FirstClass - The gold standard in bequest management and an outstanding partner to the legacy sector

Invitation to attend an Introduction to FirstClass webinar on June 6, 11:30. Find out why we are the gold standard in bequest management and an outstanding partner to the legacy sector.


The FirstClass team is thrilled to win 'Outstanding Partner to the Legacy Sector' at the Smee & Ford Legacy Giving Awards 2024. Not only does it show recognition for outstanding achievement and skill in the legacy sector, but it's also a testament to the exceptional support and experience the team provides to our customers.


Bobby Parmar, a pivotal figure within the team, proudly represented FirstClass at the awards. Bobby has been indispensable in advancing FirstClass, demonstrating an infectious work ethic, exceptional responsiveness, and steadfast commitment to supporting charities.

"One of my proudest achievements has been engaging with charities and assisting them throughout their journey with FirstClass. The charities vary in size, from smaller organisations to the likes of the RSPCA, WWF, and Christian Aid, and it's rewarding as we know just how big an impact our platform can have."

But why did these charities embrace FirstClass? To answer that, we need to go back to 1996, when six charities created the leading dedicated bequest management software. ActionAid's Crispin Ellison – a legendary figure in bequest administration in the UK – was instrumental in developing FirstClass, and over the past almost 30 years, the software has become the 'gold standard' for organisations managing bequests.


Today, it is the UK's leading dedicated legacy management software. FirstClass is trusted by more than 100 not-for-profit organisations, all of which rely on FirstClass to manage and maximise their bequest-giving programmes. As Angela Noguera-Horne, Legacy Management Officer Cancer Research UK, states:

"Everything within our department is managed by FirstClass. My team members and I couldn't do our jobs without it; it's the beating heart of the legacies team."

FirstClass's 500 users manage a combined bequest revenue of £1.4bn, which originates from 70,000 annual cases, and the platform manages this revenue with ease and a level of detail that allows legacy teams to gain a granular understanding of every legator who supports their organisation.


Research suggests that the FirstClass platform improves legacy gifting by around 10 per cent. However, it's not just the volume of income that is increased through the platform. Qualitative feedback from our users suggests that the system improves staff morale, as Emma Colborne, Head of Legacy at Blue Cross explains.

"The FirstClass team is always on hand to help us. We have to review our contract annually, but there's no desire to go elsewhere; it does everything we need, and if it doesn't, the FirstClass team make it happen. The platform is a fundamental part of our organisation. I don't know what we'd do if we didn't have it. I couldn't imagine life without the system. These days, if you were to suggest to the team that we were going back to paper, they'd all break out in a cold sweat!"

Having established industry partnerships with Legacy Link and Legacy Foresight, both of which rely on FirstClass for their organisational output, FirstClass has become the sector's trusted platform of choice.


The following comment from Kathryn Horsley, Director of Insight at Legacy Foresight, highlights how FirstClass has become a trusted and valued partner:

"If you really want to understand the dynamics and performance of your legacy income, then you need access to as much robust data as you can possibly acquire. FirstClass is not only a tool that allows its users to do just that, but combined with the Legacy Monitor programme, it also has the capacity to empower charities to make more informed, strategic decisions for their legacy programme."

Similarly, feedback from Paul Browne, Head of Legacy Management at Legacy Link, also supports FirstClass's position of industry excellence:

"With FirstClass, charities can access insights and data that simply aren't available to those who don't use the system. I work with charities that don't use FirstClass and charities that do, and I can say with 100 per cent certainty that those who do, deliver. There is nothing like it on the market. Nothing else comes close."

Are you thinking about maximising your organisation's bequest gifting programme? Would you like to see the market leader in bequest management software in action? 


Then join our upcoming webinar, Introduction to FirstClass, on June 6 at 11:30 to learn how we are committed to helping charities maximise their bequest incomes effectively, regardless of size and location. 

Pilot Project Launched to Support Free Wills Month

By Fiona Paton • July 31, 2025
To shine a light on October’s Free Wills Month , an initiative designed to offer those aged 55 and over the chance to have straightforward wills written or updated free of charge, FirstClass and sister company Cymba have joined forces and are partnering with the Institute of Legacy Management (ILM) to launch a project that illustrates the impact mobile messaging has on legacy giving. Whilst mobile messaging is typically associated with text-to-donate campaigns, the partnership between two companies that sit within ClearCourse’s stable of brands will showcase how this technology can be used to inspire people to leave legacies in their wills. The webinar, entitled “ How to Boost traffic to your Free Wills and Legacy pages ”, will be jointly hosted by the FirstClass and Cymba teams, and explore how emerging Rich Communications Services (RCS) technology, the evolution of SMS, can be used to drive engagement when it comes to legacy giving. The event will also provide charities with insights into how they can build trust when it comes to increasing donations and gifts by revealing tried and tested messaging formats that drive action. Charities will also learn how to highlight their free wills and legacy pages by harnessing RCS’s ability to implement branded quick-action buttons, and understand the difference in outcomes between SMS and RCS messaging via a dedicated split testing session. In the lead up to the webinar, which takes place on 11 September at 10:30 am, Cymba and FirstClass will be running test campaigns with several of the UK’s prominent charities, the results of which will be revealed during the session. On the event, Rich Mullens, Director at Cymba and FirstClass, comments: “ Regular givers are often among the most open to leaving a legacy. In this webinar, we’ll show charities how mobile messaging can help them engage these supporters more effectively and drive meaningful traffic, not only for donations but also to inspire gifts in wills. We’re delighted to unite these two brands, both of which are founded on helping charities boost donations via mobile messaging and increase their legacy giving, and we’re confident that attendees will leave feeling inspired to use new approaches. ” The new Data (Use and Access) Bill, which gives charities greater freedom to use the soft opt-in by enabling them to contact past supporters with relevant legacy messages without needing fresh consent, removes barriers to utilising RCS. This means that the benefits of RCS, such as the ability to use logos, images, video, and tap-to-act buttons, can be quickly and efficiently embraced by charities looking to incorporate this emerging technology. For more information on Cymba, FirstClass, and Free Wills Month, visit https://www.cymba.co.uk , https://www.firstclass-software.com , and https://freewillsmonth.org.uk ,  respectively.

ILM Annual Conference 2025: Highlights from the FirstClass lounge

June 2, 2025
FirstClass hosted an exclusive breakout space at the ILM Annual Conference 2025, and it was a great experience! Discover the event highlights and our team’s thoughts on the experience.

Three things we're looking forward to at the ILM Annual Conference

May 7, 2025
Are you attending this year's ILM Annual Conference? Discover three reasons why the FirstClass team is excited about this year's legacy management event.