This webinar explores the strategic collaboration between two key elements of civil society organisations in the UK: charities and trade unions. While historically marked by cooperation, conflict, and indifference, recent literature increasingly advocates for partnerships to address shared priorities such as inequality and community support, amid challenges like declining union membership and heightened scrutiny of third sector governance. Drawing on this research, our recent study with 50 charities and 34 trade unions, offers fifteen practical guidelines, highlighting the importance of shared goals, political leverage, cultural understanding, and risk management. For UK financial services professionals engaged in ESG, CSR, or stakeholder strategy, the findings offer a framework for evaluating partnerships with organisations increasingly shaping policy and social impact.

Speaker:

Dr Sara Abdaless is an Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance at Northeastern University London, where she also serves as Deputy Academic Director of the Centre for Apprenticeships. She earned her PhD in Accounting from Henley Business School at the University of Reading and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Dr Abdaless has held leadership roles in higher education, including serving as Associate Dean for Education and Student Experience at London South Bank University (LSBU) Business School. Her research focuses on governance, management accounting, and sustainability, particularly within not-for-profit organisations and charities. Combining her research expertise and leadership experience, Dr Abdaless brings an integrated perspective to accounting education and practice.