CharitEpulse: Trust, turmoil and trustees
In this episode of CharitEpulse, our panel James Saunders, Charles Mesquita and Catherine Rustomji discuss the latest developments affecting charities across the UK. From public trust and societal divisions to governance lessons from a recent trustee disqualification case, they explore the challenges facing charity leaders and trustees. The panel also considers the respective roles of…
READ MORECharitEpulse: No rest for the charitable
In this episode of CharitEpulse, our panel James Saunders, Charles Mesquita and Catherine Rustomji discuss the latest legal, regulatory and operational developments affecting charities across the UK. From governance and accountability to banking pressures and compliance challenges, they explore what these issues mean for charity leaders and trustees. In this episode, the trio discuss: Charity…
READ MORECharitEpulse: Budget pressures, pay gaps and governance concerns
In this episode of CharitEpulse, our panel James Saunders, Charles Mesquita and Catherine Rustomji explore some of the latest developments affecting the charity sector. From concerns about future funding pressures and pay inequality to governance issues highlighted by the City & Guilds investigation, they discuss the challenges facing charity leaders and trustees. The conversation also…
READ MORECharitEpulse: Faith, funds and sector frustrations
In this episode of CharitEpulse, our panel James Saunders, Charles Mesquita and Catherine Rustomji discuss some of the latest developments affecting charities, including changes to ethical investment policies, the barriers smaller charities face in securing public sector contracts, the scrutiny of trustees’ social media activity, and the need for stronger fundraising understanding at board level.…
READ MORECharitEpulse: Charities under pressure – policy, governance and commissioning challenges
In this episode of CharitEpulse, our chatters James Saunders, Charles Mesquita and Catherine Rustomji explore some of the growing pressures facing charities, including shifting policy landscapes, mounting governance challenges and the complexities of commissioning in an increasingly constrained environment. The trio discuss: Policy and sector support: recent government announcements offered limited detail for the charity sector,…
READ MORECharitEpulse: 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…
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