Prem Goyal

1. First of all, about you: what attracted you to becoming a chair/trustee?

I was keen to give something back, and having a wide range of skills from the corporate world I wanted to put these to good use and expand on them. Becoming a trustee allowed me to do both within an area that is passionate to me.

2. Which organisation do you represent?

Attlee Foundation. 

3. What particularly attracted you to this organisation?

Helping people disadvantaged by poverty or lack of opportunity is very important.

4. Is there anything that would make you an even more effective trustee/chair?

I think having time is critical, for attending meetings, preparing from them, taking on sub-group work and so on.  At the moment I am really appreciating the ability of the trustees to function collectively with all the diversity that brings together and strength in unity.  So, perhaps I would suggest that building relationships with individuals and the board as a whole is one important key to being effective

5. What’s the biggest challenge you have faced in your role?

For me everything is a challenge, as I work in a challenging industry.

6. What do you consider the most satisfying aspect of your role?

Working with real professionals on the board is definitely one of the most satisfying aspects. It is really interesting to sit with accountants, lawyers, HR practitioners, fundraisers, all established within their fields and now giving up their time for what they care about.

7. Do you think there is enough general recognition of the value of the trustee/chair role?

I don’t think many trustees do the job for outside recognition, more for their own personal motives and to help the causes they represent.

8. (If you have  been a trustee/chair for some time) have you felt that the demands made on trustees/chairs have grown over time?

Fund sourcing is getting much tighter, as you can imagine.

9. What do you think is the ideal term of office that a trustee/chair should serve?

I am a strong believer in terms of office. So, four years for a trustee subjected to re-election and then a maximum of eight years i.e. two terms of four years. For a chair there should be an annual election with a maximum term of four years.

10. What tip would you give to a new trustee?

Be clear about what you want to do, commit to it and enjoy sharing your time with others in a worthwhile cause.

11. If you weren’t a trustee, what would you do with that time?

I would probably find some other form of local voluntary work.

12. What steps do you take to increase/retain your organisation’s membership?

Looking at our skill set as trustees and seeing where the gaps are and positively looking for people who fill that profile. It is important to find younger trustees to develop into the role.

13. What question do you want to ask next week’s trustee?

Do you have governance experience and how much value does it bring to the charity?

For your opportunity to answer Prem’s question, please click on the link which takes you to the Forum.