# Better Boards initiative launched to transform sector governance

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/01/13/better-boards-initiative-launched-to-transform-sector-governance/
- Published: 2026-01-13T08:52:52+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Henry Smith Foundation has launched Better Boards to tackle the systemic lack 
of diversity and professional development within UK charity governance. **

Recognising that many boards struggle to reflect the communities they serve, the
initiative provides multi-year core funding to four strategic partners: **Reach 
Volunteering**, **Board Racial Diversity UK**, the **Young Trustees Movement**, 
and the **Association of Chairs**.

These organisations were selected for their collective impact on the trustee lifecycle,
from opening recruitment to underrepresented groups to strengthening chair leadership.
Despite their national influence, these groups often face funding fragility as their
work is cross-sector rather than issue-specific.

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By investing in these “backbone” organisations, [Henry Smith Foundation](https://henrysmith.foundation/)‘
s Better Boards aims to move the sector away from homogenous decision-making. For
senior leaders, this represents a vital shift toward inclusive, high-functioning
governance as a prerequisite for meaningful social impact.

 * **[The Institute of Fundraising launch Trustees guide to Fundraising](https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/09/05/institute-fundraising-launch-trustees-guide-fundraising/)**(
   5 September 2007)
 * **[Recruitment initiative matches Trustees to Charities](https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/05/05/recruitment-initiative-matches-trustees-charities/)**(
   5 May 2010)
 * **[Institute of Fundraising seeks new trustees](https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/04/19/institute-fundraising-seeks-new-trustees-233/)**(
   19 April 2011)