18 November 2024 
Joni Rhodes, BUFDG Project Manager
More than 70 BUFDG members joined new co-chairs Helen Hammond (Head of Research Finance at Nottingham) and James Allman (Head of Research Accounting, Monitoring and Claims at Cranfield University) for the first ever Research Finance Forum.
As well as 'valuable, helpful, and interesting' discussions on funders and reporting requirements, members were asked to confirm the Terms of Reference and shape the priorities of this new group. Results from the session polls can be viewed here. Meetings will now be held three times a year, with the co-chairs taking an active role in representing research finance teams between meetings.
Forthcoming guidance on timesheets and reporting was announced, which will be co-authored with members of the ARMA Special Interest Groups on compliance and post-award, as well as a session at the 2025 Finance Festival on UKRI assurance which will open for booking in Decemeber 2024.
The next Forums will take place on Tuesday 25th February and Monday 2nd June 2025.
To quote one attendee, "the future of this group looks great".
