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CFDG History
1987 - CFDG sprung from the vision of one man, Adrian Randall, FD of Cancer Research Campaign at the time.
With support from the London Society of Chartered Accountants (LSCA) Adrian sought to establish a Group that provided "...an opportunity for the exchange of views and the discussion and potential solution of common problems among chartered accountants and other senior financial executives working full-time in charities."
With the support of colleagues from five leading charities, Adrian set up a steering group to take the project further.
At this point CFDG was being run out of a small office at the Cancer Research Campaign by Adrian's secretary, Claire Webb, who stayed with the Group for over ten years.
130 charities joined the Group initially.
1988 - First members meeting held on 16th February 1988.
First Annual Dinner took place in the Autumn.
Publication of SORP 2 - Accounting for Charities.
1990 - Membership had reached 175, and senior finance executives from 18 of the top 20 charities were members including Oxfam, the National Trust, the British Heart Foundation and Imperial Cancer Research Fund.
1991 - CFDG produced first Charity Finance Handbook. In this Adrian Randall set out CFDG's 3 key objectives: to provide a forum for information exchange, to assist in improving the professional standards of those with financial responsibilities in the charity sector and to provide a focal point within the charity sector for financial advice on technical matters.
First members' helpline was started by Pesh Framjee, and served as a vital means of issue spotting and knowledge sharing.
First Annual Conference held in summer 1991.
1992 - CFDG worked with the South Bank University on an MSc in Charity Finance, providing input on course content and lecturers. The course is run on a part time basis to allow flexibility for attendees.
In March 1992 the Charities Bill became an Act, containing provisions for strengthening the Charity Commission's powers and new duties for trustees. This Act was significant for CFDG because it gave us a greater focus to achieve our second objective of improving the professional standards of those with financial responsibilities in the charity sector.
Membership now over 300 charities.
1993 - Launch of first members' newsletter and the then Chairman, Andrew Hind said: "The first edition of the newsletter... comes as the latest in a line of developments all aimed at contributing to the fulfillment of the [CFDG's] objectives..."
1994 - The Scottish arm, based in Edinburgh, was established in April and although independent of the London CFDG, sought to fulfil the same aims.
Shirley Gillingham (now Scott) was appointed as part-time Executive Secretary and David Taylor, at that time Finance Director for WWF-UK, was appointed Chairman.
1996 - CFDG was incorporated on 29th March 1996. CFDG registered as a charity on 25 April 1996.
VAT Club (run by Hays Allen, now haysmacintyre) starts, runs as VAT Exchange.
Stephen Burgess, at that time Finance Director of Help the Aged, was appointed Chair.
CFDG ends the year with about a dozen corporate subscribers, who come from companies supporting the group.
1997 - Launch of a one day Introduction to Charity Finance course, run by BDO Stoy Hayward. This course also continues to date.
Annual Dinner that year attended by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal. The momentous event marked CFDG's 10th Anniversary Year.
The then Chancellor announced the launch of a Taxation Review in his July Budget. CFDG was heavily involved in the consultation with officials from HM Customs & Excise, leading to the publication of the consultation document and beyond.
1998 - David King was appointed Chair.
2000 - Mark Freeman was appointed Chair.
2001 - CFDG for the first time has a full-time post dedicated to policy work.
First regional groups were formed in the North (March) supported by the COOP and the Southwest & Wales (July) supported by PKF.
CFDG embarks on building an online resource for charities to share documents and expert advice - the Charities Resource Network database is developed with funding from the Community Fund.
Geoff Miller was appointed Chair.
2002 - Investment Training for Trustees course in London starts as a regular course run by Sarasin Chiswell.
First electronic discussion groups for members on selected topics and for selected charity groups are trialled, the special interest group for overseas development organisations, OSSIG, develops most prominently and runs in co-operation with Mango.
The first risk survey is carried out in conjunction with PKF; this is well received by members and becomes a regular annual publication.
2003 - CFDG holds its "graduation party" on the Terrace at the House of Commons in March. Speakers including Lord Filkin from the Home Office and our host for the evening, Bob Russell MP, gave praise to CFDG for its progress and to the sector as a whole, which has evolved rapidly.
CFDG grows to an organisation with 9 staff members working with just under 800 members.
CFDG started making plans for taking the management of its IT and Risk Conferences in-house, which before had been run with the help of partners. Both annual events are representative of the new broader strategic outlook of CFDG, which has evolved into an organisation looking at charity management and the role of financial planning in it, in a strategic sense.
Inputs Matter is published as a result of a period of consultation with members on the key areas that they would like to see taken up in the next SORP. All the key suggestions find their way into SORP 2005.
Paul Breckell was appointed Chair.
2004 - CFDG celebrates its 1,000th member at the 16th Annual Dinner.
Charity Commission published the draft SORP 2005 in July 2004, asking CFDG to hold the first launch event in London, which saw 350 members and non-members come together to hear about the new changes. This meeting was followed by other introductory meetings in the regions, and finally by a series of SORP 2005 training courses in spring 2005.
An additional regional group is founded in the West Midlands, with meetings in Birmingham supported by Baker Tilly.
Pensions Maze is published after a period of consultation with members on the key issues relating to pensions provision in the sector.
After five years in Vauxhall, CFDG moves to state-of-the-art office space in the collaborative project, Mezzanine 2. This space houses over 60 not-for-profit organisations at the southern foot of London Bridge.
2005 - CFDG introduces new branding.
The Annual Conference has grown to 300+ delegates and 450 people attend the Annual Dinner in October.
After leading CFDG through a continuous period of growth, CEO Shirley Scott leaves the organisation at the end of 2005 after 11 years.
At the AGM in September, the Chair Paul Breckell, launches the 2005-08 Strategic Plan and announces a major governance review.
2006 - CFDG starts with almost 1,200 charity members and over 90 corporate subscribers, whose expertise and contributions help CFDG to develop further services.
On 1 April 2006, Keith Hickey, a former member as Finance Director of Help the Aged, joins CFDG as the new Chief Executive, ready to take the organisation forward.
At the September AGM, CFDG changes its governance so that the Trustees are the company members and to enable 3 Trustees to come from a wider audience than Finance Directors.
2007 - Over 500 people attend the annual conference and over 500 people attend the annual dinner, making them both the most successful yet.
A new publication, 'Know your Cost Base, Know your Charity', is issued challenging charities to understand their resources, how they are used within the charity and the risks associated with them.
Charles Nall becomes CFDG Chair.
Grant Thornton takes over from the COOP in supporting the Northern members group.
CFDG announces its first conference outside London in Manchester in June 2008.
The year finishes with over 1350 members and 101 subscribers.