I’d like to set up an informal, semi regular meeting of Finance Directors as a chance to network, provide peer support, and learn from each other. Would you be interested in joining?

If you are then read on.

Otherwise – I’d appreciate you sharing this with anyone who might be interested.

The idea is that we meet every 2 or 3 months – for a couple of hours – using the time in whichever way we decide is helpful. This might include :

-          To compare our organisations in different areas.

-          To talk through specific issues/challenges that one or 2 of us might be tackling.

-          To invite someone else/external to speak to us & discuss a particular area of interest.

-          Read some current article/think-piece or material relevant to our work, and have a discussion about it.

I imagine a group of 4-8 people. So that it was small enough to stay informal, build trust, generate discussion and be easy to organise.

We should agree to confidentiality so that we’re comfortable sharing information and speaking openly.

It might also be something else, depending on who is involved.

I imagined that this would appeal to Charity Finance Directors. I’m in the charity sector working for a small environmental NGO (t/o = £3m, 30 staff). Also including Finance Leaders from other sectors, positions and kinds of organisation can improve the quality of discussions so would be great. I’m also responsible for HR – so while Finance might be a focus it could stretch to different disciplines.

I’m based in Oxford – but happy to travel. This could work in London or the Thames Valley. Or in other directions Birmingham, Cotswolds, western home counties are easily reachable. We could work meeting in a central place, or rotating to different venues.

I’m taking the initiative and happy to put some effort into getting the group started. Moving forward it would be good if the group can take shared responsibility for any costs, organisation or initiative taking.

As a starter, and to try and get things moving, I’m suggesting a first meeting in the week 29 July or 4th August. But if these dates don’t work, then don’t let that put you off.

If you’d be interested in joining up or in doing something similar but different, then please get in touch.