Our Circles of support are an additional service launching for 2025. They are a ‘go-to’ community of support for members with experience in each sector to build closer connections. Each group involves a WhatsApp Community and six events, mixed between virtual and in-person.
Our Charity Boards Circle is supported by London Women’s Forum, the network of choice for senior female leaders in Financial Services, as they support their members to bring their skills to non-executive positions.
Charities make a huge contribution to UK society and transform lives and our environment daily. This Circle brings together those serving as charity trustees, on registered charities of all sizes and types. Spanning the range of the highly-diverse charity sector, this group will offer peer-learning, innovation and experience sharing and a chance to cross-reference approaches and best practice in this space. Events will also be open to London Women’s Forum members with experience in charity governance.
Open to our Full and Directors’ Circle members, whether they are currently serving on a Charity Sector board or aspiring to one, this group aims to encourage all to excel in this space.
Meeting dates
Please register here to be join our 2025 Charity Sector Boards Circle events. You will also receive an invitation to join the WhatsApp group.
Next sessions
9 September 2025, in London – Charity Board Circle Networking drinks. Please register here to confirm your place.
We will share further dates through the year. Do register even if you can not attend every session.
19 September 2025, virtual – The Charity Commission : what trustees need to know, 12.30pm to 1.30pm
With over 170 000 registered charities in the UK, the Charity Commission has a unique challenge in regulating this highly diverse sector. At this session, Pippa Britton, a board member at the Charity Commission, will share her insights on the thinking behind the Commission’s approach and the current priorities and concerns. Pippa brings extensive experience both at the Commission, and from her wider board roles in the sports sector. This will be a fascinating opportunity for experienced and new trustees to discuss regulation and how to best engage as a charity board member.
We will focus on:
– the Commission’s approach
– what trustees need to know
– current themes and areas of focus
There will be a chance for a Q&A discussion, sharing reflections and experiences
Chaired by – Tracy Rea & Sonia Gayle
London Women’s Forum lead – Jane Karczewski
Chairs
Tracy Rea
Tracy currently has a portfolio of work including: being Chair of the Board for Parkour UK; coaching individuals from executives/CEOs to democratizing coaching for the masses; working with SME’s on their Strategic People and Talent Management plan and working as a consultant in embedding a holistic solution for sustainability through SOI.
Sonia Gayle
Sonia is a charity trustee and Risk and Governance Committee Chair. In her spare time, she mentors’ executives and emerging talent, and is also a community volunteer for the British Red Cross. Sonia is an MBA graduate and Chartered Banker and previously worked in the financial services sector for over 25 years in various senior roles including: regulatory policy (FSA), consultancy services (EY), and risk management advisory (HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds and AEGON). She is a Fellow of the International Compliance Association, FT NED Diploma holder and is also a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
London Women’s Forum Lead
Jane Karczewski
Jane is Chair of the London Women’s Forum, the network of choice for senior female leaders in Financial Services. She is a multilingual Managing Director with over 30 years of Financial Industry experience, across trading, global sales, and product management. Jane is also a charity trustee at both the Royal Academy of Dance and The Circle, founded by Annie Lennox.