Agenda

Morning
09.30 - 09.45

Welcome and housekeeping
 

Suzanne Watts, Senior Events Producer, Wilmington Charities
09.45 - 10.05 Opening address: The expanding role of the Legacy Manager – Mixing TV with dogs, cats, and celebrities
 
  • What should be included in the role of a Legacy Manager?
  • Being an extrovert in a typically introvert role
  • Making the most of press and media opportunities 

Spencer Wisdom, Legacy Manager, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
  5-minute break
10.10 - 10:55 Panel discussion:  Probate notifications and predicting the roadmap for 2022
 

Our annual focus on the legacy income data landscape, and a look to future challenges, opportunities, and income trends. Our panel of experts from the sector includes:

  • Stephen Burgess, Probate Operational Support Manager, HMCTS
  • Polly Avgherinos, Managing Director, Smee & Ford (plus Mark Pincher) 
  • Matthew Lagden, CEO, Institute of Legacy Management 
   15-minute break
11.10 - 11.50 Complex legacy gifts: the 14-year long story of one family's legacy, and how it nearly didn’t happen
 

Patience is not only a virtue but essential in legacy administration. Add to that perseverance and forensic attention to detail over many years – all skills required in this case study of maximising income from a complex and substantial legacy gift. 

  • The first legacy gift - Timeline and obstacles
  • Issues arising from multi-generational legacy gifts
  • The essential role of Smee & Ford notifications 
  • The value of tenacity and diligence in legacy administration
  • Lessons learned – the moral of the case study

Rachel Headley, Legacy and In Memory Fundraiser, St Christopher’s Hospice 
Andy Bebington, Volunteer Legacy Administrator, St Christopher’s Hospice
  10-minute break
12:00 - 12.40 The importance of investing in data, tech and training for legacy administration 
 

When legacy teams are handling millions of pounds in income per year, combined with working remotely away from a central office, it's more vital than ever that investment in data, technology and cyber training is given priority. In this thought-provoking and essential session, we hear:

  • Best practice methods and systems for legacy record keeping
  • Safeguarding your systems & data when working remotely
  • Keeping your team fully up to date on new technology and procedures

Amy Bradshaw, Legacy Administration Manager, The Woodland Trust 
  5-minute break
12.45 - 13.15 The changing role of digital and online wills - TBC
 

 
13.15 - 14.15 1-hour lunch break
Afternoon
14.15 - 14.45 Navigating through the increase in contested wills - TBC
  5-minute break
14.50 - 15.20 The art of Managing a small legacy team – innovations, opportunities, and planning for growth 
 

For most UK charities, the reality of legacy administration is a one- or two-person team with limited resources, limited time, and significant income targets of £1-£5 million.  Multi-tasking comes as standard, as is an inventive use of internal and external expertise, and pursuing an ongoing strategy of efficiency, legacy promotion and relationship management. In this session we hear:

  • How to successfully juggle legacy admin, legacy fundraising and In Memoriam 
  • Tips on the effective use of internal and external resources to lighten the legal load
  • Emphasizing the benefit of legacy income to your senior team
  • How to plan and prepare for additional team members

Stephanie Galliard, Legacy and Appeals Manager, The National Gallery 
  20-minute break
15.40 - 16.10  Downcasting - Managing and communicating a downturn in your income forecast 
 

Predicting a significant decline in income, after several years of income growth, can cause a forecasting challenge and a communication headache for any charity. We hear from a senior legacy income manager and her colleague from the finance team on how they have guided their internal stakeholders through an era of fluctuating income. 

Faye Aitken, Senior Legacy Income Manager, Save the Children 
Mahalia Reader, Finance Business Partner, Save the Children 
  5-minute break 
16.15 - 16.45 Panel discussion – Sell, wait, or develop - How to maximise the benefit of property gifts
 

A gift of a house, an estate or some land can lead to a welcome boost in legacy income – but how much time and effort should your legacy team give to administering property gifts? In this session, we debate the pros and cons of a quick sale – and discuss when to play the waiting game. 

  • Working with third parties, lay execs, solicitors, and estate agents
  • Choices available – when to sell and when to wait
  • How much time and resource should your team allocate to a property gift?
  • Examples – land gifts, shared property bequests, renovation 
  • How to get the best outcome for your charity & income situation 

Rebecca Massey, Senior Legacy Management Lead, Cancer Research UK
James Stebbings, Head of Legacy Income, Macmillan Cancer Support, and Chair, Institute of Legacy Management
16.45 - 17.00 Thank you and goodbye
 

Chairperson summary

Final feedback survey