Tag: Charity Commission

Charity mergers up 90% as organisations look for economies of scale

Stuart Mitchell

Consolidation in the charity sector has seen an annual jump of 90% – reaching a record high, according to analysis of Charity Commission data by RSM UK. The number of charities recording mergers increased from 174 in 2023 to 331 in 2024, as growing cost pressures led charities to consolidate to deliver economies of scale. With over 180,000 charities in England and Wales, mergers can offer several benefits to the sector including reducing the duplication of efforts and resource where multiple charities might have the same objectives. Nick Sladden, partner…

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Charity trustees highly recommend their role to others, new PBE research shows

Stuart Mitchell

At a time when many charities carry trustee vacancies on their boards, trustees are overwhelmingly likely to recommend trusteeship to others.  These early findings emerge from in-depth research into trusteeship, conducted as part of a collaborative project between the Charity Commission and PBE, which aims to better understand who trustees are and what skills they bring to the role. These findings coincide with Trustees’ Week, an annual celebration of the achievements of almost 1 million trustees across the UK, recognising the time, commitment and effort they bring to lead and…

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Charity Regulator refreshes guidance as it reveals 600 cases related to fraud in the last year

Stuart Mitchell

The Charity Commission has unveiled a refreshed suite of guidance to help trustees protect their charities from fraud and cyber crime. This comes as the regulator reveals it opened 603 cases relating to fraud and a further 99 cases relating to cyber crime issues in the last year.   Launching in Charity Fraud Awareness Week, the charity regulator has published bespoke guidance on how trustees can protect their charity from cyber crime and a separate shorter guide on fraud. These guides, which replace the regulator’s previous guidance, are more concise…

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Regulator CEO urges councils to improve compliance with trustee duties

Stuart Mitchell

Charity Commission Chief Executive, David Holdsworth, is today writing to all local authorities in England and Wales setting out urgent action they can take to ensure they comply with the legal responsibilities of charity trusteeship, which makes them responsible for running the charity and managing its assets.   The letter, which coincides with updated guidance the regulator has developed with the Local Government Association, will highlight the Commission has dealt with several recent cases involving council trusteeship and warns of the “significant administrative headaches” councils could face from any failure to…

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Charity regulator praises constructive campaigning during General Election

Stuart Mitchell

The Charity Commission has published a report of its casework during the 2024 General Election, revealing a significant decline in serious concerns about a charity’s campaigning activity compared with previous elections. The regulator praises the sector for its conduct during the UK General Election, with its Chair, Orlando Fraser KC, restating the sector’s right to campaign and reminding all that this right is enshrined in charity law.    The report found a rise in proactive efforts by charities to seek advice from the Commission and a 60% decline in high-risk cases…

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