As Helen Stephenson CBE steps down from her position as CEO of the Charity Commission, in one of her final speeches as CEO, she reflects on 7 lessons she has learnt about the charity sector – one for each of her years in office..
- The role of charity in society
- No right number of charities
- The Charity Commission’s resources versus expectation creep
- The balance of regulation
- Scrutiny of charity leaders
- Volunteer trusteeship must remain attractive proposition
- Purpose-ride or die
Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association believes that, for him, one of these reflections stands out as the most valuable and, in many ways, informs all the rest – Helen’s last comment on leadership and direction:
“When I reflect on what it is that makes the difference between a charity that succeeds and one that gets lost along the way, it is this: a great charity is one whose trustees and wider leadership, over time, are led always and alone by the charity’s purposes. Not by whim, fashion, or funding but by a shared commitment to delivering on the purposes that got the charity on the register in the first place.
This is easy to say, but it can be difficult to achieve day to day.
It requires consistent leadership and oversight by trustees who are prepared to support, help and hold to account their executive team. It requires confidence, resilience, and courage – including the courage to say no to funding or a contract that would lead the charity away from its core purpose.
Please, if you take anything away with you from what I’ve said today, let it be this: that as trustees you are first and foremost the steward of your charity’s mission. Whatever talent, experience or skill got you on the board in the first place – once you’re there, your purpose is the charity’s purpose. Don’t allow yourself to be swayed from that purpose by anyone or anything.”
Helen Stephenson CBE
Having worked for and supported many charities over the years, CEO Nick Phillips agrees, commenting,
“Many charities succeed and achieve great things – all have had clarity of purpose in all they do. Almshouses have their Governing Documents that may include a Scheme, Will, letter of intent… but the key is the founders wishes and for almshouse charities, those wishes are, fundamentally, for the provision of warm, safe, secure homes for people in need.
“Where I have seen some charities fail is when they lose sight of their true mission. As one of our founders said when forming The Almshouse Association 78 years ago. “A good charity will always survive and thrive.” And no truer statement could be made for the many, many almshouse charities that have continued to stick to their mission of delivering their founders wishes, century after century – to provide safe, warm and affordable homes for people that need them.”
To read Helen’s speech, please click here: Reflections on my time as CEO – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
posted 25 April 2024