Agenda

08.30 – 09.00: Registration and refreshments

09.00 – 09.15: Introduction and welcome from the chair
Srabani Sen, Founder and CEO, Full Colour 
Lauren Weymouth, Editor, Charity Times 

09.15 – 10.00: Keynote Panel: De-mystifying the funding crisis 

Carol Mack, CEO, Association of Charitable Foundations
Kunle Olulode MBE, Director, Voice4Change
James Banks, CEO, London Funders
More panellists to be announced

The funding crisis is heavily impacting all areas of the charity sector, but why are we in this position and how are grant-giving trusts and foundations rising to the demand? Which charities are missing out the most and how can funding become more inclusive for all? Join this panel of funders and sector leaders to find out how foundations and trusts are navigating the crisis and how it can be simplified to feel less daunting to those most impacted by it.

10.00 – 10.25: Ensuring long-term success: Financial strategies for charity leaders
Mark Fisher, Associate Director Charity and Not-For-Profit, Howden
Jake Nunn, Associate Director Employee Benefits, Howden

Join Howden (formerly Endsleigh) for an insightful session on achieving financial sustainability for your organisation. This session will dive into the latest findings from the third edition of Howden's Rewarding Industries report, exploring key challenges and trends facing the sector. Attendees will discover practical strategies to enhance their charity’s financial sustainability, including effective risk management and staff wellbeing and engagement initiatives, complemented by real-life insights.

10.25 – 11.00: Panel Discussion: How to use technology to solve a volunteer and demand crisis
Sue George, Product Owner, British Heart Foundation
Sam Bennett, Sales Lead for UK and Europe, Rosterfy
More Panellists to be announced 

This panel will look at the ways in which technology can be used to help make the sector a more efficient, engaging and productive space. From tools to manage volunteer engagement, to systems that help fulfil small but time-consuming tasks; technology has the power to help elevate organisational efficiency and meet demand more easily. Join this panel discussion to learn more.

11.00 – 11.25: Coffee break and networking

11.25 – 11.55: Keynote: An update from the Charity Commission
David Holdsworth, CEO, Charity Commission

What are the latest trends and developments within the charity sector? And how is the sector’s regulator, the Charity Commission seeking to respond? Join David Holdsworth for this keynote to hear how the regulator is adapting to help the modern charity leader navigate new periods of uncertainty and demand, whilst remaining compliant with the law.

11.55 – 12.25: Session to be announced

12.25 – 12.45: Workshop: Every basis point matters: How to get more from your charity’s investments
Nigel Florence CFA, Fixed Income Treasury Sales, King & Shaxon

This session explores the critical impact of basis points on charity investments, showing why every fraction counts. Through charity case studies, you'll learn why the easy choice isn't always the best and how to navigate current market conditions and optimize investment opportunities in a challenging climate.

12.45 – 13.45: Lunch break

13.45 – 14.25: Panel Discussion to be announced

14.25 – 14.50: LIVE Q&A Pay disputes, strikes and a stubborn deficit: Leading through adversity with Dr Emma Haddad
Dr Emma Haddad, CEO, St Mungo’s
Lauren Weymouth, Editor, Charity Times

In this live Q&A, St Mungo’s chief Emma Haddad will share her experiences of navigating a challenging funding environment, managing much-publicised strike action at the charity and the role of collaboration in combatting a stubborn deficit.

14.50 – 15.30: Panel Discussion: Pay, career development and flexibility: Empowering employees to drive sustainable growth

Emily Wilton, Head of Talent & Career Development, RSPCA
Lucy Hardy, Senior Research Manager,CharityJob
Tiger de Souza MBE, Executive Director of People and Culture, Samaritans

As the demand for services continues to grow, charities must adapt by investing in their most valuable asset: their people. This panel discussion will explore the critical role pay, career development, communication and flexibility plays in equipping charity leaders and their teams to meet these challenges.

15.30 – 15.40: Charity quiz: how well do you know the sector?
Join us for the annual Charity Times Quiz, where we'll test your knowledge on all areas of the charity sector. The winner will be announced at the end and will take home a brand new Apple Watch.

15.40 - 15.45: Chair’s round-up and close of conference

15.40 - 16.40: Drinks reception