Rachel Titchen, Charities and Investment Director, Broadstone
Nathan Buckley, Senior Charities & Investment Analyst, Broadstone
Richard Sagar, Head of Policy, Charity Finance Group
Max Bawden, Senior Investment Consultant, Isio
Mark Irish, Senior Manager, Isio
Michael Spinks, Portfolio manager, Mixed Assets and Charities Team, Newton Investment Management
Sarah Dickson, Head of Charity Business Development, Newton Investment Management
Tatyana Mursalimov, CEO and Co-Founder, PMCL Consulting
09:00 – 09:30 Registration
09:35 – 10:20 Session 1A: The Importance of a Holistic Approach to Financial Management in Charities
This session will highlight the value of a holistic approach to financial management in charities, exploring the interplay between operational cash management, deposits, investments, reserves, and debt. By recognising the interconnectedness of these elements, attendees will learn how to create a dynamic financial strategy that responds to changing circumstances. The session will feature practical insights and case studies, demonstrating how charities can optimise financial resources to enhance sustainability and resilience. Attendees will leave equipped to assess their organisation’s financial health comprehensively, enabling stronger foundations for lasting impact.
Tatyana Mursalimov, CEO and Co-Founder, PMCL Consulting
09:35 – 10:20 Session 1B: Getting Started with Investments
Designed for beginners, this session provides a roadmap for starting your investment journey. Learn how to prepare and establish an investment policy, choose an investment consultant, and build a portfolio. Explore key considerations such as selecting pooled or discretionary investments, balancing liquidity versus returns, and monitoring performance to guide strategy implementation through investment managers.
10:20 – 10:45 Break and Exhibition
10:45 – 11:30 Session 2: Integrating Sustainable Investment into Your Strategy
In this session, we will explore how charities can adapt their investment strategies to integrate sustainability, while carefully considering costs, governance and returns. Our speakers will examine various approaches to constructing sustainable portfolios and discuss effective methods for implementing and monitoring stewardship and impact.
Max Bawden, Senior Investment Consultant, Isio
Mark Irish, Senior Manager, Isio
11:30 – 11:50 Break and Exhibition
11:50 – 12:35 Session 3: The Discomfort Zone - is an inflation-plus target still a realistic investment policy goal for non-profit organisations?
In this session we argue that some charity asset owners may need to review their investment approaches, many of which were devised in the past macroeconomic and market regime. This regime refers to the period between the global financial crisis and the Covid pandemic, characterised by quantitative easing. This was an exceptional period in which financial markets were buoyed by ultra-low nominal interest rates and central bank asset purchases. We contend that a CPI+4% target may still be achievable but might require investors to choose their area of discomfort: Cost, Liquidity or Complexity.
Michael Spinks, Portfolio manager, Mixed Assets and Charities Team, Newton Investment Management
Sarah Dickson, Head of Charity Business Development, Newton Investment Management
13:45 – 14:30 Session 4: Cash – Are We Holding Too Much?
Trustees, especially for smaller charities, often favour holding cash, yet this can limit financial growth. Learn how investments can reduce risk, boost returns, and better support charitable goals. Discover practical strategies, build confidence in investments, and explore how reallocating cash can enhance both financial resilience and mission impact. Case study insights will illustrate real-world applications.
14:30 – 14:50 Break and Exhibition
14:50 – 15:35 Session 5: How Diversified is too Diversified? Examining Multi-Asset Funds
Multi-asset funds are a popular choice in the charity sector, often promoted for offering equity-like returns with reduced volatility over a market cycle. However, research reveals these funds may not consistently meet their promises. This session examines whether charities are overly reliant on multi-asset funds, potentially missing growth opportunities in other asset classes. Explore their benefits and limitations, including cases where multi-asset funds are used as a default rather than a tailored strategy. Through client case studies, we’ll illustrate scenarios where equities replaced multi-asset funds, delivering improved outcomes aligned with specific charitable goals and financial needs.
Rachel Titchen, Charities and Investment Director, Broadstone
Nathan Buckley, Senior Charities & Investment Analyst, Broadstone
15:40 – 16:00 Charity Investment Governance Principles Update
Richard Sagar, Head of Policy, Charity Finance Group
16:00 – 17:00 Drinks Reception