Charity Trustee Training
Helping Trustees Understand Their Responsibilities
Being a charity trustee is a rewarding role. You have the opportunity to help shape an organisation, support an important cause and make a genuine difference to the people and communities your charity exists to serve. But trustees also take on significant legal duties, governance responsibilities and, in some circumstances, potential personal liability.
With increasing regulation, public scrutiny and oversight from the Charity Commission, trustees need to understand what is expected of them and, just as importantly, how those responsibilities apply when making real decisions. It is not always easy to know where the boundaries lie, particularly when dealing with conflicts of interest, financial decisions, governance issues or difficult questions about the charity’s future.
At Ellis-Fermor & Negus, we provide tailored charity trustee training for charities across the UK. Our training is designed to be practical, accessible and relevant to the issues trustees are likely to encounter in their roles.
We can tailor training to the needs and experience of your trustees, whether you are appointing new trustees who need an introduction to their responsibilities or an established Board looking to refresh its knowledge and strengthen its governance.
By investing in trustee training, charities can strengthen their governance, reduce the risk of problems arising and give trustees greater confidence in carrying out their responsibilities.
With Ellis-Fermor & Negus, your trustees can gain a better understanding of their role, their responsibilities and the decisions they are required to make – helping your charity to be well governed and focused on achieving its charitable objectives.
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‘Ben provided me with excellent advice and dealt with my matter swiftly and efficiently.’
Ben Bourne
Director and Solicitor
Who Will Deliver the Training?
Ben Bourne – Director and Solicitor
Ben Bourne is an experienced solicitor who acts as legal clerk to a growing number of charities and advises hundreds of charities across the UK on governance, compliance, and operational matters.
He is a member of the Charity Law Association and brings extensive hands-on experience to trustee training sessions.
Trustees value Ben’s calm, approachable style and his ability to explain complex legal duties in clear, practical terms that make sense in a trustee’s day-to-day role.
Why choose Ellis-Fermor & Negus?
Experienced Charity Clerk support for trustees and Boards
Expertise across local, regional, and national charities
Clear, practical governance and compliance advice
Proportionate, cost-effective service models
A consistent, reliable point of contact
Reviews, what our clients are saying…
Charity Trustee Training – Frequently Asked Questions
Trustees often take on their role with enthusiasm but little formal training. You may be:
- A new trustee unsure about your legal responsibilities
- An experienced trustee wanting to refresh your understanding of governance
- A Board seeking to reduce risk and improve decision-making
- Looking for training that is clear, practical, and tailored to your charity
If trustees feel uncertain, governance suffers. Our training is designed to ensure trustees feel confident, informed, and empowered in their role.
The Charity Commission makes it clear that trustees are collectively responsible for ensuring their charity is well-run, compliant, and acting in its best interests. Without proper training:
- Trustees may unknowingly breach their legal duties
- Conflicts of interest may not be properly managed
- Decisions may be poorly documented or unsupported
- Trustees may feel personally exposed to risk
Trustee training helps charities demonstrate good governance, supports effective leadership, and provides reassurance to trustees, funders, and regulators alike.
Our charity solicitors deliver training that combines legal clarity with practical application. Sessions can be tailored to your charity, but commonly cover:
Charity Structures and Governance Frameworks
Understanding different charity structures, including:
- Charitable trusts
- Charitable associations
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
- Charitable companies
How structure affects trustee duties and decision-making
Governing Documents
Understanding and interpreting your:
- Constitution
- Articles of association
- Trust deed
Knowing when governing documents can (and cannot) be amended
Legal Duties of Trustees
- Acting in the charity’s best interests
- Managing resources responsibly
- Ensuring compliance with charity law and regulation
- Understanding reporting and regulatory obligations
Trustee Responsibility and Personal Liability
- When trustees may be personally liable
- Common governance risks and how to mitigate them
- Insurance, delegation, and decision-making safeguards
Practical, Real-Life Scenarios
We work through real examples based on matters we have advised charities on, including:
- Trustee remuneration
- Conflicts of interest
- Trustees in dispute with each other
- Managing unusual or conditional donations
This practical approach helps trustees understand how legal principles apply in real situations.
We aim to make training engaging, accessible, and directly relevant to trustees’ roles.
1. Initial discussionWe discuss your charity’s structure, size, sector, and specific challenges.
2. Tailored contentTraining is shaped around your charity, trustees’ experience levels, and governance framework.
3. Practical deliverySessions focus on real decision-making, risk awareness, and trustee confidence—not legal jargon.
4. Ongoing valueTrustees leave with a clearer understanding of their role and practical tools they can apply immediately.