CharitEpulse: Trustees wanted – Are expectations being set too high?
In our latest episode of CharitEpulse, our chatters James Saunders, Charles Mesquita and Catherine Rustomji come together for a wide‑ranging conversation on the pressures and priorities shaping the charity sector today and take a closer look at the role of a trustee. In this episode, the trio discuss: The scale of the charity sector: headline…
READ MORECharitEpulse: From CEO conflict to cryptocurrency challenges
In this week’s podcast our chatters James Saunders, Charles Mesquita and Catherine Rustomji take a closer look at the major news, trends and issues impacting charities, offering their perspectives on a busy week for the sector. The trio discuss: Railway charity leadership dispute: CEO resigns after governance tensions around non‑executive and executive roles. Prime Minister’s…
READ MORECharitEpulse: Regulatory delays and filing failures
In this week’s podcast our chatters James Saunders, Charles Mesquita and Catherine Rustomji unpack another busy week in the charity sector. The trio discuss: The Government launches £11.59m Local Covenant Partnerships Fund targeting 15 disadvantaged areas. The Charity Commission uses extremely rare legal powers to merge two mosque charities. Late charity account filings surge 51%…
READ MORECharitEpulse: Diversity, disclosure and debt
Happy New Year from our chatters James Saunders, Charles Mesquita and Catherine Rustomji who start the year with big questions, honest conversations, and plenty of energy for what’s ahead in their latest CharitEpulse podcast. The Sackler Trust: Whether redacting information in charity accounts is ever a good idea, and the transparency issues it raises. Henry Smith…
READ MORECharitEpulse: New leadership, 2025 highlights and what’s next for 2026
In their final episode of the year our chatters James Saunders, Charles Mesquita and Catherine Rustomji reflect on the sector’s key challenges from 2025 and share their outlook for the year ahead. New leadership at the Charity Commission: Dame Julia Unwin’s appointment brings a wealth of experience and a pledge to make the Commission more…
READ MORECharitEpulse: Trusteeship and the future of charity boards
In this episode of CharitEpulse, James Saunders and Charles Mesquita are joined by special guest Joe Saxton, Chair of the Association of Chairs. Together, they unpick the findings of a major consultation involving over 600 charity leaders, exploring what really matters to today’s modern charity board. During the episode, they discuss: Trustee governance and board…
READ MORECharitEpulse: When good intentions go bad
In this episode of CharitEpulse, following a few quiet weeks, our chatters James Saunders, Charles Mesquita, and Catherine Rustomji take a look at recent scandals and regulatory investigations that have shaken public trust in the sector. The trio discuss: The Aspinall Foundation inquiry: the son of the founder was suspended following allegations of misusing charitable…
READ MORECharitEpulse: Navigating the responsibilities and rewards of being a charity trustee
In this special edition of CharitEpulse, our chatters James Saunders, Charles Mesquita, and Catherine Rustomji have an in-depth conversation about what it’s like to be a charity trustee. Drawing on their own personal experiences they discuss: the role and purpose of trustees; risks and responsibilities involved in trusteeship; motivations for becoming a trustee; personal benefits…
READ MORECharitEpulse: Power, trust and accountability
In their latest episode, our chatters James Saunders, Charles Mesquita, and Catherine Rustomji tackle some tough topics: Economic impact unveiled: Pro Bono Economics recent research reveals the UK charity sector may contribute up to £200 billion annually to the economy, far surpassing government estimates. Fraud at the Prison Reform Trust: The case sparks debate on…
READ MORECharitEpulse: 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…
READ MORE
