Caron Bradshaw, Growth & Sector Solutions Lead, CFG
Nigel Kippax, The Risk Collaborative, CFG
Timothy Gutteridge, COO, Shelter
Ben Mason, Commercial Manager, Utility Aid
Simrit Sandhu, Network Finance Consultant, Citizens Advice
Kathryn Jackson, Head of Risk and Income Protection, British Heart Foundation
Matthew Chin, The Co-Operative Bank
Paul Clare, Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer, HSF
09:00-10:00 Registration and exhibition
10:00-10:05 Chair's welcome
10:05-10:35 Session 1 - Opening plenary - updates on risk and guidance
This opening plenary will provide an update on the current risk landscape and the Charity Commission’s evolving guidance — including updates to CC26: Charities and Risk Management. We'll reflect on the challenges charities face in today’s operating environment, from financial pressures to regulatory expectations, and introduce a more balanced approach that views risk not only as a threat but also as a source of opportunity.
Kathryn Jackson, Head of Risk and Income Protection, the British Heart Foundation
10:35-10:55 Break and exhibition
10:55-11:40 Session 2 - Derisking banking and financial fraud for charities
Financial fraud continues to pose a significant and evolving risk for charities, particularly as payment methods and criminal tactics become more sophisticated. This session will explore the realities of de-risking in the charity sector — from the growing threat of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud to the operational challenges charities face when managing secure banking arrangements. We’ll focus on practical steps charities can take to protect themselves against fraud, strengthen internal controls, and work effectively with their banks, while still retaining the flexibility needed to deliver their charitable activities.
Matthew Chin, The Co-Operative Bank
11:40-12:00 Break and exhibition
12:00-12:45 Session 3 - Value-based operations and green governance: managing environmental and social risk
As expectations around ESG performance continue to grow, charities face increasing scrutiny over whether their operations truly align with their stated values. This session will explore how Value-Based Operations can help charities identify, manage, and mitigate a new class of risks — from environmental compliance and ethical supply chains to public perception and mission integrity.
12:45-14:00 Lunch and exhibition
14:00-14:45 Session 4 - Why your organisational culture is your biggest threat and opportunity
An organisation’s culture shapes how risks are recognised, discussed, and managed. This session will explore how culture can both amplify and absorb risk, influencing everything from decision-making to staff wellbeing and public trust. Speakers will show how risk can be harnessed as a powerful opportunity — the foundation for resilience, accountability, and intelligent risk-taking.
Paul Clare, Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer, HSF
14:45-15:05 Break and exhibition
15:05-15:50 Session 5 - Embracing uncertainty to become risk-ready
Explore how rethinking risk can unlock opportunity. In this session, we’ll look at how mindset, inclusion, and leadership shape risk decisions — and how embracing calculated risk can help your charity achieve its strategic objectives. Drawing on our work with the Charity Commission to update CC26, we’ll also share insights into a more modern, empowering approach to risk management — one that’s not about ticking boxes, but about making brave, informed decisions that maximise good.
Caron Bradshaw and Nigel Kippax, the Risk Collaborative
15:50-16:00 Break and exhibition
16:00-16:45 Session 6 - Real Stories of Risk-Taking: How Charities Made the Leap
This session will share real-world stories of charities that took calculated risks to innovate, grow, or respond to urgent challenges, and what they learned along the way. Speakers will reflect on what made these risks worth taking, how boards and teams navigated uncertainty, and how setbacks were managed along the journey.
Timothy Gutteridge, COO, Shelter
Simrit Sandhu, Network Finance Consultant, Citizens Advice
Ben Mason, Commercial Manager, Utility Aid
16:45-17:00 Chair's summary
17:00-18:00 Networking drinks sponsored by Edentree and Access