Diversifying Charity Boards in Surrey

Partnering with Getting on Board and Action for Trustee Racial Diversity to Accelerate Inclusive Governance

Surrey VCSE’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Steering Group had already made impressive strides in assessing board diversity across the county’s charities, including a quantitative survey. Building on this foundation, the group was ready to act decisively to accelerate the racial diversity of trustee boards.

Many local charities were committed to more representative governance but needed practical, structured support to:

• Improve recruitment practices to reach underrepresented communities

• Equip new trustees for success in their roles

• Embed inclusive board culture and governance practices for the long term

Our Approach

Formation was commissioned by Getting on Board and Action for Trustee Racial Diversity (now Board Racial Diversity UK) to deliver an end‑to‑end programme for both charities and prospective trustees in Surrey. The comprehensive package included:

For Charities

• Application & Selection: Managed processes to identify and select two cohorts of 10 charities.

• Recruitment Skills Training: Six two‑hour online workshops on inclusive recruitment and governance.

• One‑to‑One Support: Direct, personalised guidance for participating charities.

• Inclusive Board Practices Session: Dedicated training for entire trustee boards.

For Trustee Candidates

• Pre‑Application Support: Online workshops to prepare candidates from underrepresented groups.

• Trustee Skills Development: Targetted workshops on being an effective trustee.

Wider Outreach & Advocacy

• County‑Wide Campaign: An inspiring Surrey‑wide marketing campaign promoting trusteeship and encouraging applications from racially diverse communities.

• Digital Recruitment Support: Partnership with Reach Volunteering to advertise and match vacancies.

This integrated approach blended organisational change, individual capacity building, and community awareness‑raising.

The Impact 

• More Representative Boards: We supported a cohort of Surrey charities to diversify their trustee boards through the adoption of more inclusive recruitment practice.

• Lasting Inclusive Practices: Charities embedded equitable recruitment and governance practices into their organisational cultures.

• Sector‑Wide Ripple Effect: The campaign and peer networks have continued to inspire and inform boards with other regions seeking to replicate its success.

This partnership exemplifies a comprehensive, community‑focused approach to tackling underrepresentation in governance — combining evidence‑based training, recruitment innovation, and sustained coaching to deliver deep, lasting change.