The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.
Good Governance: Future proofing for trustees conference
We'll be celebrating Trustees' Week 2024 at our Good Governance: Future proofing for trustees conference, 5 November 2024
On 5 November 2024 we’ll be bringing together over 100 trustees and charity and governance experts to celebrate Trustees' Week 2024 at our 'Good Governance: Future proofing for trustees' conference in Edinburgh.
We will celebrate the work trustees do and share inspiration, experience and knowledge. With interactive sessions and lots of opportunities for networking and learning, it will be an opportunity for you to reflect, and develop your knowledge and understanding of good governance.
On this page you'll find:
- Event hosts and partners
- Event programme
- Meet the speakers
- Helpful information for delegates
Event hosts and partners
The event is hosted by Scotland's Third Sector Governance Forum which brings together a range of partners with knowledge and expertise in governance issues. The partners work together to improve governance and leadership in the voluntary sector through a strategic approach.
We're grateful to CCLA and Foundation Scotland whose support has made this conference possible.
Conference agenda
We've a packed agenda for the day:
| Time | Title | Description |
| 9:30am | Arrivals and refreshments | Once you've arrived at Dovecot Studios and get yourself settled, enjoy some refreshments before we kick off the day's events. |
| 10:00am | Welcome and introductions Session One: Why good governance is key to sustainability and success | In our opening session, we will be welcoming everyone and taking a look at the new updated Third Sector Governance Code, what's changed, and what you can do to ensure good governance in your organisation. Mercedes Jones from Foundation Scotland and Beth Mukushi from SCVO will explore the critical role trustees have in embedding meaningful climate action within their organisation. Alice Tucker, Third Sector Human Rights and Equalities, will explore how trustees can create an inclusive culture through their own behaviour and embed equality, diversity and inclusion across all aspects of their organisation to be more effective and informed, and to make better decisions. Chaired by Anna Fowlie (SCVO). |
| 11:00am | Refreshment break | |
| 11:20am | Session Two: New charity law in Scotland | The Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023 is a new piece of legislation that builds on existing charity law in Scotland. Parts of the new Act came into force in April 2024, and parts of the Act will be introduced in the next few months. Changes include a new register of charity trustees and extensions to the list of disqualification for being a trustee. This session will explore what the changes might mean for your organisation and give you an opportunity to ask the Regulator and a charity law expert. With Charles Willis, Scottish Charity Regulator and Kenneth Pinkerton, Partner and Head of Brodies Charities & Third Sector Team. |
| 12:50pm | Lunch, networking and meet our event partners and supporters | Our event partners CCLA and Foundation Scotland will be available to answer your questions. Plus, take the chance to find out more about how to access further support from: • Chairs Network Scotland, ACOSVO • Aspen on trustee recruitment • Inspiring Scotland Specialist Volunteer Network • Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel • SCVO’s cyber resilience and digital teams • SCVO Trustee Network • Third Sector Human Rights and Equalities Project |
| 2:00pm | Session Three: Developing financial sustainability and resilience for the future | In our current economic climate voluntary sector organisations are facing increased challenges, from a changing funding landscape to increased demand on service delivery. The role of the Chair and the board of trustees in managing the additional pressures has meant it’s more important to understand the charity’s financial viability and be prepared to consider how to do things differently for the long term. All of this involves organisational and personal resilience and the board being prepared to make some difficult decisions along the way. ACOSVO will facilitate a leadership panel sharing their experiences and answering questions on how to plan ahead and be prepared to ensure all decisions align with your organisation's values, mission and purpose. With Celia Waring (CCLA), Dr Clare Mills ( Charity Finance Group), Gail Burden (ACOSVO), Lynne Lamont (RBC Brewin Dolphin) Chaired by Lucinda Godfrey (ACOSVO). |
| 3:00pm | Closing thoughts, reflections and wrap-up | We'll sum up the day with the Governance Forum, reflecting on our highlights and looking to next steps. You'll have a chance to ask any final questions before we wrap-up for the day. |
Meet the speakers
Alice Tucker
Alice is the Senior Development Officer for THRE (Third Sector Human Rights and Equalities). THRE develops free resources and training to support third sector organisations towards taking a Human Rights and Equalities First Approach to their organisational development and delivery.
As part of her work with THRE, Alice has produced a guide on applying human rights and equalities to board governance and co-developed an online training course on the same topic.
She currently serves on the board of Health in Mind and was involved in the development of their current strategy, which embeds human rights approaches throughout the organisation.
Last year, Alice co-led the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Stakeholder Group as part of the review of The Scottish Governance Code for the Third Sector.
Anna Fowlie
Anna joined SCVO - the national membership body for the voluntary sector in Scotland - as Chief Executive in April 2018. Before that, she was Chief Executive of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for nearly 9 years. The SSSC is the professional regulator for social workers and people working in adult and children's social care.
Her career started with 18 years working in HR in local government, after which Anna joined COSLA as part of the employers' function working on, for example, national pay negotiations. She then became lead for all policy relating to children and young people followed by a secondment to Scottish Government to lead on corporate parenting for children and young people in the care system.
Anna was on the board of Who Cares? Scotland for 8 years, and joined the Oversight Board for The Promise. She is on the board of Dads Rock, and of Prosper (formerly Scottish Council for Development and Industry). She has a degree in History of Art from Edinburgh University, a postgraduate qualification in Human Resources and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Beth Mukushi
Beth Mukushi leads Support Services at SCVO. This includes oversight of a range of services to help charities and community groups run effectively, including support with climate action, digital, governance and funding.
Beth has worked in the voluntary sector for more than 20 years, with experience running UK-wide information and advice services, digital inclusion programmes, online mental health support services and international development. She is currently a trustee with Paths for All, and on the board of Locohome Retrofit CIC.
Celia Waring
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Helpful delegate information
Here's some information to read in advance to help you and your fellow delegates make the most of your day at the conference.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Trustees week conference 2024: Good governance – future proofing for trustees which will take place on Tuesday 5 November at the Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh.
Registration and refreshments will begin at 9.30am and the event itself will begin at 10am, we aim to finish at 3.15pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, we’ll also provide name badges.
Our friendly events team will welcome you on the day and will be available throughout the day to assist you with any queries.
As we are now at capacity and operating a waiting list, if you can no longer attend, please let us know so we can allocate your place to someone else.
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Photographs
While delegates are tweeting they may also capture the day with photographs - if for any reason you do not wish to be photographed there will be yellow ‘no photo’ badges at the main registration for you.
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Public transport
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We’ll be looking at the newly revised Third Sector Governance Code at the conference, and you’ll be able to pick up your own free copy.
If you’d like to assess what you’re doing well and get a plan for areas to improve on your board, check out SCVO’s Good Governance Checkup which is based on the Code.
Get in touch
Got questions, feedback or just want to get in touch about the conference? We'd love to hear from you!