Much has been said and written about the need to consolidate and reduce the number of charities in the UK. Conversely, public trust is highest in smaller, community organisations and there is a case to be made instead for increasing diversity and localism through collaboration rather than acquisition.
Both approaches have the potential to transform the sector, the organisations within it, and the many lives they touch through their work, but neither is without significant challenges. Only by understanding those challenges, and how others have overcome them, can charity Chairs and their boards hope to set an informed strategic direction and deliver on the potential they represent.
To that end, I will be hosting a small, select group of Chairs from major Charities for breakfast from 8:30am to 10:30am on the 4th of April 2017 in London. In an informal, stimulating and highly collaborative discussion, we will talk about the unique challenges facing Chairs in relation to this topic, sharing our experiences, successes and lessons learned, and drawing together the key insights and from all the different perspectives in the room. Joining us to share his inside experience of one of the largest mergers in UK Charity history, will be Tom Wright, CEO of Age UK.
You will walk away with a clear understanding of:
- The relative merits of merger versus collaboration, and how to find the right model for you
- The key barriers and challenges that will be faced, and how they can be overcome
- The realistic benefits to aim for, and the “keys to success” in ensuring you realise them
- The potential roles of the Chair, trustees and CEO, and the “right way” to begin
We will meet at the Age UK offices in Tavistock Square, Euston, where breakfast will be available in the room from 8:00am for an 8:30am start. Chairs already registered to attend include: Dame Moira Gibb, Chair of Skills for Care; Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, Chair of The Brooke; Peter Letley, Chair of VoiceAbility; and Tom Wright CBE, Chair of the Richmond Group and CEO of Age UK.
This invitation is open only to current chairs of medium, large and major charities. Seats are strictly limited, so if you would like an invitation, please email me as early as possible to reserve your place at martyn@binleydrake.com