Roundtable Gives Charity Bosses Chance To Discuss New Fundraising Rules

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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.

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May 27
2 min read

Leading UK food distributor, RH Amar has celebrated the opening of its new headquarters in High Wycombe, with Dame Mary Berry joining colleagues and guests at a special lunch to mark the occasion.

Dame Mary Berry unveiled a commemorative plaque to officially open the new premises and celebrate the major milestone in the family-run business’s 80-year history.

Rob Amar, Managing Director of RH Amar, said:

“We were honoured to welcome Dame Mary Berry to officially open our new office and distribution warehouse. We’ve known Dame Mary for more than 20 years since we started distributing her dressings brand so it made the occasion even more special to celebrate this milestone with her. It was a wonderful occasion to bring colleagues together to celebrate everything that has gone into creating our new home.”

RH Amar’s new purpose-built headquarters provide increased warehouse capacity, new office space and enhanced facilities designed to support the company’s future growth ambitions.

The new site includes collaborative workspaces, extensive kitchen facilities, and a social hub called Henry’s Place, named in honour of Chairman Henry Amar.

The move follows a sustained period of business growth for RH Amar, with the company achieving double-digit revenue growth in each of the past five years.

Photo Credit: Ben Cottman

Pictured left to right: Rob Amar, Managing Director of RH Amar; Dame Mary Berry; James Amar, RH Amar Strategy & CSR Director; and Henry Amar, Chairman of RH Amar.

About RH Amar

RH Amar is one of the UK’s leading full-service distributors and growth partners for ambient foods - providing sales, marketing and technical support to successfully grow brands across the UK market.

The company is a family-run business, founded in 1945, and now in its third generation. It retains family values at its core and treats every brand as its own.

RH Amar’s brand portfolio includes some of the UK’s best-loved food brands such as Branston, Del Monte, Dunkin’, Ella’s Kitchen, Kikkoman, Mutti and Weetabix alongside smaller specialist brands. The company also owns the Camp Coffee, Cooks&Co and Mary Berry’s Dressings brands.

The company donates 10% of its profits each year to charity, with more than £3m donated to charitable causes since 2013.

View the RH Amar brand portfolio here.

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Roundtable Gives Charity Bosses Chance To Discuss New Fundraising Rules

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