A further copy of this text, with additional links, can be found on the
WMUK Water Cooler [1]
The WMUK board is today pleased to announce publication of the third and
final report on the charity's governance. The report has been prepared
by Rosie Chapman and Sarah Loader of Belinda Pratten and Rosie Chapman
Associates.
Today's report [2] (the second Chapman review
<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/File:Final_governance_audit_report,_Nov_2014.pdf>)
is a follow-up independent audit of the progress that Wikimedia UK has
made to improve its governance since January 2013. It comes 18 months
after completion of the initial 2013 governance review (the Hudson
review
<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/File:Wikimedia_UK_gov_review_rpt_v5.pdf>)
and nine months after the first follow-up audit (the first Chapman
review
<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/File:Interim_governance_audit_report,_Oct_2013.pdf>)
which covered progress in addressing the Hudson review’s recommendations.
In summary, Chapman's findings are that
"/the charity has very largely addressed the 50 recommendations
found within the original review. WMUK has developed very quickly,
and the charity has clearly put a lot of effort into ensuring that
its governance now meets best practice expectations. It has a
cohesive, skilled and experienced board in place. They have a clear
understanding of the charity’s vision and mission/".
In the section comparing WMUK with similar UK charities, we were pleased
to note Chapman's conclusion (para 42) that:
/"for the stage that Wikimedia is in its lifecycle it compares well
with similar UK charities. Its transparency about its procedures is
a beacon of best practice, and its conflicts of interest procedures
are robust and well-tested"/.
She further observes (paras 14 and 15) that:
"/Inevitably, a lot of the Board’s efforts have to-date been
internally focussed; putting in place robust governance arrangements
and agreeing the new strategy that was published in March this year.
Whilst there is still some fine-tuning to bed in the strategy, for
example linking particular outcomes with detailed objectives,
targets, budgets and performance measurement through-out the
organisation, there is also the chance for WMUK’s Board to become
more outward focussed in its time and efforts. This will, in turn,
enable the Board to consider opportunities and choices for what the
organisation does to deliver its strategy, and how it should be
resourced to do so/.
"/From our discussion with trustees and staff it is clear that there
is a real appetite for this shift in the board’s focus, and to
consider more external opportunities/".
The report is worth reading in its entirety, as it includes a wealth of
advice, analysis and commentary that will be of interest and use not
only to WMUK itself but also to the community at large and to other
organisations within the movement.
The WMUK board would once again like to thank Rosie Chapman for her
comprehensive and insightful analysis which will be of great help in
enabling us to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Best regards
Michael
____________
Michael Maggs
Chair, Wikimedia UK
[1]
https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Water_cooler#Final_governance_audit_report_pu…
[2]
https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/File:Final_governance_audit_report,_Nov_2014.…