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ICAEW event

Charity Conference

19-20 January 2023

ICAEW's annual Charity Conference has been designed to prepare you with the knowledge and inspiration to succeed with vital accounting, governance and taxation updates affecting the charity sector and inspiring keynotes. Register now to join the two days of virtual sessions.

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Highlights

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Charity Commission keynote

Charity Commission Chair Orlando Fraser will share his vision for the Commission and the sector it regulates and reflect on his first year as Chair.

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Charity sector insights

Final findings and recommendations from the Law Family Commission on Civil Society’s research into how we can unleash the potential of civil society.

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CPD updates

Vital technical updates on charity accounting, taxation and governance from expert speakers that are perfect to put towards your CPD declaration.

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Sustainability

Charity sector leaders will join ICAEW’s Chief Executive, Michael Izza, on a panel to discuss the importance of sustainability action

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Diversity and Inclusion

ACEVO’s Joyce Materego and Jane Ide will share what they have learnt about successfully delivering real diversity in the charity sector.

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Navigating insolvency

Hear a first-hand experience of how to navigate financial distress in charities and wind down a charity while protecting key services for beneficiaries.

2023 programme

Thursday 19 January

Opening remarks
Daniel Chan, Chair of the ICAEW Charity Committee, will open the conference.
09:30
Keynote: Opening Keynote from Orlando Fraser KC, Chair of the Charity Commission
In this opening keynote, Orlando Fraser KC will share his vision for the Commission and the sector it regulates, reflecting also on his first year as Chair.
09:35
Headline partner session: Geopolitics and inflation – preparing for a new investment regime
For the past 40 years or so geopolitics and inflation have been, by and large, in harmony with one another, producing a fertile environment for charity investors. But what if this changes? Will the future be as positive for charity returns as the past has been? Will the old ways of constructing portfolios still have merit in the future? And must we now look at the world through a new lens, that unearths new opportunities and threats? Ruffer’s Ajay Johal will make the case that we are entering into a new investment regime and, as a result, a new investment approach is required
10:10
Break
10:50
Accounting Update
Hear from Don Bawtree, Senior Adviser at BDO and Jill Halford, National Head of Charities at BDO for their round up of recent charity related accounting and reporting developments, especially relevant to the current year end reporting season.
11:10
Partner session: How to manage your risk as a charity volunteer?
Marsh Commercial will offer advice to ICAEW members on how they can manage their personal risk of being a volunteer. Edward Partridge and Liz Norris will focus on the roles that many ICAEW members hold, including charity trustees and board office holder, ICAEW members advising charities on a voluntary basis and pro bono Independent Examiners.
12:05
Lunch break
12:35
Partner session: Charity governance after Kids Company: what are the lessons for trustees and the sector?
Last year, the High Court ruled that the former trustees of Kids Company should not be disqualified as company directors. Philip Kirkpatrick, Deputy Managing Partner at Bates Wells, who acted on the case, will reflect not only on the decision but on the impact of bringing the case in the first place, and what this case means for governance, trusteeship and traditional charity models more widely.
13:20
Panel session: Sustainability
Daniel Chan, Chair of the ICAEW Charity Committee, will chair this panel session to discuss sustainability initiatives within the charity sector and the role of accountants in helping charities set and achieve sustainability goals. Panel members include Michael Izza, Chief Executive of ICAEW, Harriet Lamb CBE, Chief Executive of Ashden Climate Solutions, Derek Bardowell, Chief Executive of Ten Years’ Time, and Carol Mack OBE, Chief Executive of the Association of Charitable Foundations.
13:55
Closing remarks
Daniel Chan, Chair of the ICAEW Charity Committee, will close the first day the conference.
14:55

* Please note that the programme is subject to change.

Friday 20 January

Opening remarks
Daniel Chan, Chair of the ICAEW Charity Committee, will open day two of the conference.
09:30
Keynote: Opening Keynote from Joyce Materego and Jane Ide, Treasurer and CEO of ACEVO
In this opening keynote, Joyce Materego and Jane Ide will share what ACEVO has learnt about successfully delivering real diversity in the charity sector, and how you can make your charity safe and inclusive. The speakers will draw on experiences from ACEVO and from its work with organisations across the charity sector.
09:35
Partner session: Reporting against the SDGs: best practice or greenwash?
For many charities, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a helpful blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. However, when it comes to SDG reporting, particularly around a charity’s investments, there is no agreed framework or regulatory standards. For this reason, it is necessary for companies and investors to demonstrate clearly how they align their products with the SDG targets, through clear measurement alongside progress. EdenTree Investment Management’s Rita Wyshelesky outlines what best practice looks like, how charities can spot greenwash and questions to ask your investment manager.
10:20
Break
10:50
Latest developments in Charity VAT and direct Tax
In this session, Socrates Socratous and Luke Savvas from Buzzacott will cover recent charity related VAT and tax developments along with any relevant case decisions.
11:10
Navigating financial distress and insolvency – a charity’s story
Hear from experienced insolvency practitioner Anthony Davidson and assistant manager Kelly Goodman at McTear Williams & Wood Ltd along with charity specialist audit partner Judith Miller , how to navigate financial distress in charities and wind down a charity while protecting key services for beneficiaries and sharing learning outcomes. This session will draw on lessons from the closure of the Small Charity Coalition.
12:15
Lunch break
13:05
Keynote: Closing Keynote from Matt Whittaker, CEO at Pro Bono Economics
Matt will outline the final findings and recommendations of the Law Family Commission on Civil Society, the major two-year programme of work that has brought together leading thinkers from the public, private and social sectors to explore how better we unleash the potential of civil society.
13:50
Closing remarks
Daniel Chan, Chair of the ICAEW Charity Committee, will close the conference.
14:25

