New, Modern, Collaborative & Impact-Driven Corporate-Charity Partnerships
08.30 Registration, Informal Networking & GIC Opening Remarks
OPENING REMARKS
09.00 Morning Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks
Richard Donovan, Director Of Social Value, Compass One, Experian
Lisa Rootes, Head Of Partnerships, National Literacy Trust
CREATING HIGH-VALUE CORPORATE CHARITY PARTNERSHIPS
DOUBLE PERSPECTIVE
09.10 Build Collaborative, Mutually Beneficial Partnerships That Deliver Meaningful Impact For Both Organisations & The Communities They Serve
- Analyse real partnership journeys from both the corporate and charity perspective, uncovering how successful collaborations were initiated, how they evolved over time, and what lessons emerged along the way
- Compare standout case studies – from high-profile brand collaborations to unexpected pairings – and explore why some partnerships achieve exceptional engagement while others struggle to gain traction
- Identify the behaviours, governance structures, and communication practices that sustain strong relationships, ensuring both partners feel heard, valued, and invested in long-term success
- Learn how charities and corporates can move beyond one-sided arrangements to create genuinely collaborative partnerships that align commercial objectives with meaningful social impact
09.10 Perspective 1
Amy Harris, Head Of Corporate Social Responsibility UKI, Deutsche Bank
Marco Greco, Head Of Corporate Partnerships, The Sutton Trust
09.30 Perspective 2
Kirsty Brownlie, Head Of Social Impact Strategy, Aberdeen Group plc
Graham Robertson, CEO , Working Rite
CHARITY STREAM: INSIDE THE CORPORATE PERSPECTIVE: PRIORITIES, PRESSURES & PARTNERSHIP
PANEL Q&A
09.50 Understand How Businesses Are Rethinking Corporate Giving, Strategic Partnerships & Social Impact In A Changing Commercial Landscape
- Unpack how corporate giving has evolved in recent years, including the growing shift towards fewer, longer-term strategic partnerships and the commercial, cultural, and reputational factors driving this change
- Examine how organisations decide which charities to support, exploring the mix of brand alignment, employee engagement, customer expectations, and leadership priorities that shape partnership decisions
- Gain insight into what businesses are truly looking for from charity partners today, including how charities can present stronger value propositions, demonstrate impact, and build proposals that resonate with corporate goals
- Consider the wider pressures shaping partnership strategy – from shifting social priorities and ESG scrutiny to customer expectations and internal budget dynamics – and what these trends mean for the future of corporate–charity collaboration
Emmaline Rogers, Head Of Sustainability, HEINEKEN UK
Elisabeth Rochford, ESG Lead, Diageo GB
Philipp Kuest, Global Social Impact Lead – Water & Hygiene, Reckitt
Nicola Mackay , Food Surplus Campaign Manager, Tesco
Catrin Hale, Group Social Impact Manager, Currys
Rebecca Lever, CSR Programme Manager, Société Générale
CORPORATE STREAM: ACTIVATING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
PANEL Q&A
09.50 Turn Corporate–Charity Partnerships Into Experiences That Inspire Colleagues, Strengthen Culture & Sustain Long-Term Participation
- Distinguish between awareness, participation, and genuine engagement, uncovering how organisations measure meaningful involvement rather than surface-level activity
- Bring partnerships to life internally by designing experiences that give employees a sense of ownership, purpose, and connection to the cause
- Showcase creative approaches to volunteering, fundraising, and internal advocacy – from community champion networks to skills-based initiatives that deepen colleague participation
- Maintain momentum beyond the launch moment by evolving communications, storytelling, and progress updates that keep employees invested throughout multi-year partnerships
Anthony Baigent, Partnership Management Lead, Action for Children
Fi Watherston, Head Of Partnerships, Metro Bank
Teresa Hicks, Director of Partnership & Relationship Fundraising, British Heart Foundation
Claudia Buffini, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Chair Of The UK Charity Committee, Schroders
10.25 Bonus Session; Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner
10.55 Morning Refreshment Break With Informal Networking
SPECSAVERS & CRISIS CASE STUDY
11.25 Exclusive Case Study With Specsavers & Crisis
Joni Nettleship, Homelessness Programme Lead, Specsavers
Kelly Holliday, National Partnerships Engagement Lead, Crisis
ALIGNING BUSINESS VALUES WITH PHILANTHROPIC PURPOSE
11.45 Integrate Social Impact Into Core Business Strategy To Create Partnerships That Deliver Purpose, Credibility & Long-Term Value
- Reveal how leading organisations weave charitable partnerships into their broader corporate mission, ensuring community investment reinforces brand identity, customer promise, and strategic priorities
- Pinpoint where corporate capabilities and societal challenges overlap, uncovering opportunities for partnerships that generate meaningful impact while supporting business performance
- Illustrate how businesses and charities identify shared values, culture, and ambitions to create collaborations that feel authentic to employees, customers, and wider stakeholders
- Strengthen leadership commitment by demonstrating how purpose-driven partnerships contribute to reputation, workforce engagement, and sustainable organisational growth
Ruth Melvin, Head Of Operational Excellence, P&O Operations, Sandoz
Angelica Huffstot, Associate Director, Global Partnerships, One Young World
UNDERSTANDING PARTNERSHIP MODELS
PANEL Q&A
12.05 Explore The Evolving Models Of Corporate–Charity Collaboration – From Traditional Giving To Strategic, Multi-Dimensional Partnerships
- Compare the most common partnership structures in practice today, from charity-of-the-year programmes and cause-related marketing to long-term strategic collaborations
- Examine the growing shift toward in-kind, pro bono, and skills-based partnerships, and consider what this means for charities navigating reduced unrestricted funding
