Trustees in Conversation: Ian Adams

What interested you in becoming a trustee and what does being a trustee involve?

I find that serving as a charity trustee allows me to make a difference in things I care about. I am fortunate to have always had a roof over my head. But I know how being homeless can blight people’s lives, from damaging their health and wellbeing to lowering their employment prospects – which I’ve seen in my own community. That’s why I serve on the boards of charities that offer accommodation to care leavers and services to homeless people, for example.

I am also a vocal LGBT+ advocate. Social inclusion is a really important factor behind all my trustee roles.

At Unite Foundation, as well as serving as a trustee on the board, I am also a member of the governance committee, which reviews the charity’s policies and related procedures to make sure they are fit for purpose and support the efficient and effective delivery of the charity’s services on behalf of our beneficiaries – in this case, university students who are care-experienced or family estranged. It’s the breadth of topics we discuss at our main board meetings that I really enjoy, from monitoring financial performance and the risk register to thinking strategically about future growth opportunities or a new marketing campaign.

What qualities do you think are important for those in a trustee role?

It’s important to have opportunities when joining a charity board to ask lots of questions – while remembering there are no right or wrong questions to bring up. I think having a curious mind is essential; not being afraid to ask questions about how the charity is performing and serving the needs of its clients. Teamwork is also critical, not only with regards to your working alongside other trustees but in supporting the executive team who are accountable for the day-to-day running of the organisation.

Give as much time as you can to get to know the people who run the charity and deliver its services on the ground. That’s why I really enjoy visiting frontline services to see for myself the impact that a charity is having on the ground and to speak directly to frontline staff who, more than anyone, is the public face of a charity.

Above all else, I think it’s essential for trustees to share the values of the charity they are serving.