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2025-12-31-accounts

PUBLISHING QUALIFICATIONS BOARD

Company Registration No. 2607034 Charity Registration No. 1002928

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Publishing Qualifications Board

Company Information

Chair Christopher Glennie
Vice-Chair Emma Brown
Directors/Trustees Christopher Glennie
Emma Brown
Sunita Dhawan
Maria Krainova
Eric Baber
Hilary Fine
Changjie Hu
Secretary Bhoupati Sangeelee
Company Number 2607034 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity Number 1002928
Registered Office 16 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6BX
Auditors Clarke Huttun
Summit Court
Barnet
London
EN5 5YR
Bankers National Westminster Bank
153 Putney High Street
London
SW15 1RX

Publishing Qualifications Board

Contents

Page
Trustees’ report 1–5
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities 6
Independent Auditors' report 7–8
Statement of financial activities 9
Balance Sheet 10
Statement of cash flows 11
Notes to the financial statements 12–17

Publishing Qualifications Board

Trustees’ Report For the year ended 31 December 2025

The Trustees, who are also the Directors, hereby submit their annual Directors’ Report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ending 31 December 2025, which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a Directors’ Report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the Charity’s Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 and the charities Statement of Recommended Practice.

Structure, governance and management

The Publishing Qualifications Board is a company limited by guarantee. It is a registered charity whose objects are the promotion and furtherance of commercial education in the field of book publishing, writing and the information industries.

The Publishing Training Centre Foundation, a company limited by guarantee (Company No. 1253854) and also a Registered Charity (Registered Charity No. 1083081), is the sole member of the Publishing Qualifications Board.

The Trustees, who are also the Directors for the purpose of company law and who served during the year, were:

Christopher Glennie Eric Baber Emma Brown Hilary Fine Sunita Dhawan Changjie Hu Maria Krainova

None of the Trustees have any beneficial interest in the company.

The members undertake to contribute a maximum of £1 in the event of a winding up.

New Trustees are given full information on the history, legal framework, financial performance and future plan of the Charity.

Under the Articles of Association of the Board, the Publishing Training Centre Foundation, which is also a Registered Charity (Charity no: 1083081), is the sole member of the PQB Charity. Membership of the Charity is not transferable.

The number of Trustees shall be no less than five and no more than twelve. The board normally meets quarterly.

Trustees are elected by the members or co-opted by the Trustees. When considering co-opting Trustees, the Board has regard to the requirement for any specialist skills needed.

A Trustee term of office is three years.

A retiring Trustee may be reappointed providing that no Trustee shall serve more than two terms of office.

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Publishing Qualifications Board

Trustees’ Report (Continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025

The powers of the Trustees to invest monies of the Board are clearly laid out in the Articles of Association.

The Trustees consistently review the principal risks and uncertainties that the Charity faces and implements agreed procedures to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.

There were no connected Charities other than The Publishing Training Centre Foundation.

Objectives and Activities

The Publishing Qualifications Board (PQB) was established to further the education of persons employed in or wishing to pursue a career in the publishing, writing and information industries and related fields of activity, by the establishment, administration and award of national vocational, European, international and other qualifications in respect of competence.

PQB is responsible for the development, delivery and assessment of self-study courses. These are designed to improve knowledge and performance in a range of publishing-related disciplines to the widest possible group of delegates.

These courses are recognised by the publishing community as indicators of professional competence. The courses facilitate entry to a variety of publishing careers, especially within the freelance proofreading and editing community.

All PQB courses have at their core detailed and carefully moderated performance evaluation and reporting so that delegates and employers can assess levels of excellence and knowledge. Qualifications are awarded at a level of pass, merit or distinction.

Achievements and Performance

During 2025, PQB continued to develop and refresh its training portfolio to ensure it remained relevant to the evolving needs of the publishing industry.

Marketing, Partnerships and Profile Raising

PQB maintained a strong external profile during the year through partnerships, sponsorships and sector engagement. PQB sponsored and collaborated with organisations including the Society of Young Publishers and The Printing Charity, supporting conferences, awards schemes and earlycareer initiatives. These activities helped to promote PQB’s charitable objectives and broaden awareness of its training offer.

PQB training was referenced in trade publications during the year, including The Publishing Post, reinforcing the organisation’s reputation as a trusted provider of professional development within the publishing sector. Attendance at major industry events, including the London Book Fair, enabled discussions with partner organisations, potential tutors and contributors, and supported the development of future collaborations.

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Publishing Qualifications Board

Trustees’ Report (Continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025

Digital Development and Accessibility

During the year, PQB continued to improve the accessibility and consistency of its digital presence. Following expert review, a number of changes were made to the website to improve usability and accessibility in line with best practice. The Trustees consider this work to be an important part of ensuring that the PQB training and resources remain accessible to the widest possible audience.

Tutor and Stakeholder Engagement

The Trustees recognise the importance of maintaining strong relationships with tutors and stakeholders. A Trustee and tutor meeting was held during the year to discuss current training needs and emerging skills gaps within the industry. Feedback from tutors and participants continued to be positive, particularly in relation to new course offerings and webinar activity.

