Chair and CEO Relationship When It Frays
Written by
Published
A practical guide to repairing the working relationship between a charity chair and chief executive before it damages trust, delivery or governance.
The relationship between a charity chair and chief executive is one of the most important working relationships in the organisation.
When it goes wrong, the impact can spread quickly through the board, the executive team and the wider charity.
Start with role clarity
Many tensions begin because the boundaries are not clear enough.
- The chair supports the board and its governance role.
- The CEO leads delivery and operational decision making.
- Both are accountable, but they are accountable in different ways.
Use a calm reset process
- Name the issue without blaming individuals.
- Agree what good working behaviour should look like.
- Set a practical plan for future communication and decision making.
What to watch for
- Avoiding difficult conversations.
- Using the board as a place to settle personal disagreements.
- Letting tension affect strategic decisions.
Protect the charity first
The aim is not to win an argument. It is to restore a working relationship that protects the charity's values, purpose and decision quality.
This guide is part of our Charity Governance hub, where you can explore every practical guide in this area.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the chair and CEO relationship matter so much?
It shapes how the board and management work together, and poor alignment can weaken accountability, decision making and confidence.
What should happen when there is tension?
The issue should be discussed promptly, calmly and with a focus on roles, behaviour and the needs of the charity rather than personal frustration.
How can a board help?
The board can support clear expectations, good communication and a process that avoids drift while protecting the charity's interests.
Sources
External references used in this article. Links open on the original publisher’s site.
- Charity Commission: The Essential TrusteeCharity Commission · Accessed 27 Jul 2026
- Charity Governance CodeCharity Governance Code Steering Group · Accessed 27 Jul 2026
You might also like:
A practical trustee skills audit for small UK charity boards: eight categories, a confidence and capacity scoring scale, and a 30 minute meeting format.
The slim trustee onboarding pack and the structured first 90 days that get new charity trustees contributing from their very first board meeting onwards.
What a trustees annual report must include, how to meet the requirements, and how to write one that supporters and funders actually read rather than file away.