The merger promises to enhance the sector’s ability to manage its finances and demonstrate its impact as the economy weakens and scrutiny of charities grows.

Charles Nall, corporate services director at the Children’s Society and chair of both the CFDG and the Charities Consortium, said: “As chair of the two organisations, I have witnessed a shared desire amongst executives and boards to create one integrated voice to speak for the sector on finance and effectiveness.

“That one voice naturally sits in CFDG which has in the last two years grown significantly in size and offering to its members and is the credible, authoritative body on charity finance and effectiveness.”

The Large Charities Special Interest Group looks to bolster the policy and campaigning work of CFDG whilst its status as the place for charity finance professionals to network and share experience will in turn also be strengthened and attract more information and senior decision makers from key sources in the sector, commerce and government.