January 2019 Review: Technology: Investment: Interview: 2018 in the news Technology in 2019 Tackling ESG Deborah Alsina Reputational scandals A look at some of the key Embracing ESG is crucial The chief of newly merged dominated the news this year, trends likely to transform for any charity, but what Bowel Cancer UK on her but regulatory intervention the charity technology space are defined as good and award-winning journey has set a new precedent. over the coming year. bad practices? towards greater collaboration. Leadership / Fundraising / Technology / Governance / Bowel Cancer UK interview Cancer / ESG / Bowel / Governance Technology / / Fundraising Leadership Leading by example Charity leadership is set to be even more challenging in 2019, but the matriarch elephant showcases some simple methods for success Plus: January 2019 www.charitytimes.com Sector and investment columns REVEALED News The top 25 charity CEOs on social media See page 50 for charity suppliers’ directory cover.indd 1 06/12/2018 15:07:43 PROVIDING INSURANCE With a Personal Touch An experienced and dedicated team who take the time to understand your specifi c requirements, then ensure the suffi cient cover is always arranged GET YOUR FREE QUOTATION TODAY PACKAGE POLICIES AVAILABLE FROM £120pa INCLUDING COVER FOR: 01992 566 985 ✔ Church buildings [email protected] ✔ Contents ✔ Public & employers liability WHY CHOOSE US? ✔ 0% monthly instalments ✔ Discount for good risk management ✔ Trustees indemnity covered as standard We can also quote for your Minibus! 67923 Mercury_Personal Touch Ad_271x204.indd 1 30/11/2018 16:11 Editorial Comment In this sector, reflection is essential hat was the best thing to happen to you this year? And what Editor Lauren Weymouth was the worst?” a charity chief executive asked me at a recent [email protected] networking event. I couldn’t answer. Not because I didn’t 020 7562 2411 “W know her beyond our initial small talk, but because – much like the point she Contributing Writers was trying to make – I’d never really stopped to think about it. Caron Bradshaw, Peter Lewis, Gillian McKay, Maybe this year was full of sunshine, laughter and success for you. Maybe Antonia Swinson, Becky Slack, David Adams, it was a year you’d really just rather forget. Either way, as a new year Louise Thomson, Daniel Chan, Antony Savvas approaches, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on all that’s happened – and not Design & Production in a ‘new year, new me’ kind of way. Matt Mills This year, the charity sector has changed tremendously. As you will read [email protected] in our review of the key news stories from 2018 (p.20), the sector is under 020 7562 2406 more scrutiny than ever before, whilst simultaneously expected to thrive both Commercial Manager digitally and financially. It certainly doesn’t seem like 2019 will be any lighter Linda Libetta on the pressure, either. [email protected] 020 7562 2431 But whilst the year may have been a little difficult for some, it has also been a year of huge success for others. As our technology outlook reveals Subscriptions (p.31), some charities are showcasing the same level of digital innovation [email protected] 01635 588 861 used at some of the world’s largest companies. For those that don’t have the same kind of funds to spend, innovation is being shown in smaller, but Subscription Rates (6 issues pa) £79pa registered charities equally powerful ways. £119pa rest of UK, £127pa EU At the same time, charities are increasingly looking to advance their £132pa elsewhere overall mission through the investment of their assets. As you’ll read in our Printed by Buxton Press investment focus (p.40), there is a heightened focus on ESG among trustee All rights reserved. The views expressed boards and the charities invested in ‘unethical’ asset classes are now few and are not necessarily those of the publishers. far between. ISSN : 1355-4573 So in the midst of listening to Wham! on repeat and hailing ‘sod it, it’s Christmas’ to every pub invitation, don’t forget to take some time to reflect Published by Perspective Publishing on all that you’ve achieved. 6th Floor, 3 London Wall Buildings Take the time to read the news. Look at what other charities are doing London EC2M 5PD right – and indeed what other charities are doing wrong – and use those www.perspectivepublishing.com opportunities to learn, grow and develop. For now, on behalf of everyone at Charity Times, I’d like to wish you Managing Director John Woods all a happy and safe Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Publishing Director Mark Evans Lauren Weymouth, Editor Average net circulation of 8,500 copies for July 15 – June 16 www.charitytimes.com 03 editorial-comment.indd 1 07/12/2018 11:28:40 In this issue Contents December/January 2019 23 17 06 News & views Regulars 07 News 10 Appointments Columns 12 Brexit by Caron Bradshaw 14 Equality by Peter Lewis Cover story Interview 15 Volunteering by Gillian McKay 16 Property 23 Leadership 17 Deborah Alsina by Antonia Swinson Charity leadership is expected to The chief executive of Bowel Cancer be even more challenging in 2019, UK talks to David Adams about her Charity Services but there are some simple methods award-winning journey towards 50 Suppliers Directory for success. greater collaboration. 