Recognising the small charities setting new standards in governance and board leadership.
In June 2025, we had the privilege of attending and sponsoring the final UK Charity Governance Awards 2025, a powerful evening that celebrated the very best in charity governance, leadership, and impact across the UK’s not-for-profit sector.
Hosted in London on 3 June 2025, the ceremony marked the tenth and final year of the Awards, recognising outstanding charities for their innovative and inclusive approaches to charity governance. As a recruitment partner to purpose-driven organisations, we at Prospectus are proud to support this initiative and the incredible people behind it.
Small Charities, Big Impact
This year’s shortlisted and winning charities exemplify the transformative power of strong governance and the winners of each of the five categories were:
- Board Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: The Happy Baby Community – awarded for redefining inclusive governance through its Community Leaders Board, embedding lived experience at the heart of decision-making.
- Improving Impact in Small Charities (0-3 paid staff): Nystagmus Network – recognised for its strategic shift toward research and peer support, resulting in a 35% increase in support interactions and improved charity impact.
- Improving Impact in Small Charities (4-30 paid staff): Herts Vision Loss – honoured for its focus on mental health, digital inclusion, and emotional resilience, reaching over 1,000 visually impaired individuals.
- Challenge to Change: Candlelighters – celebrated for launching Champ’s Pantry, a food support service for families affected by childhood cancer, showcasing how charity boards can respond to community needs.
- People in Governance: SNAPS Yorkshire CIO – awarded for its dynamic board and inclusive leadership, transforming the charity’s reach and ambition through effective trustee leadership.
The evening was hosted by Tilley Milburn (and their friend Del the Piggie), with a moving performance by singer-songwriter Sebastian Golgiri—both artists from Heart N Soul, a charity that champions creativity in people with learning disabilities and autism.
Over the past decade, the Awards have recognised 178 charities, distributed £376,000 in prize funding, and supported nearly 80 trustees through leadership development programmes. It’s a legacy that will continue to inspire charity governance best practices for years to come.
Why Good Governance Matters to Us
At Prospectus, we believe that good governance is the cornerstone of lasting impact. Strong boards don’t just provide oversight—they shape vision, drive strategy, and ensure that charities remain accountable to the communities they serve. In a sector where resources are often stretched and challenges are complex, effective governance can be the difference between surviving and thriving.
That’s why we’re passionate about helping organisations build diverse, skilled, and values-driven boards. Whether you’re a small charity looking to recruit your first trustees or a national organisation seeking to refresh your board’s expertise, we bring decades of experience in trustee recruitment, board development, and leadership advisory.
We’ve seen first hand how the right leadership can unlock new potential, foster innovation, and strengthen resilience. And we’re proud to partner with charities that are committed to embedding equity, lived experience, and strategic thinking at the heart of their governance.
