Role of the Chair

Unless your governing document states it as a requirement, you no longer have to have official office bearers, such as a chair, treasurer or secretary. However, we would recommend having these roles.

No one person has overarching authority in a charity, each of the board members have equal responsibilities to ensure compliance with all statutory regulations.

The chair is a board member with a specific role on the board. The chair is elected or appointed to this role as set out in the organisations governing document. 

The chair is essential to the smooth running and effectiveness of a board. This role requires good leadership and organisation skills. Their primary role is to ensure that the board is effective in setting and implementing the organisations direction and strategy. 

Therefore, the chair is responsible for leading the board and focusing it on strategic matters, overseeing the organisations business, and setting high governance standards. The chair can accomplish this through their role in chairing important meetings and determining the agenda and the nature of information received by the board members.

This does not however mean that the chair has overarching authority. Every member of the board has equal responsibility to ensure compliance with all statutory regulations and the success of the organisation – this is what we refer to as collective responsibility.

Essentially, the role of the chair is as follows:

• Leadership to the board

• Responsibility for the composition and development of the organisation 

• Providing information to the board

• Conducting board meetings

• Involving and facilitating all board members in meetings

• Giving focus to the board on critical tasks

• Reviewing the development and induction of directors

• Support of the chief executive or managing director (where applicable)

Key points:

• All Trustees on a Board are equally responsible to comply with statutory regulations.

• Elected officials hold key responsibilities but there is no hierarchy, all have the same authority.

If you think your board requires training, please get in touch with your local TSI for information on the help and training they provide.