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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Strategic property and construction advisors, Fox Lloyd Jones has successfully completed the sale of The Kennedy Building, a 6,617 sq ft standalone property in Leeds’ South Bank district for £1.1m, following the relocation of the owners, North America Travel Service (NATS) to Water Lane, Leeds.

Acting on behalf of the former directors of NATS, the property has been sold to Regional REIT which is externally managed by leading Pan-European real estate investment management firm, ESR Europe.

The acquisition represents a strategic move in their long-term investment strategy to consolidate and enhance its existing Central Park holdings immediately adjacent and offers short term reletting potential.

The Kennedy Building occupies a prominent 0.24 acre site at 48 Victoria Road, directly adjoining Central Park, a substantial multi let office development already under Regional REIT’s ownership.

Brought to market in February 2025, the building attracted considerable interest for a wide range of uses both as existing and subject to redevelopment.

In the immediate term, Regional REIT plans to bring the building to market for lease, while concurrently developing long-term plans for site redevelopment. These plans have been unlocked by the recent lifting of HS2 safeguarding in the area, opening up new opportunities across Leeds’ rapidly evolving South Bank regeneration zone.

Eamonn Stones, senior asset manager at ESR Europe, said: “This acquisition marks an important step in our wider growth strategy to assemble and optimise Central Park. The Kennedy Building enhances our footprint and unlocks future potential for redevelopment.”

Nick Salkeld, director at Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “We’re pleased to have secured a successful outcome for our clients, marking a new chapter for the building and NATS who have been owner occupiers since 1998. The opportunity generated strong interest from both owner occupiers and developers due to its lot size as a Freehold HQ office offering development potential in this exciting area of the city.”

Located within walking distance of Leeds Railway Station and key city centre amenities, The Kennedy Building combines the convenience of an urban business park setting with immediate access to the region’s transport and commercial infrastructure.

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Roundtable Gives Charity Bosses Chance To Discuss New Fundraising Rules

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