Our speakers

Speaker: Orlando Fraser
Orlando Fraser Chair, Charity Commission

Orlando Fraser has been a commercial barrister for nearly 30 years, practising at 4 Stone Buildings. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2014. Previously he served on the board of the Charity Commission from 2013 to 2017, where he acted as one of two statutory legal members and chaired the Governance & Remuneration Committee as well as the Policy & Guidance Committee.

Speaker: Jane Materego
Joyce Materego COO, Black Equity Organisation and Treasurer of ACEVO

Joyce is the chief operating officer of the Black Equity Organisation. She was previously director of finance and resources at SignHealth and has worked in the charity sector since 2009 after more than 10 years in the book publishing and media industry.

Michael Izza
Michael Izza CEO, ICAEW

Appointed Chief Executive in 2006, Michael’s leadership has seen ICAEW embrace a vision of chartered accountants enabling a world of sustainable economies, transforming itself into a professional accountancy body with a truly global identity and reach.

Speaker: Harriet Lamb
Harriet Lamb CBE, Ashden Climate Solutions

Harriet joined climate charity Ashden in 2019. Experienced in winning public support for social and environmental solutions, she previously led peacebuilding charity International Alert and spent 15 years growing Fairtrade in the UK and globally. She was appointed a CBE in 2006.

Matt Whittaker is CEO, Pro Bono Economics and a speaker at ICAEW's Virtual Charity Conference 2022
Matt Whittaker CEO, Pro Bono Economics

Matt is Chief Executive at Pro Bono Economics, the charity established by former Bank of England Chief Economist Andy Haldane to help other charities measure, understand and value their impact.

Speaker: Jane Ide
Jane Ide Chief Executive, ACEVO

Jane joined ACEVO in May 2022. She has most recently headed up Creative and Cultural Skills, working to create fair and inclusive opportunities within the creative and cultural sectors. Before that, she spent four years as CEO of NAVCA, where she led the transformation of the national membership body for local voluntary sector infrastructure organisations in England.

Speaker: , Derek Bardowell
Derek Bardowell CEO, Ten Years’ Time

Derek Bardowell (he/him) is the CEO of Ten Years’ Time. He is an author, transformative coach, part-time park runner, reimaginer, and devoted dad. Once a music journalist and youth worker, and for many years a disruptive funder, Derek works at the intersections of race, culture, and philanthropy.

Carol Mack
Carol Mack OBE Chief Executive, Association of Charitable Foundations

Carol was appointed Chief Executive of ACF in 2016, having previously served as its Deputy Chief Executive. Prior to ACF, Carol worked advising charities on governance and charity law, as well as national policy formulation at the Charity Commission for England & Wales. She also has experience in grass-roots charities and the commercial sector, having begun her career in the international trading and refining division of an oil company.

Speaker: Phillip Kirkpatrick
Philip Kirkpatrick Deputy Managing Partner, Bates Wells

Philip is a partner in Bates Wells’ Charity and Social Enterprise team, where he advises non-profit organisations of all kinds on their difficult commercial and governance issues. Philip advised the majority of the former Kids Company trustees in their successful defence of the Official Receiver’s disqualification proceedings and in relation to the Charity Commission inquiry.

Don Bawtree is Charity Senior Adviser at BDO UK LLP and a speaker at ICAEW's Virtual Charity Conference 2022
Don Bawtree Charity Senior Adviser, BDO UK LLP

After working in the UK in corporate finance, and in Nairobi on aid assignments, Don has specialised in charities for the last thirty years, leading the BDO charity team. During that time he has acted for many of the largest and best known charities in the UK, covering healthcare, international, animal welfare, arts and Christian organisations.

Speaker: Judith Miller
Judith Miller Partner, Sayer Vincent

As a partner, Judith shares the responsibility for managing the firm and leads on HR issues. Learning and development, both at SV and outside work, is a field she loves. Judith firmly believes that, with the right support and training, we can master many things may be anxious about – numbers and finances are often such areas.

Speaker: Ajay Johal
Ajay Johal Investment Manager, Ruffer

Ajay Johal graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in history and sociology and worked at Barclays Wealth before joining Ruffer in 2014. In 2019, he worked as an equity analyst in Ruffer’s Hong Kong office, before returning to the charities team in London as an Investment Manager. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment and is co-manager of the Charity Assets Trust.

