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Conflicts of interest

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Your organisation might have a separate conflicts of interest policy, or you may choose to incorporate it into this manual, because the conflicts that arise are frequently financial.

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators have produced a sample conflict of interest policy, declaration form and register of interests (PDF, 292KB), which they've given us permission to make available to NCVO members. Please be aware that this guidance is from 2014. An undated version is available to ICSA members on their website.

Each organisation will manage conflicts of interest differently, the most important thing is clarity about expectations.  The principles that you will have to work out are:

Who should the policy apply to?
  • Trustees
  • Senior employees
  • All employees and volunteers
What would be a conflict of interest in relation to our organisation?
  • Personal financial interest of board member/employee
  • Connection with supplier/received hospitality from supplier
  • Connection with beneficiary
What is the future likelihood of similar conflicts?
  • Is it a one-off?
  • If not, is it likely to impact on that person’s ability to contribute?
How should an interest be declared?
  • Written annual declaration, updated for major changes
  • Declarations at each meeting
How should we address the conflict?
  • Vote taken case by case
  • Person in question:
    • absent themselves from the meeting
    • participate in discussion but not decision

Templates

NCVO members can download our financial procedures manual templates.

Page last edited Nov 17, 2020

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