Charity Trustee & Board Recruitment

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Build and enhance your board

With Charisma you get an unrivalled approach to trustee recruitment. We support you to prioritise diversity of thought around your board table, so your organisation can soar.

Board and trustee search

Charisma positions Board recruitment as governance-critical work.

We always start by understanding what the organisation stands for and the governance outcomes required, then use that insight to shape a search that attracts candidates aligned to both the skills brief and organisational values.

Board search is a significant part of our work at over 35% of our portfolio, and we utilise our established sector relationships and networks and targeted headhunting to build a diverse, dynamic candidate field. Whether it is just one role or a part or full Board build or renewal, we will manage the full campaign and ensure all candidates are rooted in a consistent process for equity.

Board searches are heavily supported by our dedicated Talent Team, who employ market mapping and proactive outreach to engage both active and passive candidates. Your dedicated Consultant will also conduct rigorous but candidate-friendly vetting, which assesses motivation, capability, capacity and values alignment. Client submissions will include an expression of interest plus a consultant-written summary covering motivations, criteria match and relevant abilities.

Trustee recruitment accounts for over a third of the consultancy work we take on.

Because it's a core focus, our consultants have built up an in-depth understanding of what being a board member involves. Some even sit as trustees themselves, so they know both sides of the process.

With this insight, we build in practical support to help boards make good decisions, supporting skills audits, sharing interview guidance/questions, coordinating interview logistics and supporting verbal offers and next steps. We are proud to maintain a 100% success rate on board appointments.

Here are just a few of our relevant appointments:

Church of England – Chair of the National Safeguarding Panel
Church Mission Society – Trustees
Manchester United Foundation - Trustees
Andover Mind – Chair and Trustees
Oxfordshire Mind – Trustees
Scarborough Mind – Trustees
Age UK Oxford – Trustees
The Salisbury Museum - Chair of Trustees and Trustee
Whitchurch Silk Mill - Chair of Trustees
Anvil Arts - Trustees
Canine Partners - Chair of Trustees
Kent Wildlife Trust – Trustees
Winchester Cathedral - Chapter Members
Assistance Dogs UK – Advisory Panel

Many of these trustee appointments were specialist skills based, including treasurers, investments and assets, risk, commercial, legal, fundraising, marketing and communications, disability, green finance, conservation, animal welfare, mental health, safeguarding and more.

And it is always important to say that equity, diversity and inclusion best practice are integral to our approach, and never a bolt-on. We actively work to remove barriers by using inclusive language, accessible processes, bias-reduction techniques, and we are prepared to challenge requirements that unintentionally exclude strong candidates.

Could your organisation be next on this list? Get in touch to start the conversation.

Case studies

Black Cultural Archives

Church Mission Society

Sir Josiah Mason Trust

Manchester United Foundation

Why Charisma?

Sector expertise

With more than 20 years of sector specific experience, we bring an unparalleled understanding of the unique challenges, complexities, and opportunities within the charity and not for profit landscape. Every member of our consultant team has first-hand experience working in the sector, enabling them to apply their extensive subject matter expertise and authentic insight to every partnership.

Extensive network

Our highly experienced Talent Managers deliver proactive, precision-driven talent acquisition by combining expert headhunting with the reach of our national candidate database. Leveraging our extensive networks, we cast the net far wider than traditional recruitment methods, enabling us to identify, approach, and engage high calibre talent, including those not actively looking for new opportunities.

Candidate care

We prioritise the candidate journey, ensuring personalised support and communication, and a positive experience, regardless of the outcome of their application.

Senior led recruitment

You will have direct access to your lead Consultant, ensuring you receive personalised and responsive support at every stage of the recruitment process. Your assignment will be handled by an experienced specialist, and never passed down to a junior researcher, so you benefit from consistent expertise, informed decision making, and a high quality service throughout.

Ethical recruitment practices

We are committed to honest, transparent recruitment. We only put forward candidates who are a genuine fit for your organisation and the role. Our recruitment processes are built to uphold our own values while fully aligning with yours, ensuring every stage reflects a shared commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Outcomes focused

We have been doing this since 2002, and we are proud to maintain an 84% repeat and recommendation client portfolio and have a 100% success rate placing exclusive appointments.