Top Challenges for Charity Boards in 2026
UK charity boards face an increasingly complex landscape in 2026. Trustees and senior leaders are under more pressure than ever to ensure strong governance and organisational resilience.
Permanent Executive Leaders vs Interim Executives
Permanent executives — such as Chief Executives, Finance Directors, or Directors of Fundraising — offer continuity and long-term leadership. They are typically recruited to develop strategy, build organisational culture, and steward the charity through multiple phases of growth or change. Interim executives are experienced senior leaders engaged for a fixed period, often to address a specific challenge or transition. In recent years, their use has grown significantly across the non-profit sector.
Recruitment in the Charity and Non-Profit Sector in 2026
Organisations are being forced to rethink how they attract, engage and retain talent — particularly at senior leadership and trustee level. As recruitment challenges grow more complex, many charities and NGOs are turning to headhunters and executive search firms to support senior leadership and trustee recruitment.