We’re proud to be trustees

At RBC Brewin Dolphin, our commitment to supporting the third sector goes beyond just managing charity investments. We also strive to make a meaningful contribution to the communities we serve across the UK, through the involvement of our administrators, wealth managers and business development teams.

Everyone in our specialist charity team is passionate about the third sector, with many members being actively involved in fundraising, volunteering, philanthropy, trusteeship and much more. We recently caught up with six members of the team who serve as trustees on a range of charities, to find out what this commitment means to them.

They revealed the personal motivations that drive their trusteeship – such as Anna McCready’s passion for art and culture – and explained how being a trustee influences their day-to-day roles within the charity investment management industry.

Here, we share their personal stories, motivations and advice for aspiring trustees.

A journey into trusteeship

Ed Caswell, Director, Wealth Manager – Charities, is a trustee for Northamptonshire Community Foundation, a grant-making charity aiming to distribute £1 million every year for positive change in the region. Ed’s motivation for becoming a trustee was driven by his wish to give something back to the local area he grew up in.

Charities Business Development Associate – RFP Writer, Jane Ironside’s involvement stems from a family connection. She followed in her mother’s footsteps and became involved with Watermill Foundation, a charity in the Highlands of Scotland that provides a safe and supportive place to enjoy cycling, regardless of individual ability.

Driven by her passion for arts and culture, Anna McCready, Director, Wealth Manager – Charities, is a trustee for Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums. Anna believes that “becoming a trustee felt like a great way to champion the fantastic venues we have in the North East”.

Michael Yhnell, Senior Associate, Wealth Management – Charities, became a trustee for Monmouthshire County Citizens Advice to support the work they do in ensuring that we all “live in a prosperous, healthy and safe community.”

The connection between trusteeship and investment management

Speaking to the team, it was clear how being a trustee also delivered benefits in their professional lives. For Michael, his trusteeship helps him understand “the unique challenges the third sector has to overcome and the opportunities they can explore”.

Anna believes that “as a trustee, you’re always thinking about the bigger picture, which encompasses everything from strategic priorities to governance and fundraising. It’s important to take the same holistic view as an investment manager, so that we can ensure the reserves are working in the right way to deliver a charity’s objectives”.

Ed’s role as a trustee was the “catalyst for a career change into the charity world”, moving over from working with private clients. The combination of being a trustee and wealth manager has given Ed an insight into what does and doesn’t resonate with trustees when discussing investment management issues.

For Jane, being a trustee means she can respond to charities with a deeper understanding of their concerns behind their questions.

David Myrddin-Evans, Director, Wealth Manager – Charities, agrees that being a trustee helps you advise charities more efficiently and effectively because you understand what the trustee board is looking to achieve.

Important lessons learned

Working so closely with their charities has given the team great insight into important operational matters. Jane discovered how much governance there is behind running a charity, the amount of work involved to keep it functioning and the effort needed to protect its reputation.

Paul Mathias, Director, Wealth Manager – Charities, feels his role as trustee of an educational endowment trust allows him to facilitate “really impactful work in the place that ultimately I live, work and serve”.

Ed feels he now truly understands how integral charities are to local communities, learning all about what’s happening in his own community and what needs to be done to help those who are experiencing hardship.

Michael has learned to be more resilient and more mindful when facing a challenge. Anna explained that while she became a trustee fairly early on in her career, which she found a little daunting, she feels it’s given her the opportunity to think strategically and to apply her skills in a new context.

Very different experiences, but all valuable insights.

Advice for aspiring trustees

If you’re thinking of applying to become a trustee, the team have some tips to help break down any barriers:

• Don’t feel intimidated. Michael says: “Don’t be afraid to put your hand up to become a trustee, because they’re needed and your background is likely to be relevant and wanted.”
• Paul suggests looking at the obstacles you face, such as time commitment. If you’re passionate about the cause “it won’t feel like you’re carrying a significant number of responsibilities.”
• For those who don’t know where to start, Anna suggests looking at introductory talks and webinars where you can learn more about trusteeship. “The Charity Commission’s ‘CC3: The Essential Trustee’ is a useful read. Beyond that, it’s about finding a cause that you’re passionate about and making the most of your skills, expertise and networks.”

So, what next?

The experiences shared by our team highlight the depth of their commitment to both their professional roles and the third sector. Through their trustee roles, they not only contribute to the success of these vital charities, but they also bring valuable insights back to their work here at RBC Brewin Dolphin.

Overall, this enables each of them to better understand the complexities of charities as well as the challenges and opportunities charities may face.

To find out how we can help your charity, visit www.brewin.co.uk/charities or email charities@brewin.co.uk.

---

The value of investments and any income from them can fall and you may get back less than you invested. Information isprovided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue a particular strategy. Information contained in this document is believed to be reliable and accurate, but without further investigation cannot be warranted as to accuracy or completeness. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views held throughout RBC Brewin Dolphin.