Insight Articles

Our straight-talking articles and guides are designed to cut through charity professional industry jargon and answer your pertinent questions.

Annual Stewardship Report

We believe that investment has the power to grow and protect money in a way that benefits society.Furthermore,...

House Report - SECURITY: A NEW THEME SHAPING OUR INVESTMENT APPROACH

Q1 2025 began strongly but turned volatile as markets reacted to President Trump’s shift toward global tariffs...

Charities, trading subsidiaries and financial distress - what do you need to know?

What are the implications of insolvency in a trading subsidiary for a parent charity, and how can trading subs...

Can the UK reach a trade deal with the EU?

Can the UK reach a trade deal with the EU?

Trump tariffs and the morning after

What happened, what next, what should we do? Johnny Hughes, Head of Global Equity and Multi Asset Investment ...

Testing US exceptionalism? What markets have learned from Trump’s first 100 days

Considered an informal milestone, the first 100 days of a sitting US president have been closely watched – and...

Global Market Review – April 2025

Volatility and uncertainty continued to impact markets during April, as US trade policy, notably the fallout f...

Bean counters, maybe… but we make every bean count

The term ‘bean counter’ has followed Accountants around for years, and we like to think that most of us can ta...

Restricted Funds: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Understanding restricted funds and endowments for charities Most donations to charities bequeathed in a will a...

Unlock your charity’s financial potential

With the new financial year now under way, it's time to ensure your charity's investments are working as hard ...

100 days of Trump’s second presidency

100 days of Trump’s second presidency

Financial oversight for UK charities

Transparency is vital for charities when it comes to having, and also providing, financial data and informatio...

Offshore ambitions: China’s outsized role in decarbonising the world

In the Chinese zodiac, the snake is often seen as a symbol of transformation. As the Year of the Snake gets un...

Market Perspectives April 2025

Welcome to the April edition of Market Perspectives, the monthly investment strategy update from Barclays Priv...

How to succeed as a small charity trustee

Charity Digital explore the challenges facing trustees at small charities, the main skills the role requires, ...

Charity Investment Service Award

JM Finn wins Best Charity Investment Service at 2025 City of London Wealth Management Awards

Market Perspectives April 2025

In the latest Market Perspectives, Algernon Percy provides an overview of global bond and equity markets in Q1...

Global Market Review – March 2025

Worries that plagued US equity markets in February spread to other areas throughout March, as concerns intensi...

A civil society covenant – here we go again?

Reflections from our recent Charity Leadership Forums.The new Civil Society Covenant in its final form is anti...

Quilter Cheviot: Review for Charities

We are excited to share the first ‘Review for Charities’ for 2025, featuring a wealth of insights and expert...

Investment in funding support yields 31x ROI

“Working with Clare has been hugely beneficial for Faith in Later Life. Her expertise, can-do approach, strate...

Leases - key points for charity tenants to consider

There are several considerations that charities must keep in mind when entering into a new lease as a tenant. ...

How small strategies can add up for charities in 2025

By Jonathan Orchard, Partner, Sayer Vincent It’s often easy to focus on negative headlines, and sometimes, it ...

Market Perspectives March 2025

Welcome to the March edition of “Market Perspectives”, the monthly investment strategy update from Barclays Pr...

Global Market Review – February 2025

Amid a backdrop of weakening US economic sentiment, bond yields fell, and US equity markets sold off in Februa...

Government Publishes Supporting Regulations On Neonatal Care Leave And Pay

The Government has recently published supporting regulations on Neonatal Care Leave and Pay, a significant dev...

Supporting Employees Through Ramadan: A Guide for Employers

Ramadan will commence on the evening of Friday, 28 February, after the sighting of the crescent moon, and will...

E-Visas: The Transition to Digital Immigration

As the UK moves towards a fully digital immigration system, the introduction of e-Visas marks a significant sh...

Diversity, equity and inclusion: Opportunities despite the backlash

Pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has been simmering since 2023, culminating ...

Private markets: Going mainstream

Long the preserve of institutional investors, new fund structures have opened up the world of private markets ...

Financial sanctions guidance for charities

Receiving overseas donations? Working internationally? OFSI guidance for charities relating to their complianc...

Fundraising towards Net Zero

By Laura TreneerThe Church of England continues towards its 2030 net zero ambitions, not least through the nat...

How to get free tech for your charity

Charity Digital explore how organisations can access free tech, discounted tech, free tech consultations, free...

10 practical tips in setting up your charity’s reserves policy

As part of our Charity trustee insights hub, we have already established the importance of reserves and having...

Active vs Passive: Geese fly in gaggles, eagles fly alone

In October 2024, we hosted an in-person event where we discussed one of the most enduring debates in investmen...

Spring into action: rethink your cash assets today

With spring around the corner, is now a timely opportunity for UK charities to reassess their cash management ...

What could derail the Bank of England’s plans for 'gradual' rate cuts?

In an interview in the Financial Times in December, Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey offered a les...

How to hone your grant fundraising strategy – 5 lessons from the funders

By Sean TullyEarly in 2021, Action Planning helped a national charity to rethink its grants strategy. The clie...

Cash and treasury management - time to review your strategy?

Significant rises in global interest rates over the last year have had a large impact on investment and cash m...

New Year, New Financial Goals – Where to Start?

The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities to reflect, plan, and set your Charity up for financial su...

Global Market Review – January 2025

Higher-than-expected corporate earnings revisions helped drive global equities to a 4.2% gain during January, ...

How to be the inventor of your own future

By David SaintI run a lot of Board awaydays, very often as part of the strategic planning process, and a recur...

