How to strengthen your Trust Board in challenging times

Are you an Independent Trustee or in a business with one, or more, on your board? If so, you’ll understand the difference the right Independent Trustee can make, thanks to the critical support and independent oversight they bring.

At JGA, we appreciate Independent Trustees too – not least because three of our team have first-hand experience of the role.

Our MD Jeremy Gadd, Associate Philippa Meaden and Operations Manager Lisa Fryer all hold this position on a range of EOT Trust Boards. Lisa is particularly excited (as are we!) because she has just taken on her first Independent Trustee role – at EO manufacturing company Pym & Wildsmith.

Supporting the next step on your EO journey

Through JGA, Lisa was already supporting Pym & Wildsmith to navigate their transition from family-owned business to employee ownership, but has handed over that work now she is Chair of Trustees.

‘It feels quite a privilege to be appointed as an Independent Trustee and I am excited to be joining the team as they really get to grips with embedding their employee ownership across the business,’ she confirms.

‘I can’t wait to get stuck in and make an impact in this new role.’

‘I’ve seen the journey the whole team has been on to get to this point, both physically and emotionally, so I’m hopeful I can bring this understanding to a different role and support them on the next step in their employee ownership story.’

Lisa Fryer – Pym & Wildsmith’s new Independent Trustee

Ensuring your governance is strong

But every EO company is different, so how do you find the best Independent Trustee for your business? Someone who can listen and contribute usefully to your board’s (often complex) conversations, asking the crucial questions that keep your governance strong?

At JGA, we can help.

We have a track record of working with clients not just to find the highest-calibre Independent Trustees but also to strengthen their Trust Board effectiveness in the longer term. Here’s what we do.

1. Finding the right Independent Trustee for your business

A good Independent Trustee brings independence of thought, a fresh pair of eyes and the ability to ask the simple questions that invite people to think in a different way.

We source high-calibre Independent Trustees for forward-thinking EO organisations – in partnership with leading executive search business Russam.

Read about our Independent Trustee Resourcing service (including how to register if you’re looking for your next Independent Trustee opportunity) here.

2. Enhancing the effectiveness of your Trust Board

A strong EO Trust Board adds even more value in tough times, with its oversight of risk and role as a conscience for the executive board providing a positive support for effective decision-making.

We enable businesses to build Trust Boards that actively make a difference – adding assurance that your governance is strong. It’s good practice to check in regularly and revitalise your governance if needed, whatever stage of being EO you’re at.

Read about our Trust Board effectiveness support here.

‘A good independent Trustee brings independence of thought, a fresh pair of eyes and the ability to ask the simple questions that invite people to think in a different way. We source high-calibre [people] for forward-thinking EO organisations…’

J Gadd Associates

3. Supporting your Employee Trustees to develop and grow

Not every EOT has Employee Trustees, but those who do know the value this hugely responsible (often misunderstood) role can add.

Trustee Connect is JGA’s friendly and insightful open forum for Employee Trustees who want to network, share best practice and grow. It’s confidential and free to all our current/former clients, with quarterly online meetings run by our Associate Kathie Robb.

Read about Trustee Connect and how you/your Employee Trustees can join it here.