CharitEpulse: Trust, turmoil, and transitions in the third sector
Time for a reset? Our chatters James Saunders, Charles Mesquita, and Catherine Rustomji have plenty to discuss in this week’s podcast including:
- Government’s new “Covenant”: Designed to reset relations between government and the charity sector.
- Public trust remains strong: The Charity Commission’s 2025 research shows that public trust in charities remains high, with the sector ranking just below doctors and above the police and politicians. But is it time to question the value of publishing this data every year?
- Island Health Trust: The Charity Commission’s inquiry uncovered serious governance failures, including the misuse of £350,000. The former chair has been disqualified for seven years. While the case highlights the need for stronger oversight, concerns remain about the recovery of funds and sector-wide lessons.
- Succession struggles: Smaller charities continue to face challenges with succession planning.
The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube.
If you have any questions or feedback for the panel, please contact James directly.
