Trustees' Week 2025: Surrinder's reflections from two decades as a trustee

In this blog, Surrinder Bains shares his reflections on being a trustee and what he’s learned over more than two decades of service.

Surrinder is currently a Research Champion, working with the BVSC Research and Evaluation Team. In his role, Surrinder helps to recruit, train and mentor individuals and organisations who are interested in becoming community researchers – supporting people to develop the skills and confidence to gather insights that make a real difference in their communities.

Trustees' Week takes place from 3-7 November 2025.

"I’ve been a trustee for over 20 years, serving on boards across housing associations, charities, community interest companies, and employee-led organisations. Looking back, I never planned this journey – but it has shaped me and taught me just how important trustees are in helping organisations thrive.

How It All Began

My story starts in the year 2000, while I was working for Sandwell Council. I visited Sandwell Asian Family Services (SAFS), a community organisation providing care services for Asian adults and children. After a meeting, the Chief Executive asked if I’d consider becoming a trustee. At first, I wondered if I had the skills, time, or experience. But curiosity – and a desire to give something back – led me to say yes.

Learning the Ropes

I spent more than eight years with SAFS, four of them as Chair. Like many new trustees, I had to learn that the role is strategic, not operational. I wasn’t the CEO – I was there to guide, support, and hold the organisation to account. Some moments stand out: presenting at the 30th anniversary celebration in front of 250 people (a big step for an introvert from Handsworth!), and the excitement and nerves of moving from rented offices to a new youth centre building. It was a rollercoaster – but one that taught me so much.

Highs and Lows of Trusteeship

Trusteeship can be deeply rewarding, but it also brings challenges. On one charity board, when the major funder withdrew, trustees had to meet weekly to help navigate redundancies, restructuring, and tough decisions. In the end, the organisation survived, secured a new contract, and continues to thrive today. On the other side, I’ve also had the privilege of serving on a grant-giving charity that distributed £1.5m to community groups. Visiting projects funded through our grants brought home the real difference trustees can help make.

Different Boards, Different Lessons

Every board is different – from reading bundles of complex reports for large organisations to just a couple of pages for smaller charities. Whatever the format, I always tell new trustees: “There’s no such thing as a silly question.” Curiosity and clarity are key.

I also had the unique experience of being both an employee and a trustee Chair at a hospice – holding the board to account while representing staff. It was challenging, but also exciting. Highlights included helping recruit a new CEO and leading the charity’s first ever AGM.

Always Learning

Trusteeship is also about learning. I’ve benefitted from governance training and mentoring and I encourage anyone considering the role to take up these opportunities. They build confidence and help you grow into the role.

Final Thoughts

For me, being a trustee has been rewarding, challenging, and full of opportunities to learn and give back. It’s about scrutiny, accountability, and – above all – making a difference.

If you’re curious about trusteeship, I encourage you to explore the opportunities in your community. You won’t regret it – and you’ll be helping to shape a brighter future for the organisations and people who need it most."

Find out more about Trustees' Week