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Roundtable Gives Charity Bosses Chance To Discuss New Fundraising Rules



Charity leaders met in Southampton for a roundtable discussion on challenges and opportunities facing third sector organisations.


On the agenda at the annual breakfast time ‘think tank’, co-hosted by HWB Chartered Accountants and banking group Handelsbanken, were the latest revisions to national codes of practice on both fundraising and governance issued during the past year.


Michaela Johns, HWB Director, said:

“Our roundtable was an ideal opportunity for charity representatives to discuss the revised codes and guidance and compare notes on how their compliance and due diligence is going so far. It was really valuable to share ideas and suggestions on how best to navigate the changes to the codes alongside many other issues and opportunities impacting the sector.”

Represented at the event, held at the Harbour Hotel in Ocean Village, were charities involved in areas such as housing, wildlife protection, homelessness and dementia support. Attendees included charity chief executives and chief financial officers.


Guest speaker Kirsteen Hook, Partner and specialist charities solicitor at law firm Trethowans, explained that the revised fundraising framework places increased emphasis on trustees demonstrating active oversight of fundraising and ensuring appropriate governance, risk management and decision-making processes are in place.


Kirsteen said:

“Trustees are expected to keep abreast of changes to relevant fundraising and governance guidance and to consider what, if any, changes are required to their charity’s policies, procedures and practices.”

Kim Christopher, Corporate Account Manager at Handelsbanken, who co-chaired the event, said:

“As a relationship bank we believe there is no substitute for getting together at events like this and working together – not just discussing how to navigate the latest guidance and requirements, but also sharing best practice and learning from each other. We are delighted to continue to support our partners in this area.”

Sally Randall, founder of Abby’s Heroes, a Southampton-based charity that provides practical measures and programmes to help families presented with a childhood cancer diagnosis, said:

“Very rarely do you get a collection of charities together in one place at the same time. It was a safe space and a positive learning experience. Listening to what other charities were saying was enlightening. I really enjoyed the morning. It raised some interesting and relevant points, especially around our trustees’ responsibilities and obligations which have been fed back to them.”

The other attendees were: Laura Read, Marwell Wildlife; Josh Towers, YMCA Fairthorne; Kirsty Dennett and Steve Swift, Rose Road Association; Helen Hamblen, Dementia Support Hampshire and Isle of Wight; Tim Bissett, St John’s Winchester; Mark Ind, Heartbeat; Charlotte Fairall, Sophie’s Legacy; and Sam Fulling, Saints Foundation.


The 93-page fundraising code, which came into operation in November 2025 having been published earlier by the sector’s Fundraising Regulator, features a more ‘principles-based’ approach which places greater emphasis on trustee oversight, judgement, governance and documenting fundraising decisions.


A further 20-page update on trustee duties in relation to fundraising was issued in February 2026 with the regulator and the Charity Commission then going on to provide a ten-page document, ‘Raising money for charity: public guidance’, in June 2026.


The 47-page Charity Governance Code 2025, produced by a cross-sector voluntary steering group, is designed as a practical tool for trustees rather than a regulatory requirement. It covers essential aspects of governance such as roles, responsibilities, legal duties, expectations, ethics, standards, behaviours and processes.


Chartered accountants HWB, based at Chandler’s Ford, near Southampton, provides business and tax advice.


Photo: Charity Support - Presenters at the charity roundtable held at the Harbour Hotel in Ocean Village, Southampton, from left: Michaela Johns, HWB Chartered Accountants; Kirsteen Hook, Trethowans; and Kim Christopher, Handelsbanken.

  • May 6, 2025
  • 2 min read

It’s that time of year when honey bee swarms start taking flight across the UK. Swarming is usually limited to a couple of months but many may not survive without your help.


The UK charity, the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), has launched its annual Swarm Savers initiative with thousands of trained beekeepers across the country on standby to safely rescue and rehome honey bee swarms completely free of charge.


While swarming is a natural and vital part of a honey bee colony’s life cycle, up to 80 per cent of swarms perish if they don’t find a suitable home - a statistic that underscores the urgency of public awareness and support.


With the growing threat of the yellow-legged asian hornet - a predator that can decimate honey bee colonies - supporting the survival and safe rehoming of these swarms has never been more important.


Commenting on the situation, Diane Drinkwater, chair of the BBKA said:

“There’s something truly magical about witnessing a honey bee swarm. It’s how a colony reproduces; a natural marvel where thousands of bees work together to protect their queen and find a new home. But without help, many never make it.”

What should you do if you see a swarm?

Stay calm. Despite the noise and size, swarming honey bees are usually docile. Their main focus is protecting their queen and not hurting humans.


Keep a safe distance and do not attempt to move or destroy the swarm.


Correctly identify whether it is a honey bee swarm - if you’re unsure, take a clear photo and contact a BBKA swarm collector. You can find identification resources here.

Use the BBKA's interactive Swarm Map to locate a local volunteer swarm collector


Diane Drinkwater added:

“We know many people are fascinated or concerned by swarms but by knowing what to do, we can all help honey bees and make sure they’re around for generations to come.”

Honey bees are the only insect to swarm in the UK and the BBKA beekeepers are unable to help with the removal of the nests of any of the other more than 250 species of bees found in the UK.

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