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Charity Conference

22 & 23 January 2026, Virtual Event

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, plus give you the opportunity to start the year with up to 8 hours of verifiable CPD.

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Highlights

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Charity Commission address

Reflections from Charity Commission CEO David Holdsworth on regulator’s priorities and the outlook for the charity sector in 2026.

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Civil Society Minister’s keynote

Hear from Minister Peacock about how the Civil Society Covenant will reset the relationship between government and civil society.

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CPD updates

Thought-provoking keynotes, panel sessions, and updates on charity accounting, taxation and governance from expert speakers that are perfect to put towards your CPD declaration.

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From Trial to Transformation

Explore diverse sources of inspiration to find opportunities for resilience and growth with Sneha Alex, World Vision UK’s CFO.

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Discover the new Charity Governance Code

Find out how charities of all sizes can use the substantially refreshed Charity Governance Code to enhance governance practice in a practical and meaningful way.

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Harmony or Headache? Balancing Finance and Impact

Discover how financial sustainability, culture, and social impact interact within the charity sector - sometimes in tension, sometimes in harmony.

2026 Programme

Please note that the programme is subject to change.

Thursday 22 January

Opening remarks
09:00
Charity Commission’s opening address
Charity Commission Chief Executive David Holdsworth will share the regulator’s 2026 priorities and his insights on the key challenges and opportunities facing the charity sector in the year ahead.
09:05
Opening Keynote: From Trial to Transformation
Sneha Alex, CFO at World Vision UK, reflects on the current challenges facing the charity sector, and explores diverse sources of inspiration to find opportunities for resilience and growth, both for our organisations and for us as individuals.
09:45
Partner session: How banking can help achieve a charity’s mission
A charity’s mission guides their work, but having the right financial strategy in place makes this possible. In this session, Alison Taylor will use the latest research insights and experience to assess why building an effective relationship with a banking partner, having the appropriate financial support, and selecting the right options for an organisation’s circumstances are critical to achieving their purpose.
10:30
Break
11:00
Accounting update
Hear from Jill Halford, National Head of Not for Profit at BDO and Don Bawtree, Senior Adviser 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: AI in Charity Accounting: Where to Start
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword — it’s becoming a practical tool for finance teams, including those in charities. This session brings together perspectives from technology and the accounting profession to explore how to get started with AI. Panellists: Sage Intacct’s Grant Gevers, digital and AI expert Zoe Amar, ICAEW CEO Alan Vallance, and Esther Mallowah, Head of Tech Policy at ICAEW.
12:15
Lunch and virtual exhibitions
12:55
New approaches to technology, digital & data
Hear from Keith Collins at Adapta Consulting and Rob Parkin at the North West Air Ambulance charity on how they adopted new approaches, new technology, and an innovation mindset – and what they learnt that could help your charity raise more money and – at the same time – make your life in the finance team easier!
13:55
Harmony or Headache? The Realities of Balancing Finance and Impact
Sharon Bell, Chief Executive at Services for Education, explores how financial sustainability, culture, and social impact interact within the charity sector - sometimes in tension, sometimes in harmony. Is true balance possible or an idealistic goal?
14:45
Closing remarks
15:25

Friday 23 January

Opening remarks
09:00
Charities SORP 2026: Practical Updates in Action
In this session, Sayer Vincent partners Joanna Pittman and Fleur Holden unpack the key changes to the Charities SORP in a clear, practical way. With worked examples for core areas, learn how to implement the updates, avoid common pitfalls, and keep reporting both compliant and meaningful. Whether preparing or reviewing accounts, find out how to apply the new requirements with confidence.
09:05
Partner session: Curtains Up - A case study exploring the impact and outcome of administration on Riverside Studios
This presentation will highlight the timeline of events, critical decision points, and the practical realities of trading as a high-profile arts charity in administration. Delivered jointly by the lead joint administrator, Richard Lewis, and Riverside Trust’s former CEO, Tony Lankester, it will offer a behind-the-scenes view of navigating financial distress in a complex and regulated environment.
10:05
Break
10:35
Latest developments in Charity VAT and Direct Tax
In this session, Chris Evans, VAT Director, Helen Berry, Director - Corporate Tax, and Nick Duffin, Principal - Employment Taxes at BDO, will provide an update on the latest corporation tax, VAT, Employment taxes and Gift Aid developments.
10:50
Explore, engage, enhance: Making the new Charity Governance Code work for you
With a substantially refreshed Charity Governance Code in 2025, join Radojka Miljevic and Sally Knight in this interactive session to hear more about what has changed, and why - and also what's stayed the same. We'll go on to explore how charities of all sizes can use the Code to enhance governance practice in a practical, manageable and meaningful way.
11:45
Closing address by the Minister for Civil Society
In this closing address, Minister Peacock will explain how the Civil Society Covenant will reset the relationship between government and civil society and share her vision for civil society.
12:30
Closing remarks
12:45

Our speakers

Speaker: Stephanie Peacock MP
Stephanie Peacock MP Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth

Stephanie Peacock was appointed Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth on 11 September 2025, having been Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth from 9 July 2024. She was elected to serve as the Member of Parliament for Barnsley East in 2017 and has represented Barnsley South since 2024.

