What I’ve Learned from Working with Dozens of Charity Boards...

(…and why I’m excited to be writing again after baby number two!)

It’s been a little while since I last shared a blog post – and for good reason. In 2024, we welcomed our second little boy into the world. Like many working parents, I’ve been figuring out how to juggle family life with a business I love – and while the blogs may have paused, the work has continued in the background.

Now, as I step into this new season with a toddler, a baby, and a growing consultancy, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned from working with so many brilliant charities over the past few years – especially when it comes to boards.

I’ve sat in trustee meetings, facilitated away days, supported new registrations, run training sessions, and acted as a critical friend. And through it all, I’ve come to believe:

Strong boards don’t all look the same – but they do share some key qualities.

Here are just a few of the things I’ve learned from being alongside dozens of them:

Good boards make space for real conversation

The best trustee meetings aren’t the ones that stick rigidly to the agenda. They’re the ones where trustees feel able to speak honestly, ask questions, and admit what they don’t know.

Good governance isn’t about saying the right thing – it’s about creating space to say the true thing.

Everyone has a role – but no one should feel alone

I’ve worked with Chairs who feel overstretched, new trustees who don’t want to speak up, and CEOs who are holding far too much.

When boards are clear on roles and boundaries – and build strong relationships across them – everyone feels more confident and supported.

Strategy should be active, not archived

A strategic plan isn’t something you write once and forget. The best boards revisit it regularly, use it to shape decisions, and treat it as a live document – not a static PDF.

And when strategy feels fuzzy or disconnected, it’s usually time for a fresh conversation.

Challenge is healthy – when it comes with trust

Being a critical friend to boards means asking the awkward questions – but in a way that feels safe, not confrontational.

The strongest boards I’ve seen are the ones that welcome challenge – because they trust each other enough to handle it.

Small things make a big difference

A better agenda. A clearer induction. A strategy session with a facilitator. A check-in at the start of each meeting.

Tiny changes can transform how a board functions – and how supported a leadership team feels.

Governance is about people

Yes, there are rules and policies and legal duties. But at its heart, governance is about people working together for the benefit of the public. It’s about relationships, reflection, values and accountability.

And when people feel respected, included and informed – governance gets stronger, not heavier.

What’s next for me?

As I return to blogging and continue to grow VHM Charity Consultancy, I’ll be focusing on the things I love most:

• Supporting trustees and leaders

• Facilitating strategic conversations

• Helping new charities get set up with strong foundations

• Acting as a sounding board when things feel complex or uncertain

Whether we’ve worked together before or you’re just discovering me now – thank you for being part of this journey.