Finding a trustee

We strengthen, diversify and elevate boards across the charity sector.

As a leading UK provider of trustee and board recruitment, we identify exceptional individuals who bring the right blend of skills, experience and perspective to organisations of every shape, size and location.

Since 2009, we have supported a wide range of organisations — from charities and social enterprises to housing associations, mutuals, regulatory bodies, spinouts, student unions and B Corps.

While we have a strong track record with larger organisations, we believe every charity should have access to high-quality, diverse board talent. To meet the needs of all charities, we offer two services:

1. Search & Selection / Bespoke:

Search and Selection is a strategic, end-to-end recruitment service designed specifically to help charities find exceptional individuals who truly believe in their vision and mission. This two-stage approach ensures not only a wide reach, but also a refined, values-driven appointment that feels like the right fit from day one.

Rather than waiting for applications, we begin by actively searching for talent, drawing in interest through thoughtful advertising, proactive outreach, and targeted engagement. Our focus is to build a motivated, diverse pool of candidates with a connection to the charity’s purpose.

We then move into the selection phase, a thorough process involving preliminary interviews and skills evaluation. We look beyond capability and consider values alignment, culture fit, and long-term potential. This allows us to confidently present you with a shortlist of appointable individuals who are well-placed to drive meaningful impact within your organisation.

Who is Search and Selection for?

This service is ideal for any charity seeking a full, professional recruitment process from start to finish. It is particularly beneficial for organisations with £1M+ turnover, or those looking to appoint trustees or board members with specialist skills, strategic expertise, and a focus on improving diversity and representation at board level.

Whatever the reason for your upcoming board recruitment, Search and Selection provides the structure, reach, and confidence you need to make a brilliant appointment.

The key benefits of Search and Selection

A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive talent attraction

A high-quality, targeted search that goes beyond passive advertising

A proven and highly successful approach with a 100% placement success rate-

End-to-end delivery. We handle the search, initial screening, and process management, presenting you with a qualified shortlist so your team can focus on what matters most

Fully tailored support. We recognise that every charity is different, and we work with you to secure candidates who align with your mission, culture, and future goals.

    Search and Selection enables charities to recruit with confidence, supporting better representation, strengthening boards, and ensuring every appointment helps your organisation thrive both now and in the future.

    2. SNAP: Advertising and Matching

    SNAP is a purpose-built platform created to support smaller charities and social purpose organisations that may not have the resources for a full Search & Selection process. As part of our social impact commitment and our way of giving back to the sector, SNAP is offered exclusively to organisations with an income under £1m. Its aim is to ensure smaller organisations can access diverse, mission-aligned board talent in an affordable and accessible way.

    SNAP combines targeted advertising with intelligent matching, helping you connect with individuals whose skills, experience, and values align with your mission. Roles are promoted on our website and shared with a broad, motivated audience, while our matching system highlights candidates best suited to your board’s needs.

    Who is SNAP for?

    SNAP is only available to smaller charities, social enterprises, and organisations with limited resources. It is designed specifically for those seeking a cost-effective, self-service approach to attracting skilled and diverse trustees without commissioning a full executive search. It is perfect for organisations seeking:

    – Flexible, cost-effective trustee recruitment

    – Exposure to a wide, mission-driven talent pool

    – Support in building diverse and inclusive boards

    Key benefits of SNAP

    – Advertise directly on the platform to reach candidates motivated by purpose

    – Intelligent matching identifies potential trustees with the right mix of skills, experience, and values

    – Cost-effective and accessible, designed for organisations that cannot afford a full Search & Selection service

    – Quick and flexible: fill board vacancies efficiently while maintaining quality and alignment

    – Promotes diversity and inclusion, helping boards better reflect the communities they serve

    SNAP enables smaller charities and organisations to strengthen governance, improve board diversity, and connect with exceptional trustees through a platform that is simple, accessible, and mission-aligned.

    Package includes SNAP HYBRID Search & Selection
    Advert with TU
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    Your advert hosted on our website.

    Yes Yes Yes
    Intelligent Trustee Matching
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    Matching is done automatically using SNAP.

    Yes Yes Yes
    Meeting charities' key requirements
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    SNAP matching ensures that the organisation's fundamental matching requirements are met.

    Yes Yes Yes
    Meeting candidates' key requirements
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    SNAP matching ensures that each candidate's fundamental matching requirements are met.

    Yes Yes Yes
    Publishing in the TU newsletter
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    Inclusion in newsletter to TU’s candidate database and promotion to our parent firm Russam’s senior executive database.

