#ThisIsWhatATrusteeLooksLike
By Tiku van Houtem
Last week was Trustees’ Week. It is the time of the year when the sector comes together to celebrate the great work that trustees do. A phenomenal one million trustees give their time and skills to charities across the UK as volunteers.
Throughout the week, there was a variety of interesting training and development workshops to choose from, and opportunities for potential trustees to learn more about what it means to join a charity board.
I must admit that before joining Charity People I didn’t fully appreciate the role of a trustee, nor had I ever considered becoming one. And the latter is probably true of most people.
Always the last to leave a party, I didn’t want Trustees’ Week to end! I want to share some of the amazing conversations I have had with trustees of charities. I hope that they will inspire you to investigate how you, too, could become a trustee.
I caught up with…
Atem Mbeboh, Trustee at Sound and Music
What is the purpose of Sound and Music?
Sound and Music’s purpose is to maximise opportunities for people to create and enjoy new music. This is done through a series of programs developed by the charity. Such as New Voices (development program for artists), Adopt a Music Creator (this is a collaborative program, pairing a composer with music ensembles and groups), Composer Curator (supporting projects around the UK that are produced and curated by composers and music creators).
Where is your charity based?
This is a London based charity, with HQ in Bethnal Green – however the charity operates nationally and has international partnerships too.
How long have you been a trustee?
Interestingly, I have only been a trustee for a few months now.
How and why did you become a trustee?
Anyone who knows me knows that I have an insatiable love and need for music. My agency Rant + Rave originally started as a music curation organisation; setting up charity events before we emerged as a digital agency with a focus on inclusive narratives. I became a trustee because this was an opportunity for me to indulge in my love for music and in some way give meaning to it.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a trustee?
Being a trustee is more than just attending meetings once or twice a year. In my short time, I have learned that it is participatory. You must want to be involved and lend a helping hand, knowing that support goes a long way to assist someone you’ve never met and probably never will.
What qualities do you think you need to be a good trustee?
For me there are two very important qualities. First is belief in what the charity/organisation is trying to achieve. Without that, I fear one’s interest in trusteeship will be short lived. Secondly, is the ability to listen and understand.
What would you say to someone to encourage them to become a trustee?
If there is a cause you believe in, find an organisation that is doing work towards that cause and apply to be a trustee. Being a trustee gives you a bird’s eye view of the charity/organisation, structure, and the moving parts. You also get front row seats on the obstacles the charity must overcome to fulfil its purpose. You get the opportunity to help direct and shape the path forward, all with the aim of achieving a worthwhile cause. Can’t get any better than that.
What was your professional experience before becoming a trustee?
I’ve worked in the marketing industry for over 15 years. Firstly, working for a data company (YouGov), moved into management of a comms agency (4Media relations), and then digital engineering agency (Dare). Now, I am at the helm of my own company, Rant + Rave (digital storytelling agency). Our focus her, is to help companies develop narratives that are inclusive, that drive brand and organisational affinity.
Gina Koutsika, Trustee at The Jewish Museum
What is the purpose of the Jewish Museum?
Jewish Museum London is a museum that tells the story of the history and heritage of Jews in Britain through universal themes of migration, family, faith, and culture. We exist for all people from all backgrounds and celebrate diversity in all its forms.
Where is your charity based?
Jewish Museum London is based in Camden Town.
Our four permanent galleries showcase the vibrancy of Jewish life in Britain, including a recreation of London’s East End and rare items from our designated collection of Jewish ceremonial art. Two brand new, exciting additions are our partnership gallery and our research and digitisation space.
How long have you been a trustee?
I am a very new trustee, having joined this summer.
How and why did you become a trustee?
I was inspired by the drive and ambition of the Museum, its potential to reach and engage with new audiences, and to lead on debates around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. I was also very interested in being able to offer my insights and experiences as a museum leader and a member of the Greek Orthodox Christian diaspora. The Museum is also relatively close to me, and I feel part of its local community.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a trustee?
I thoroughly enjoy the open debates and lively interactions with intelligent, knowledgeable, and passionate fellow members of the Board. I also get great satisfaction contributing towards the Museum’s good governance and future ambitions.
What qualities do you think you need to be a good trustee?
Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life are very appropriate for any trustee. These are: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. In addition, it is essential to have one or more areas of expertise (or personal lived experiences) that are specifically useful for the organisation. Finally, being a trustee is a responsible position; making the time and having a genuine commitment to the role is key.
What would you say to someone to encourage them to become a trustee?
