Charity Pulse

In this episode of CharitEpulse, the trio discuss:

• Government launches £11.59m Local Covenant Partnerships Fund targeting 15 disadvantaged areas
• Charity Commission uses extremely rare legal powers to merge two mosque charities
• Late charity account filings surge 51% to 17,773, raising governance concerns
• Charity Commission recruiting 80 new staff as budget rises 27% to address ‘extraordinary’ demand
• Fundraising Regulator reports Community Interest Companies (CICs) related complaints rising to 18%, driven by door‑to‑door and street fundraising issues.

Subscribe to our monthly charity newsletter (trustEnews) for more sector news and Quilter Cheviot insights: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/subscribe/

In this episode of CharitEpulse, the trio discuss:

• The Sackler Trust: Whether redacting information in charity accounts is ever a good idea, and the transparency issues it raises.
• Henry Smith Foundation: A new initiative to boost trustee board diversity, launched in partnership with several sector organisations.
• National Fund: The future of a 1928 fund, now worth £607m, originally established to help pay off the national debt following the First World War.
• ACEVO & The Covenant: The growing pressures on charity CEOs and what measures could genuinely support sector leadership.
• Wellcome: A near £40bn investment portfolio alongside a charitable spending rate of around 5%.

Subscribe to our monthly charity newsletter (trustEnews) for more sector news and Quilter Cheviot insights: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/subscribe/

In this episode of CharitEpulse, the hosts discuss:

• New leadership at the Charity Commission: Dame Julia Unwin’s appointment brings a wealth of experience and a pledge to make the Commission more decisive.

• Charity inquiry update: HMRC and the Charity Commission investigate 105 charities, with 32 under scrutiny for financial mismanagement.

• 2025 in review and 2026 outlook: The trio reflect on the sector’s key challenges in 2025 and share hopes for the year ahead.

Subscribe to our monthly charity newsletter (trustEnews) for more sector news and Quilter Cheviot insights: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/subscribe/

In this episode of CharitEpulse, the hosts discuss some of the most pressing issues shaping the charity sector today:

• Autumn Budget: Why charities may feel the pinch more than most following the recent Budget announcement.
• Home Secretary’s plan for migrant volunteering: Over 300 charities have signed a letter rejecting the plan, calling it “immoral and impractical”.
• Trustee diversity and development: Calls for better learning and development to recruit and retain trustees. Could a buddy system help?
• New SORP impact reporting: The latest accounting standards require impact reporting for charities with income over £15 million.
• Prize draw politics: A new voluntary code for prize draw operators. Should money given to charities be treated as donations or costs of business?

Subscribe to our monthly charity newsletter (trustEnews) for more sector news and Quilter Cheviot insights: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/subscribe/

In this episode of CharitEpulse, the hosts discuss some of the most pressing issues shaping the charity sector today:

• Companies House transition from registrar to regulator: New verification requirements for company directors.

• New charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice): three-tier approach based on income levels, changes to income recognition and lease accounting.
• Charity audit and accounting thresholds: Audit threshold increased from £1 million to £1.5 million income. Independent examination threshold raised from £25,000 to £40,000. Accrual accounts threshold increased from £250,000 to £500,000

• Updated Charity Governance Code: Now includes 8 principles (up from 7), with new emphasis on ethics, culture, and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
• New Charity Commission Chair appointment: Dame Julia Unwin has been named as the government’s preferred candidate, subject to Select Committee approval.

Subscribe to our monthly charity newsletter (trustEnews) for more sector news and Quilter Cheviot insights: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/subscribe/

In this episode of CharitEpulse, the hosts discuss some of the most pressing issues shaping the charity sector today:

• Autumn Budget: What the upcoming announcement could mean for charity finances.
• Leadership exodus?: A high percentage of senior charity executives are considering leaving their roles.
• Social Insights Panel: Charity leaders unite to advise government on public service reform.
• Regulatory action: A UK charity reprimanded by the Charity Commission for serious financial mismanagement involving multiple bank accounts.
• Governance trends: Is charity governance improving? Insights from the Directory of Social Change report.
• Dormant Asset Scheme: Potential to unlock an additional £240 million for the sector.

