Charity Governance Summit

Check your tech, network and visit the exhibition stands

Welcome

Power balance and allyship in the boardroom, living the values at board level

The charity governance code’s revised integrity principle, represents an important step change. Trustees must not only address power dynamics in the boardroom, but also in the charity’s purpose, practices and its people’s behaviour. ActionAid is committed to apply its ten feminist principles throughout its organisation, starting at board level. We will explore the role of boards in understanding power and the benefits from a coherent approach to organisational integrity.   

Srabani Sen OBE, Chair, ActionAid UK and CEO, Full Colour

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Charity consultant and Board Trustee, Sophie Hayes Foundation

A choice of streams

Balancing board oversight, a precarious task 

The seven principles of the Charity Governance Code provides good guidance for all charities, including those with complex group and subsidiaries. The latter may encounter a disconnection between the legal and the practical side of the parent board’s oversight. How do you handle board oversight in complex organisations and how far should it go? We look at the Charity Commission for England and Wales’ guidance and discuss how can board practically work within the framework.

Joss Saunders, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Oxfam

OR

Climate change: every charity’s responsibility? 

Climate change is the world’s crisis and one all organisations must address. What are the challenges for charities and their governance? How to start the discussion in the boardroom? What strategies could be implemented?  In this session, our governance experts will trail new guidance for governance professionals to support their boards   to implement strategies and identify a roadmap to tackle climate change.

Maisy Hulbert, Policy Officer, ACEVO 

Louise Thompson FCG, Head of Policy (Not-For-Profit), at The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland.

Morning break, network with peers or join a roundtable discussion

Roundtable: Regulatory update and Q&A with the Fundraising Regulator

Charities of all sizes that carry out fundraising activity should fully comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice which sets the standards expected of all charitable institutions and third-party fundraisers in the UK. In this roundtable, the Fundraising Regulator will introduce the system of voluntary regulation of fundraising in the UK. You will also have the chance to ask any questions you have about trustee responsibilities and good governance relating to fundraising.

Gavin Doyle, Policy and Standards officer, Fundraising Regulator

Wellbeing and employees’ mental health across sectors

Employees’ wellbeing has become a predominant element of governance ever since the pandemic started. How in a sector where financial strain is greater, can boards ensure this is not an overlooked priority? What are the challenges met by every organisations? What is the place of the board in implementing appropriate strategies to tackle mental health and wellbeing? Discover what other sectors and organisations have been doing.

Alison Gill, CEO, Bvalco Ltd

Paul Farmer, CEO, Mind

Susie Crowder, Director Human Capital, Grant Thornton Limited

How to nurture a diverse board and retain it?

Recruiting new trustees in the charity sector is harder than in the private or public sector. The societal changes are leading towards gender, ethnic and cognitive diversity. So, what does a qualitative board look like? How to harness a pipeline that addresses diversity and skills without duplicating? Join our professionals from diverse sectors to find solutions for your own board and take away top tips delivered by the Institute.

Deborah Gilshan, Independent Advisor, Investment Stewardship & ESG, Founder, The 100% Club (London, UK)

Gayle Gedala,  Governance Director and Company Secretary, Amnesty International, International Secretariat. 

Justina Naik, Company Secretary, OSTC Ltd

The virtuous circle of good governance

Following the introduction of a virtuous circle of good governance last year, this session will look at the integral role the governance professional has in creating and embedding good governance in their charity. This session will identify some of the key actions, competencies and behaviours a governance professional can deploy to ensure good governance is a self-fulfilling cycle in their organisations.

Louise Thomson FCG, Head of Policy (Not-For-Profit), at The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland.

New white  paper :

The virtuous circle of good charity governance: the role of the governance professional

Conference closes