Trustees’ Week 2025 (3-7 November) is a time to celebrate the contribution of nearly one million charity trustees across the UK.
For the 20,000+ ICAEW members who volunteer as trustees, this week offers an opportunity to reflect on how to best utilise your financial expertise to contribute to good governance and to connect with other finance professionals who build public trust through sound financial management.
ICAEW members on boards often are the voice, not just of financial reason, but also often remind their trustee colleagues of regulatory developments. That’s not always easy, especially in periods of significant changes. We are expecting the launch of the new Charity Governance Code, the release of the Charities SORP 2026, and an announcement about changing financial thresholds for charities in England and Wales, all within a matter of days. Around the same time, the new Code of Fundraising Practice takes effect and trustees of charitable companies need to meet Companies House’s new ID verification requirements. Let us help you stay informed!
Your skills matter
Charities face increasing financial pressures and complexity, from rising costs and funding challenges to greater expectations around transparency and risk. Trustees who bring professional financial skills make a vital contribution to the sector, from helping their boards to foster financial resilience in their organisations, to managing risks and enabling informed, strategic decisions.
ICAEW has long emphasised that financial skills at board level help charities make better, evidence-based decisions and achieve their purpose with confidence. We provide practical resources to help you succeed as trustees:
- Trustee Training Modules – ICAEW’s free online learning space helps you explore the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective trustee through reading materials, video recordings, and reflective activities. Free for everyone.
- ICAEW Volunteers – a dedicated matching service connecting charities with finance professionals seeking volunteer roles. Free for both charities and volunteers.
- Charity Community – bringing together tools, insights and resources for finance professionals and charity trustees. Join for free to receive updates, invitations to webinars, and guidance on the latest charity sector developments. Free for members and non-members alike.
- ICAEW Charity Conference 2026 – taking place virtually on 22 and 23 January 2026, our flagship Conference equips you with vital updates on charity accounting, governance, and taxation. Book now to take advantage of the early bird rate.
What’s happening during Trustees’ Week
Trustees’ Week is a collaborative initiative which brings together a group of charity sector partners, including charity regulators and umbrella organisations, who jointly organise and promote the week.
Visit trusteesweek.org to:
- Explore training and networking events;
- Take part in the Trustee Quiz to test your knowledge;
- Download the Supporter Toolkit to help your charity share trustee stories or host its own celebration; and
- Discover how to become a trustee or recruit new board members.
How to get involved this Trustees’ Week
Use this opportunity to encourage your friends and colleagues to consider trusteeship. It’s one of the most rewarding ways to use your expertise and soft skills for social good.
Also, consider how you can bring your A-game to your trustee role. Do you have any development needs to be more effective in this role? If so, why not attend a Trustees’ Week session or an ICAEW webinar?
For example, you could book your place for our free webinar on 4 November, where we tackle the new requirements for the Trustees’ Annual Report (arising from the Charities SORP 2026). Register here. And take 30 seconds to book your place at our 2026 Charity Conference to start the year with 8 hours of charity-specific CPD.
If you’re already serving as a trustee – thank you for the difference you make! And if you’re thinking about getting involved, now’s the perfect time to start. Explore board roles on ICAEW Volunteers – I know from personal experience how rewarding it is to be a charity trustee and I wish you great fulfilment, and satisfying opportunities for learning and networking in your trustee role!
