CFG Annual Conference 2025

In times of crisis, charities must adapt quickly—but how can they ensure that rapid growth is both effective and sustainable? In this session, Iain McSeveny, Finance and Operations Director at Medical Aid for Palestinians, shares the organisation’s journey since October 2023, as it transitioned from development work to a large-scale humanitarian response. He will outline the key steps taken to scale operations while strengthening organisational foundations, ensuring long-term impact. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges and lessons learned in transforming internal support structures to sustain higher levels of operations in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Iain McSeveny, Finance and Operations Director, Medical Aid for Palestinians

The upcoming 2025 SORP brings significant changes to the Trustees' annual report and financial disclosures, which could change how charities communicate their impact. This session will provide an in-depth look at the key changes, including new requirements around reserves policies, EDI, and ESG. We’ll explore how these updates may require a redesign of your charity's report and messaging, ensuring compliance while effectively conveying your charity’s narrative. With real-world examples, we’ll help you reshape your report to meet new requirements and enhance your impact reporting.

Michael Cooper-Davis, Partner, Price Bailey

For a charity to have a strong organisational foundation, the foundations of good governance can be key to unlocking success and meeting impact goals. Effectiveness governance requires the board and management to advance the organisation’s long-term objectives by driving better decision making, supporting strategic alignment of activities and mission, and harnessing the best of the skills available helping teams reach their maximum impact.

Naziar Hashemi, Partner, Crowe

Investing in data and technology often feels like a risky proposition, especially when resources are limited. However, what if these investments could yield measurable returns and long-term financial sustainability? This session will reframe technology as a strategic asset that drives ROI in fundraising. We’ll explore how robust data foundations can optimise campaign effectiveness, enhance donor retention, and unlock new income streams. Finance leaders will learn how to assess the true value of tech investments, gain buy-in from internal teams, and navigate common barriers, ensuring that every tech decision supports sustainable growth and maximises impact.

Imogen Ward, Principal and Partner, AAW Group; Rohan Hewavisenti, CFO, Amnesty International; Deniz Hassan, Digital Director, AAW Group

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into all areas of the economy, its impact on sustainability is a topic of growing importance. In this session, we explore AI’s potential impact on sustainability ranging from how it may benefit sectors like healthcare, the risk of perpetuating existing biases and the physical demand for power affecting the environment. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of both the challenges and opportunities AI presents. This will give them greater insight around how it might impact sustainability considerations within investment portfolios.

Sophie Ward, Director, HSBC

Attracting and retaining talented staff is crucial for sustaining impactful operations and achieving long-term goals. This session will delve into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by charities in the recruitment and retention of staff. It will explore effective strategies for creating a positive workplace culture, implementing robust recruitment processes, and fostering employee engagement and development. Attendees will gain insights into best practices from a leading charity, including innovative approaches to staff wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and career progression.

Rebecca Pallot, Partner, Mills & Reeve

Charities often face unique banking and payment challenges, from foreign exchange issues to difficulties with account management and fees. Financial institutions sometimes view charity operations as high-risk, which can lead to delays, additional costs, or even account closures. This session will explore why these problems occur and, more importantly, how charities can navigate them effectively. Attendees will gain practical strategies to work with banks to minimise risks, avoid common pitfalls, and maximise returns, ensuring that funds flow smoothly and the charity’s financial impact is enhanced.

Stuart Davis, CEO, Stuart Davis Consulting

Navigating financial sustainability while maintaining impact can be one of the most challenging aspects of leadership in charities. Drawing on the experience of an organisation that evolved from Birmingham City Council, this session will explore the journey of creating a culture that values both financial resilience and long-term impact. We’ll discuss the importance of getting the basics right, shifting organisational culture, and the role of middle leaders in driving change. Through real-world examples and targeted coaching interventions, we’ll show how to balance passion and creativity with financial discipline, ensuring the charity's work is sustainable for the future.

Sharon Bell, Chief Executive, Services for Education

Pivoting to hybrid working has left behind residual headaches over data security, performance and user experience. 5 years after the pandemic, it’s time to optimise what so many charities had to do in a rush – embedding data hygiene, optimising security for remote working, binning that VPN, getting rid of Remote Desktops, and cleaning up the house. In this session, we’ll look at 5 common themes and how Microsoft 365 can deliver genuine improvements and reduce cost for your distributed workforce.

James Field, Customer Strategy Director, Smartdesc

In an increasingly complex financial landscape, how can charities build finance functions that are both high-performing and resilient? This panel brings together experts to discuss the key elements of a strategic finance function—balancing strong foundations, meaningful financial insight, and long-term sustainability. From structuring a high-performing finance team to leveraging intelligence for better decision-making and ensuring financial stability in turbulent times, our panellists will share practical strategies and real-world case studies.

Vicki Thornton, CFO, Age UK

Clive MacTavish, CFO, British Red Cross

Hugh Swainson, Partner, Buzzacott

Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have’—it’s a strategic imperative for charities. This panel will explore the evolving relationship between charities and sustainability, from ESG integration to achieving Net Zero. Our experts will discuss why sustainability should be at the heart of a charity’s strategy, the challenges of implementation, and the financial and reputational benefits that come with taking action. Attendees will gain insights into practical steps they can take, including ESG reporting, carbon reduction strategies, and working with financial institutions and suppliers committed to a sustainable future.

