As part of Trustees Week, we sat down with Lorna Leach, Director of Community at the Tigers Trust, to reflect on the vital role trustees play in shaping the vision and impact of the Trust.
Lorna shares her insights into what makes a great trustee, how they support the Trust’s mission, and why this week is a meaningful opportunity to celebrate their contributions.
“I’m ten months into my first organisational leadership role, but my relationship with the Trustees began over a year ago, at my interview. As with almost every aspect of the role, the view from the Director’s seat is very different from what I experienced as a member of the senior leadership team, or as a non-executive director or governor.
At that interview, I was presenting my vision and values to the Board. They, in turn, were assessing whether those aligned with the organisation they know and care deeply about. It marked the beginning of a vital relationship, one that underpins organisational success.
I joined Tigers Trust at a pivotal moment. The business was ready to build on its tremendous reputation and take bold steps to deepen its impact across Hull, East Yorkshire, and surrounding areas.
The Board, too, experienced significant change this year. Long-standing Trustees, including Chair Sean Royce, stepped down after 12 years of invaluable service. Sean’s leadership, in particular, left a lasting legacy. In April, we welcomed three new Trustees, whose fresh perspectives and energy have already made a meaningful difference.
I couldn’t do this job effectively without the Board. Trustees bring their personal, professional, and network resources to the table and I’ve asked a lot of the ten people around the Tigers Trust table.
We began the year with an organisational restructure, involving tough decisions around finances and future growth. The Finance Sub-Committee played a critical role, scrutinising options and weighing risks to ensure our choices served the long-term interests of the Trust. They continue to hold me accountable, reviewing the interim measures we agreed upon and keeping us on course.
As the changes took shape, Trustees with HR and people development expertise stepped in to support a staff group tasked with creating consistent ways of working. Their advice helped shape a framework for line management and career progression that staff have embraced and built upon.
When we turned our attention to facility development, Trustees with legal and planning expertise formed a working group. Over the past six months, they’ve applied strategic thinking, asked powerful questions, and used their networks to uncover key information - guiding us toward our future goals more efficiently.
Trustees also need to understand and care deeply about the communities we serve. At Tigers Trust, we work with thousands of children and young people each year, many of whom are vulnerable or at risk of criminal exploitation. Safeguarding is central to our work, and the Board fully endorses this approach. Trustees with relevant expertise lead our safeguarding sub-committee, reviewing and improving practices and policies. Safeguarding is also a standing agenda item at every meeting.
Since the summer, we’ve been developing our organisational strategy and launching our corporate partnerships programme. In these key areas, Trustees have been critical friends, challenging us to think bigger and bolder, while maintaining clarity of purpose. They’ve shared connections, made introductions, and taken active roles at events.
Throughout the year, day-to-day challenges have arisen with questions that need a fresh perspective or specialist knowledge. When I reach out to a Trustee, I know they’ll respond quickly, whether it’s to coach us through legal options, review communications, or offer insights that shift our thinking.
As a non-executive director myself, I understand the commitment and sacrifice the role demands. It’s not just a few meetings a year, it’s a balancing act between work, personal life, and voluntary service. In these ten months - less for some of our Trustees—they’ve given so much. Their support, guidance, and expertise have been instrumental to our progress.
I’m deeply grateful for their commitment and the personal sacrifices they make to support Tigers Trust. We go again!”
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