Virtual Hospice Finance Directors Group
This group offers FDs the chance to hear from expert speakers, share approaches and policies and benchmark financial performance.
Virtual Hospice FD Group
The group was set up in 2021 to bring hospice FDs together to hear from expert speakers on key issues, share perspectives and benchmark financial data. Indeed, the Hospice UK quarterly benchmarking grew out of the work of this group.
The group meets quarterly and we keep numbers small enough to allow everyone to participate, but large enough to get a good range of opinions.
David Slack from St Margaret's Hospice has been a member since 2022.
'I always enjoy the opportunity to talk with a variety of leading experts in their field as well as to discuss with peers our current issues, problems and different solutions. The group is both current and informative providing a useful network to share approaches and experiences.'
Below are details about some of our recent sessions. To learn more about the group, contact me.
September 2024
We welcomed Sarah Belsham from RSM to speak at the September session of the group.
Sarah gave the group lots of great advice on developing a strategic approach to data collection, management, governance and analysis. In addition, she emphasised the importance of adapting your approach to reflect the organisational culture and needs of people, not to be led just by the technology.
Interesting also to hear from members how hospices are using AI in different ways, including developing their own app to take minutes to meetings and to undertake data transfers from one system to another.
June 2024
Charities are obviously frequently beneficiaries of the ‘S’ element of companies ESG policies. But, increasingly, for-purpose organisations are being asked by stakeholders about their own approach to the subject.
Nick Sladden of RSM UK joined us to discuss the question of What the ESG agenda means for charities? and gave an insightful overview of both the strategic challenges and operational advice on how to move forward.
March 2024
At this session, Caron Bradshaw, CEO of the Charity Finance Group gave us an oversight of the range of challenges and issues she saw facing the sector in general and FDs in particular.
The discussion touched on a range of subjects, including the vexed issue of the use of reserves and how they should be viewed as a ‘trampoline for growth’, not only a ‘mattress in times of crisis’ !
