Day 1 – Foundations of Governance and Trusteeship

Introduction to Governance Principles

• Core duties of trustees in churches/charities

• Distinguishing governance from management

• Legal and fiduciary responsibilities

Effective Board Structures

• Role of boards, committees, and leadership teams

• Ensuring accountability and decision-making clarity

• Conflict of interest policies

Applied Learning

• Case study: trustee failures and lessons learned

• Group exercise: designing a governance framework

Day 2 – Governance Frameworks and Accountability

Governance Systems and Frameworks

• Good governance codes and standards

• Role separation between trustees, administrators, and managers

• Building transparency and credibility

Accountability in Practice

• Internal reporting mechanisms

• Oversight of financial, operational, and strategic decisions

• Engaging stakeholders effectively

Case Studies and Group Work

• Example of effective governance in charities

• Role-play: handling governance breakdowns

• Peer discussion on accountability challenges

Day 3 – Risk Management and Compliance

Risk Identification and Assessment

• Types of risks: financial, legal, operational, reputational

• Tools and techniques for risk analysis

• Creating a risk register

Regulatory and Compliance Practices

• Charity Commission requirements

• HMRC reporting duties

• Safeguarding and data protection obligations

Scenario Applications

• Case study: charity compliance failures

• Group exercise: drafting a compliance checklist

• Simulation: responding to a risk incident

Day 4 – Audits, Future Governance & Digital Compliance

Audits and Independent Reviews

• Preparing for audits and inspections

• Internal vs. external audits

• Continuous improvement from audit findings

Future Governance and Technology

• Anticipating new regulatory changes

• Role of digital reporting and monitoring tools

• Cybersecurity as a governance issue

Practical Future-Readiness

• Group activity: designing a governance improvement plan

• Simulation: trustee board in a digital-first environment

• Reflection on evolving trustee roles in the modern era