Jill Halford is National Head of Charities, BDO and a speaker at ICAEW's Virtual Charity Conference 2022
Jill Halford National Head of Charities, BDO UK LLP

Jill is an Audit Partner and National head of Charities within BDO’s Not for Profit group, leading the delivery of audit and advisory services for BDO UK. Jill has over 20 years’ experience of advising charities and social enterprises on multilocation and complex engagements.

Speaker: Socrate Socratou
Socrates Socratous Partner, Buzzacott

Socrates is head of our VAT Consultancy team. He has more than 28 years’ experience advising on a wide range of VAT issues in the not for profit sector. He can support with property and construction projects, negotiating VAT recovery methods and undertaking VAT reviews.

Speaker: Rita Wyshelesky
Rita Wyshelesky Responsible Investment Analyst, EdenTree

Rita holds a BSc in Biochemistry from King’s College London, and an MSc in Management with Finance from University of Bath. She is a Chartered Accountant with experience in audit and consulting from EY, and ESG experience from FAIRR Initiative. Rita leads on Thematic, Sustainability and Impact.

Speaker: Luke Savvas
Luke Savvas Partner, Buzzacott

Luke is a tax partner specialising in charity and not for profit tax. Luke is an expert on all tax issues affecting the not for profit sector, performing a range of services including: advice on structuring, property transactions, social investment tax relief, charitable trading, qualifying charitable investment and funding, Gift Aid and other tax efficient giving, as well as tax advice for fundraising.

Speeaker: Anthony Davidson
Anthony Davidson Director, McTear Williams & Wood Limited

Anthony is a Chartered Certified Accountant and Licensed Insolvency Practitioner advising individuals and organisations experiencing financial difficulties. He has extensive knowledge and experience of advising charities.

Speaker: Liz Norris
Liz Norris Solicitor, Marsh Commercial

Liz Norris is a qualified solicitor who heads up the financial lines claims team at Marsh Commercial. She has nearly 20 years’ experience of supporting professionals in defending claims across cyber, professional indemnity and D&O insurance policies.

Speaker: Ed Partridge
Edward Partridge Regional Director, Enterprise Centres of Excellence, Bristol, Marsh Commercial

Ed Partridge has 18 years’ experience in the insurance market, specialising in partnerships, working with organisations to develop and deliver bespoke insurance solutions for their members and clients.

Speaker: Kelly Goodman
Kelly Goodman Assistant Manager, McTear Williams & Wood Ltd

Kelly has over 9 years’ experience within the insolvency industry and gained her Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency in 2016. She currently specialises in Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations but she has experience in dealing with both personal and corporate insolvency procedures. She has aided a number of charities who have faced financial difficulties and assisted them with both formal insolvency options and restructuring plans.

Session chairs

Daniel Chan is a Senior Manager at PwC and a speaker at ICAEW's Virtual Charities Conference 2021
Daniel Chan Director, PwC

Daniel leads PwC's charities audit team and leads the firm's thought leadership for the charity sector. He is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Public Finance Accountant and holds the ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting.

Photo of Naziar Hashemi
Naziar Hashemi Partner & National Head of Social Purpose & Non Profits Organisations, Crowe U.K. LLP

In addition to providing assurance services Naziar also provides advisory services to a range of charities. Naziar leads Crowe's work on Donor Audits and has knowledge of institutional funding requirements having produced reports for a variety of institutional and governmental donors. She also carries out training for charities and lectures and writes on a range of topics relevant to Trustees and management.

Photo of Kristina Kopic
Kristina Kopic Head of Charity and Voluntary Sector, ICAEW

Kristina is the ICAEW’s Head of Charity and Voluntary Sector. She is a Chartered Accountant who has worked in and for the Not-for-Profit sector for over 14 years. Kristina trained at Sayer Vincent and subsequently worked in finance roles at the Royal College of Nursing, Imperial College London and the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts.

Our partners

Find out more about the ICAEW commercial partners supporting this event.


Headline Partner: Ruffer 

Ruffer is an ICAEW commercial partner
Bates Wells Logo Logo of Eden Tree an ICAEW commercial partner Marsh Commercial
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Testimonials

An interesting and varied programme that gave an excellent insight into the opportunities and challenges of the sector.

Previous attendee ICAEW's Charity Conference 2022

A must CPD for all charity trustees!

Previous attendee ICAEW's Charity Conference 2022

Very comprehensive event with a good range of speakers, meeting the needs of anyone involved in charity finance, from auditors to those working for charities

Previous attendee ICAEW's Charity Conference 2022

A well-rounded event that covers everything a senior charity finance professional needs to know about, from the technical to the strategic

Previous attendee ICAEW's Charity Conference 2022

Excellent perspective on current charity issues.

Previous attendee ICAEW's Charity Conference 2022

Well organised event and well worth attending for those dealing with Charities of any size.

Previous attendee ICAEW's Charity Conference 2022

Join our new Charity Community

Our new Charity Community brings together tools, insights and resources for finance professionals and volunteers.  Join now to receive invites to free webinars, updates on charity sector developments and practical guidance for your paid and voluntary roles. Membership is free and open to everyone, including non-ICAEW members.

Charity Community subscribers can join the Conference for just £25+VAT. Please note that you may need to wait 24 hours after subscribing before you can access the exclusive Community rate.

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