Welcome to the February edition.
The latest annual Charity Fraud report has just landed, produced by BDO and the Fraud Advisory Panel. Its headline finding is that 34% of charities surveyed reported experiencing fraud in 2025, , the lowest level in the five years since the report started (and in contrast to 42% reported in 2024). While the report offers useful sector insight, the overall picture across the charity sector masks the experience of ACO members in the current climate.
From conversations and case-sharing, particularly through our Anti-Fraud Forum, we are seeing an increase in what appear to be systematic fraudulent applications across multiple charities. A key challenge is how we strengthen detection and consider appropriate information sharing, within current data protection requirements, so colleagues can respond effectively when cases arise. This work continues to develop through the forum.
On a more positive note, in addition to our current winter programme, we are looking forward to launching two key events later this month: our Finance Forum on 21 April, hosted by our partner Rathbones, and then followed by our first Leaders Conference on 19 May, a 0.75 day workshop for our CEO and senior management team (SMT) colleagues, hosted by our partner Quilter Cheviot. Full details on both events will be announced shortly.
At the same time, we have been planning how to build on the legacy of our Frontline Worker programme by introducing a series of low-cost training sessions focused on issues directly relevant to members’ work. The focus will be on practical topics that members have highlighted as priorities. We hope to launch this in April with a Universal Credit and Benefits refresher session, with further details to follow.
We will be publishing our Salary and Benchmarking Report, sponsored by Merrifield Consultants, later this month. Next week we will also launch the Frontline Worker Wellbeing Survey, in partnership with Rightsteps, with findings to follow in April. Our Occupational Charities Report will also be launching in May. Together, this programme of work is designed to support informed decision making and strengthen the evidence behind the support our members provide.
In the meantime, we look forward to connecting with you across the course of the next few months!
Donal Watkin
Chief Executive
This month’s edition features:
- Upcoming ACO events
- Jobs board
- Member spotlight on Charity for The Artists’ General Benevolent Institution (AGBI)
- Guest articles from WRS Insurance Brokers and AJM Choice
- Member news
- Policy and sector news
- Publications