The Excellence Forum at the Legacy Giving Awards 

The Smee & Ford Legacy Giving Awards 2025  provide a unique platform to benchmark and learn about the incredible achievements of the legacy giving sector. 

More than just an awards ceremony, the day also provides a valuable opportunity for learning and inspiration. Attendees of the morning Excellence Forum will join shortlisted finalists, industry specialists, and members of the judging panel to examine the factors driving excellence, innovation, and impact in this vital and hardworking sector. It’s a rare opportunity to share knowledge and hear about the brilliant case studies and best practice examples that have emerged from this year’s entries.

Every Attendee Package gives you the chance to attend in person or view recordings of the Excellence Forum Panels*  to help you get the most from your Legacy Giving Awards experience.

Panel 1 “With A Little Help from My Friends”: Collaborative Approaches Legacies – Chaired by Richard Radcliffe, Radcliffe Consulting
 

Legacy fundraising thrives on collaboration! In this session, our panel will dive into how leveraging both internal and external expertise can take your legacy strategy to the next level.  Drawing on real-world examples from this year’s entries and their own experiences, they’ll share insights on how organisations are tapping into available resources – from staff and volunteers to external partners and consultants – to create a legacy strategy that lasts. 

THEMES: Collaboration / Guidance / Resource & Investment     

With panelists:   

  • Rod Etherington - Marie Curie 
  • Daniel Marsden – Probate.Auction 
  • Michael Cash - Penningtons LLP
Panel 2 “Never Ending Story”  Creating Legacy Stewardship Excellence –  Chaired by Ashley Rowthorn, Legacy Futures 
 

In the world of legacy giving, the story doesn’t need to end when the donor’s gift is received – it can be the beginning of an enduring partnership. This panel will look at which of this year’s entrants are using innovative strategies for nurturing long-term relationships with legacy donors’ friends & families, outstanding stewardship strategies, and underline the value of first-rate stewardship. 

THEMES: Stewardship / Communication / Data & Insight 

With panelists:

  • Matthew Crothers, St Peter’s Hospice 
  • Rachel Hedley – YMCA  
  • Rich Mullins – Firstclass Clear
Panel 3 “Beg, Steal, or Borrow”:  Stand-Out Legacy Ideas 2025 –  Chaired by Lucinda Frostick, Remember a Charity
  In this session, we’ll shine a spotlight on the most innovative and impactful legacy campaigns, events, and strategies that left our judges in awe. This session will showcase the best of the best, offering fresh ideas and inspiration for your own legacy team. Whether you’re looking to elevate your supporter relationships or push the boundaries of what’s possible in legacy events, these stand-out examples will show you what’s truly possible when you think outside the box. 

THEMES:   Excellence / Innovation / Inspiration               

With panelists:
  • Elle Cohen – Shelter 
  • Rob Fleming - Against Breast Cancer 
  • Tish Ley – Guide Dogs for the Blind Association  

 

 

 


Post-event recordings 

*Places for the Excellence Forum are strictly limited, and ticket allocations to join the Forum will be allocated on a first come first served basis. However, for those who are unable to join in-person but wish to share the talking points of the live panel discussions with colleagues, please note that recordings from all 3 panels will be made available to all attendees after the 24th of April.