“This was one of the best workshops I have been on. It really opened my eyes to what the board (and not just me) need to do to get this right. It gave me the permission to have discussions about how we take this on together. I have also suggested that the Chair of our Board attends a future workshop.”
– Charity Founder & CEO on Succession Planning Pilot Workshop in Summer 2023.
Community Southwark has commissioned B&G Partners to provide this half-day workshop on ‘Succession Planning’.
Please note due to a limited budget we can only offer this session as a one-off.
Training Workshop with B&G Partners
This workshop focuses on best practice in nonprofit succession planning. A scary statistic from US charity research indicates that the average time a new CEO of a nonprofit lasts after taking over from its founder or a previous long-term leader is just 18 months. The reasons for this can be complex, but planning for the succession is a moment of risk – but also of opportunity – for nonprofit organisations. Getting it right is the responsibility of both the existing leadership and your board of trustees – but it is a key management and governance challenge for which there is often no plan until the last minute.
The session for nonprofits leaders provides an opportunity to share your perspectives and learn from others and a space to start thinking about how to make a proper plan for how to future proof your organisation against both unplanned and planned changes in its leadership and management. Based partly on our own experience as both founders and leaders where it has gone right (and sometimes gone wrong), best practice and useful tips from others, it will explore the ways to get the plan right and the common pitfalls to avoid.
You will have an opportunity to understand and map out the following:
- An ideal timeline for putting in place a succession plan
- What the key decisions need to be taken to shape it
- Who needs to be involved in it and how to take these decisions
- How to preserve the essential values of the organisation whilst opening it up to the potential for change and renewal with new leadership
- How to ensure a smooth handover period
You will also be provided some useful resources that will help you to think through and shape your succession plan
09:30am – 10am: Registrations and tea & coffee
10am-12:30pm – Workshop
About B&G Partners
B&G is a partnership between Ben Payne and Gerald Richards, based in London and Edinburgh. We help people and organisations be more creative, clearer about their purpose and tell a better story about what they do. We do this through consultancy and coaching, training and facilitation. Between us, we have over 50 years of experience in the cultural, youth and nonprofit sectors in the UK and the US. You can read more about our work here.
Since 2020, we have worked in close partnership with The Fore to develop, design and facilitate an ongoing series of online workshops to support charities and social enterprises. Drawing on our own experience as nonprofit founders, leaders and board members, we have now worked with nearly 2000 organisations across the UK, helping to build their skills in evaluation, governance, comms, volunteer management and different aspects of strategic fundraising.
Please note this amazing room is free to use for voluntary and community groups (subject to availability) – more information will be provided on the day.
Venue details
Address: PPL, St. Saviour’s Wharf, 23 Mill Street London, SE1 2BE
Nearest Tube: Bermondsey station (10 minutes walk) and London Bridge (20 minutes walk)
Nearest buses: 381, 47, 188, N199, C10, 78
Parking:
Nearby parking can be found on Chambers Street and Fair Street, both approximately a 10-minute walk to the venue. Additionally, parking spaces can be reserved on Mill Street, close to PPL, via JustPark’s website. Alternatively, visit Southwark Council’s website for more info.