Let me start with a quote attributed to Goethe: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
Being a trustee is a great opportunity to serve an organisation and a cause you care about, to grow in confidence and accountability, and to make new friends.
What was your professional experience before becoming a trustee?
My experience included leading cultural organisations, such as the Young V&A; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Imperial War Museums; Tate; the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum, and serving in a number of governmental, cultural and educational boards.
I would urge young adults from different backgrounds and life paths to consider the opportunity, as many charities would benefit from the lived experiences of young people today. As the previous Director (Creative & Skills) of the Young V&A, I was championing for the inclusion of young people and diverse voices in my trustees.
Naren Patel, Trustee at NABS
What is the purpose of NABS?
Support people in the media and advertising industry.
Where is your charity based?
Our services are available nationwide, with bespoke events and programmes available in our hubs of Manchester and Scotland.
How long have you been a trustee?
About 9 years.
How and why did you become a trustee?
They asked me.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a trustee?
To witness all the positive work that NABS does for the industry. We help people working in the media and advertising industry to succeed. We do this by offering career guidance and by helping plug gaps in knowledge or skills. We have a confidential advice line and a calendar full of talks, events and masterclasses.
What qualities do you think you need to be a good trustee?
A good listener and the ability to challenge the CEO, but always in a positive way.
What would you say to someone to encourage them to become a trustee?
It is a great way of giving back and building your network.
What was your professional experience before becoming a trustee?
CEO of an outdoor advertising business.
Bish Sharif, Trustee at The Source Skills Academy
What is the purpose of The Source Skills Academy?
Supporting unemployed young people and adults back into employment who are furthest away from the skills-based labour market.
Where is your charity based?
Sheffield, with reach across South Yorkshire and beyond.
How long have you been a trustee?
14 months – Chair of the Subgroup for Quality and Curriculum and Safeguarding Lead.
How and why did you become a trustee?
I became a trustee as I wanted to develop my skills in organisational governance and want to eventually become an NHS trustee to challenge the inequalities in the health system. I feel this first role will give me the stepping stone in developing the experience I need to achieve my next step and my ambition to hold organisations to account, where they fail on inclusion and diversity across our most marginalised groups.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a trustee?
I can offer my time and experience by volunteering in an area I have worked in by providing advice in an impartial way on performance. I can highlight areas of improvement and work towards developing plans to improve outcomes across the organisation. Also, seeing the benefits and outcomes of people, and increasing the reach to a wider audience.
What qualities do you think you need to be a good trustee?
Prepared to give up time and volunteer in an area that makes you want to see a difference. Be a good listener and team player. Be prepared to acknowledge the challenges and what you need to do to improve your knowledge. Compassionate and committed. Aim is for the greater good and not yourself!
What would you say to someone to encourage them to become a trustee?
Go for it! There’s nothing more rewarding than supporting charities to sustain and keep developing in an ever-changing and challenging environment, and knowing you have helped with the big conversations by giving your time and opinion.
What was your professional experience before becoming a trustee?
Former Head of Service in Local Government.
Mark Boisson, Trustee at Hackney Foodbank
What is the purpose of Hackney Foodbank?
Helping local people in crisis by providing emergency food parcels and connecting them with local organisations who can help address the root causes of poverty in their lives.
Where is your charity based?
Hackney, East London.
How long have you been a trustee?
April 2021.
How and why did you become a trustee?
I was informed of the opportunity to become a trustee by an agency working on behalf of Hackney Foodbank and decided to apply.
I became a trustee as it was an opportunity for me to give back to some of the people in a community in which my family and I lived for many years previously and where I am currently working. Being a trustee allows me to make greater use of my skills and experience and enables me to further develop personally and professionally, especially in terms of strategic thinking.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a trustee?
Being able to make improvements and otherwise positively impact the lives of people, both in the short and longer terms.
What qualities do you think you need to be a good trustee?
Passionate about the cause and willing to act as one of its ambassadors; good listener; open-minded; objective; ability to compromise yet willing to be in a minority of one; ability to be a critical friend especially to the senior team; ability to ask the foolish questions; and the ability to understand and interpret data and information.
What would you say to someone to encourage them to become a trustee?
It will help you achieve a higher purpose, such as helping others, with very little costs. In that way you will get a strong sense of satisfaction. It will also help you grow both personally and professionally, and you are likely to meet some wonderful people.
What was your professional experience before becoming a trustee?
An experienced finance director, mainly in the charity and education sectors.
Please do contact me if you would like an in formal chat on how you, too, could become a trustee tiku@charitypeople.co.uk
