FIC 2021

• Date: 14th April 2026 to 2nd June 2026

• Time: 2.00pm-3.15pm UK / 9.00am-10.15pm ET (75min) - Exact time may vary due to speaker availability‍ ‍

• Duration: 1 hr 15min (60min content + 15min Q&A)

• Format: Live Online

• Course Type: Focus

• For: Researchers, Fundraisers, Directors - UK, US, International

• Purchasing mid-way through course: if you purchase a ticket part way through the series, we can share recordings of all sessions thus far if the speakers have consented to allow recording of their session

Insider Series

Welcome to a new series where we explore a day in the life of senior leaders actually working in High Finance sectors. The sessions are designed to provide in role real world experiences and perspectives for not for profits researchers and major gift fundraisers, helping us to understand the world of our senior donors better.‍ ‍

Overview

As philanthropy professionals, we are often researching and developing relationships with senior individuals across specialist sectors. Yet, we don’t always have a clear understanding of their roles in depth — their day-to-day responsibilities, key concerns, and how they view success.

This special series bridges that gap. Across 6 sessions, professionals from investment banking, angel investment, private equity, wealth management, M&A and more will share their career journeys, sector expertise, and reflect on what charity professionals could consider when engaging with prospects. 

Key Learning

Each session offers valuable insights into these specialist roles, helping us build more authentic, effective relationships for philanthropy.

• What is it like to work as a Fund Manager or in Private Equity?

• What are their daily roles & responsibilities?

• What are their key concerns?

• What was it like to sell your company? 

• What are the busy periods? 

• How do these professionals view success? 

The programme will combine expert speakers with context-setting discussions from our in-house team and provide ample opportunity to get all those burning questions answered!

Speakers

• Sophie Milliken MBE, founder and CEO of Moja Group is here to talk to us about her experience as an Angel Investor. At Moja Group she helps entrepreneurs and executives raise their profiles and become recognised authorities in their industries. A multi award-winning businesswoman, proud mum, and passionate advocate for the North East, Sophie is the co-founder of City Ladies Networking, hosting events in Newcastle, London and Paris. She also chairs Smart Works North East, where she has doubled the number of unemployed women supported with interview coaching and clothing, and is a Founding Ambassador for Every Child Needs a Mentor. Sophie serves on the North East Combined Authority Business and Economy Board and is a Non-Executive Director at the North East Business and Innovation Centre. She hosts the hit podcast Beyond the Bio, and her third book, From Unknown to Unforgettable is out now.

• Ceris Morris, Philanthropy and Development Specialist - Ceris’s career spans over 35 years including working as Director of Global Fundraising at the University of Sheffield, she co-led the University’s fundraising campaign, exceeding the £300 million target. 

• Phillip Haines, Co Founder at Capsule CRM - Phillip is co-founder of Capsule CRM. He played a key role in successfully building and scaling the business through to acquisition (sale), and now sits on the board as a Non-Executive Director. 

• John Atkin, Investment Director - John’s career spans over 30 years at multiple big name financial institutions and has specialism in Fixed Income investment Management

• Andy Smith, most recently Vice President at Corporate & Investment Bank J.P. Morgan - Andy is an experienced professional with almost 10 years in the Investment Banking sector

• Rob Travis, Senior Investment Director at Rathbones‍ - ‍Rob’s career and experience is in creating investment strategies for HNW clients to ensure they are investing appropriately for their goals

• Shaun Horan, Senior Director at Huron - Shaun has nearly 30 years’ experience of fundraising and engagement experience. He has operated at executive-level in university management, income generation, strategy and external relations for the last two decades. He advises organisations in higher education and non-profits, spanning fundraising, engagement, strategy and governance.

Quick Glance Schedule

• Session 1: ‘Investment Banking & Finance Sector', with John Atkin, Investment Director, and Andy Smith at J.P. Morgan - Tuesday 14th April 2026, 2pm BST,

• Session 2: ‘High Net Worth Relations & Wealth Management’, with Rob Travis, Senior Investment Director at Rathbones‍ - Tuesday 21st April 2026, 2pm BST,

• Session 3: ‘Booming Consultancy to Company Acquisition’, with Shaun Horan, Co-Founder of Halpin Partnership - Tuesday 28th April 2026, 2pm BST

• [Break]

• Session 4: ‘Booming Tech Company to Private Equity Acquisition’, with Phillip Haines - Tuesday 19th May 2026, 10am BST

• Session 5: ‘My Big Gifts - A Practical Exploration of Working with Senior Prospects’, with Ceris Morris, Philanthropy and Development Specialist - Tuesday 26th May 2026, 2pm BST

• Session 6: ‘Private Equity and Angel Investment’, with Sophie Milliken, Angel Investor and CEO of Moja Group - Tuesday 2nd June 2026, 2pm BST

Sessions Synopsis

• Session 1 - ‘Investment Banking & Finance Sector’, with John Atkin, Investment Director, and Andy Smith, recently of J.P. Morgan

  Tuesday 14th April 2026, 2pm BST

  Join our two speakers to learn about their different roles in the Investment sector, how they work with clients and insights from their combined 40 years experience.

