CEO Seminars

Breakfast SeminarOur twice-yearly, invitation-only seminars are simply the only place where the CEOs of the UK’s largest charities come together in intimate groups to share their insights and experiences around some of the sector’s greatest challenges and opportunities.

Attendance is typically capped at 14-16 CEOs to ensure everyone gets heard, and gets what they need from the session.

Previous topics have included:

  • Strategic Innovation: for earned income and social impact
  • Planning your end game: six ways to accelerate your mission
  • The agile organisation: how to thrive in turbulent times
  • Income diversification: how to rapidly grow commercial income
  • Commercial capabilities: how to build them quickly and comprehensively
  • Empowered organisation: developing leadership at all levels
  • Culture change: how to professionalise and commercialise your team
  • Commercial income: generating sustainable trading surplus
  • Modernisation: overcoming the barriers to change

What previous attendees have said:

“Martyn runs really stretching and stimulating learning sessions that offer a rare and efficient blend of distilled theory and real life experience from leading practitioners” Mike Adamson, CEO, British Red Cross

“Always thought provoking, and some of the most interesting thinkers in the sector” Neil Heslop, CEO, Charities Aid Foundation

“Thoughtful, credible leaders addressing tough stuff with open minds” Peter Wanless, CEO, NSPCC

“Valuable time out to discuss challenging issues in a stimulating peer environment” James Blake, CEO, Youth Hostel Association

“Great opportunity to refesh your thinking and make that one invaluable connection” Irene Sobowale, CEO, The Disabilities Trust

“Great way of active learning, supporting your own career development and networks” Catherine Johnstone, CEO, Royal Voluntary Service

“Opportunity to explore with serious peers, serious questions in a warm, positive and genuinely supportive setting” Martin Houghton-Brown, CEO, St John Ambulance

“A rare opportunity to think about an important organisational issue with a peer group of CEOs” David Holmes, CEO, Family Action

“Very stimulating. Great mix of ideas, tools and analysis from Martyn” Jonathan Senker, CEO, Voiceability

“These sessions are an investment in strategic thinking and exploration, conducted in a mutually respectful environment of peers where every voice counts” Bob Reitemeier, CEO, ICAN

“Good honest high level debate with peers” Henny Braund, CEO, Anthony Nolan

“Have a clear head, this is high protein” Nick Caplin, CEO, Blind Veterans UK

“Valuable insights and engaging discussion. Well worth getting out of bed early for!”, Amanda Batten, CEO, Contact a Family

I found the seminar very useful, particularly your views from the commercial sector”, Caroline Stevens, CEO, National Autistic Society

An opportunity to connect with peers, learn from a range of perspectives and understand more about different principles and models to underpin our work  and improve its effectiveness”, Katharine Sacks-Jones, CEO, Become Charity

“Thought-provoking discussion which helped identify gaps in my thinking but provided confidence in my direction of travel”, Petra Ingram, CEO, Horseworld

“Great to hear the experiences of others on some of the challenges I face”, Dalton Leong, CEO, The Children’s Trust

“Great opportunity to pause and reflect with others facing similar challenges”, Kieron Boyle, CEO, Guys and St Thomas Charity

“A small group of highly skilled peers and a well presented and facilitated discussion”, Carol Homden CBE, CEO, Coram Group