Positivity, community and solidarity | TBE South West Charity Conference & Expo 2025

The 7^th annual TBE Charity Conference & Expo took place on Thursday 5^th June, bringing together charities, not-for-profits and businesses for a jam-packed event focused on community.

The day began with a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Becky Brooks from B&NES 3SG; Tim Lerwill, Head of Charities and Not for Profit at Milsted Langdon; J Cromack, Chief Revenue Officer at Wood for Trees, part of Salocin Group; and Laurie Trounce, Head of Charity Law at Stephens Scown.

With 50 exhibitors, a wealth of introductions and connections were made between organisations and individuals, reflecting the community theme in the spirit of collaboration and meaningful conversation.

The conference provided a wealth of expert perspectives from industry leaders, giving attendees plenty of useful information to boost their charitable activities.

Headline speaker Deborah Hale MBE shared lessons from over three decades in stakeholder engagement, campaign development and major events. Drawing on her experience producing the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays and her time as Facebook’s Marketing Director for EMEA, Deborah explored how strategic community engagement can lead to meaningful, lasting change.

Deborah Hale MBE

Alastair Greener, a specialist in generational communication, discussed the importance of bridging the gap between the eight living generations. His session offered practical tools and challenged common myths, helping charities better connect with diverse age groups, both within their teams and in the communities they serve.

Jodie Hanrahan, Senior Media Account Director at Join the Dots (part of the Salocin Group), presented a case study on how the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex nearly doubled its £1 million fundraising target in just seven weeks. Jodie demonstrated how data-driven insights, combined with a multi-channel strategy, fuelled exceptional campaign performance and donor engagement.

J Cromack, Chief Revenue Officer at Wood for Trees, explored the reinstated soft opt-in clause in the Data (Use & Access) Bill. He outlined how this regulatory change opened the door to an estimated £290 million in potential income for the charity sector and shared best practices for scaling email communications ethically and effectively.

Legal experts Olivia Miller and Mark Roby of Stephens Scown examined the often delicate relationship between charity executives and their boards. Their session highlighted how strong governance and clear communication help shape a healthy organisational culture.

Rounding off the programme, Tim Lerwill, Head of Charity and Not for Profit at Milsted Langdon, provided timely financial insights. He addressed key issues such as rising staff costs, record-keeping, and capital project planning, emphasising the value of professional advice in supporting long-term sustainability and good governance.

Anita Jaynes, Founder of The Business Exchange, said, “This year’s TBE South West Charity Conference and Expo was the best yet. There was an air of optimism around the event as ideas and information was shared to help charities navigate the ongoing economic challenges they face.

“The feedback has been exceptional and we’re already thinking ahead to 2026. It’s clear that the South West Charity Conference and Expo delivers real value for every organisation and individual that attends, and we’re committed to continuing to make meaningful connections between charities, not-for-profits and businesses across the region, and further afield.”