Speaker: David Holdsworth
David Holdsworth Chief Executive Officer, Charity Commission for England and Wales

David Holdsworth was appointed as Chief Executive of the Charity Commission on 7 February 2024. His prior roles include Chief Executive Officer of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Deputy CEO of the UK Intellectual Property Office, and Deputy CEO and Registrar of Charities for England and Wales at the Charity Commission.

Speaker: Sneha Alex
Sneha Alex Chief Financial Officer, World Vision UK

Sneha was appointed as World Vision UK’s CFO in 2023, having previously worked for the YMCA and World Vision in finance leadership, change and advisory roles in the UK and Mongolia. An ICAEW Fellow, Sneha began her career at PwC and subsequently made the switch to the social benefit sector.

Alison Taylor
Alison Taylor CEO, CAF Bank and CAF Financial Solutions Limited

Alison joined CAF Bank as Chief Executive Officer in December 2019, and in 2021 took on the additional role of Chief Executive CAF Financial Solutions Limited. She is principally responsible for driving the Bank’s strategy and transformation of the products and services we deliver to UK charities.

Alan Vallance
Alan Vallance CEO, ICAEW

Alan was previously CEO of the Chartered Insurance Institute, leading the premier professional body for insurance and financial planning. A chartered accountant with Ernst & Whinney, Alan is a Fellow of ICAEW, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and an Honorary Fellow of the Korean Institute of Architects.

Speaker: Joanna Pittman
Joanna Pittman Partner, Sayer Vincent

Joanna is a Partner at Sayer Vincent, where she acts as statutory auditor and independent examiner for charities. She has been with Sayer Vincent for 25 years, working exclusively with charities and social purpose organisations and has been a member of the Charities SORP Committee since 2020.

Spekaer: Sharon Bell
Sharon Bell Chief Executive, Services For Education

Sharon is Chief Executive of Services For Education, a Birmingham based charity, with a mission to 'bring music and education to life.' Having originally trained with KPMG, Sharon then moved into FC roles in airports and aviation before a career change into the education sector.

Speaker: Tony Lankester
Tony Lankester Chief Executive, Edinburgh Fringe

Tony Lankester has worked in a number of senior roles in the not for profit sector both in the UK and his home country of South Africa. Prior to Riverside Studios, Tony was CEO of South Africa’s National Arts Festival for 12 years and is now Chief Executive of Edinburgh Fringe.

Speaker: Dr Radojka Miljevic
Dr Radojka Miljevic Independent Chair of the Charity Governance Code Steering Group

Dr Radojka Miljevic is a partner at Campbell Tickell. She has substantial experience across a range of governance, strategy and research projects and is used to working with the Boards and Executive teams of organisations. She serves as the Independent Chair of the Charity Governance Code Steering Group.

Speaker: Robert Parkin
Robert Parkin CRM & Data Insights Manager, North West Air Ambulance Charity

Robert Parkin is an innovative data-driven CRM specialist with a passion for transforming insight into impact. Robert leads the charge in delivering a data strategy that empowers fundraising teams and enhances operational efficiency across the organisation.

Jill Halford
Jill Halford National Head of Not for Profit, BDO UK LLP

Jill has over 25 years’ experience working in the Not for Profit sector. She specialises in audit and advisory work (particularly governance reviews). She is an experienced tutor and runs training courses for charity finance professionals including Civil Society and CFG.

Grant Gevers
Grant Gevers Senior Solutions Consultant, Sage Intacct

Grant started his career in finance technology nearly 20 years ago in sunny South Africa. He currently works as a Senior Solution Consultant for the Sage Intacct team, dedicated to the not-for-profit and healthcare sectors for customers across the UK and Ireland.

Speaker: Sally Knight
Sally Knight FCA DChA Director, Sally Knight Consulting Ltd

As a Chartered Accountant, and one of the first charity advisors to achieve the ICAEW’s Diploma in Charity Accounting, Sally draws on over 25 years’ experience of working in, and with, the not-for-profit sector. Since 2018, Sally has led the development and delivery of the ICAEW's Charity Essentials webinars.

Don Bawtree
Don Bawtree Charity Senior Adviser, BDO UK LLP

Don has specialised in charities for the last thirty years. For much of that time he led the BDO charity team and acted for many of the largest and best known charities in the UK, covering healthcare, international, animal welfare, arts and Christian organisations.

Speaker: Helen Berry
Helen Berry Director – Corporate Tax, BDO

Helen has over 20 years’ experience working with a wide variety of not for profit organisations across the country, specialising in corporation tax, including the creative industry scheme reliefs, and Gift Aid. Helen’s breadth of experience means she is fully aware of the challenges faced within the sector.

