Skip to main content

ICYMI: what we have been up to at ACEVO in the past month

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.

Events added to the calendar

Webinar: Strengthening your charity’s digital backbone – a CEO’s guide to co-managed IT

Online, open to non members

This exclusive session with ACEVO partner Smartdesc on 5 February is specifically designed for charity leaders. It will cut through the noise and explain, in clear strategic terms why so many charities feel ‘stuck’ with their IT progress and how co-managed IT is helping leaders regain stability, unlock capacity and accelerate digital transformation.

New resources and services

Survey results: Member temperature check

Online resource, for ACEVO members only

Last month, we ran our inaugural ACEVO member temperature check survey to help us understand the mood across our membership, spot emerging trends, and strengthen our evidence base for influencing on behalf of leaders in the sector.

We intend to conduct the survey quarterly to build a picture over time and shape ACEVO’s influencing work, ensuring that we represent the needs and priorities of charity leaders. See the latest results.

Survey: Board behaviours and dynamics

Online resource, available to all

ACEVO, the Association of Chairs, and nfpResearch are running a new survey that explores how CEOs and chairs work together, what helps or hinders these relationships, and how culture and trustee engagement shape decision-making.

It takes around 15 minutes to complete, and all responses are completely anonymous; no individual or organisation will be identified in any reporting.

Your insight will help build a clearer picture of what strong leadership looks like across our sector. Complete the survey.

Blog: Diversifying income – seven pitfalls

Online resource, available to all

Most advice on income strategy encourages charities to avoid being overly reliant on too few sources of revenue. In these uncertain times, this is both good advice and hard to achieve. Here, Jack Harrington, CEO of the British Academy of Management, explores seven challenges related to diversifying income, all drawn from my own experience as a senior leader, trustee and CEO. 

Blog: What your diary says about you as a leader

Online resource, available to all

This blog lifts the lid on what leaders’ calendars quietly reveal about their true priorities. Written from the perspective of a former executive assistant, it shows how every diary choice sends a cultural signal – from cancelled one-to-ones to skipped breaks and late-night emails. It highlights the gap that can emerge between values and behaviour, and shares practical habits from leaders who get it right. An insightful read on how to make your time reflect what really matters.

Blog: How I am using AI as a charity leader

Online resource, available to all

This thoughtful blog explores how a charity CEO uses AI not for shortcuts or automation, but to stay clear-headed, imaginative, and values-led in a demanding sector. From shaping strategy and culture to strengthening safeguarding, partnerships, and governance, AI becomes a quiet partner that frees space for human judgment and creativity. It shows how technology can deepen care, clarity, and connection when used with intention. If you’re curious about what ethical, grounded AI leadership looks like in practice, this is an inspiring and deeply human read.

Home Truths 2 programme: closing reflections

Online resource, available to all

The Home Truths 2 programme on anti-racism in civil society has been active since 2023. As we close the active phase of the work, we offer some reflections from ACEVO and Voice4Change England. The two blogs articulate the work ahead to shift civil society away from being a site of racism to becoming central to anti-racism. At the same time, efforts to create life-affirming futures for us all is not just hard work, it can be seen as fulfilling what civil society, at its best, is all about.

Other updates

New trustees

We ratified the results of our recent board elections and welcomed two new faces to our board. Join us in welcoming Catherine Mole, chief executive of Dingley’s Promise, and Rebecca Wilkinson, chief executive of LawWorks, for their first term as ACEVO trustees. 

Share

Not an ACEVO member?

If you have any queries please email info@acevo.org.uk
or call 020 7014 4600.