Event - Mergers & Acquisitions in the For-Purpose Sector: Collaboration, Consolidation & Courage
With a panel of industry leaders, David Hammond discussed what the charity sector is really thinking about mergers & acquisitions. At this event we brought together Chairs, Chief Executives, and sector leaders for a candid, practitioner-led conversation.
David Hammond, Head of For Purpose, Public Sector & Advisory, facilitated an insightful session on Mergers and Acquisitions in the For-Purpose Sector at Tribe HQ, bringing together Chairs, Chief Executives, and sector leaders for a candid, practitioner-led conversation. The Panel consisted of Tim Booker, Rachael McDonald and Denise Cosgrove, three amazing people with beautiful insights to share.
The discussion focused on what collaboration, consolidation, and courageous decision-making actually look like in practice.
Three key insights David Hammond found to be particularly interesting are as follows:
Too many charities, too little revenue spread. New Zealand has around 28,000 charities, yet 91% of charitable revenue goes to just 9% of organisations. Funders are increasingly nudging the sector toward mergers.
Sustainability is top of mind. Around 80% of leaders are concerned about their organisation’s long-term financial viability, yet only 30% are open to considering a merger in the next three years.
Governance and identity are real barriers. About 30% of leaders cite board willingness as a barrier, and another 30% highlight organisational identity, showing that change isn’t just operational, it’s cultural.
To learn more, Download the Mergers and Acquisitions in the For-Purpose sector - 2025 Report (PDF, 300KB)
This conversation reminded us that the sector is at a crossroads: leaders know change may be necessary but are still navigating how and when to take the leap. The session offered practical guidance, peer-to-peer learning, and an opportunity to think boldly about what a sustainable future could look like for the organisations we care about.
Please contact David Hammond from Tribe Executive for more information regarding Chief Executive and Board search across the range of non-private sectors. He is a national expert in KPI development, bespoke remuneration assessment, Māori sector work, board advisory and entire structure reviews.
