Julia Unwin, recently spoke about the pressures facing the charity sector. Financial uncertainty, increasing demand for services and growing divisions within society are challenges that many charities will recognise immediately.

What struck me most, however, was not the discussion around funding or regulation. It was the emphasis placed on governance.

The Charity Commission’s message is clear: charities draw their strength and public trust not only from what they do, but from how they are run. Sound governance remains at the heart of what makes charities different and helps maintain the confidence of beneficiaries, funders and the wider public.

For trustees, this is a timely reminder.

When resources are stretched, governance can sometimes feel like a distraction from a charity’s real work. Board papers are put off until next month. A constitutional review gets pushed down the priority list. Trustees continue with arrangements that have “always worked” rather than asking whether they remain appropriate.

Yet periods of uncertainty are often when governance matters most.

A charity with clear decision-making processes, an engaged board, a well-drafted constitution and an appropriate legal structure is generally better placed to navigate financial pressures and organisational change. Conversely, many governance problems only become visible when an organisation comes under strain.

Common Governance Questions Trustees Should Be Asking

In my experience, trustees should regularly ask themselves a few simple questions:

• Does our governing document still reflect how the charity operates?
• Is our current legal structure still appropriate?
• Are roles and responsibilities clearly understood?
• Do we have the right mix of skills and experience on the board?
• Are we spending enough time thinking strategically rather than simply reacting to immediate issues?

These conversations may not feel urgent, but they are often where long-term resilience begins.

Good Governance Supports Long-Term Resilience

Dame Julia also highlighted that charities have repeatedly demonstrated resilience through periods of change and challenge. The sector’s strength lies not in the size of its income, but in its ability to continue delivering on its charitable purpose.

Good governance is not just about regulatory compliance. It is about ensuring that a charity has the foundations it needs to pursue that purpose effectively, particularly when circumstances become more difficult.

For many charities, now may be a good time to take a step back and ask a simple question: Is our governance framework helping us achieve our objectives, or are we relying on arrangements that may no longer be fit for the organisation we have become?

Is Your Governance Framework Still Fit for Purpose?

Our charity law team advises trustees on governance reviews, constitutional changes and organisational restructuring. Find out more about our charity law services or get in touch to discuss your charity’s needs.