Speaker: Nick Duffin
Nick Duffin Principal – Employment Taxes, BDO

Nick is an Employment Taxes Principal and leads BDO’s Global Employer Services team in the North West. He has over 25 years’ experience of Employment Taxes, which he draws on to provide support and advice to a broad spectrum of clients on all employment tax related matters.

Speaker: Fleur Holden
Fleur Holden Partner, Sayer Vincent

Fleur is a partner at Sayer Vincent and is responsible for the management of a portfolio of statutory audit clients. She is Sayer Vincent's technical partner and leads the firm’s internal technical specialist group keeping both staff and clients up to date on technical audit and financial reporting matters.

Keith Collins
Keith Collins Principal Consultant, Adapta Consulting

Keith specialises in helping organisations develop and implement technology and digital strategies, with a particular focus on innovations in customer-facing technology. With experience working as a consultant, supplier and charity customer, Keith has worked with hundreds of non-profits across the UK and Europe to help them improve engagement with supporters, members, volunteers and staff.

Zoe Amar
Zoe Amar Founder and Director, Zoe Amar Digital

Zoe Amar is one of the charity sector’s leading digital experts. She founded digital agency and social enterprise Zoe Amar Digital in 2013, is Chair of The Charity Digital Code of Practice, and produces an annual barometer of how charities across the UK are using digital, The Charity Digital Skills Report.

Speaker: Richard Lewis
Richard Lewis Director, Grant Thornton UK Advisory & Tax LLP

Richard Lewis is a Director at Grant Thornton UK Advisory & Tax LLP. Richard is a qualified accountant and licensed insolvency practitioner with some 30 years' experience of working with charities experiencing financial challenges.

Profile image of Esther Mallowah
Esther Mallowah Head of Tech Policy, ICAEW

Esther influences Technology policy to enable businesses, accountants and society to harness its benefits while limiting harm. Prior to joining ICAEW, she worked in technology internal and external audit roles, focussing on information and cyber security and operational resilience. She is also a qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant, qualifying whilst at Deloitte.

Speaker: Chris Evans
Chris Evans Director – Indirect Tax, BDO

Chris is an indirect tax specialist with client portfolio focusing on not for profit, land and property and international matters. He has 12 years’ experience in VAT and other indirect taxes, focusing primarily on advisory matters but with experience of compliance, risk and governance issues as well.

Session chairs

Speaker: Fiona Condron
Fiona Condron National Head of Charities, BDO

Fiona is an Audit Partner at BDO UK and the firm’s National Head of Charities. She is passionate about providing high quality external audit to many of the leading charities and social enterprises in the UK. Fiona is the Vice Chair of ICAEW’s Charity Committee.

Speaker: Nick Sladden
Nick Sladden Head of Charities, RSM

Nick heads the RSM charities team at RSM. He advises on audit, assurance and financial reporting and is the Vice Chair of the ICAEW Charity Community’s Advisory Group. He is a trustee of a national charity, a school governor, and Chair of the RSM UK Foundation.

Speaker: Cara Turtington
Cara Turtington Partner, Saffery

Cara specialises in the not-for-profit sector, working with a diverse range of not-for-profit organisations. She leads many of the firm’s largest and most complex charity audits and provides guidance on governance, controls and reporting. Cara leads the firm’s Not-for-Profit Practice Group and is a member of the ICAEW’s Charity Committee.

Daniel Chan
Daniel Chan MBE Partner, PwC

Dan is PwC UK’s Charities Leader and Government & Health Industries Audit Leader, based in London and leading audits for large, high profile charities. Dan is the Chair of the ICAEW Charity Committee, a member of the Charities SORP Committee and a member of the CIPFA Charities and Public Benefit Entities Forum.

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Kristina Kopic Head of Charity, ICAEW

Kristina is a Chartered Accountant who has worked in and for the Not-for-Profit sector for over 15 years. She trained at charity specialists Sayer Vincent and subsequently worked in senior finance roles at the Royal College of Nursing, Imperial College London and the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts before joining ICAEW in 2020.

Our partners

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

Sponsor: CAF Bank logo Deep Green Grant Thornton logo Sponsor's logo
Learn more about our partners

Testimonials

As in previous years, the ICAEW Charity Conference exceeded my expectations, with excellent sessions and many takeaways to think about or act upon.

Previous attendee ICAEW's Charity Conference 2025

This was a superb event. I’ve attended several conferences and every year it exceeds my expectations. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Previous attendee ICAEW's Charity Conference 2025

Brilliantly informative and inspiring!

Previous attendee ICAEW's Charity Conference 2025

I look forward to this event every year, held in January it kick starts the years CPD, providing great speakers on topical issues with useful resources or links to take away.

Previous attendee ICAEW's Charity Conference 2025

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by external guest speakers in interviews or other publications included on this website are, by their nature, those of the speaker. They are not necessarily fully endorsed by ICAEW or purport to reflect the official policies and views of ICAEW or its members.

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