Harriet Hodgson-Grove, Audit Partner, UHY

Joshua Meeks, Chief Impact Officer, Unity Trust Bank

With employee engagement at record lows and nearly half of UK managers feeling overwhelmed, how can charity finance leaders create teams that excel—without burnout? This session will challenge the idea that high performance and a supportive environment are competing goals. It will explore the eight habits of high-performing teams, the role of trust in unlocking potential, and practical strategies to boost both wellbeing and productivity. Drawing lessons from real-world case studies, finance leaders will leave with actionable approaches to coaching, feedback, and performance management that empower teams to succeed sustainably.

Sam Seehra, Director & Melissa Bruno, Partner, BDO

Louise Youngman, Executive Director & Helen Howe, Head of Talent Acquisition & Development, Scope

Our session will provide a strong foundation in helping charities to understand how to manage the risks of sponsoring Defined Benefit pension schemes in a way that stands the test of time. Using case studies, we’ll discuss current opportunities and challenges, including hearing directly from Chris Maggs of the Baptist Pension Scheme. We will cover exiting multi-employer schemes, the implications of the new DB pension funding regime and covenant guidance, and other topical issues. Our focus will be on helping charities make a lasting impact on financial stability.

Mike Richardson, Partner, LCP & Chris Maggs, Independent Pensions Trustee, Baptist Pension Scheme

In this session, we will begin by examining resilience at the individual level. How do we ensure that our consistent performers are supported, and how can leaders empower their teams to build resilience in the face of challenges? Shifting to an organisational perspective, we’ll explore how to embed resilience within systems and structures. Together, we will reflect on strategies that help individuals and organisations thrive during times of adversity.

Carol Rudge, Partner & Head of Not for Profit & Jenny Brown, Edit Development, HW Fisher

AI offers exciting possibilities, but understanding how to apply it effectively in real-world scenarios is key. In this session, we’ll explore the benefits and limitations of AI, dive into different AI frameworks, and showcase real-life case studies to highlight how charities and organisations are harnessing its power. Attendees will learn how to implement Generative AI at work and gain actionable insights on maximising AI’s potential while mitigating its risks.

Jared Goodrich, Senior Manager, MKS

Connecting impact, costs, and funding is essential for charities to operate efficiently and effectively. In this session, we’ll share insights from multiple charities on how to align financial processes with impact goals, ensuring funds are used strategically and efficiently. Additionally, we’ll focus on impact reporting from a finance perspective, demonstrating how finance teams can track and align impact outcomes with incoming funding.

Iain Goldmann, Partner, & Susan Ainsley, Chartered Fellow CIMA, Cloud Doing Good

As internal disputes become more common in the charity sector, strong governance is essential to maintaining stability and trust. Many disputes stem from underlying governance issues—ambiguities in governing documents, conflicts of interest, or gaps in policies. This session will equip charity leaders with practical strategies to strengthen governance structures, manage disputes effectively, and protect their organisations in times of tension. Drawing on real-world cases and extensive sector experience, it will explore how to navigate complex governance challenges, foster transparency, and use governance systems as a tool for positive change.

Elizabeth Jones, Partner, Farrer & Co & Ted Loveday, Barrister, Maitland Chambers

An audit should be more than a compliance exercise—it should add real value to your charity. This session will provide you with the confidence to extract more value from the external audit processes. Equipping attendees with fresh perspectives, key questions to ask, and pitfalls to avoid when working with your auditors. Gain direct, open, and honest insights into value-adding audit delivery from an audit firm, to enhance your interactions and drive greater value from your engagement.

Jakub Rolinski, Senior Manager

Natalie Boyle, Audit Director, AAB

Effective finance leadership is not just about numbers—it’s about managing people and relationships with emotional intelligence. This session will explore the key traits, skills, and behaviours that make a finance leader emotionally intelligent, and how these qualities can drive both financial success and stronger team dynamics. Through the lens of self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, communication, and resilience, we’ll show how emotional intelligence enhances leadership effectiveness and ultimately aids company performance. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies to improve their leadership skills, build stronger relationships, and increase productivity within their teams.

Olaide Olunloyo, Head of Finance, Jesus House

System implementations—whether for CRM, finance, or HR—are often challenging and can end in failure if not approached strategically. This session will unpack why system implementations frequently go wrong and provide practical insights into what charities can do to set themselves up for success. We’ll cover the essential elements for a successful implementation, including clarity on specifications, budget management, governance structures, and ensuring the right capacity and capability within the implementation team.

Paul Rao, Head of Non for Profit, & Deepak Madan, Internal Audit Director, Grant Thornton

Risk is an inevitable part of running a charity, but is your approach to risk management helping or holding you back? This panel will challenge traditional perspectives on risk, exploring how charities can embrace bold decision-making while ensuring long-term sustainability. From taking courageous financial risks to questioning outdated risk matrices and learning from financial services, our panellists will share fresh insights on managing uncertainty in a way that drives success.

Claire Quick, CFO, The Deaf Academy

Sabrina Segal, Third-sector Integrity, Risk, and Compliance Advisor, Tolerable Risk Consulting

Nick Shanahan, Director of Finance, Woodgreen Pets Charity