Our governance

The Fundraising Regulator is a registered company limited by guarantee in England and Wales, which is governed by articles of association.

Our board 

We have a non-executive Board of Directors which is responsible for our overall control and strategic direction, and whose members are drawn from both within and outside the charitable fundraising sector. 

Our committees

The board is guided by recommendations from three committees

  • the Complaints and Investigations Committee 
  • the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee; and  
  • the Standards Committee. 

Our staff 

The board is supported by an executive function, led by the Chief Executive. Day to day operations are delegated by the board to the senior management team.

Articles of association and terms of reference  

Our articles of association are supported by terms of reference which outline the role and responsibilities of the board and committees.  

Board articles of association

Board terms of reference

Committee terms of reference are available on request. 

Board meeting summaries

Minutes from the most recent board meetings are summarised below. 

The board met in person at the Fundraising Regulator’s offices. The observer from the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel attended online. 

The board were updated on the risk register and noted the addition of two new risks following feedback from Committee Chairs. 

The board discussed the Proactive Regulation and Projects paper which outlined the vision and workplan for the new function. 

The board approved the Budget for 2023/24 and noted the management accounts and the satisfactory position as we approached the end of the financial year. 

The board approved the proposed approach on the review on the Code of Fundraising Practice and noted the next steps, which was to launch the consultation on 6 September.

The board was updated on the levy review and that the final model would be presented to the October meeting for approval. Engagement with charities would begin in December 2023 and findings would then be published in the Spring of 2024. 

The board was updated on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and ongoing improvements.

The Board meeting took place as part of the annual board away day and so was slightly shorter than usual to allow time for other sessions.

The board reflected on the successful annual public event that had taken place on 21 March 2023 and the helpful feedback that had been submitted by some attendees. The board discussed the options for the event next year and agreed that plans should be made for another hybrid event as it has worked well.

The board reviewed the management accounts and noted the current financial position. They also discussed the current value of investments that have not yet recovered from the market’s reaction to the conflict in Ukraine.

The board noted progress against the business plan at the half year point. The key priorities for the second half of the year are the review of the Code of Fundraising Practice and a review of the Fundraising Levy.

The findings of the latest staff survey were shared with the board for further discussion. The board noted that a response to the findings is being prepared and will eventually include reflections from the staff team once the findings are shared with them in June. 

The board considered the risk register, matters relating to the Fundraising Preference Service and casework.

The board met in person at the Fundraising Regulator’s offices. The observer from the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel attended online.

Lisa Caldwell, Board member for Northern Ireland was welcomed to her first meeting. 

The board was updated on the risk register and discussed the continued risk of cyber-attack. The board discussed their responsibilities for cyber security and noted the actions the executive was taking to increase security.

The board discussed the management accounts, highlighting the positive position of the finances and the successful Fundraising Levy collection for the current year.

The board reviewed the latest version of the annual report and accounts for 2021/22. They discussed some minor changes and approved the report for publishing. They also noted the auditor’s management letter.

The board was updated on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The board also discussed the upcoming staff survey and the EDI questions that would be included in it.

The board was updated on the review on the Code of Fundraising Practice and noted the next steps, which is to move to the consultation stage.

The board met in person at the Fundraising Regulator’s offices. The observer from the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel attended online.

The board were joined by the Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, who spoke to the board about current developments and areas of focus at the Chartered Institute.

The board were updated on the newly designed risk register and discussed new and emerging risks that may need to be considered in the future, including the increased risk of cyber-attacks.

The board discussed the management accounts, highlighting the positive position and the current Fundraising Levy collection progress against the budget. The board noted that it was pleasing to hear that almost 6,000 fundraising organisations were registered overall.

The board were updated on a new piece of research looking at the impact of the regulator’s digital marketing campaigns. They discussed the increased awareness of the Fundraising Regulator among the public and the levels of awareness of the Fundraising Badge.

The board were updated on equality, diversity and inclusion, notably the very positive feedback from the independent company who were commissioned to review the progress made against the EDI strategy. The review which focused on HR policies, recruitment and the website made a number of small, suggested improvements but was overall very positive about the steps that have already been taken. 

The board were updated on governance matters and approved the reappointment of Reshard Auladin, Suzanne McCarthy, Margaret Moore, Guy Parker and Martin Price for a further term of office.

The board met online due to the heatwave. The board discussed fundraising in relation to Ukraine and considered the risk register. The board received an update from the observer from the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel.

The board discussed the potential impact of inflation whilst approving the budget for 2022/23. The board noted the management accounts and the satisfactory position as the end of the financial year approaches.

The board noted the positive news that there are now 5,500 organisations registered with the Fundraising Regulator, with a further 700 joining this calendar year. The board noted the plans for the Fundraising Levy for 2022/23 and the fact that invoices would start to be issued in September 2022.

The board approved the Strategic Plan 2022-27 that had been updated following feedback from key sector bodies and other regulators. They noted that the plan will be published on the website in September 2022. 

The board were updated on equality, diversity and inclusion developments, notably changes to recruitment policies, the website and house style guide to make them more accessible and inclusive.

The board were updated on the launch of the new Fundraising Preference Service developments and discussed the plans for approaching charities who had not collected suppressions within the required 28 days.

The board discussed and agreed a new governance framework. The board also appointed Sharon Martin as an external member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee for a further three years.