It’s no secret that charity boards in England and Wales have a serious age gap. With over two-thirds of trustees aged 55 or older, young trustees are significantly underrepresented on charity boards despite their fresh ideas and digital expertise.
So, are our boards really representing the diverse communities they serve?
Why does age matter?
Young people bring fresh ideas, energy, and a different perspective—qualities that are crucial for charities navigating today’s ever-changing world. They’re digital natives, socially engaged and deeply connected to the issues that resonate with modern communities. But when it comes to the boardroom, their voices are almost entirely absent. By excluding young trustees, boards are missing a key opportunity to strengthen diverse perspectives in charity boardrooms.
Creating an inclusive board for young trustees
Traditionally, trustees have been seen as seasoned professionals at the peak of their careers. Experience is clearly invaluable in board leadership, offering guidance, stability, and sector expertise. But leadership should not be defined solely by tenure or the length of a CV.
The best boards thrive on a balance of experience and innovation. Combining experience with fresh perspectives in digital expertise, creative problem-solving, and lived experience of today’s pressing social issues.
To future-proof governance, we need to broaden our thinking of what makes a great trustee and create a more balanced boardroom—one that values both experience and new ways of thinking.
What’s holding us back?
If the benefits of young trustees are so clear, why isn’t change happening faster?
One major barrier is traditional selection criteria, which often prioritise senior management experience over new ideas. There is a deeply ingrained concept that trustees should be at the peak of their careers—a view that can overshadow the value of diverse socio-economic backgrounds, lived experiences, and innovative thinking that younger generations bring.
Additionally, younger candidates may hesitate to apply due to a lack of awareness, imposter syndrome, or uncertainty about balancing trusteeship with other commitments. If we want to attract more young trustees, we must proactively address these barriers.
How boards can welcome young trustees
So, how can we better harness the potential of younger generations in charity leadership? After all, they are the future.
It starts with a commitment to change. Boards must actively rethink their recruitment strategies to attract young trustees, emphasising potential, lived experience, and fresh ideas rather than just seniority. Mentorship programs, flexible governance structures, and open recruitment practices can also help ensure that young trustees thrive in their roles.
The challenge is clear. Now is the time to build boards that reflect our dynamic, diverse society. Young trustees are key to the future of charity leadership. It’s time for action—how will your board create space for the next generation?
Conor Naughton is a Senior Consultant at Peridot Partners, leading leadership and trustee recruitment campaigns for charities and students’ unions. Alongside his recruitment work, he has held governance roles across the charity and higher education sectors, including serving as a university governor and students’ union board chair.
