Independent governance review highlights Avenues’ strengths

Tuesday 17th of December 2024

Avenues’ board of trustees recently asked the Charity Centre of Effectiveness to carry out an independent governance review against the Charity Code of Governance.

This was to make sure our governance strategy remains strong and consistent, and that our ways of working are optimal.

The impressions from the review were as follows:

• Avenues has an engaged, high performing board with a deep commitment to the organisation and its work. They are keen to make a difference.
• Avenues’ culture of continuous learning and development is commendable. This is evidenced by not only the commissioning of the review, but of the board’s willingness to get ahead of the next strategy plan and to take time to pause and reflect on achievements.
• The strength and effectiveness of the executive team and their commitment and attention to good governance was highlighted.
• Limited trustee time could be better spent in some areas, to ensure that the board can go from ‘good to great’.

One of the main recommendations was that trustees should be aiming to get closer to the front line, where the work is delivered. This will enable them to triangulate what they read, hear and observe about the services delivered by Avenues, and bring these insights back into the boardroom to inform and support decision making.

The board also received a report on progress against the current strategic plan. They reviewed whether the ambitions and specific projects detailed in the plan were achieved, and whether other projects underway during this period also contributed to the main outcomes.

The Centre of Charity Effectiveness commented:

“The Avenues Trust are to be commended for undertaking an external governance review and we were delighted to work with them.  Several recommendations were made to take their governance that step further, building on already solid and effective foundations.”

Terry Rich, Chair of the Avenues board, said:

“As an organisation committed to transparency and continuous improvement, we recently commissioned an independent governance review to ensure our governance practices remain robust and reflective of best standards. This process has provided invaluable insights, and we are proud to embrace the recommendations as part of our ongoing journey to strengthen our governance. By doing so, we can better serve our mission and uphold the trust of our supporters, beneficiaries, and partners.”

Avenues held a trustees away day following the review, to bring the board together to discuss the findings and to begin actioning the recommendations. One of the main focuses was how to get trustees closer to the front line, given their individual time constraints. The team thoroughly enjoyed their day out together, and spent their time reviewing and actioning key recommendations, to ensure the board can deliver above expectations in future.

You can learn more about our board of trustees here.