Legal lowdown: What's in store for charities in 2025?

This was the question that Jo Coleman, charities partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, addressed at our webinar on...

The Captain Tom Foundation: Lessons for the charity sector

The Charity Commission's recent inquiry report into The Captain Tom Foundation, the findings of which have bee...

Are your Charity’s investment reviews robust enough?

Regular investment reviews are vital for charities to ensure alignment with objectives, risks, and comply with...

Guide to responsible investing

A charity’s responsible investment policy should sit within, and form a part of, the wider investment policy.W...

Investing your Charity's money for the first time

We know that investing for a financial return in not a simple or quick decision for many charities.This guide ...

Guide to conducting an Investment Manager review

Once your investment policy has been finalised, you may well be looking to select an investment manager. But, ...

Writing and reviewing your Charity's Investment Policy

Whether you are considering investing for the first time or due to undertake a review of your existing investm...

Market Reflection and EFG Harris Allday View

2024 has been another eventful year for global economies and financial markets. Key themes have included the c...

Case Study: Strategic Awayday – Actors Benevolent Fund

“Felicia was excellent. She delivered everything I hoped she would and more. Everybody has given really positi...

Five-year anniversary note: The M&G Charity Multi Asset Fund

November 2024 marked the five year anniversary of the M&G Charity Multi Asset Fund. From the initial pessi...

Global Outlook Video - January 2025 - document

This document shows the charts that we think are particularly useful to help us determine where we are in the ...

Polls apart: A review of the year of divergence

2024 marked a year of political upheaval and historic shifts in global equity markets, with the rise of the “M...

Charity facts you need to know in 2025

The team at Charity Digital share all the latest facts and statistics about the charity sector, looking partic...

Martyn’s Law – progress through Parliament

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law, had its second reading in the House o...

Lessons from recent Charity Commission inquiries

Just before Christmas, the Charity Commission published its inquiry into the Quba Trust, through which it foun...

What to know when selecting a Charity Investment Manager

With bespoke management, collective investment vehicles, and advisory solutions, the investment options availa...

Investment Perspectives 2025 Outlook: No time for complacency

2024 proved to be an eventful year with a record number of global elections, ongoing preoccupation with the ou...

Charity Marketing – Part 4: Public Relations – a nice to have or a fundamental piece of your armoury?

By Kate NicholasPublic relations (PR) or communications is perhaps one of the least understood of marketing di...

Private Markets - Five Essential Insights for Charity Investors

In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, private markets are generating interest with investors, inc...

LGT - Market Outlook 2025

Outlook 2025 - Navigating transformation, trade and technology.

Managing Partnership Disputes: A Guide for Charities in England and Wales

Partnerships are a common and often successful organisational structure in England and Wales, particularly amo...

Time to review your Charity’s Investment Policy Statement?

In the wake of the Butler-Sloss v Charity Commission judgement and with the Charity Commission expected to pub...

Dealing With Bad Weather Disruptions

With winter around the corner, adverse weather conditions are likely to cause disruption to employees’ travel ...

Top 10 moments for charity law and regulation in 2024

In the spirit of the season and with the New Year in sight, here are our ten key moments in charity law an...

Update: Key Amendments To The Employment Rights Bill 2024 published

An Amendment Paper to the Employment Rights Bill 2024 was published on 27 November 2024 (“Paper”) an...

Charity marketing – Part 3: Why good copywriting and storytelling matter

By Claire SmithThis year marked 10 years of freelance copywriting in the charity sector for me. How many words...

Outlook 2025

Welcome to our “Outlook 2025”, the investment strategy update from Barclays Private Bank, which is also availa...

Do you need an AI Policy?

Since generative AI programmes rose to prominence in 2022, it has been adapted, used and misused by people and...

Changes to Bereavement Leave: What Employers Need to Know

Grief is a deeply personal experience, and its impact on an individual’s wellbeing and productivity should n...

New Employers Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment Within The Workplace

Sexual harassment within the workplace has been rightly unlawful for some time and therefore, employers should...

5 minute video update from Freddie Lait on Latitude's multi-asset strategy

The multi-asset and absolute return sectors have struggled with redemptions over the last 3 years, but Latit...

Monthly Factsheets

Please click Read More button below for a link to the factsheets on our website. 

Investing charity assets – getting risk and strategy right

When it comes to charity investment portfolios, putting in place the right strategy and finding the correct ba...

Case study: CEO recruitment

“We went out to tender with three other companies and Action Planning came in significantly cheaper than a cou...

Electing Charity Trustees: A Cautionary Tale

A recent High Court case provides an important reminder to all charities to follow their constitutional rules ...

Autumn Budget 2024: Key Changes for Employers

On the 30th of October 2024, the Labour Government announced its Autumn Budget. The budget included notable ch...

Top Legal Tips For Your Office Christmas Party

The work Christmas party is a great chance to get colleagues together for a festive celebration. But it can al...

What trustess need to know if your charity is in financial distress

What do you need to know if your charity faces financial distress? Understanding trustee responsibilities and ...

Admincontrol Joins the UK G-Cloud 14 Framework !

We’re excited to announce that Admincontrol is now officially part of the UK Government’s G-Cloud 14 Framework...

Charities Law Brief November 2024

Autumn Budget 2024 - significant increase in charities' staffing costs The new Government's first budg...

Budget 2024: Chancellor gives with one hand, takes with other

Budget 2024: Chancellor gives with one hand, takes with otherThe Chancellor gives with one hand and takes with...

US elections risks and opportunities: Pricing in known unknowns

Over the past five years, global equity markets have risen despite some very obvious risks. Could it be that r...