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2026 FAMILY, PRIVATELY OWNED AND OWNER-MANAGED BUSINESS SURVEY

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Sectors

Strategic Financial Planning & Resilience

Navigating uncertainty with confidence

The charitable sector is currently facing a "perfect storm" of rising operating costs, increased demand for services, and a competitive fundraising environment. In this climate, financial resilience is no longer a luxury—it is a survival requirement. We work with boards to move beyond reactive budgeting toward long-term strategic financial health.

Developing a defensible reserves policy

The Charity Commission is clear: charities should not hold excessive "rainy day" funds without a reason, nor should they operate on the brink of insolvency.

  • Risk-Based Reserves: We help you move away from "rule of thumb" policies (like three months of running costs) to a bespoke policy based on your specific risks, such as the likelihood of a grant ending or an emergency repair to a property.
  • Transparency: A well-explained reserves policy in your annual report builds trust with donors and justifies your need for further funding.

Resilience, Restructuring & Insolvency

Sometimes, despite the best efforts of the board, an organisation faces a financial crisis. In these moments, trustees face significant legal and ethical pressures.

  • Independent Business Reviews: We provide an objective assessment of your charity’s viability to help the board make difficult decisions about the future.
  • Mergers & Collaborations: If two charities can achieve more together than apart, we handle the financial due diligence and "culture fit" assessments required for a successful merger.
  • Insolvency Support: As licensed insolvency practitioners, we provide confidential advice on winding up, administrations, or liquidations. We focus on protecting the charity’s assets and helping trustees fulfill their legal duty to creditors.

Contact us

Book a Confidential Resilience Workshop for your Board

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Get in touch

Get in touch to speak to one of our specialist advisers and explore how we can help you.

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Insights banner for Armstrong Watson’s 2026 Family, Privately Owned and Owner-Managed Business Survey Report.

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Insights banner for Armstrong Watson’s 2026 Family, Privately Owned and Owner-Managed Business Survey Report.

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by Armstrong Watson - 25th September 2026

Insights banner for Armstrong Watson’s 2026 Family, Privately Owned and Owner-Managed Business Survey Report.

Changes to taxation and inflationary pressures top concerns for businesses, whilst cyber attacks have hit 1 in 3, latest survey reveals

by Armstrong Watson - 25th September 2026