The voluntary sector lost one of its most colourful and respected characters on 7 January when Directory of Social Change researcher Luke FitzHerbert was killed in a car crash in Northamptonshire.

The Charity Commission is to set up meetings with charities to discuss the potential impact of venture philanthropy on levels of public trust and confidence in the sector. The meetings are likely to form part of a new programme of work by the Commission that aims to help it meet a new duty to “act in a way that is compatible with encouraging charitable giving”.

Direct marketing agency Target Direct has rebranded as Tangible Response following a restructure at its parent company, the Cello Group.

Although the government will not be drawn on a final budget for the Olympics, reports during the last month have suggested the total cost of the games could be as high as £5.1bn, double the original projected cost of £2.38bn. And concern is mounting that the National Lottery will be faced with an extra bill to help meet these costs.