As I step down from the Charity Committee, having joined in 2019 and taken on the role of Chair for the last four years, I have been reflecting on what has been a journey of growth – for me, personally and professionally, as well as for ICAEW’s impact in the charity sector.
Our Charity Community has gone from strength to strength over this time – with full credit due to Kristina Kopic, Head of Charity and Voluntary Sector. Importantly, it is now free to join and open to all!
The Charity Conference has become a staple of the charity finance calendar; the Big Trustee Breakfast had standing room only for two years’ running since its launch (register your interest for the 2026 event here); there have been dedicated events for smaller charities; and there is a programme of wide-ranging webinars exploring the latest hot topics, including in response to your feedback. I have enjoyed chairing many of these events and meeting members of our community.
It is fantastic to see how our support and resources for charity trustees have developed. In particular, I would highlight the Trustee Training Modules, which are updated annually, and the ICAEW Volunteers portal. It has also been wonderful to celebrate Volunteers’ Week and Trustees’ Week each year.
2025 has been a busy year for the Charity Committee – especially working on ICAEW’s responses to the Charities SORP consultation and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s consultation on financial thresholds in charity law. We have also seen the Next Generation ACA include a new ‘Introduction to the Charities Sector’ course. And, in the wider sector, a refreshed Charity Governance Code and an updated Code of Fundraising Practice are here, alongside broader updates from the charity regulators and in relation to charity tax matters.
It has been a real privilege to work with the members of our Charity Committee, past and present. I would also like to extend my thanks to Charles Worth for his longstanding and invaluable support as Secretary to the Charity Committee until his retirement earlier this year.
The landscape for charities continues to shift and evolve. To ensure that we can respond to the risks, challenges and opportunities, it is important to be able to collaborate and stay ahead of the latest developments in the charity sector. This is what our Charity Community is here for – and I am proud that it has had the support of ICAEW’s leadership over these years.
Charities are integral to our society, and finance professionals play a key role in the difference they make. Although I am handing over the reins, I look forward to continuing to be part of our thriving Charity Community – one which encourages, enables and empowers more people, and, in particular, ICAEW members and students, to work and volunteer with charities.
*the views expressed are the authors’ and not ICAEW's