Trustee week 2024: Q&A with Wojciech Ilowski

Wojciech Ilowski, Industry Operations Leader at Marsh Ltd., has been a trustee at the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) since 2022. Here, he shares his reflections on being a trustee for this year’s Trustee Week. 

What is the role of a trustee and why is it important? 

Trustees play a vital role by offering independent oversight and strategic guidance. They bring an objective viewpoint that helps ensure an organisation is well-governed and accountable. Since they’re not involved in the daily operations, they can focus on the bigger picture and provide unbiased advice. This helps the organisation thrive and stay on track. 

What motivated you to be a trustee at ETF? 

I have three main reasons for becoming a trustee at ETF. First, I truly believe that education is essential for a thriving and fair society, so I fully support ETF’s mission. Second, I enjoy tackling complex problems and challenges. The focus on sustainability offers a great chance to rethink and improve the education and skills sector. Lastly, I love to learn and grow. Since I haven’t held a governance position before, this role is a perfect opportunity for me to gain experience and hopefully make a positive impact. 

What have you learned through being a trustee? 

Being a trustee is both an art and a science. It’s all about finding the right balance between challenging ideas and offering support. The true value of an effective board isn’t just in the decisions we make, but also in the thoughtful process we use to reach those decisions. We take the time to consider different viewpoints, even when they clash, and carefully assess the risks before we come together to agree on the best path forward. 

What advice would you give to others who are interested in becoming a trustee? 

Becoming a trustee is a rewarding and enriching experience that helps you develop skills that are useful in many areas of life. In the charitable sector, you’ll connect with others who share your passion for the organisation’s mission, which makes it easier to build strong relationships right from the start – often more quickly than in the private sector.  

Lastly, it’s important to have a variety of perspectives, so I encourage more people to consider trustee roles. This way, all voices are heard, and we can avoid any blind spots.