Two New Board Members Join the Charity Commission: What This Means

In a move that blends seasoned legal insight with digital innovation, the UK Government has announced the appointment of Tasnim Khalid and Alan Mather to the board of the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The new members begin their terms on April 23, 2025, with each serving a three-year period until April 2028.

The Charity Commission, responsible for regulating more than 168,000 registered charities, plays a vital role in ensuring public trust, upholding compliance, and promoting effective use of charitable resources. The addition of Khalid and Mather signals a renewed commitment to strengthening both governance frameworks and technological infrastructure.

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🔍 About the Charity Commission

The Charity Commission for England and Wales is the non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in the public interest. As public scrutiny of charitable organizations intensifies, the Commission faces rising expectations around transparency, accountability, and digital service delivery.

Board members help shape its strategic direction, provide oversight, and offer specialist expertise. Their appointment is governed by the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments and regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

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👩‍⚖️ Tasnim Khalid – A Leading Legal Authority in Charitable Trusts

Tasnim Khalid brings a wealth of legal experience in charity law, private wealth, and trust governance. As the founder and Managing Partner of Private Client Solicitors, she has earned national recognition for her work advising high-net-worth individuals and foundations on philanthropic giving.

Her accolades include:

• Recognition in the Chambers HNW Guide and Legal 500
• Winner of the Northern Power Women Award 2024
• Legal 500 Private Client Partner of the Year (North) 2025
• Named one of The Telegraph‘s 100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch

Khalid’s appointment will bolster the Commission’s ability to manage increasingly complex legal scenarios, particularly in areas such as estate-related donations, trustee disputes, and regulatory reform.

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🖥️ Alan Mather – A Pioneer of Public Sector Digital Transformation

Alan Mather has been at the forefront of UK government digital innovation since the early 2000s. He led groundbreaking initiatives including:

• The Government Gateway, a secure sign-on portal for citizens
• The original Self Assessment tax return platform
• The creation of Direct.gov.uk, a precursor to GOV.UK

Mather has held executive leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, often brought in to stabilize or turn around complex digital programs. More recently, he has advised on digital strategy for organisations like Defra, the Home Office, and the National Physical Laboratory.

His presence on the board is expected to enhance the Charity Commission’s digital service delivery — a crucial area as the nonprofit sector increasingly depends on online tools for registration, reporting, and public engagement.

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💬 Why These Appointments Matter

The appointments of Khalid and Mather reflect the Commission’s intention to modernize and diversify its leadership in response to current sector trends. Their distinct but complementary expertise addresses some of the most urgent needs in the nonprofit landscape today:

• Strengthening governance to reduce risk and boost donor confidence
• Enhancing digital capability for a more efficient, user-friendly experience
• Promoting diversity and leadership innovation across regulatory bodies

With charitable income in the UK exceeding £88 billion, and growing scrutiny over how that money is managed and spent, the Charity Commission’s ability to provide fair, effective oversight has never been more important.

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📌 Quick Facts

• Tenure: April 23, 2025 – April 22, 2028
• Remuneration: £350 per day
• Appointed through: Cabinet Office’s Governance Code
• Regulated by: Commissioner for Public Appointments
• Political activity: None declared in the past five years

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✅ Final Thoughts

The addition of Tasnim Khalid and Alan Mather represents more than just new leadership — it signals the Charity Commission’s commitment to staying relevant, responsive, and robust in a changing charitable world. With challenges ranging from digital fraud to public skepticism, this board-level investment in expertise could not come at a better time.

Expect to see changes not just in how charities are regulated — but in how they are supported, empowered, and held accountable.

👉 Find a cause worth backing at thecharitychampion.com