News Update: The Almshouse Association attends Charity Commission AGM 2025

Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, attended the Charity Commission’s 2025 Annual General Meeting at the Royal Society of Arts in London on Tuesday 9 December .

The event brought together charity leaders, regulators and sector representatives to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the Commission’s priorities for 2026 and beyond.

Highlights from the Charity Commission AGM 2025

The AGM opened with a comprehensive address from David Hodsworth CEO of the Charity Commission, who delivered a strong overview of the past year’s regulatory activity and outlined the Commission’s future plans for strengthening governance, transparency, and public confidence in the charity sector. Key themes included:

  • Increased support for trustees, including new guidance and digital tools designed to simplify compliance and improve governance.
  • A continued focus on accountability and public trust, reinforcing the importance of robust reporting and responsible leadership.
  • Commitment to modernising regulatory systems, with improvements to the Charity Commission’s digital services aimed at reducing administrative burdens for charities.
  • Strengthening oversight and promoting good practice, particularly around financial resilience, safeguarding, and responsible fundraising.

Engagement with Sector Leaders

During the event, Nick Phillips met with several senior figures in the charity and regulatory community, including:

  • Mark Simms, Chair of The Charity Commission
  • David Holdsworth, CEO of The Charity Commission
  • Paul Latham, Policy Director of The Charity Commission
  • William Byrne and Nia Jones, Case Managers at the Commission
  • Gerald Oppenheim, CEO of the Fundraising Regulator
  • Sir Stephen Bubb, Executive Director of the Gradel Institute of Charity at New College, Oxford

These conversations offered valuable opportunities to discuss issues affecting almshouses, explore future collaboration, and raise awareness of the sector’s contribution to community wellbeing and supported housing.

posted 11 December 2025