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We’re hugely grateful to those who volunteer their time in helping to organise and run ESU programmes and competitions. Find out how you could help

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Home > Governance

How we’re organised to ensure every young person has the speaking and listening skills and cultural understanding they need to thrive

Governance

ESU receives Royal Charter in 1957

Download the full Royal Charter

Royal Charter

The English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth is a charity (number 273136), registered with the Fundraising Regulator. It is governed by a Royal Charter, granted by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. Her Late Majesty Queen is Patron of the ESU and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal serves as President, having succeeded her father, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, who retired in 2011.

We are very grateful to the Princess Royal for her support of our charitable work. She is a regular attendee at our events and in 2018, she met the participants of our International Public Speaking Competition at a reception at St James’s Palace.

Our trustees

As a charity, the English-Speaking Union has a board of trustees, who are elected or co-opted from the membership by the members to guide the organisation. The board of trustees ensures the success and financial strength of the charity and sets the objectives in line with the organisation’s vision, mission and strategic goals.

The Chair of the board is supported by three officers – two deputy chairs and the treasurer – and up to 10 further elected trustees. Each lends their experience and expertise to the organisation, and plays a vital role in the ESU’s ongoing development. Find out more about our board of trustees here.

The board of trustees oversees the executive team, who conduct the day to day management of the organisation and implement the strategy on behalf of the board.

Find out more about our trustees

Find out more

Questions?

For more information about our governance, please contact Jane Easton, Director-General, at jane.easton@esu.org

Related content

ESU staff members

Our people

The team at the English-Speaking Union comprises professionals in the fields of education, management, communications and charity finance.

 Four primary school pupils (all girls) standing inside a classroom, and one raised her hand in the air.

Our mission

The ESU’s mission is to give young people the speaking and listening skills and cross-cultural understanding they need to thrive

 Liezel Jacobs and the pupils are standing inside a classroom and listening to her speaks.

Our educational approach

We work with teachers to improve oracy skills and cross-cultural understanding so that all young people, regardless of their background, can make their voices heard


Registered charity number: 273136

Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London W1J 5ED. Tel. 020 7529 1550

© 2023 English-Speaking Union. All rights reserved.

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