The Association of Chairs (AofC) has launched a consultation asking for charity leaders' views on how “the sector could change, develop and improve” non-profit organisations’ boards and trusteeship.

Responses will be used by the sector leadership body to develop a strategy to be implemented by itself as well as “chairs and trustees across the UK”.

Topics include how to make boards more representative of UK society and how can the Association help trustees to find the time to sit on charity boards.

Trustee training and standards in the way they should act are among other issues. The merits of measuring performance of boards is another.

“People may not have views on all these areas, but we hope that the responses will give us some clarity on how to approach an agreed set of plans and priorities,” said the Association.

“While the specifics of the ideas are about charities, there is lots of stuff that is relevant to other types of non-profit organisations, so please do have a look at the consultation.”

It is hoping to gather at least 500 responses. The consultation closes on 25 April.

The AoC’s strategic plan for up to 2027 stressed the need to improve diversity among chairs.

“Currently chairs are significantly older, more educated, more likely to be white and less likely to be disabled,” warned the strategy.

“Creating real diversity in chairs, and our membership, which represents wider society is a top priority.”

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