Then there are the parts that can feel more like a tick-box exercise. “Reference and Administrative Details” often falls into that category.

But this section is more than just names and numbers. Done well, it signals professionalism, transparency, and good governance. And because it’s one of the first things a reader sees, it sets the tone for how funders, regulators, and other stakeholders perceive your charity.

What Needs to Be Included

The Charity Commission is clear about what belongs in this section. Trustees should ensure the TAR sets out:

• The charity’s full name, registration number and contact details.
• Names of all trustees, with details of who served during the year and any changes.
• Senior staff or key management personnel who have responsibility for directing the charity’s activities, such as an Operations Manager or Service Delivery Manager.
• Governing document (for example, a CIO constitution or Articles of Association).
• Details of external advisers such as auditors, bankers or solicitors.

Why Accuracy Matters

It’s tempting to think few people will read this section. In reality, it offers vital assurance:

• Transparency – it shows who is accountable and that trustee appointments and resignations are properly recorded.
• Accessibility – clear contact details make it easy for beneficiaries, funders, or regulators to reach you.
• Governance assurance – accurate trustee information demonstrates healthy oversight and trustee rotation.
• Recognition – trustees give their time, care and attention freely. If a current trustee is missing, or if their name is lost among those who stepped down months earlier, it sends the wrong message: that their contribution doesn’t matter. Getting the details right is a simple but important way to show trustees they are valued.

Common Pitfalls

Too often, charities trip up by:

• Listing trustees who have already stood down.
• Failing to distinguish between trustees and senior staff.
• Copying and pasting last year’s section without checking for accuracy, this “carry forward” approach almost guarantees errors.
• Treating this section as filler text, when in fact it reflects the charity’s governance standards.

Adding Value Without Overdoing It

This section doesn’t need to be long, but it does need to be clear. Good practice includes:

• Presenting trustee information in a simple table or list.
• Noting dates of appointment and rotation to underline governance good practice.
• Including roles where relevant (Chair, Treasurer) without turning it into a biography.
• Naming key employees and, if helpful, adding a short role descriptor (e.g. “Service Delivery Manager – overseeing frontline projects with families”). While not required, this can give funders and stakeholders confidence that the organisation is in capable hands.
• See who the auditors are and what banking relationships the charity has

More Than a Formality

Even the driest parts of the TAR contribute to your charity’s credibility. Accurate reference and administrative details may not win attention for storytelling, but they quietly build trust. For anyone reading your TAR, they are the first signal that your charity is well run, transparent, and accountable.