The persons who have the general control and management of the administration of a charity (section 177, Charities Act 2011).

Governing documents often use a variety of different terms to describe those responsible for the general control and management of a charity. What they are called in the governing document is not important; the function these persons perform in relation to the charity is. If they are in fact responsible for the general control and management of the administration of the charity, they are charity trustees and have the duties and responsibilities that come with this position of trust.

For example, a charity trustee can be:

A charity trustee may also be called a "managing trustee", and should not be confused with a custodian trustee.

For guidance on who can be a charity trustee of a charity, see Practice note, Who can be a charity trustee?. For guidance on the key duties of a charity trustee, see Practice note, Duties of charity trustees: an overview.