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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Sep 1, 2025
2 min read

Hendy IVECO is donating £5,000 to Challenge Adventure Charities (CAC), the charitable arm of Elliotts Builders Merchants, to support the Beaune Challenge, a 534-mile cycle expedition that will raise vital funds for a range of national and local charities.

Every penny of sponsorship money raised by CAC participants is donated to good causes, with 50% of the total being split between the major beneficiaries – Cancer Research UK and British Heart Foundation – and the remaining 50% raised by each team donated to their own nominated charity.

CAC has raised over £4.6m since it began organising charity cycling events in 1996. Each September, it organises a charity cycle ride, usually in France, where teams of four ride in relay over three days.

Day one of the 2025 Challenge begins in Caen and takes in 185 miles of undulating Normandy countryside before descending into the Loire Valley to Orléans. Day two will see the riders travel south into the Auvergne, covering 189 miles to reach Vichy. The final day is a 160-mile stretch through the Beaujolais hills and into the vineyards of Burgundy to Beaune.

A customer of Hendy IVECO, Elliotts Builders Merchants will have three teams departing from Portsmouth, with the aim of raising £20,000 for its charity of the year, Home Start Hampshire.

Last year, despite heavy rain and wind, Elliotts set a CAC team record, raising over £22,000 for Home-Start Hampshire, smashing its fundraising target of £15,000.

Paul Gilbert, General Manager of Hendy IVECO, said:

“A key part of our business involves supporting local communities, and we’re proud to support Challenge Adventure Charities, a family business just like us, with its upcoming challenge. We know this event raises much-needed funds for local charities, and we wish all the riders good luck and good weather!”

Stuart Elliott, Trustee of Challenge Adventure Charities, commented:

“The support of Hendy IVECO makes it possible for us to complete another CAC bike ride, giving a welcome boost to our fundraising efforts. We hope Hendy IVECO’s contribution will inspire more riders to get involved, meet like-minded people and raise more funds for charities across the south coast and wider afield."

“We look forward to smashing our overall target of £100,000 and raising awareness for Cancer Research UK and The British Heart Foundation, which do such great work in our community to help those struggling with life-changing diseases.”

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Roundtable Gives Charity Bosses Chance To Discuss New Fundraising Rules

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