The CFG Podcast

Pensions experts David Fairs and Edward Symes from LCP demystify pensions for charities. Richard Sagar, CFG's Head of Policy, leads the conversation which looks at what charities need to do in light of The Pensions Regulator's new defined benefit funding code, what the future of pensions might look like under a new Labour Government, and much more.

The Pensions Regulator (TPR)

LCP Annual DB Pensions Conference,12 November, Pullman Hotel, London 

From today, trustees should use TPR’s new DB Funding Code, September 2024

A new pensions funding regime for defined benefit pension schemes, September 2024

CFG responds to TPR's consultation on funding code of practice, March 2023

What does the new Labour government mean for charities and civil society? Following the King's Speech 2024, Richard Sagar asks three policy experts for their insights, hopes and advice.

With guests Anna Mowbray from CAF, Rebecca Young from NCVO and Charlotte Prothero from Pro Bono Economics.

The panellists set out their wishes for the forthcoming Budget and Spending Review, as well as the new relationship between the government and civil society. They also share advice on what charities can do to engage the new government and MPs.

The King's Speech 2025 (www.gov.uk)

The King's Speech and what it might mean for charities, by Richard Sagar, CFG

The King's Speech 2024: what do charities need to know? by NCVO

MPs and their experience in the charity sector (free resources) by Pro Bono Economic

Charities at the Cabinet table, by Pro Bono Economics

The need to overcome the philanthropy knowledge gulf by Pro Bono Economics

Charities Aid Foundation's UK Research Hub

If you have any questions, contact CFG's Policy Team: [email protected].

Who and what has inspired Caron Bradshaw OBE during her time as CEO at CFG? Caron talks to Emma Abbott about her new non-executive role, what it now means for CFG and why she's 'getting out of the way' and making space for others to lead.

> Henry Stewart, Chief Happiness Officer, B Corp

> Lynne Berry CBE, Chair, Human Tissue Authority; Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Governors University of Westminster

 

> Natalie Campbell MBE, Co-CEO, Belu Water

> Charlotte Harrington, Co-CEO, Belu Water

> Leadership and empowerment [CFG blog]

> The HIPPO effect

 

If you have a story to tell about something or someone that has inspired you, please get in touch with the team! Email CFG to tell us more: [email protected].

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) had its breakthrough year in 2023. Its development and adoption will continue to accelerate in the months ahead. What, if anything, should charities and non-profits do to keep pace?

Dr Clare Mills, Director of Policy and Communications at CFG talks to two social sector experts - Zoe Amar from Zoe Amar Digital, and Rhodri Davies from Why Philanthropy Matters.

With a flexible and ethical framework, the right tools and good regulation, we can all embrace AI and benefit, whilst reducing risk... But is it really that simple?

Clare asks Zoe and Rhodri whether AI is something to fear, what the opportunities and dangers are, and how it's possible to work together to ensure the charitable sector doesn't get left behind - or worse.

Zoe Amar Digital: AI resources and insights, including the new AI checklist

Why Philanthropy Matters

Philanthropy, Civil Society and AI 

AI is coming for philanthropy by Rhodri Davies

AI: Will it replace grantmaking? by Rhodri Davies

Podcast interview with J Bob Alotta, Mozilla 

Generosity AI Working Group (Giving Tuesday)

100 Days of AI: 30 minute bitesized AI lessons

Charity AI Governance and Ethics Framework

The ultimate guide to AI by CharityDigital

AI: Opportunities, threats and policy by Eleanor Duhs, Bates Wells

How will your charity harness AI? by CFG

The Ethics Framework for AI by Digital Catapult

Civic AI

Policy implications of AI - UK Parliament [9 January 2024]

National AI Strategy - Government guidance [December 2021]

CFG's Risk Conference on Thursday 29 February 2024

Seminar: Generative AI: developing your comms approach on 25 January 2024

Generative AI for Finance delivered by ICAEW (membership log-in required)

BSI publishes global guidance/new international standards for AI [16 January 2024]

AI adoption in UK risks job losses for women and disadvantaged groups [15 January 2024]

ChatGPT

Claude AI

Copyleaks

DALL-E 3

Google Bard

Paradox.ai

SlidesAI

Textio

* Please note that CFG does not endorse or recommend these AI systems but encourages learning about what these and other tools can offer. This is a simple list of some well-known AI systems and tools and others are available.

These resources are up-to-date at time of publication. Please visit our website for more on the latest issues in charity finance and leadership.

