Want to build Trust Board effectiveness? Support your Employee Trustees
It’s not easy being an Employee Trustee. And why would it be? The role is unique, with its own distinct issues and opportunities, including the full legal responsibilities of a board-level post. It can be lonely, with limited access to specialist training or time to develop the skills to contribute effectively. It can feel tough.
These are all challenges that JGA Associate Kathie Robb recognises from her work supporting Employee Trustees and building Trust Board effectiveness. And they are what led to last year’s launch of JGA’s new open forum, Trustee Connect.
Free to JGA clients, Trustee Connect enables Employee Trustees to network and share best practice with those doing the same role in diverse employee-owned businesses – in a safe, confidential space.
An insightful and supportive network
‘We created Trustee Connect to bring new and more experienced Employee Trustees together in a relaxed conversation, offering the chance for mutual support, insight and networking,’ says Kathie. ‘Trustee Connect enables Employee Trustees to deepen their understanding and confidence so they can be more effective in the role.’
And that’s important, because Employee Trustees are usually elected/selected by their colleagues or appointed by the leadership team just as their organisation transitions to employee ownership.
‘Often, if a business has recently become EO, neither the leaders or the electorate fully understand what being an Employee Trustee involves,’ says Kathie. ‘And why would they? It’s new to everybody. They probably get the basics of the role, but then what? How do Employee Trustees work with their Trustee and work colleagues? What do they talk about? What about their responsibilities?’
Employee Trustees can also be new to the board environment.
‘While Independent Trustee Directors often come from other board-level situations, Employee Trustees might come straight from the ‘shop floor’, with no experience of sitting at a table discussing financial and legal business matters,’ she says. ‘That can feel quite daunting, without the right support.’
‘Often, if a business has recently become EO, neither the leaders or the electorate fully understand what being an Employee involves. And why would they? It’s new to everybody’
Kathie Robb
The opportunity to grow
Yet becoming an Employee Trustee is, she confirms, a great opportunity to grow.
‘Employee Trustees are usually energetic, inspirational and capable people who already have the eyes, ears and trust of their colleagues. In this role, they now also have the chance to address and influence senior leaders who are actively seeking their insight.
‘They’ll be questioning, challenging and holding management to account, making a difference in a way that’s recognised by others on the Trust Board. I’ve watched people blossom and move their careers forward as a result – and that’s exciting.’
Sharing best practice
JGA launched Trustee Connect in 2021, with three 90-minute quarterly meetings held so far. Feedback has been very positive and Kathie is looking forward to facilitating another ‘insightful, interactive and lively conversation’ at the next Trustee Connect on Wednesday 19 January.
What common themes have emerged so far?
‘The role’s isolation and lack of time. The gap in understanding of what’s involved, especially by the rest of the business – we talk about that quite a lot,’ she reveals. ‘You’re an Employee Trustee: how do you fulfil your role?
‘We’ve also looked at how being an Employee Trustee differs from being an Employee Representative, and shared best practice around engaging other employee owners to help bring employee ownership to life.
‘Trustee Connect enables Employee Trustees to deepen their understanding and confidence so they can be more effective in the role’
Kathie Robb
Practical tips to strengthen Trust Boards
Most newly-EO businesses will have engaged professional support with the legal and financial process, with a transition ‘tick list’ that includes appointing Employee Trustees and establishing employee representation.
They will get the job done – mission ‘complete’. But what happens now?
As a newly-EO business, how do you ensure these key parts of your governance structure can function effectively? Here, Kathie shares her top three practical tips.
Invest the time and energy to build relationships as a Trust Board. Focus on how you work together as a team to ensure each member can strengthen Trust Board effectiveness.
Equip your Employee Trustees with the understanding and skills to fulfil their role and its legal and fiduciary responsibilities. Support them to learn from best practice and network – if a JGA client, through Trustee Connect.
Ensure the rest of your organisation understands what your Trust Board and Employee Trustees do. Engage your employee owners to share their insight and create value for the business you own.
Next steps
At JGA, we enable Employee Trustees to contribute more effectively and strengthen Trust Board effectiveness through our Governance support. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
Trustee Connect is free and open to Employee Trustees of current and previous JGA clients, with no subscription or minimum attendance required. If you would like to join the next quarterly meeting on Wednesday 19 January (11am to 12.30pm), please request a place here.