Agenda

Full agenda to be announced....

08.30 – 09.00: Registration and refreshments

09.00 – 09.10: Introduction and welcome from the chair

Srabani Sen OBE, Founder and CEO, Full Colour

09.10 – 09.55: Keynote briefing: The charity weather report: What does the current funding environment mean for charities?

Paul Bott, CEO, SJOG
Aditi Thorat, Director of Development, International Budget Partnership

More speakers to be announced

In this opening keynote panel, leaders from across the sector examine what the current funding environment means for charities, how the next five years are likely to feel and how leaders can prepare now to weather storms along the way.

09.55 – 10.20: Workshop: How to build a resilient audience for long-term growth

Tom Ridges, Founder & CEO, Herdify

Understanding why donors choose particular charities is fundamental to fundraising. In this session, Tom Ridges unpacks the behavioural science behind why people donate, how those decisions are shaped by social influence and context, and what charities can do differently to increase donations. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of designing fundraising activity that works with human behaviour, not against it, and helps build a more resilient fundraising plan.

10.20 – 11.00: Panel discussion: From crisis to continuity: How to future-proof your income streams

Speakers to be announced 

How do you raise money for tomorrow when today is so demanding? This panel discussion shows how modern fundraising strategies can stabilise income, deepen supporter relationships and give charities the confidence to plan long term even in uncertain times.

11.00 – 11.20: Coffee break and networking

11.20 – 11.45: Workshop: Investing for a future no one can predict

Sagar Thanik, Analyst, Guinness Global Investors

In an era of rapid technological change and geopolitical uncertainty, charities need financial and investment strategies that don’t rely on perfect forecasting. Guinness Global Investors will explore how, drawing on their experience through multiple market cycles, long-term thinking, diversification and clear decision-making frameworks can help organisations (and their investment portfolios) stay resilient, credible and mission-focused.

11.45 – 12.25: Case study showcase: Resilience in action: How three charities rewrote their future

John May, CEO, Cats Protection
Othman Oqbel, CEO, Action for Humanity
Helen Stevens, CEO, STARS Dorset

Three very different charities share how they responded to funding shocks, leadership change or rising demand. Honest stories about what worked, what failed and what they would do differently.

12.25 – 13.05: Panel discussion: From survival to strength: Technology and the resilient charity

Speakers to be announced 

This panel explores how AI and innovation in tech can strengthen charity resilience; boosting efficiency, improving decision-making, managing risk, and enabling charities to adapt and sustain impact in uncertain times

13.05 – 14.00: Lunch

14.00 – 14.30: Keynote: Holding the centre: How leaders stay steady when everything else is shaking

Dr. Sarah Hughes, CEO, Mind

The CEO of Mind reflects on leading through sustained crisis, rising demand and emotional pressure. A deeply human exploration of what it takes to make hard decisions, protect people and keep purpose intact when the ground won’t stop moving.

14.30 – 14.55: Session TBA

14.55 – 15.35: Panel discussion: Stronger together: How inclusive, people-first cultures build sustainable charities

Bushra Baig-Daykin, Associate Director of Inclusion, Alzheimer’s Society
Louise Dawtry, What’s the Chari-Tea and People and Culture Lead, Leeds Mind
Mabinity Esho, Head of EDIB, Comic Relief

When pressure mounts, organisational culture is often the first casualty. This panel explores how inclusive, people-centred cultures help charities retain talent, maintain trust and make better decisions, even in financially uncertain times. Through real examples, speakers will show how inclusion is not just a moral choice, but a practical driver of stability, adaptability and long-term financial sustainability.

15.35– 15.45: Charity quiz: how well do you know the sector?

15.45 – 15.50: Chair’s round-up and close of conference

15.50 - 16.50: Drinks reception

Check out 2025 agenda here.