04 www.charitytimes.com contents.indd 2 07/12/2018 11:31:18 In this issue Contents 20 39 37 Outlook 27 Fundraising agenda 2019 The past few years have been a huge challenge for fundraisers. Will 2019 be lighter on the chaos? Investment 31 Technology agenda 2019 Review A look at the key trends likely to dominate the technology space this coming year. 20 2018 in the news 42 Tackling ESG A look at some of the biggest Embracing ESG is crucial for 36 Governance agenda 2019 charity sector stories to have hit any charity, but what can be defined After another tumultuous year in the headlines over the past 12 as good and bad practices? Paul the charity sector, governance months. Fairbrother explores. still demands much attention. www.charitytimes.com 05 contents.indd 3 06/12/2018 17:43:53 News in brief about their charity’s finances’. The research revealed that of 106 “There charities with an income of over is an ‘incomplete £500,000, the vast majority included a reference to their reserves policy in understanding’ of what their annual reports. reserves actually are, which could lead trustees to ‘make UK’S FIRST DIGITAL CODE OF PRACTICE LAUNCHES FOR CHARITIES poor decisions about their The UK’s first Charity Digital Code charity’s finances’. of Practice has been launched, providing charities with practical advice on incorporating technology into their work. The Code, which has connections” between the two been funded by Lloyds Banking charities as “substantial” payments Group and the Co-op Foundation and between the two were evident from managed by a steering group of bank statements. representatives from across the sector, is voluntary and free to access for all DOGS TRUST CEO PASSES AWAY charities. A need for the Code was Dogs Trust CEO, Adrian Burder, has GOVT TO ISSUE £1M IN FUNDING recognised following the Lloyds passed away unexpectedly following FOR CHARITY DIGITAL SKILLS Bank UK Business Digital Index a short illness. Burder worked at The government has announced it 2017, which showed only 48 per cent Dogs Trust for over 20 years. He was will issue grants worth £1 million to of charities have full basic digital formerly marketing director for the fund support programmes that will skills, and 50 per cent of charity charity and has been CEO since help charities improve their digital leaders lack confidence in introducing November 2014. Jim Monteith is the skills. The funding, launched by digital change. acting CEO. “Adrian was one of a Jeremy Wright, Secretary of State for kind – his passion for animal welfare Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, REGULATOR INVESTIGATES changed the lives of millions of dogs follows the government’s launch of CONNECTED CHARITIES OVER in the 24 years he was at Dogs its new Civil Society Strategy, which FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT Trust,” Monteith said. “He will be set out plans to help charities in The Charity Commission has opened terribly missed by staff, trustees and growing their digital confidence. an inquiry into two connected volunteers past and present and we Wright said training provided through charities following concerns about are so grateful for his immeasurable the Digital Leadership Fund, will ‘financial irregularities’. The two contribution to making the world a help charities to better develop an charities involved are Idaara Maarif- better place for man’s best friend.” understanding of how technology can E-Islam, which aims to advance and make it easier for them to achieve preserve Islam, and The Voice of SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST their goals. Truth, which prior to its closure, BARNARDO’S IN ONGOING PENSION sought to promote the benefit of BATTLE LARGE CHARITIES NOT ACCURATELY community and the Shia Muslim The Supreme Court has ruled against REPORTING RESERVES, CHARITY faith. According to the regulator, it Barnardo’s in an ongoing legal battle COMMISSION FINDS has ‘concerns about financial to decide how the charity must Just under a quarter of larger charities irregularities’ linked to Gift Aid measure inflation with regards to its accurately report the level of financial claims involving both charities, as pension payments. Court judges ruled reserves they hold in their annual well as concerns around the charity would be required to report, a review by the Charity inconsistencies between the income calculate the rate of inflation for its Commission has revealed.