Radical Leadership in a Changing World - Online conference on Thursday 27 November

It has never been harder to lead a charity, with increasingly limited resources, funding cuts, rising costs, changing social and political landscape and increasing demand all influencing the state of the sector. So how do leaders move beyond survival to think big and act boldly?

Join us as we take a refreshing and honest look at what it means to lead today. We will tackle challenging and relevant topics in key areas of leadership through a mix of thought-provoking panel discussions, keynotes and insightful sessions.

Attendees will leave re-energised and inspired, taking practical actions back to their organisation with renewed hope for the future.

Who should attend?

This conference is critical for anyone in a senior leadership role in a charity including CEOs, Deputy CEOs, Chief Operating Officers, and Directors of Departments.

What’s included in the price?

• Attendance to the online conference, keynote sessions, session talks and networking sessions
• Access to all presentations and handouts
• A digital copy of It’s Tough at the Top

Agenda

09.35 – Welcome

Join us for introductions and housekeeping rules.

09.45 – Keynote: The power of strategic communication

We all know how challenging charity leadership is right now. Wouldn’t you like to be on the front foot? To confidently articulate the unique role your organisation plays in pushing the boundaries, trying new things, holding the government and business to account, and making life better for your beneficiaries and supporters?

Adeela will show how putting strategic communications at the heart of your organisation, can help you do just that. The passion, insight and skills of communications professionals should be an essential part of your leadership toolkit.

Speaker: Adeela Warley, CEO, CharityComms.

10.30 – Leadership in a crisis

At times it can feel as if crisis has become the new normal in the charity sector. The combination of rising costs, growing demand and falling income mean many leaders and teams are already working at full capacity. So how do you then cope when a crisis occurs?
Drawing on brand new research and real-life case studies of some of our sectors highest profile crises, Ruth will help you prepare for, safely navigate and learn from crises.

The focus of this session will be on practical guidance for you – in your capacity as a leader in your charity, as part of a sector working under unprecedented pressure and as an individual.

Speaker: Ruth Davison, Charity Consultant and Stategist.

11.15 – Coffee break

11.30 – Panel discussion – Unity, not uniformity: Leading through difference

Charity leaders are increasingly expected to navigate complex and polarising issues — from race and gender to politics and identity — while maintaining trust, cohesion and a clear sense of purpose.

But what happens when you don’t all agree? How do you lead when your board isn’t aligned or when your staff disagree on various issues and topics? How do you create an environment that is psychologically safe?

Join us for this honest panel discussion as we discuss:

• Managing internal tension and conflict on external issues
• How to create the space for an honest and respectful conversation with different view points in a culture where everyone feels heard
• Lived experience and organisational values
• Creating unity

12.30 – Lunch

13.30 – AI for leaders

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way charities fundraise, operate and deliver services and more and more organisations are advancing their knowledge and use of AI. But what does it mean in terms of leading an organisation?

In this session, we will look at the key aspects leaders need to be aware of to make strategic decisions. We will also look at risks and any long-term impacts of using AI.

14.15 – Braver boards: Creating a culture of strategic risk

Effective leadership and governance require embracing risk—but finding the right balance can be challenging. Often, leadership teams are ready to take bold steps but need board approval to embrace higher levels of risk. In a time of uncertainty in the sector, is taking more risk what’s needed or is playing it safe the most stable option? How do you inspire and encourage boards to take more risk?

In this session, we will look at tools for managing risk and how to highlight opportunities for growth, innovation and increased impact to boards. And gain insights on how to communicate risk to your board in ways that build confidence and trust.

15.00 – Break

15.15 – Beyond survival – Strategies for growth

Navigating the complexity of the sector right now is extremely difficult with much of the sector in a state of survival. So how do you put that aside to think about the future?

Join us as we define what growth really means (it’s not just about the finances), explore how to overcome the barriers to growth to shift from crisis mode to effective future planning. We’ll also look at how to navigate resistance to change and building a bold and aligned senior leadership team.

16.00 – Closing remarks

16.10 – Networking

16.30 – Conference ends/ Networking rooms close

Find out more about your speakers here.

Ticket prices

Early bird: deadline end of Tuesday 30 September

• Band A: £133
• Band B: £143
• Band C: £163

Regular price bands from Wednesday 1 October

• Band A: £143
• Band B: £153
• Band C: £173

Event sponsor

As the only 100% nonprofit-focused Microsoft Dynamics partner, Total Enterprise Solutions (TES) are committed to driving change and innovation in the nonprofit sector. A Microsoft Solutions Partner, they specialise in providing Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and Business Central finance solutions, tailored specifically to the needs of charities. By combining these technologies with their sector-specific IP and services, they enable nonprofits to streamline their operations, focus on their mission, and achieve their goals faster and more effectively. Find out more.