About us
We champion all charity and non-profit chairs and boards through community, collaboration, resources, research, and influence.
We are the only UK membership association dedicated to supporting chairs and boards to lead their charities well and achieve the most impact in society.
Our
vision
Our vision is of effective and valued chairs, with flourishing boards, leading resilient non-profits which make a positive impact in the world.
Our
mission
Our mission is to champion charity and non-profit chairs and their boards in all their diversity, empowering them with confidence, collaboration, and community.
The values we aspire to
To be influential
We are a voice for chairs, championing the chairing role and the value of effective board leadership, with leaders, organisations, forums, policy-makers and opinion-shapers in the non-profit sector and beyond.
To be collaborative
We work with other organisations to bring added value and to learn from their experience and expertise.
To be expert
We understand the chairing role and the challenges of board leadership. We also understand the current landscape for charities and non-profits, small and large. We bring this expertise and experience to everything we do.
To be inclusive
We are for all chairs, vice-chairs and co-chairs, and board leaders, in all their diversity. We recognise the utmost importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion, both for our organisation and for truly effective boards.
To be dynamic
We seize new opportunities, are willing to innovate and embrace fresh approaches. We respond to current and potential trends that affect our members.
What we do
We’re a membership organisation, and we provide:
- Bespoke resources for chairs, written by chairs.
- Training, webinars, and events all focused on board leadership and governance.
- Community and a supportive network.
- Research to help understand the current needs and challenges facing chairs and boards.
- A voice for chairs and trustees, highlighting your vital role.
If you’re a chair, vice-chair, co-chair or aspiring chair we would love you to join our collaborative community. It doesn’t matter how big or small your non-profit is, or where you are on your chairing journey.
Our annual reports
The Association of Chairs is on a journey, encouraging chairs to focus on enabling their boards to steer and add value to the work of their organisations. My ambition is for the Association to continue to be welcoming and relevant, a place where chairs and vice-chairs can share, debate and learn together – and encourage a new generation of effective chairs who are skilled, diverse and committed.”
Ruth Lesirge, co-founder of the Association of Chairs