Spotlight 2025

Big Challenges, Big Opportunities, Big Ideas

What does resilience look like in charity leadership? How can the sector stand up for its principles? How can philanthropy do more and do better? At our annual charity conference, held in November 2025, we heard from a host of charity leaders and changemakers about how they are navigating the current landscape, from modernising charity leadership through to developing new initiatives and adapting to challenges.

We were joined by the Rt Hon David Miliband, President and CEO of International Rescue Committee, and sector leaders at the Runnymede Trust, ActionAid UK, The Children's Society, The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls, Why Philanthropy Matters, and more. Catch up on the talks and panel sessions below.

Keynote and panel sessions

Fireside chat with the Rt Hon David Miliband

We were joined by the Rt Hon David Miliband, in conversation with Erica Crump, our Managing Partner. They explored the opportunities and challenges for civil society on the national and international stage, as well as the evolving relationship between government and the voluntary sector and big ideas to benefit the sector.

David oversees International Rescue Committee’s operations in over 40 crisis-affected countries and its refugee resettlement and assistance programs throughout Europe and the Americas. He previously served as the 74th Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for the United Kingdom.

Panel discussion: Opportunities, innovation, and change in charity leadership

How is the charity sector innovating, adapting and finding opportunity in the current landscape? Drawing on their own leadership experiences, Shabna Begum (Chief Executive Officer, Runnymede Trust), Taahra Ghazi (Co-CEO and Director of Innovation and Impact, ActionAid UK) and Mark Russell (Chief Executive, The Children’s Society) shared insights into some of the key trigger issues and big ideas to take the sector forward. This panel was chaired by Stephanie Biden (Partner, Charity and Social Enterprise Department).

Panel discussion: Big ideas – modernising charity, philanthropy and civil society

Charity sector leaders and Bates Wells legal team explored bold, innovative proposals for modernising charity, philanthropy and civil society. Each speaker pitched their vision for evolving areas like charity law and regulation, governance, EDI, and the sector’s relationship with the state.

Our panellists included Joe Saxton (Chair, Association of Chairs; Founder of nfpResearch; and Co-Founder of CharityComms), Dr. Thomas McNeil (Chief Executive Officer, The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls; and Trustee, Criminal Justice Alliance), Sue Tibballs (Convenor, Charity Reform Group; and independent consultant) and Rhodri Davies (Founder and Director, Why Philanthropy Matters). This panel was chaired by Philip Kirkpatrick (Partner, Charity and Social Enterprise Department).

“In politics I talked about hope being the driver of action. Now I think I got it wrong. It’s action that drives hope. Just do it. It speaks to what our sector is about.”

The Right Hon David Miliband, President and CEO of International Rescue Committee

“Solidarity means looking at who’s not in the room – do you notice who’s not in the conversation?”

Shabna Begum, CEO of Runnymede Trust

“We’re… an ecosystem and different actors can play different parts.”

Sue Tibballs, Convenor of Charity Reform Group

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