    Yes Yes Yes
    Promoting on social media
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    Active promotion of your vacancy on our social media channels (Linked In and Twitter).

    Yes Yes Yes
    Advertising on other websites
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    Your advert posted by us on additional sites (e.g. Charity Job, Women on Boards, ICAEW).

    Yes Yes Yes
    Running a targeted email campaign
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    Running a targeted email campaign.

    No Yes Yes
    Conducting a search of Step on Board candidates
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    Conducting a search of Step on Board candidates.

    No Yes Yes
    Conducting client briefing
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    Conducting client briefing.

    No No Yes
    Preparing candidate materials
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    Preparing candidate materials.

    No No Yes
    Researching candidates
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    Researching candidates.

    No No Yes
    Headhunting
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    Targeted headhunt involving market mapping and conversations with c. 150 people about the role .

    No No Yes
    Sifting candidates
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    Expert review of applications, summary, and preparing a longlist.

    No No Yes
    Interviewing candidates
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    Interviews conducted by expert recruiters and feedback prepared for your review.

    No No Yes
    Administering the process
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    Administering the process.

    No No Yes
    Conducting candidate checks & references
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    Formal references, HMRC and Charity Commission checks.

    No No Yes
    NCVO members <£100.000 turnover FREE POA POA
    <£100,000 turnover £150+VAT POA POA
    £100,000 - £1m turnover £250+VAT POA POA
    >£1m turnover POA POA POA
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    *For more information, please contact info@trustees-unlimited.co.uk

    SNAP-PLUS

    ‘SNAP’ our new Trustee Matching service matches potential trustees with organisations, based on the wants and needs of both boards and candidates.

    If you represent a board looking for new trustees, this is the smart and hassle-free way to receive applications from a diverse range of candidates with relevant experience and a passion for your cause.

    This self-service tool enables you to register your organisation, select specific desirable qualities and upload your job advert via the dashboard.

    The role will be active for up to 90 days on our website, promoted via our social media platforms and in our monthly newsletter to our a database of 8,000 candidates, via our social media channels & on partner websites. These include Charity Job, Women on Boards, the ICAEW for finance trustees and GirlDreamer, an empowerment platform for young women of colour. Additionally, those who have been ‘SNAP’ matched via the system are invited to apply with their CV, ensuring targeted and suitable candidates apply.

    You will be notified via email and be able to access your applications via your online dashboard.

    Who should use this service?

    Charities with a turnover of less than £1M with some budget to spend on ensuring they reach qualified candidates quickly.

    What you pay

    Gross annual income Fee
    <£100,000 turnover N/A
    £100,000 - £1m turnover N/A

    NEW - SNAP for Federations

    SNAP is already a low cost solution for trustee recruitment for an individual charity. However, we recognise that for charities with a branch/federation structure we need to offer a bespoke service just for you. Four exciting options are available.


    Search & Selection

    Charities looking for additional support to identify new trustees, Board Chairs or Committee Chairs can discuss how we can help meet your needs.

    For some organisations, identifying high calibre candidates is the sole priority, whereas for others, internal capacity means our expert interviewing and advice can be invaluable.

    Search & Selection is the full service option, often used for Chair and Treasurer positions, which includes a headhunt and management of the whole process.

    Who should use this service?

    Charities who want a full service bespoke process.

    Often used to fill a critical role such as Chair or Treasurer, or difficult to source experience such as safeguarding.


    SNAP

    Promote your trustee vacancy to our network by posting an advert on our website.

    Free for NCVO members

    What you pay

    Gross annual income Fee
    NCVO members <£100.000 turnover FREE
    <£100,000 turnover £150+VAT
    £100,000 - £1m turnover £250+VAT
    >£1m turnover N/A


    *For Adverts only if you have provided your charity number you will not be charged VAT as Adverts purchased by charities are a zero-rated exemption. Adverts are free for NCVO members with a turnover below 1m.
    ** NCVO members receive a 10% discount on SNAP dasdsadsad

    COVID-19 UPDATE: All of our services can be delivered remotely, from posting an advert on our website to running selection processes via video conferencing. Do get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss how best to run a ‘non contact’ trustee recruitment process.

    Our commitment to diversity & inclusion

    Trustees Unlimited believes that diverse boards strengthen society. We will strive to remove the barriers that prevent people from applying to become trustees and help our clients to recruit and support people with a wide range of skills and lived experience.

    Find out more
    Our commitment to diversity & inclusion