Law firm Birketts has been unveiled as the exclusive law firm sponsor for the inaugural programme of The Confident Trustee, a new initiative designed to provide essential training for charity trustees in all aspects of their role.
The initiative launched in December and Birketts is sponsoring six bursaries to cover the cost of seven workshops aimed at better preparing charity trustees to carry out their duties, including how to be an effective trustee, confident decision making, healthy board dynamics and how to work well with the executive team.
Liz Brownsell, Partner and Head of Charities at Birketts, said: “Charity trustees play a vital role in the success of any charity, but there is more to being a charity trustee than many realise. Getting it wrong can have devastating consequences, both for the charity and for individual trustees. This year, there have been high profile cases where charity trustees have been disqualified and barred from taking up similar roles for several years, often because they were not fully aware of the responsibilities expected of them as trustees.
“Though the Charity Commission provides a lot of guidance for trustees, it can often feel overwhelming and difficult to know where to begin. Initiatives such as ‘The Confident Trustee’ are essential in developing a fuller understanding of what is actually involved.
“Most trustees take on the role to do good in society, so it makes sense to equip them with the tools they need to be effective in their role and avoid falling foul of the Charity Commission and charity law.
“Birketts is proud to be part of such an important programme.”
The Confident Trustee programme is delivered by experienced, specialist charity coaches Claris D’cruz, of Claris D’cruz Ltd and Fran Borg-Wheeler of Heart-Centred Leaders. Birketts’ experienced Charities Team will also contribute to a Q&A session for the first cohort of recipients of the training.
Claris and Fran said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Birketts to empower trustees, including those from under-represented groups, to carry out their role with even greater impact.”