- Demystify the mechanics of cause-related marketing partnerships, including regulatory responsibilities, commercial structures, and best practice for protecting both brands and charities
- Discover how organisations are designing more innovative or unconventional collaborations – from local community initiatives to national campaigns – and understand what drives these partnerships to succeed
Brenda Iglesias, Associate Director, Business Partnership & External Innovation, GSK
David Schofield, Sustainability Director – Social Action & Sustainable Business, Aviva
Gaultier Letourneau-Ross, Head Of Corporate Partnerships Development, International Rescue Committee
Michaela Wright, Group Head Of Sustainability, Skipton Building Society
Simon Bull, Programmes & Partnerships Manager, Responsible Business & Reputation Strategy, L&G
Anish Shah, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley
12.40 Lunch & Informal Networking For Speakers, Delegates & Partners
13.10 Interactive Hot Topic Peer-To-Peer Discussions
A) Diversity & Inclusion
Alicia Junman, Head Of Partnerships, War Child UK
B) Managing Complexity & Compliance In Corporate-Charity Partnerships
Catherine Brant, Patient & Professional Partnerships Lead, Novo Nordisk UK
13.40 Afternoon Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks
Susannah Herbert, Global Social Impact Lead, Reckitt
Rose Caldwell OBE, CEO, Plan International UK
MOVING BEYOND TICK-BOX CSR & EMBEDDING PURPOSE
13.50 Build Authentic, Purpose-Driven Partnerships That Move From Occasional Giving To Meaningful, Long-Term Impact
- Challenge traditional CSR approaches that prioritise short-term visibility over genuine impact and uncover how organisations are shifting toward deeper, purpose-led engagement
- Demonstrate how businesses are embedding social responsibility across leadership decisions, employee initiatives, and customer engagement rather than limiting it to standalone campaigns
- Highlight practical ways charities can work with corporates to co-design initiatives that deliver measurable community outcomes while strengthening organisational credibility
- Showcase how purpose-driven partnerships influence culture, brand reputation, and stakeholder trust when they are woven consistently through business strategy
Jess Payne, Director Of Social Value, Compass One, Compass Group UK & Ireland
Sian Foster, Associate Director Of Business Development, DFN Project Search
VOLUNTEERING & SKILLS-BASED COLLABORATION
14.10 Unlock The Full Potential Of Employee Volunteering By Matching Professional Skills With Real Community Needs
- Compare traditional volunteering activities with emerging skills-based initiatives, revealing how organisations are shifting from one-off activities toward programmes that deliver deeper, longer-term value
- Explore how charities can define clearer and more strategic ‘asks’, enabling corporate partners to contribute expertise, knowledge, and professional capability alongside financial support
- Highlight practical examples of employees supporting nonprofits through mentoring, pro bono consulting, and specialist technical support
- Consider how organisations identify the right opportunities, coordinate participation at scale, and ensure volunteering programmes create genuine value for both partners and communities
Nikki Martin, Employee Engagement & Operations Manager, GSK
Daniel Mills, Strategic Lead – Corporate Employee Engagement, Save The Children
CHARITY PITCHING PANEL: WHAT MAKES A PITCH STAND OUT
PANEL Q&A
14.30 Watch Live Charity Partnership Pitches In Action – With Real-Time Feedback From Senior Leaders On What Captures Attention, Builds Credibility & Wins Support
Mary O’Hagan, Chief Fundraising & Marketing Officer, Sense
Jackie Belcher, Social Value Partnerships & Impact Manager, The Co-op
Rebecca Gattinesi, New Business Manager, Trussell
Kelly Heaney, Social Impact Manager, E.ON UK
Fabienne Garceau, Marketing Community & Consumer Relations Manager, UK & Ireland, Abbott’s Diabetes Care business
15.05 Bonus Session; Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner
15.35 Afternoon Refreshment Break With Informal Networking
AI & TECHNOLOGY IN CORPORATE CHARITY PARTNERSHIPS
16.05 Harness Emerging Technologies To Strengthen Partnerships, Unlock Better Insights & Deliver Greater Social Impact
- Reveal how charities and corporates are beginning to use AI tools to streamline partnership research, proposal development, and stakeholder engagement
- Assess how data, analytics, and automation can improve impact measurement, helping organisations demonstrate clearer outcomes to funders and stakeholders
- Explore innovative digital solutions supporting collaboration, from fundraising technology and volunteering platforms to tools that improve communication and reporting
- Identify practical opportunities for charities to adopt AI and technology confidently, saving time, strengthening partnership strategy, and improving decision-making
MEASURING WHAT MATTERS: DEMONSTRATING IMPACT, VALUE & PARTNERSHIP
16.25 Prove The True Value Of Corporate–Charity Partnerships By Moving Beyond Outputs To Meaningful, Long-Term Impact
- Define the metrics that matter most to both charities and corporates, balancing social outcomes, employee engagement, brand value, and community benefit
- Translate partnership activity into compelling impact stories supported by credible data, helping stakeholders clearly understand the difference being made
- Navigate the growing demand for transparency and accountability by adopting frameworks that capture both quantitative results and qualitative change
- Strengthen long-term partnerships by using impact insights to guide decision-making, improve programmes, and demonstrate shared value over time
David Hardman, EDI Strategy Manager, LTA (Lawn Tennis Association)
John Hughes, Director Of Partnerships & Communities, Community Integrated Care
16.45 Afternoon Co-Chairs’ Closing Remarks & Official Close Of Conference
Susannah Herbert, Global Social Impact Lead, Reckitt
Rose Caldwell OBE, CEO, Plan International UK