Providing Governance Advice to Associations

United Kingdom & Australia

Governology is a governance advisory firm dedicated to assisting associations and charities. We operate in the UK and Australia, and we are a law firm in Australia.

We advise boards and senior management on governance, structures, constitutions, tax, mergers and other practical matters unique to associations and charities.

Associations are mutual or charitable organisations that exist to advance their purpose as stated in their Rules, Articles or Constitution. They have members yet never have shareholders as no financial returns can be received from being a member. Typically, the sector is called 'not-for-profit', however, it is increasingly called 'for-purpose' as it is appropriate to make a profit which must be retained within the association.

Association Board Survey 2024

Associations Forum and Governology analysed the results of the 2024 Association Board Survey in which 250 associations took part. The Association Board Survey, conducted annually since 2008, examines a number of trends in association governance and Board composition. This is the first year in which we have surveyed the UK therefore the report now provides the similarities and differences between associations in both countries. As leading providers of governance training and advice, Associations Forum and Governology are pleased to share the following key findings from this year’s survey:

The average number of directors is 9, with 16% of organisations in Australia and 19% in the United Kingdom having this number of directors.
The number of Australian associations where the President/Chair is elected by the Board has increased from 74% in 2023 to 75% in 2024, with the UK average being 70%.
The average number of Board meetings held over the past year has remained stable in Australia at 6.6 meetings compared to the UK where the average is 5.7 meetings.
Hybrid and in-person Board meetings are declining with the shift to online meetings increasing.
Nearly 16% of Australian associations pay directors’ fees compared with 12% of UK associations.

Contact our team to receive your report now.