The survey, which takes in the responses of 450 chief executives in the not-for-profit sector, shows 80% working at weekends (up from 70% last year), and the average CEO working 47 hours a week, rising to 50 hours for those in charities with a turnover of more than £1m. Even among smaller organisations some reported working up to 80 hours a week, and less than one third of respondents overall had a policy on work-life balance.

The figures make "a mockery of charity stereotypes", according to Ian Townsend, CEO of the Royal British Legion. "Business leaders have asked me whether my role, running a major national charity, is a full-time post!" he says. "It is as challenging and demanding as any role in the public or private sectors.”

According to the survey, pay is also up, with the median chief executive salary up 5% from last year, at £52,053. But this is still only 56% of the salary of a primary care trust chief executive, Acevo points out, and 46% of the pay local authority chief executives get. Those in organisations employing over 200 staff fair better, though, receiving an average of £67,000.

Spending on professional development remains stunted. The number of organisations investing in training their chief executive was up this year to 87%, but the amount spent, a median of £700, was slightly lower – a fact that should cause concern, according to Gail Scott-Spicer, Acevo’s deputy chief executive. “Organisations expect more and more from their CEOs, without a corresponding increase in the training or remuneration available to them,” she says. “Investing in the sector’s leaders is not optional.”