From 30 June 2025, OSCR will begin collecting charity trustee information through OSCR Online. Providing this information will become a legal requirement for all charities.

Charity users must submit trustee details using OSCR Online. Any charity completing a new online annual return created on or after 30 June 2025 will be required to have trustee information as part of the submission.

This data will support OSCR’s regulatory work, and the names of trustees will be published on the Scottish Charity Register from the end of 2025 to promote transparency and strengthen public trust in the sector.

This change is part of the Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023. Other measures under the Act, such as OSCR’s expanded inquiry powers, are already in effect.

What trustee details must be provided?

Charity trustees, also known as directors or committee members, are legally recognised as the individuals responsible for the control and management of a charity.

Charities will be required to submit the following details for each trustee through the OSCR Online portal:

• Full name
• Home address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Date of birth
• Date of appointment

OSCR will securely store this information for regulatory purposes and to maintain contact with trustees as needed.

What trustee information will be public?

The information currently shown on the Scottish Charity Register will remain unchanged until late 2025.

From that point onward, only the first and last names of charity trustees will be published on the Register.

At the same time, OSCR will begin publishing annual reports and accounts in full online once they are received. No other trustee details will be made public unless the charity has chosen to include additional information in its annual report and accounts.

This marks a change from the current approach, where OSCR publishes accounts for certain charities, depending on their legal form and income, with personal details redacted.

Charities should carefully consider the personal information included in their accounts and only include the names or images of volunteers or beneficiaries where appropriate.

Trustees will be able to apply for an exemption from having their name published if there is a risk to their personal safety or security. This exemption process will be available from 30 June 2025. If a trustee intends to apply for an exemption, and this is indicated when the information is collected, their name will not appear on the Scottish Charity Register until OSCR has reviewed the application. If the application is unsuccessful, their name will then be published from late 2025.

What should charities do before 30 June 2025?

• Inform all trustees about this upcoming change
• Collect the required trustee information
• Ensure relevant individuals (up to three per charity) have access to OSCR Online

Instructions on how to provide trustee data using OSCR Online will be available on 30 June 2025.