The Institute of Legacy Management (ILM) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month.
Founded in 1999 to raise awareness of the role of legacy officers as a professional discipline, it now has over 700 members representing some 400 charities across the UK and Ireland.
Originally focusing on training, networking and its annual conference; today the ILM has evolved into a highly-respected organisation that campaigns on behalf of its members and is consulted at the highest level on the issues that impact them. Matthew Lagden, who joined in early 2000 and is now CEO, said:
“I must pay tribute to our founder Crispin Ellison, it is exactly his breadth and foresight which are absolutely at the core of why the ILM is so successful today.
I am incredibly proud to have followed in his footsteps and helped take the organisation to new heights where we can sit down with peers and policy makers and where the views of our members really count.”
Earlier this year, the ILM was represented in Parliament as part of the Justice Committee’s Probate Inquiry and its directors regularly talk to organisations including HMCTS, HMRC and the SRA to discuss issues that impact the charity legacy sector. Matthew’s thoughts were echoed by James Stebbings, ILM Chair, who added:
“The list of topics and issues we’ve been involved in is far-reaching – discussions around the fundraising regulator, predatory marriage and the Wills Act – and at the same time we are building relationships with more and more organisations that matter to our members.
I am proud of who we are and what we do, that we have evolved – and continue to evolve – from an organisation with a network of members, industry qualifications and an annual conference; into an outward-facing campaign group that is making a real difference.”
In September, the ILM launched its Love Your Legacy Manager campaign, shining a spotlight on the work of legacy professionals and with legacy income set to reach £10 billion by 2050, the organisation will be “working harder than ever” to raise awareness of the invaluable work of its members.
