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 12, 2025
2 min read

More UK entrepreneurs are considering selling their business following tax changes, according to a recent survey of 4,000 UK adults commissioned by Brown Shipley, the UK wealth manager and subsidiary of Quintet Private Bank.

Almost two fifths of UK entrepreneurs (38%) say they plan to explore selling their business earlier than planned due to tax changes announced in the October 2024 Budget, according to the latest research. Meanwhile, just over two in five (44%) UK entrepreneurs say that the increase in National Insurance will impact their plans for business growth.

These tax changes combined with challenging market conditions are likely informing sentiment among business owners. Over a third (36%) of respondents say they intend to sell their business in its entirety to crystalise value and manage wealth, compared to 21% in January 2024.

Financial risk remains top of mind, and an increased number of business owners intend to seek external investment in their companies over the next 12-36 months to diversify their financial risk, with those figures increasing significantly since the October Budget (December 2024: 40% vs January 2024: 25%). Slightly fewer (37%) intend to seek external investment over the same period as part of their company’s strategic growth plans.

Despite UK inheritance tax changes for businesses, a third of entrepreneurs say they plan to reduce their equity in the business but keep it within the family as part of their generational wealth planning. Younger entrepreneurs are more interested in this than are older entrepreneurs (18-34: 49% vs 55+: 10%). Meanwhile, over one third of entrepreneurs (36%) have plans to reduce their ownership through internal succession to employees; similarly, this decreases with age (18-34: 53% vs 55+: 9%).

Entrepreneurs are focused on managing wealth, and confidence in financial planning increased in the last year. 54% of survey respondents reported confidence in the planning they have undertaken, with confidence higher among young entrepreneurs at 68%. That is up from 47% recorded in January 2024.

Simon Smith, Head of Private Banking, South at Brown Shipley said:

“The survey findings are reflective of conversations we are having with entrepreneurs. Confidence in the UK market is currently more challenging than it has been, and entrepreneurs are carefully assessing their options. In addition to business sentiment, entrepreneurs are considering what inheritance tax changes will mean for the legacy of their business. This reflects the fact that preserving wealth for future generations and succession planning are often key considerations for entrepreneurs when they are looking to sell or pass on their businesses.”

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Roundtable Gives Charity Bosses Chance To Discuss New Fundraising Rules

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