Schools need help from leading businesses to offset skills shortages on their governing bodies, according to Education Secretary Damian Hinds. In a speech later, Mr Hinds will call for a range of professionals to "take on this vital role".
The National Governors' Association says about 10% of school governor and trustee posts in England are empty, with larger shortages in poor areas.
It wants more young and ethnic minority governors to come forward.
In a speech to the NGA's annual conference, Mr Hinds is expected to say he wants to do everything he can "to help boost governor recruitment and retention - because, quite simply, we need more great people.
"So today I'm issuing a call to arms... appealing to people up and down the country... to play their part in helping the next generation reach their potential."
There are currently about 250,000 school governors and trustees who volunteer to oversee the management of schools and academies.
Their duties can include overseeing budgets, developing long-term strategies and holding head teachers to account for schools' performance.
The NGA says a recent survey of governing bodies found that nationally:
- about a third have at least two vacancies
- and more than half struggle to recruit governors or trustees
It also revealed:
- nine in 10 governors are over 40
- 96% are white
- eight in 10 describe their current or previous occupation as professional or managerial
- about four in 10 said their employer gave them paid time off for governor duties
