Saffery hosts annual update for charities

Professionals from across the charity and not-for-profit sector gathered in Poole on Thursday 3 July 2025 for the highly anticipated Annual Sector Update Event, hosted by Saffery in partnership with insurers Gallagher.

Held at Care South – Marjorie House, the morning brought together sector leaders to share expertise, offer vital updates, and explore current and emerging challenges facing charities today.

The event opened with a warm welcome and networking breakfast, before attendees were treated to a series of engaging and informative presentations from expert speakers.

Casidhe Baleri, Partner at Saffery, delivered an excellent keynote presentation focusing on the importance of involving the whole organisation in the assessment of going concern. She outlined the responsibilities around this critical process, best practice in forming an assessment, and the wider implications for boards and trustees. Casidhe also provided an important update on the current consultation regarding changes to the audit size thresholds—an issue of growing relevance for many charities.

Following this, Amelia Trowbridge, Audit Manager at Saffery, gave a comprehensive overview of recently proposed changes to the Charity SORP. Her clear and practical explanation of key changes offered valuable guidance for charities preparing for future reporting cycles.

The topic of risk management took centre stage in the mid-morning session, beginning with Matt Williams Head of Office of Gallagher Poole & Southampton, who explored essential considerations in charity insurance and the increasing importance of cybersecurity. He was joined by Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET, whose presentation, “Rise of the Clones”, offered a thought-provoking and eye-opening look at cybercrime, particularly the dangers of deepfakes and cloning. Using powerful video examples, Jake emphasised the risks posed by misinformation, urging the audience to remember: “Misinformation is dangerous. Verify everything. Seeing isn’t believing.”

The event concluded with a feel-good talk from Rob Slatter and Debbie Young of Ecclesiastical Insurance, who shared the story of the Benefact Group and its inspirational Movement for Good initiative, which supports charitable organisations across the UK.

This year’s event once again demonstrated the value of collaboration between professionals in the sector, providing both strategic insight and practical takeaways for attendees. Saffery and Gallagher look forward to continuing their support of the sector through future events and partnerships.