This award celebrates an individual in charity finance or operations who leads with purpose and lifts others. They’re driven by the mission, generous with their expertise, and inspire colleagues across their organisation and the wider sector.
This award recognises established leaders who have built significant track records of impact and influence – typically those employed or volunteering in senior finance or operations roles.
These roles could be Finance Director, Chief Finance Officer, Director of Operations, Head of Finance, Treasurer/Finance Trustee or equivalent, or those who, regardless of title, have established themselves as recognised leaders within their organisations and across the sector.
While we celebrate emerging talent through our Rising Star Award, Inspiring Financial Leadership celebrates those whose leadership has been tested, proven, and is actively inspiring others both within and beyond their organisations.
What we’re looking for
This award recognises someone who has stepped beyond the traditional boundaries of their role and shown what modern finance and operations leadership looks like in our sector.
They’ve grown into (or within) a leadership role and used their platform to strengthen their function – and, in turn, their organisation.
Inspired financial leadership – championed by CFG’s Inspiring Financial Leadership programme – goes beyond technical skill. It means being forever curious, mission and future-focused and people-centred: a true partner who builds great teams, sees what’s coming, and lives the charity’s values in daily decisions.
What sets a winner apart
Winners show leadership that reaches beyond their job description and beyond their own organisation. They share generously, tackle tough challenges and champion change across the sector.
Evidence of inspiring leadership might include:
- Living the values: Building trust through mission-focused, ethical practice.
- Transformation and impact: Leading changes that improve financial sustainability or mission delivery.
- Strategic partnership: Shifting finance/ops from “back office” to a trusted, enabling partner for senior leaders and trustees.
- Team development: Growing high performing teams where people thrive.
- Vision: Setting a clear direction and bringing others with them.
- Courage and resilience: Tackling difficult issues with integrity and creativity.
- Beyond the role: Mentoring, speaking, writing, contributing to networks or guidance, serving on boards/committees.
- Sector influence: Helping address challenges affecting the wider charity finance/ops community.
- Innovation and improvement: Challenging the status quo and making things better, step by step.
Entry criteria for this award
Before you enter this year's awards, please read the following carefully:
- You/your organisation does not have to be a CFG member to enter our awards.
- CFG's awards are open only to those working or volunteering for a UK-registered charity.
- The size of your charity does not matter. We warmly welcome entries from, or on behalf of, those in small charities.
- You may enter more than one category.
- You may enter on behalf of someone else.
Read our full entry rules and criteria.
Evidence can include:
- Career journey and progression into/within leadership role(s).
- Clear examples of living values in practice.
- Specific examples of challenges tackled within the organisation (with evidence of impact).
- Concrete examples of activities above and beyond job role.
- Evidence of contribution to tackling sector-wide challenges.
- Examples of how nominee has developed people and built teams
- Testimonials from colleagues, CEO, trustees, or sector peers that speak to the nominee's inspiring impact.
- Personal reflection from nominee on their leadership philosophy and what inspiring financial leadership means to them.
- Details of challenges overcome and lessons learned.
Please note that you do not have to have attended/completed CFG’s Inspiring Financial Leadership course to be considered for this award.