• Session 2 - ‘High Net Worth Relations & Wealth Management’, with Rob Travis, Senior Investment Director at Rathbones‍

  Tuesday 21st April 2026, 2pm BST

  Rob’s career working with HNWIs to strategise their wealth planning is a valuable conversation for any fundriasing professional who wants to engage effectively with HNWIs.

• Session 3 - ‘Booming Consultancy to Company Acquisition’, with Shaun Horan, Co-Founder of Halpin Partnership

  Tuesday 28th April 2026, 2pm BST

  Speak with experienced fundraising professional and consultant Shaun about growing and the decision to be involved in the acquisition of his business. Gain insights into why he wanted to be acquired, what it was like and what fundraising professionals should be aware of when approaching a prospect in these circumstances.

• [Break]

• Session 4 - ‘Booming Tech Company to Private Equity Acquisition’, with Phillip Haines, Co Founder at Capsule CRM

  Tuesday 19th May 2026, 10am BST

  Philip has grown Capsule CRM and has recently been through a company sale process, learn from his person motivations and experience about the complex world of company sales such as Private Equity and Company Sales brokers. Gain insights to what fundraising professionals should be aware of when approaching a prospect in these circumstances. 

• Session 5 - ‘My Big Gifts: A Practical Exploration of Working with Senior Prospects’, with Ceris Morris, Philanthropy and Development Specialist

  Tuesday 26th May 2026, 2pm BST

  Our final session focuses on the practical application of topics we’ve covered in our IHF series, how do we manage our senior relationships to a major gift? Explored with on the gorund experiences shared by an experienced philanthropy sector leader who has securded donations from 100k to £5m+

• Session 6 - ‘Angel Investment and Private Equity’, with Sophie Milliken, Angel Investor and CEO of Moja Group

  Tuesday 2nd June 2026, 2pm BST

  Learn about the Angel investment and Private Equity space from a an award winning professional, learn about her impressive career and how she has turned her hand to scaling up other Entrepreneurs. Gain practical insights into how founders step into the world of High Finance. How they assess opportunities, and how I think about risk in a practical, real-world way and sector insights support fundraisers who are working with Angel Investors and Private Equity prospects.

Session Structure

Each speaker to cover:

• Opening presentation by the guest speaker

• About their company/sector: overview and key dynamics

• Career path: personal journey and typical progression routes

• Experience working in the sector: client base, working style, success factors, busy periods

• Philanthropy: reflections on philanthropy, and what charity professionals should consider when approaching individuals in this sector

• Interactive Q&A with attendees

Timings

• Scene Setting - by PyroTalks CIC - 15min

• Guest Talk - by Guest Speaker - 20-30min

• Live Q&A - with Guest Speaker - 15-20min

• Debrief & Discussion - by PyroTalks CIC - 10-15min

Who is it for?

• Prospect Researchers - all experience levels

• Major Gift Fundraisers

• Heads or Directors of Philanthropy

• Any organisation engaged or aspiring to major gift fundraising

• Key principles are relevant internationally

PyroTalks CIC Host

Jonathan Jeffery, Co Founder PyroTalks CIC

Jonathan is Co-Founder & Director of Pyro.Solutions & PyroTalks CIC and leads on data analytics and education.

Jonathan graduated in 2002 with a First Class Honours Degree in Business studies, specialising in finance, and holds a MSC in Banking and Finance with Distinction.

After graduating, Jonathan worked for a leading firm as a senior investment analyst, specialising in portfolio management and investment analysis, gaining a number of professional qualifications.

Jonathan then moved into higher education and lectured in company analysis, portfolio management and financial derivatives at Undergraduate, Postgraduate and MBA level. He was also appointed as Associate Dean for Education for The University of Sheffield Management School. He left this role in 2022 to focus on Pyro.Solutions and PyroTalks CIC.

Jonathan has also taught at some of the leading European Business schools, and was a visiting professor at EDHEC University between 2013-2019. He also continues to undertake risk management and treasury consultancy for a number of leading professional bodies and organisations.

Recordings

We aim to record all series and share them with attendees as a resource for your team thereafter.

Note, not all speakers may wish for their session to be recorded, so we encourage all participants to attend live as much as possible to make this an enhanced learning experience.

Tickets

• Duo or Flex-Team Tickets - you do not need to provide names at booking, an open link will be sent to share with your team

• Upon booking you will automatically receive two emails, a receipt of purchase & joining Instructions. Please do check spam folders. If you have booked for others, please share with them.

• Includes Handout + Access to Recording for up to 1 month.

• Concession tickets ideally for charities with 1m or less income, though any organisation with restricted training budget is welcome to select this option

• Courses are primarily for charities and not for profits, though please contact us for corporate ticket options.

• All funds raised go back into the CIC aims.