From Here to Diversity: 1st edition

Publisher: Action for Trustee Racial Diversity

Your charity's board of trustees could be missing out on a considerable pool of talent, skills and experience by failing to reach more racially diverse networks. Individuals from Black and Asian backgrounds are significantly under-represented on charity trustee boards with 92% of trustees being white, older and above average for income and education. There is an urgent need for charities to recruit Black and Asian trustees who have the skills and experience, including ‘lived experience’ to support the issues which charities seek to address. From Here to Diversity shows that increased diversity can offer so many advantages to forward-looking organisations, including:

• Improved performance and better governance
• Greater creativity and a wider perspective
• Increased legitimacy and accountability

This practical guide reveals the lessons from over 70 charities as well as outlining the recruitment challenges and solutions for charities in sectors with traditionally narrow trustee profiles. It also shares the journey of Action for Trustee Racial Diversity to develop a unique database of over 500 Black and Asian network organisations across all sectors from which charities might recruit more diverse trustees. The guide will be invaluable for all charitable boards that are passionate about improving diversity.

‘At the Association of Chairs, many Chairs ask us “how can we recruit more Black and Asian trustees?”. It’s great to have this new guide. It explores the barriers to recruitment and highlights the many different networks that are a potential source of Black and Asian trustees from many walks of life who can be a good match for your charity. A very useful resource.’

Ros Oakley, Association of Chairs