Governance

YHA's governance starts at grass roots level with our Members.

Our democratic structure means Members can influence and help develop policy through joining YHA.

The YHA Board consists of up to 17 Trustees, including three National Officers who are the Chair of the Board, Vice Chair of the Board and Treasurer. Each Trustee is also a registered Director and Company Member of the charity.  

The Board meets at least five times per year and has collective responsibility for the strategic direction of YHA. The Board ensures that all activities carry into effect the YHA Charitable Object. Their role includes providing strategic oversight, scrutinising YHA’s financial performance and the performance of YHA’s management; agreeing budgets, monitoring impact, service delivery and the safeguarding of beneficiaries and stakeholders. Committees of the Board of Trustees apply detailed, specialist scrutiny to matters within their respective remits and support the Board in carrying out specific duties.  

The Board employs and delegates the day-to-day management of YHA to the Chief Executive. Together with two Executive Directors and six Operational Directors, they form the Senior Leadership Team responsible for the delivery of YHA’s work. No employee, including the Chief Executive, is a member of the Board.    

The majority of Trustees are elected by YHA members and are eligible to serve a maximum of two four-year terms (subject to re-election after four years). This may be extended if taking up a National Officer position. The Board currently consists of 12 elected Trustees plus a further two Trustees, who were co-opted by the Board for 12 months in November 2025. Their co-option will end upon the conclusion of the next AGM in November 2026. 

The Board of Trustees has adopted the principles of the Charity Governance Code. Meeting the Code’s principles and outcomes provides strong assurance to external stakeholders that a charity is well governed.  

To find out more about YHA governance download our latest Annual Report.

The Board's link with the membership comes through company membership – a special status of YHA membership that enables members to have an input in to decision making, while providing the Board with a mechanism to consult with the membership.

Company members receive regular updates from the Chief Executive and Trustees, are invited to the AGM and are eligible to vote on resolutions, and have a dedicated and secure area of the YHA website.

Company membership is open to all YHA members over 16 (excluding staff). Members can become company members through the 'My Profile' section of their YHA.org.uk online account.

The AGM meets to receive the annual accounts and to consider and vote on any resolutions and motions. The results of Trustee elections are also announced at the AGM. To attend the AGM and have the right to vote, members must have signed up for Company Membership and be on the Register of Company Members.

YHA 2026 AGM 

Our next AGM will be held on on-line (via Zoom) on Saturday 14th November 2026 from 10:00 to 12:00. Already a Company Member? Register your interest in our 2026 AGM. 

YHA 2025 AGM

The YHA 2025 AGM was held on Saturday 8th November. There were 67 Company Members (eligible to vote) present. Darren Barker was re-elected as a Trustee.

Kathryn Morgan and Nisbah Hussain were elected as new Trustees.

All three elected Trustees will serve up to a four-year term. The Chair of Trustees also announced that Barney Brown and Reena O’Neill had been co-opted to join the Board of Trustees for a one-year term.

It was also announced that YHA Association Members Christina Anderson and David Calder had been elected as Board Recruitment Committee members for a three-year term

Prior to each AGM YHA Members are invited to vote on motions and for the election of new Trustees. To be eligible to vote Members must have a YHA online account and be signed up for YHA emails.

In the 2025 election, 4,414 members elected three Trustees and two Board Recruitment Association Committee members.