Trustee names will be published in the Scottish Charity Register

In a bid to strengthen trust and promote transparency within the Scottish charity sector, charity trustee naming requirements are now in place.

Charities can now submit charity trustee information through the Scottish Charity Regulator’s OSCR Online. This data will support its regulatory work, and from early 2026, the names of charity trustees will be published on the Scottish Charity Register to promote transparency and strengthen public trust in the sector.

Charities can only submit trustee details on OSCR Online through one of their designated OSCR Online charity users. Any charity completing a new online annual return created on or after 30 June 2025 will be required to include charity trustee information as part of the submission.

While this requirement does not apply to online annual returns created before 30 June, the regulator is strongly encouraging all Scottish charities to provide trustee details as soon as possible to ensure their compliance with the new legislation.

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

If you would like to discuss the implications of this change on you and your charity, please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Ferguson and the team at JRW Hogg & Thorburn.