Impact of Coronavirus on the Charities Sector - a changing landscape

Many charities are continuing to experience an increase in demand for their services against a significant decrease in income. The extent to which coronavirus has affected the charitable sector remains unknown, however across the sector it is predicted that there will be a shortfall in income of £12.4 billion for 2020.

Browne Jacobson, Quilter Cheviot and Moore Kingston Smith have partnered to host a series of seminars to discuss any lessons learned from COVID-19 and how charities can adapt to the changing landscape. The seminars focus on four key themes:

• Strategy;
• Governance;
• Financial resilience; and
• The Future of Charities.

Partnerships, mergers and collaboration: what does the future hold post-pandemic

In our latest webinar, Catherine Rustomji, partner at Browne Jacobson, joins Charles Mesquita of Quilter Cheviot, who chairs a thought-provoking panel exploring partnerships, mergers, and collaboration. Is it a short-term phenomenon or the kick start to a new way of working for charities? Catherine and Charles are joined by James Saunders of Moore Kingston Smith, Sonya Ruparel of Turn2Us, and Sharon Davies of Young Enterprise.

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Modern social activism: The changing face of philanthropy and charities

In our latest webinar, Catherine Rustomji, partner and head of Charities at Browne Jacobson joins Charles Mesquita of Quilter Cheviot, who chairs a thought-provoking panel. They are joined by James Saunders of Moore Kingston Smith, Elham Fardad, Founder & CEO of Migrant Leaders and Spencer John, Founder & Trustee of Yellowsands Foundation. The panel explore modern social activism: the changing face of philanthropy and charities in 2021 and beyond. Is there a generational shift, and might this shift result in us becoming a more caring society? Or is this just part of the normal evolutionary process?

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The Charity Governance Code: Refresh

In our latest webinar, James Saunders of Moore Kingston Smith chairs a thought-provoking panel and is joined by, Catherine Rustomji of Browne Jacobson LLP, Luke Holt of Moore Kingston Smith and Charles Mesquita of Quilter Cheviot. The panel discuss the updated Charity Governance Code; the recommendations the Code sets around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Integrity, and how this might impact the charity sector.

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Building a sustainable future through fundraising

In our latest webinar, Charles Mesquita of Quilter Cheviot chairs a thought-provoking panel and is joined by Anita Bhalla Chair of Trustees of the Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall, Robin Thomas of Morgen Thomas, Catherine Rustomji of Browne Jacobson LLP and Dan Fletcher of Moore Kingston Smith. The panel discuss fundraising and sustainability – how can your charity become a more resilient organisation post pandemic.

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The Future of the Charity Sector

In our latest webinar, Charles Mesquita of Quilter Cheviot chairs a thought-provoking panel and is joined by Caron Bradshaw of CFG, Catherine Rustomji of Browne Jacobson LLP and James Saunders of Moore Kingston Smith, who discuss the future of the sector post the pandemic and the opportunity to ‘build back better’.

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Coming out of the crisis - financial resilience

This week, Catherine Rustomji of Browne Jacobson chairs the panel and is joined by James Saunders of Moore Kingston Smith, William Reid of Quilter Cheviot and Rebecca Porta, Chief Executive of Bowel and Cancer Research and Bowel Disease Research Foundation, who discuss the main financial challenges and priorities coming out of the crisis, and also examine investment strategies.

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For more info please contact Catherine. Catherine specialises in charity law with particular emphasis on constitutional and governance matters, legal structures, social enterprises and duties and responsibilities of charity trustees.

In the crisis - governance 

The idea of collaboration and diversification of income within the charities sector is further discussed in the second seminar hosted by James Saunders of Moore Kingston Smith “In the Crisis - Governance”

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The panel considers the importance of business continuity plans and digital transformation policies for charities and the need to be flexible in respect of decision- making procedures. The second seminar further discusses the importance of strategic planning and how this is intertwined with governance since trustees will need to ensure that they continue to act within its charitable objectives.

Through the crisis - strategy

Catherine Rustomji chairs the first of a weekly series of panel discussions “Through the Crisis - Strategy” exploring common issues faced by charitable trustees.

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This seminar focuses on the overarching importance of strategic planning even during a crisis to ensure trustees continue to meet the core objectives of the charity, stakeholders’ expectations and beneficiaries needs. The panellists also discuss the long-term importance of strategy and how it can assist charities to thrive in the post crisis period. Common issues trustees will need to consider post coronavirus are likely to include diversifying charities income streams and effective collaboration with other organisations in response to the pandemic.