Overview

Charity Tax Group (CTG) is a respected, volunteer‑led organisation and the authoritative voice of charities on tax, having saved the sector an estimated £10bn over the past 40 years. As CTG entered a period of significant transformation — including plans to appoint its first CEO and strengthen its governance structures — the Board sought to appoint two new Trustees with expertise in fundraising and monitoring and evaluation.

Unlike traditional trustee recruitment, this search presented an additional layer of complexity: every Trustee must either work for, or serve as a Trustee of, one of CTG’s donating member organisations, or be eligible to join through their employer.

Our Approach

1. Addressing structural constraints through governance consultation

Recognising the barriers created by the membership requirement, Charity People worked in close partnership with the CTG Board to explore what flexibility existed within the charity’s Memorandum and Articles. This ensured the search remained inclusive and legally compliant while also opening the door to a wider range of credible candidates.

2. A values‑led, EDI‑centred search strategy

Over a six‑week period, we promoted the opportunity across multiple networks, including charity sector leadership spaces, fundraising and MEL specialist communities, and equity‑focused networks. Our approach emphasised transparency about eligibility, support for candidates in navigating membership pathways, and proactive outreach to individuals whose lived experience could strengthen CTG’s governance.

3. A nuanced longlisting and assessment process

Rather than focusing on application numbers, our priority was to identify credible, values‑led candidates who met CTG’s requirements and could lawfully serve under the governance structure. Through careful assessment and ongoing dialogue, we refined a shortlist of individuals with strong alignment, diverse experience and eligibility.

Outcome

Despite the structural constraints and complexity of the search, Charity People successfully identified and supported the appointment of two highly credible and values‑aligned Trustees:

• Yasmin Halima: A senior fundraising, advocacy and communications specialist with extensive experience in income generation, governance and strategic communications.
• Samir Hafiz: A seasoned monitoring, evaluation and learning specialist with deep experience across humanitarian, climate and development sectors.

Conclusion

This search demonstrates the importance of equity‑centred, governance‑aware recruitment in complex organisational contexts. By navigating constitutional constraints and reducing systemic barriers, Charity People delivered a fair, inclusive process and secured two outstanding trustees to support CTG’s next phase of growth.