Each month, we’ll share a snapshot of what we’ve launched, updated or delivered to support you as a member, from new events and resources to opportunities to shape our work. It’s all part of ensuring your membership provides you with what you need, when you need it. Not yet a member? This is just a taste of what’s on offer – we’d love to welcome you to the network.
New resources and services
Briefing: CEO satisfaction with board diversity (2023-2025)
This short briefing focuses on just one aspect of the findings from the 2023, 2024 and 2025 surveys: CEO satisfaction with board diversity.
Blog: Anti-racism means getting intimate with racism
Dr Sanjiv Lingayah, co-creator and racial justice lead of Home Truths 2, reflects on what it really takes for mainstream civil society to move from intellectual engagement with race equity to meaningful, felt commitment. In a powerful new blog, he explores how “intimacy” – creating close, human connections to the realities and harms of racism – has been central to the most impactful elements of the programme. Sanjiv invites leaders to consider where they stand, what calls to their hearts, and how anti-racism can be a foundation for broader change rather than an add-on. It’s an honest, hopeful piece that will resonate with anyone working to build a more just and life-affirming future across our sector.
Blog: A call to lead with empathy
“In the current climate where public discourse seems to reward vitriol over compassion, those of us in the charity sector know, perhaps more acutely than ever, that empathy isn’t a soft add-on. It’s central to the work.” Gail Jackson, CEO of Solving Kids’ Cancer UK, reflects on the hidden emotional weight of charity leadership. Gail explores why empathy is not a soft skill but a vital leadership tool. Read her honest reflections on acknowledging uncertainty, and finding resilience in the face of complexity.
Blog: Being an older leader in the workforce
It is hard to avoid headlines such as these, and given the current and projected rises in retirement age, we are all looking at a longer working life. It could be you today, turning around and finding that you are the oldest person in your organisation; the oldest still working within your peer group and your wider friendship group. Moira Dennison briefly explores what ageing in this sector feels like and what implications it has for you as an individual, within your leadership role and also touches on the huge benefits that age inclusivity brings to the workforce.
Blog: Right to work checks – what to check, when to check and why it matters
Making sure your employees have the legal right to work in the UK is a basic legal requirement. It is also one of the simplest ways to protect your business from serious financial and reputational risk. Immigration law changes regularly, and mistakes can be expensive. Read on for more information.
Blog: Phishing emails – the signs to look out for in 2026
Phishing remains one of the most common and damaging cyber threats facing charities in 2026. As cyber criminals become more sophisticated, phishing emails are no longer riddled with easy-to-spot spelling mistakes or obvious red flags. Instead, attackers are now using artificial intelligence, realistic branding, and tailored language to deceive even the most vigilant staff members. It’s essential for every organisation to understand these new tactics and make their teams and donors aware as well.
Blog: Five steps leaders can take to implement AI responsibly
Transparency is vital as we all grapple with the threshold of permitted uses. What is ok/not ok. It also demonstrates the importance of human-authored works in an era of AI, and the inherent limitations of AI’s derivative outputs in terms of accuracy and authenticity. Anna Ganley, chief executive of the Society of Authors, explores.
Events added to the calendar
Workshop: Introduction to mentoring
Online, open to non members
This interactive workshop on 26 February is an introduction to mentoring for those who have signed up to be an ACEVO mentor or are interested in doing so. The session will offer a mixture of information, sharing and practice with peers. We aim for the session to be engaging, participatory and a peer-learning experience. It is designed and delivered by Tom Andrews and Debbie Fisher.
Webinar: Unlocking major gifts – what the wealth transfer means for your charity
Online, open to non members
This session on 17 March will explore how we might harness more of this great wealth. What are the emerging giving trends among high-net-worth individuals more generally? How are they choosing to give through their lifetime and afterwards? And what can charities do to reap the benefits?
Programme: Confidence to lead – peer learning group
Online, open to non members
If you’ve ever doubted yourself or felt stuck, you’re not alone. That’s why ACEVO is teaming up with Sarah Lynas to offer a friendly and practical facilitated peer learning group starting in April to help you grow into the confident leader you want to be.
What is a peer learning group?
It’s a space to share and connect, to share challenges, experience and ideas with other charity leaders in a safe, supportive environment. It’s a structured process which gives you fresh ways to tackle current problems, meaning you’ll come away from each session with new perspectives and creative solutions to the leadership challenges you’re facing, along with practical tools and actionable ideas to help you lead with more clarity and ease. And it’s a space where you’ll grow in confidence as you learn to trust your instincts and believe in your abilities as a leader.
Workshop: ‘Chief everything officer’ – for leaders of small charities
Online, open to non members
For leaders of small charities, the CEO role can feel like you’re ‘chief everything officer’, managing it all. That’s why we put together a half-day workshop on 19 May for leaders of smaller organisations seeking to enhance their understanding of their leadership role and how this interplays with their own wellbeing. The session will be highly interactive, blending traditional learning with creative facilitation and candid peer-to-peer reflection. The structure includes individual thinking and reflection time, whole-group discussions, targeted breakout rooms for smaller group in-depth sharing, and a facilitated session on strategic future planning and personal leadership growth
Workshop: Dynamic Duo
Online, open to non members
When the relationship is in trouble it’s hard on both chair and CEO and the organisation suffers. This digital event on 9 June explores how to balance the roles and how to bring out the best in each other. The day’s engagement will look at the CEO/chair relationship from both perspectives. It is an opportunity for you to hear from and share ideas with your peers.
Member networking: London
In person, only for members
This is your chance to engage with fellow CEOs, share experiences, and build relationships that extend beyond the boundaries of your organisations. This relaxed gathering on 9 July offers the space and time to step away from the day-to-day and meet other leaders who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of leadership in civil society.
Other updates
Get involved with our new networking group
Following discussions with members, we are establishing a networking group for ethnically marginalised leaders. We are seeking volunteers interested in joining a steering group to launch the group’s first event in the first half of 2026. The steering group (formed of leaders with lived experience) will be crucial in ensuring the success of the event series by:
- Providing direct advice and guidance to ACEVO staff, informed by lived experience
- Shaping prospective event themes and identifying key guest speakers
- Offering other strategic input to ensure the series is impactful and relevant
If you are interested, please email events@acevo.org.uk.
Tell your chair!
ACEVO and the Association of Chairs have joined forces to make leadership and trustee recruitment that bit easier across our sector. The partnership puts a spotlight on ACEVO Jobs, our board and senior leadership job board trusted by more than 300 charities and social enterprises. As ACEVO members, you already have access to a 10% discount on listings using the code ACEVO10 — and if your chair or trustee board are members of AoC, they can also benefit from their own 10% discount via a dedicated referral code. The two offers can’t be combined, but do pass this on so your organisation can make the most of the one that applies.
Annual report and accounts for 2024–25
ACEVO has published its annual report and accounts for the financial year 2024–25, highlighting a year of purposeful investment, strong member engagement and sustained focus on supporting civil society leaders through an increasingly challenging landscape. Since 2023, ACEVO has made planned investments of surplus reserves into staffing to strengthen its ability to serve members, develop services and build the capacity required to meet the evolving needs of sector leaders. You can read the report on the website.