CFG Annual Conference 2026: empowering change across the charity sector

On Thursday 25th June, the Embridge team attended the Charity Finance Group (CFG) Annual Conference 2026 at Convene Sancroft in London.

With this year's theme, Empowering Change, Inspiring Progress, the conference brought together finance professionals from across the charity sector for a day of networking, discussion and learning. The programme explored a range of topics, including financial sustainability, governance, risk management, digital transformation and team development, giving attendees the opportunity to build their own agenda around the issues most relevant to their organisations.

It was a great opportunity for our team to speak with delegates about the challenges they're facing, the priorities shaping their organisations and where they are on their digital transformation journeys.

AI and digital transformation remain high on the agenda

AI was one of the biggest talking points throughout the day. It came up in conversations with delegates across the exhibition hall and was also the focus of one of the conference's panel sessions, highlighting the growing interest in how AI can support the charity sector.

The conference programme also included sessions on finding the right implementation partner, sustainable and digital finance, and Copilot agents. Together, these topics reflected the continued focus on helping organisations make informed decisions about technology while supporting long-term change.

Building connected finance systems for the future

One of the strongest themes to emerge throughout the day was the growing need for finance systems that can adapt alongside an organisation's changing requirements.

Many of the conversations we had reflected the challenges charities face when systems don't work together effectively. As organisations continue to evolve, disconnected applications can make it more difficult to access information, streamline processes and support wider digital transformation initiatives.

What was particularly interesting was that the conversation has moved beyond simply replacing ERP systems. Instead, there is a growing focus on how organisations can create a connected technology landscape, bringing together finance systems, integrations and digital processes in a way that supports long-term organisational goals. For many charities, understanding how existing systems fit together is becoming just as important as deciding what comes next.

Digital transformation looks different for every organisation

Another clear takeaway from the conference was that there is no single approach to digital transformation.

Some organisations are beginning to assess whether their current systems will continue to meet future needs, while others are already planning the next stage of their technology journey. Despite these different starting points, many of the conversations shared a common focus on making informed decisions, ensuring investment delivers long-term value and recognising that successful transformation depends on the people using the technology as well as the technology itself.

The discussions throughout the day highlighted that digital transformation is rarely about a single project or system. Instead, it is an ongoing process of improving the way technology supports people, processes and organisational objectives. This shift reflects something we've been seeing across the sector for some time. Change is rarely linear, and organisations need the flexibility to respond as new challenges and opportunities emerge. Rather than trying to predict every future requirement from the outset, many are looking for approaches that allow them to evolve over time while keeping people at the centre of the process.

Those conversations echoed the thinking behind our Elastic Change® approach, which recognises that successful transformation needs to adapt as organisations evolve, while ensuring the people experiencing that change, are supported along the way. It's an approach built on the belief that lasting progress comes from combining technology with flexibility and emotionally intelligent leadership, rather than treating transformation as a one-off exercise.

Visitors to our stand may also have spotted our balloon artist, who brought the concept of Elastic Change® to life in a fun and memorable way!

Looking ahead after the CFG Annual Conference 2026

This year's CFG Annual Conference once again highlighted the value of bringing the charity sector together to share ideas, discuss challenges and learn from one another. From conversations around AI and digital transformation to the importance of adaptable finance systems and supporting people through change, the day offered plenty of food for thought and reinforced the pace at which the sector continues to evolve.

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to speak with the Embridge team. We always value the opportunity to hear about the work charities are doing, the challenges they're navigating and the ambitions they have for the future.

If we didn't get the chance to meet at the conference, or you'd like to continue the conversation, we'd love to hear from you. To keep up with where the Embridge team will be next, follow us on LinkedIn for event updates, industry insights and the latest news.