The 1986 Education Act required that business community members in England and Wales be appointed to the governing boards of local public schools. Since the passage of the law, the idea of sponsored governors has developed. Sponsored governors receive financial supported from their companies to serve on the boards. A survey of employees of three United Kingdom companies found that only about one-third of those serving as governors were identified on their boards as being from the business community. The members were overwhelmingly male and from the upper management levels. Most were also between 30 and 50 years old and had worked for their companies for more than 10 years. The governors attended an average of 12 meetings annually and made several visits to the schools. The members tended to serve on committees having to do with management of the school such as finance, personnel, and public relations. The contributions of the companies involved included time off with pay for governorship duties, use of office resources, and contributions of materials. The study confirmed that governors from the business community benefit schools through their management expertise, and, in turn, businesses improve their public relations. (Contains 36 references.) (JPT)