Inside High Finance: In Role Insights for Philanthropic Leadership - 14th April to 26th May 2026

• Date: 14th April 2026 to 26th May 2026

• Time: 2.00pm-3.15pm UK / 9.00am-10.15pm ET (75min)

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

• Format: Live Online

• Course Type: On The Pulse

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

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, private equity, hedge funds, wealth management, M&A and more will share their career journeys, sector expertise, and reflect on what charity professionals could consider when engaging with them. 

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 Hedge 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!

Roles Covered

• Investment Banking

• Private Equity

• Hedge Funds & Fund Manages

• M&A Professional

• Company Sale Experience

• My Big Ask - a major gift professional experience of landing a big gift

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

Dates

• Session 1: Tuesday 14th April 2026

• Session 2: Tuesday 21st April 2026 

• Session 3: Tuesday 28th April 2026

• [Break - UK Easter holidays]

• Session 4: Tuesday 12th May 2026

• Session 5: Tuesday 19th May 2026

• Session 6: Tuesday 26th May 2026

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

Speakers

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

Though we aim to record the series 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.