The Charity Governance Code – updated!

The Charity Governance Code – that familiar backbone of good board practice – has been revised for 2025.

What’s new in the code? How does it compare to last year’s? And do trustees need to panic? Let’s break it down – with practical takeaways you can use today.

A Code With More Shape – But The Same Backbone

The biggest headline: the new code builds on everything the 2024 edition did well, but it’s got a clear, evolved structure with eight distinct principles. Familiar categories like Organisational Purpose, Leadership, Board Effectiveness, Decision Making and Diversity are all still there, reassuringly familiar.

But don’t just flick through – there’s new ground to cover. Most notably, the addition of a “Foundation Principle” makes things explicit about the basic expectations for trustees. It’s about knowing your legal role, continuous learning, and putting the charity’s interests first (sound familiar? It should – but now it’s in its own section).

Other highlights

The previous “Decision making, risk and control” category has split into “Decision making” and “Managing resources and risks”, allowing more focused board conversations.

Diversity is now “Equity, Diversity & Inclusion” – a broader, more thoughtful approach, which is good as it’s still the area where trustees are performing the worst.

Integrity and Openness/Accountability have merged into “Ethics and culture”, putting values at the heart of everything.

You’ll also find newer threads around environmental responsibility, digital governance, learning culture, and transparent reporting.

Is the new code radically different? No – but it’s smarter, clearer, and pushes you to ask better questions of yourselves.

Read or download the new code here: Charity Governance Code 2025

And The Governance App? Still Your Reliable Compass

If you’re already using The Governance App to review or assess your governance, you’re in a good place. Its 70 question assessment matches closely to most of the new code’s fundamental themes.

Purpose? Covered.

Ethical leadership? Covered.

Board effectiveness, EDI, accountability, stakeholder engagement? All mapped in detail.

But – and there always is a but – a few of the latest code’s statements go further. They ask trustees to reflect on their understanding of charity law, their commitment to ongoing learning, and whether governance is truly embedded as a value. Not every Governance App question probes that deeply (yet).

So next time you use the App, take a moment to ask yourselves these supplementary questions:

Do all trustees really understand their legal duties, the organisation’s governing document and public benefit?
How do you keep learning as a board? Are you plugged into current regulations and best practice?
Is your approach to conflicts of interest robust and transparent – or just box ticking?
Do you nurture a learning culture, openly addressing mistakes and improvements?

The App gives you the structure – supplement it with these questions and you’ll have a high-performing board of trustees in no time.

Need Help Navigating This? We’ve Got Your Back

DSC has you covered. Whether you’re looking through the new code for the first time, or just want an independent check on policies and practice, we offer:

Find out more at www.dsc.org.uk/category/governance – whatever the size or experience of your board, there’s something for you.