The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 14: Winter 2019 | Page 14

POSITIVE BUSINESS CHARITY SECTOR REVIEW Ahead of The Business Exchange South West Charity Conference, we asked Gill Freeman, Head of Charity and Not-for-Profit at accountancy firm Milsted Langdon LLP, for her insight into the challenges the sector faced in 2019 and what’s likely to impact it in 2020. What have been the major challenges for charities this year? Income generation is always a major challenge for most charities, and many are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the higher demand for their services. A more recent concern for charities is cyber-security and the risk of fraud, but it’s not all doom and gloom, there are opportunities for charities too. What should charities and not-for-profits be concerned about as we move into 2020? Brexit is a concern for many charities, especially if they receive funding from the EU. This could have a significant impact on a charity’s operations and their beneficiaries, so we await more details on what the political landscape will mean for charities in the coming months. Refreshing a Board of Trustees can be a concern, and there is also the matter of diversity – research shows that the average trustee is a white man in his 60s – so charities need to attract a more inclusive group of trustees. Working with so many charities and not-for- profits in the South West, you have a good steer on what the current conditions are like. Have things got harder in 2019? Is the picture looking more bleak or more optimistic? I think it’s a mixed bag. Generally there is a negativity around certain aspects such as Brexit and cyber-security, but lots of charities are optimistic for the future and new opportunities, whether that’s by diversifying or using new technology to protect, grow and develop their organisations. It can be difficult for charities, but my charity clients find it hugely beneficial to talk with people in a similar situation, that’s why I host a number of roundtable events across the South West throughout the year to facilitate a discussion forum in a safe and confidential environment, which has been very well received and helped to find solutions for many Financial Directors, Chief Execs and other charity staff. We all know charities are having to diversify to survive. Can you give any examples of charities doing this with success? Diversifying is just one of the ways in which a charity can look at new revenue streams, I think innovation is key – it’s not always about creating a new product or offering, it could be using technology in a new way – many charities now carry contactless devices to receive donations as people just don’t carry as much cash anymore. But a recent example of diversifying was from Dorothy House Hospice, who have Proudly sponsored by: 14 www.tbebathandsomerset.co.uk introduced a new skincare and well-being range called Ubiety. It’s one of the only product ranges on the market where all proceeds go directly to supporting palliative and end of life care in the community. Is there a piece of work you’re most proud of this year? I’m proud of my team and the excellent work they do – providing a fantastic service and added-value to our charity and not-for-profit clients – not just on compliance matters but also in an advisory nature. We are approachable and clients often call up looking for advice on lots of different types of issues and I’m pleased we have such wonderful relationships. I’m also really pleased with my charity roundtable events which have proved to be a real support to my clients, where they can take a little time out of their day-to-day to reflect on the bigger picture of the charity and problem solving with a like-minded group. What did you think of the South West Charity Conference 2019? What did you get out of it? We were absolutely delighted with the inaugural charity conference in Bath and are very pleased to support the event for a second year. It was a fantastic conference to invite my Bath charity clients to as well as those from further afield. The feedback was excellent – my clients enjoyed the networking and the range of expert speakers, in fact one of my clients won a new office printer in the prize draw so they were very happy! Gill Freeman What part of the 2020 conference are you most looking forward to? I’m looking forward to seeing the conference develop – taking into consideration the feedback from last year and making it even bigger and better. I’m currently working on my seminar that I’ll be presenting at the conference - there’ll be an interesting Q&A session with a charity as well as an interactive opportunity to explore real charity issues – watch this space! To find out more about Milsted Langdon’s charity roundtable events, or to see how Gill might be able to help your organisation, email: [email protected] or call 01225 904 940 “Brexit is a concern for many charities if they receive funding from the EU”