Leading the Professions: the governance and direction of professional associations, launched 18 October by acevo and Henley Management College, found that while many studies into governance focused on the negative, what chief executives wanted were examples of best practice.

Professor Bernard Taylor, of Henley Management College and one of the report’s authors, said: “Much of what is written about corporate governance is focused on the “pathology of governance” – what goes wrong. But working with the top management and councils of professional associations, we have discovered that they are looking for benchmarks of good governance.”

Governance reviews, membership entry requirements and representation were all given as areas where examples of best practice are needed.

The report showed that 50% of professional associations were at present reviewing their governance systems in order to better serve their members and improve transparency and accountability.

Respondents were also discovered to have difficulties in representing and involving members. The proportion of members voting in elections to the board is usually under 30% and often under 10%. And although 81% of the associations have overseas members, only 5% make specific provision for their representation on the board.

Stephen Bubb, chief executive of acevo, said: “As a membership organisation ourselves, we realise that how our members are served is core to the service we offer. It is important we and other membership organisations share examples of best practice in areas such as this as I'm sure there’s a lot we can learn.”

For more information on the report, which contains a full breakdown of the survey results as well as case studies of good practice, visit www.acevo.org.uk