This paper seeks to meet the challenge of those sceptical about the real benefits of good governance and provide those new to governance in the charity sector with a better understanding of the 'virtuous circle of good governance' and how it can enable a charity to achieve its goals.

ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute has today published a white paper looking at ‘The virtuous circle of good charity governance’. Compiled by Louise Thomson, Head of Policy (Not for Profit) at the Institute, the paper considers what governance is and how it works in relation to the charity sector, including linking good governance to organisational performance.

The Chartered Governance UK & Ireland has today published a white paper outlining how governance professionals can help charity boards to develop and embed a virtuous circle of good charity governance to further the charitable aims of the organisation and deliver positive change.

In this paper, the role of the governance professional takes centre stage in promoting and embedding a virtuous circle of good governance in a charitable entity.

Combining a virtuous circle with a circular economy approach could potentially be beneficial for the organisation, its stakeholders, shareholders and the environment. It may also be one way of approaching the broader ESG agenda.

The clerking role is not given the weight it deserves because the term ‘clerk’ does not reflect the important governance work that they do, according to ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute. The term ‘governance professional’ better reflects the important advisory and supporting role that they play and the DfE should introduce the mandatory requirement in law for academy trusts above a certain threshold to employ a qualified governance professional. Furthermore, the DfE should provide guidance to ensure the remuneration of a governance professional reflects the level of responsibility required to support the board with its many legal, regulatory, educational and ethical requirements.