Subscribe to our monthly charity newsletter (trustEnews) for more sector news and Quilter Cheviot insights: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/subscribe/

In this episode of CharitEpulse, Charles Mesquita and James Saunders are joined by special guest Joe Saxton, Chair of the Association of Chairs. Together, they unpick the findings of a major consultation involving over 600 charity leaders, exploring what really matters to today’s boards.

During the episode, they discuss:

• Trustee governance and Board effectiveness
• Legal duties vs practical demands of trusteeship
• Diversity, inclusion and recruitment
• Board culture and behaviour
• Rethinking trustee support
• Sector-wide challenges and the missing roadmap
• The role of the Association of Chairs

Joe recently wrote an article for our latest Review for Charities titled "A great board is the beating heart of every charity". Read the article here: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/4a8bba/siteassets/documents/newsletters/qc-review-for-charities-october-2025.pdf

Subscribe to our monthly charity newsletter (trustEnews) for more sector news and Quilter Cheviot insights: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/subscribe/

In this special edition of CharitEpulse, the trio sit down for an in-depth conversation with Charlotte Schofield, Director of Fundraising at University Hospitals Birmingham Charity. Together, they discuss the evolving landscape of fundraising in the charity sector and delve into UHB Charity’s unique approach to engaging supporters and driving impact.

During the episode, they discuss:

Industry transformation

• Post Covid-19 landscape changes
• Corporate fundraising evolution
• Staff retention challenges

UHB Charity’s challenges

• Public awareness and understanding
• Trust partnership benefits

Governance and leadership

• Board engagement strategies
• Trustee education and support

Ethical fundraising

• Donation acceptance policies
• Controversial donor decisions
• Regulatory framework evolution

Strategic relationship building

• Corporate partnership approaches
• Donor motivation understanding
• Long-term vs. short-term strategies

Subscribe to our monthly charity newsletter (trustEnews) for more sector news and Quilter Cheviot insights: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/subscribe/

In this episode of CharitEpulse, the trio discuss:

• A new style of charity merger?: Two leading food charities have announced a merger, underscoring the operational and reputational challenges involved, from staffing and fundraising pressures to the need for decision-making that prioritises the interests of the newly formed organisation.
• Are charities paying the living wage?: New analysis from the Living Wage Foundation reveals that low pay in the charity sector has increased from 10% to 12%, now exceeding public sector levels but still below the private sector and national average, raising concerns about workforce sustainability.
• Governance – what do trustees think?: Research by the Association of Chairs highlights divisions among trustees on remuneration and a growing focus on improving board performance, with calls for clearer guidance on behaviours, values, and governance standards.
• Prize draws – are they encouraging gambling?: Fundraising models like Omaze are under scrutiny for their resemblance to gambling and potential impact on young and vulnerable audiences. While they raise substantial funds, concerns persist around regulation, reputational risk, and the ethical responsibilities of charity partners.

Subscribe to our monthly charity newsletter (trustEnews) for more sector news and Quilter Cheviot insights: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/subscribe/

In this episode of CharitEpulse, the trio discuss:

• The Aspinall Foundation inquiry: The son of the founder was suspended following allegations of misusing charitable funds for personal luxuries.
• Charity Commission class inquiry: Investigation into 105 charities that cashed cheques worth £22 million between December 2021 and March 2023. Raising concerns about financial oversight and the appropriate use of funds.
• Celebrity plumber's social enterprise (CIC): Was found by the fundraising regulator to have misled donors, breaching eight provisions of the fundraising code.
• Sight loss charity scandal: Trustees of a sight loss charity were disqualified after the organisation was used as a front for criminal activity.

Subscribe to our monthly charity newsletter (trustEnews) for more sector news and Quilter Cheviot insights: https://www.quiltercheviot.com/subscribe/