Subject: Recruiting a new chair

Ben admitted that he was so distracted by the expected birth of his first child that he had allowed Hugh to be appointed without a proper selection process. This would have enabled the organisation to check out his views on housing policy in the wider context.    It can help to ask candidates for responses to particular scenarios or situations during the interview process to ascertain the extent to which a candidate fits the values and ethos of the organisation. This gives a deeper picture of a candidate’s suitability for a role.  Instead, they found to their cost that they had relied on Hugh’s perceived reputation and the fact that he was a long standing business person in the local community.   They only knew about Hugh – they didn’t really know him.   Good recruitment and selection processes are essential – as Ben has found to his cost – and taking the time to get it right is always a good investment.   

For a helpful guide to trustee recruitment have a look at the downloadable guide Good Practice in Trustee Recruitment (NCVO)