09:35 - 10:05
Main stage - Panel Discussion: Building Trust among Charity Stakeholders.
This session focuses on the importance of transparency and accountability when building trust within your charity, from your board, and the public, by being transparent about your goals and being open when things don't go according to plan.
More session info to follow!
David Welch, Chief Executive, Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex
10:05 - 10:30
Keynote: The State of Charity 2025.
In this opening session, we recap the past year, and you can hear from a charity leader about the state of where the sector is now, and learn the key trends you need to be aware of ahead of us splitting into streams for the day.
Speaker: Sarah Hughes, CEO, Mind
11:40 - 12:00
Opening Keynote - In conversation with: Charity Leader
Charity Leadership
This keynote covers the big changes and management problems that the sector is facing at the moment. Hear from a charity leader how they are going to deal with these and what you can look out for.
Talking points
- Management challenges?
- Issues with recruitment/retention
- Pay & NI increase
- Hybrid working
- Volunteering - how are they keeping these numbers up?
Speaker: TBA
11:40 - 12:00
Opening Keynote - Achieving your fundraising goals in 2026
Finance & Fundraising
This Keynote will assess the state of fundraising and how you can achieve your fundraising goals in light of the cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation.
Talking points
- UK Giving Report
- Charity Resilience
- Give context to the breadth of the UK’s giving landscape
- Learn how to understand donor behaviour so you can plan and adjust strategies accordingly.
Speakers: TBA, Charities Aid Foundation
11:40 - 12:00
Opening Keynote - The State of Charity Tech
Digital & Tech
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Opening Keynote - The State of Charity Tech
This session gives an overview of tech in the charity sector and discusses the following:
What tech should you be using now?
Digital code of practice
AI friend or Foe?
Speaker: Zoe Amar, Founder and Director, Zoe Amar Digital
14:00 - 14:20
Fireside Chat: Balancing your board.
Charity Leadership
More session info to follow!
14:00 - 14:20
Case study: Risk tolerance, acquisition, and 80% unrestricted.
Finance & Fundraising
How I led my charity from nothing to £1.5m unrestricted income.
Speaker: Ian Thwaites, Founder and CEO, Level Water and Swim Collective
14:00 - 14:20
Case study: Digital Transformation 101
Digital & Tech
In this session, hear insights into the journey of a charity that has recently updated its digital processes as well as top tips, pitfalls, and what they expect from 2026.
More session info to follow!
14:20 - 14:40
Presentation: Volunteering models for the future with Cats Protection.
Charity Leadership
Join Cats Protection who, over the last 18 months, have been trialling several alternate volunteer models and discuss how their new 'Community Volunteer Teams', and 'Centre Volunteer Teams' add a blended approach to volunteering within the organisation, and support, and build upon traditional 'Branch Committee' models of volunteering.
Discussion points:
- Changing volunteer demographics across the UK
- Changing appetite for Committee Structures
- Accessing remote and deprived committees for volunteering
- The 'one size does not fit all' approach
Speaker: Pete Shergold, Associate Director of Community Operations, Cats Protection
14:20 - 14:40
Presentation: How can creativity change the trajectory of events marketing?
Finance & Fundraising
With the launch of a new organisational brand identity, the Alzheimer's Society Events team saw an opportunity to promote their products in a new way. Leaning into audience motivators, as well as using bold visuals, created cohesion and stood out across the portfolio. Two years on, a review has been conducted, so what's working, what's not, and why?
Talking points:
- Why was event-specific creative needed?
- Does it still stand out?
- What's coming next?
Speaker: Kiera Ridge, Head of Events, Alzheimer's Society
14:20 - 14:40
Presentation: Social media - Making the algorithm work for you.
Digital & Tech
When social media first became a big deal for creators and charities alike, everyone thought we had levelled the playing field.
Over time, this reach has been whittled down by social media platforms, but the shift to vertical video and short-form content has provided an opportunity to gain back earned reach algorithmically.
Talking points:
- Learn how to use reels and TikTok to expand reach within niche audiences without having to focus on your follower count
- Working out your ‘bullseye’ audience
- Learn how to ‘game the algorithm’ to increase your reach.
Speaker: Athar Abidi, Head of Social, Cancer Research UK