Charity Governance Health Check
Charity Governance Health-Check
Good governance protects trustees, supports effective decision-making and helps charities meet their legal and regulatory responsibilities. But as a charity develops, its governance arrangements can become outdated or no longer reflect how the organisation operates.
Our Charity Governance Health-Check provides a practical, proportionate review of how your charity is governed. We look at areas such as trustee roles and responsibilities, decision-making, conflicts of interest, governing documents, policies and record-keeping, helping identify what is working well and where improvements may be needed.
We focus on practical recommendations rather than unnecessary paperwork or complexity. Following the review, we provide clear feedback on your charity’s strengths, potential risks and the steps you can take to strengthen its governance.
Whether you have a particular concern or simply want reassurance that your charity is being properly governed, our Health-Check gives trustees an opportunity to step back, identify potential weaknesses and put stronger foundations in place.
Give your trustees greater confidence in the way your charity is governed with a review focused on what really matters.
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‘Ben provided me with excellent advice and dealt with my matter swiftly and efficiently.’
Ben Bourne
Director and Solicitor
Who Carries Out the Health-Check?
Ben Bourne – Director and Solicitor
Ben advises many hundreds of charities on governance and compliance and acts as Charity Clerk to a growing number of organisations. He is a member of the Charity Law Association and is known for providing calm, proportionate advice trustees can rely on.
Reviews, what our clients are saying…
FAQ
A Governance Health-Check is a structured review of your charity’s governance framework, tailored to your size, activities, and risk profile.
It is designed to:
- Give trustees confidence that governance arrangements are fit for purpose
- Identify areas of regulatory or personal risk
- Highlight practical improvements without unnecessary complexity
- Provide reassurance to funders, auditors, and stakeholders
This service is suitable for both local charities and national organisations.
This service is particularly helpful if:
- Trustees are unsure about their legal responsibilities
- Governance documents haven’t been reviewed for several years
- The charity has grown, changed activities, or taken on staff
- Trustees are concerned about personal liability or compliance
- The charity is preparing for funding, inspection, or regulatory engagement
If governance feels unclear or burdensome, a health-check can provide clarity and direction.
Our Charity Governance Health-Check typically covers:
- Governing documents (constitution, articles, trust deed)
- Trustee roles, duties, and decision-making processes
- Conflicts of interest policies and registers
- Financial controls and reporting structures
- Delegation and authority frameworks
- Compliance with Charity Commission guidance
- Board composition, appointments, and succession planning
The review is proportionate and practical — not a box-ticking exercise.
Following the Health-Check, we provide:
- A clear written summary of findings
- Identification of key governance risks (if any)
- Practical recommendations prioritised by importance
- Suggested next steps for trustees
- Optional ongoing support to implement changes
Our aim is reassurance and improvement — not criticism.
Book a Charity Governance Health-Check
If your trustees would benefit from reassurance and clear governance guidance:
• Phone: 0115 922 1591
• Email: ben.bourne@ellis-fermor.co.uk