Produced by Emma Abbott, Communications Manager, CFG

**This podcast and its associated resources explore themes around mental health, with a focus on suicide, suicide prevention and bereavement. Some individuals may find the content emotionally challenging or distressing. 

If you are looking for support, please see our resources list below. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and there may be other organisations and charities that can help. If you have any concerns about this content, or would like to share your thoughts or comments, please contact the CFG team by email: [email protected].**

World Suicide Prevention Day is held on 10 September each year. The event represents a global commitment to focus attention on suicide prevention. 

The theme of WSPD 2023 is ‘Creating hope through action’. This reflects the need for collective action to address this urgent public health issue.

In this podcast, Emma Abbott, Communications Manager at CFG, talks with Eve Trotman about her new role at CFG as a Mental Health First Aider, why she’s raising awareness of suicide prevention, and what she is doing to ‘create hope through action’.

If you are affected by this topic, would like to find out more, or need support for yourself or for someone you know, please see below a list of resources:

 

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK

PHONE: 0800 689 5652 (Everyday: 18:00 – midnight)

Samaritans

PHONE: 116 123 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)

Email: [email protected]

Shout

TEXT: the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (24 hours a day, 356 days a year)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

PHONE: 0800 58 58 58 (Everyday: 17:00 – Midnight)

https://www.thecalmzone.net/ (access their WEBCHAT)

SOS Silence Of Suicide 

PHONE: 0808 115 1505 (Every Week Night: 20:00 – Midnight, Every Weekend: 16:00 – Midnight)  

 

Papyrus (under 35)

PHONE: 0800 068 4141 (24 hours a day, 356 days a year)      

TEXT: 07860039967

Email: [email protected]

Switchboard (LGBT+ Helpline)

PHONE: 0800 0119 100 (Everyday: 10:00 – 22:00)

Email: [email protected]

Rethink Mental Illness

Mind Wise (Northern Ireland)

SAMH (Scotland)

Help is at Hand Cymru

International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)

National Suicide Prevention Alliance

'Creating hope through action': a shareable film by IASP

'Step Closer' a shareable film by IASP

MHFA England (for expert training and guidance to support mental health)

 

With thanks to our colleague Clare for sharing her lived experience and the CFG team who have supported this work.

What are charity reserves? Should all charities have them? And is it time to rethink when and how rainy day funds are used and not used? 

These are just a few of the questions Sarah Vibert, CEO of NCVO, puts to Jane Ide, CEO of ACEVO and Caron Bradshaw, CEO of Charity Finance Group, in this latest charity finance podcast. We also share a range of resources to help you better manage your charity's reserves and make your charity's funds go further:

A research report into charity reserves management in Scotland (lots of useful stats and insights for those elsewhere in the UK)

Modern reserves with Scottish Grantmakers and CFG (2023) 

Thinking about reserves, by Caron Bradshaw (2022)

Rainy days and reserves, by Caron Bradshaw (2021)

Third Sector podcast: Raid of replenish? (2023)

Writing the financial procedures: reserves policy, NCVO (December 2022)

Running a charity: Financial Difficulty and Insolvency, NCVO (December 2022)

And finally, an oldie but still a goodie: Beyond Reserves, CFG/ACEVO/CIoF (2012) (Scheduled to be updated early 2024).

With thanks to Sarah, Jane, Caron and the teams at NCVO and ACEVO for sharing their insights and resources.

Ahead of their session at the CFG Annual Conference, CEO of War Child Rob Williams and Leadership Coach and Business Mentor Nicki Deeson join CFG’s Joanna Strumilowska to explore overlap areas and differences in thinking between CEOs and finance directors, an especially relevant issue during COVID-19. View the presentation slides for this podcast at https://cfg.org.uk/podcast

Whether you’re looking to review your charity’s investment policy or starting from scratch, this episode will help you to understand the essentials. David Ainsworth speaks to Isobel Fraser and Ian Enslin from Waverton Investment Management who provide some helpful guidance and top tips when it comes to preparing your charity’s investment policy.

 

If you’re beginning to explore charity investing or have years of experience in this space, there’s valuable food for thought in this podcast, especially for charity finance professionals, senior leadership teams and trustees. CFG’s David Ainsworth was joined by Ben Palmer of the Brooks Macdonald Charities team to discuss some of the key trends and issues around impact investing, and how charities can develop a positive and inclusive approach. 

International Finance Director Nicki Deeson speaks to Richard Sagar from CFG about the well-documented challenges facing Amnesty International, and discusses the personal impact within the organisation.