Role of a Charity Trustee

Guest speaker Club member Stephen Cross, Director, Cleaver Fulton Rankin in a very interesting address to the Club Monday 17 February spoke on the legal role and duties of Trustees in Charities. Stephen noted that there is an increasing level of regulation now with the introduction of the Charity Commissioners in NI though a Charity Commission has been in existence in England and Wales for a long time. He advised that Trustees have overall control of a Charity and as such are responsible for the control, management and administration of it. They can be Company Directors or a Committee depending on the structure of the Charity. He pointed out, detailing several, that Trustees have specific roles which demand a high standard of trust and breach of trust can be applied with personal liability if they are breached even if for other charitable purposes. His well-received address was followed by a lively question session.