Organisational Development

During 2025, PQB strengthened its internal capacity by appointing a full-time Marketing Executive. This role was supported by short-term specialist consultancy to ensure continuity and effective induction. The Trustees believe this investment has improved the organisation’s ability to plan, promote and evaluate its training activity and has laid foundations for future development.

Delegates: numbers review for the year

377 delegates enrolled on distance learning programmes during the year (2024: 421 delegates).

Financial Review

General Financial Review

Revenue decreased by 22% to £71k (2024: £91k)

Total expenditure decreased by 14% to £91k (2024: £107k)

The charitable activities expenditure was £80k and represented 87% of the total expenditure for the year (2024: £94k & 88%)

The cost of governance was £5k and represented 5% of the total expenditure for the year (2024: £5k & 5%)

The net movement in funds was (£20k) (2024: (£16k))

3

Publishing Qualifications Board

Trustees’ Report (Continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025

Reserves Policy

As at 31 December 2025, the Unrestricted Reserves were £45k. The Unrestricted Reserves are held as a cushion of finance during economic downturn and are also available for future plans approved by the Board.

The Publishing Qualifications Board aims to maintain available reserves sufficient to cover three to six months of operating expenditure. This reserve policy underpins financial resilience, ensuring the continuity of operations during periods of funding shortfall while providing time to secure alternative income sources.

Public Benefit

The Publishing Qualifications Board has referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing its aims and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

Plans

The Trustees have continued preparatory work to support the planned integration of the Publishing Qualifications Board (PQB) under the Institute of Publishing. This work has focused on governance alignment, systems readiness and ensuring that future activities are structured to operate within IOP’s charitable objects.

The Trustees consider that consolidation under IOP will, over time, support clearer governance, improved operational efficiency and enhanced public benefit through a more coherent educational framework for the publishing sector. Further developments will be progressed during 2026, subject to Trustee oversight and regulatory compliance.

The Institute of Publishing (IOP), a company limited by guarantee with charitable objectives, acquired charitable status in November 2025.

4

Publishing Qualifications Board

Trustees’ Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2025

Risks and Uncertainties

The Trustees have identified the following principal risks and uncertainties facing the Charity and keep these under regular review:

5

Publishing Qualifications Board

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The Trustees, who are also the Directors of the Publishing Qualifications Board for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (Financial Reporting standard 102 and applicable law).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Charitable Company for that year.

In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Disclosure of Information to Auditors

Each of the Trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the Auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the Auditors are aware of such information.

The Board approved this report on: 22 April 2026

Bhoupati Sangeelee Secretary

6

Publishing Qualifications Board

Independent Auditors' Report To the Members of Publishing Qualifications Board

We have audited the financial statements of the Publishing Qualifications Board for the year ended 31 December 2025 on pages 9 to 17. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS102 “The Financial Reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”.

This report is made solely to the Charitable Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charitable Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charitable Company and the Charitable Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Auditors

As explained more fully in the statement of Trustees’ responsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the Directors of the Publishing Qualifications Board for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.

Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the accounts in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the Audit of the Accounts

An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the accounts sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the accounts are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Charity’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the Trustees; and the overall presentation of the accounts. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Trustees’ Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited accounts and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies, we consider the implications for our report.

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Publishing Qualifications Board

Independent Auditors' Report (Continued) To the Members of Publishing Qualifications Board

Opinion on accounts

In our opinion the accounts:

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion the information given in the Trustees’ Annual Report for the financial year for which the accounts are prepared is consistent with the accounts.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Mr Simon Naick (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on Behalf of Clarke Huttun, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants Summit Court Barnet London EN5 5YR

Dated: 22 April 2026

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Publishing Qualifications Board

Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes 2025 2024
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
£ £
Courses 2 71,127 91,030
-------------- --------------
Total income 71,127 91,030
-------------- --------------
Expenditure on:
Publicity and promotion 3 7,230 7,321
Charitable activities
Courses 4 84,316 99,573
-------------- --------------
Total expenditure 91,546 106,894
-------------- --------------
Net movement in funds (20,419) (15,864)
Fund balances at 1 January 2025 65,060 80,924
Fund balances at 31 December 2025 44,641 65,060

All activities are continuing. The notes on pages 12 to 17 form part of these accounts.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

9

Publishing Qualifications Board

Charity Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2025

Notes 2025 2024
£ £
Current Assets
Debtors 7 4,513 3,549
Cash at bank and in hand 180,481 215,790
----------- -----------
184,994 219,339
----------- -----------
Creditors:
Amounts falling due within one year 8 (140,353) (154,279)
------------- -------------
Net current assets 44,641 65,060
------------- -------------
Net Assets 44,641 65,060
======== ========
Income Funds
Unrestricted funds 44,641 65,060
---------- ----------
Total Funds 44,641 65,060
====== ======

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to Companies subject to the small companies’ regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on: 22 April 2026

Christopher Glennie (Chairman/Director)

Company Registration No: 2607034

10

Publishing Qualifications Board

Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 December 2025

Note 2025 2024
£ £
Cash generated/used in
operating activities
A (35,309) (17,083)
====== ======
Increase/(Decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents

B
(35,309) (17,083)
====== ======
Cash and cash equivalents at
the beginning of the year
215,790 232,873
====== ======
Total cash and cash
equivalents at the end of the 180,481 215,790
year
====== ======

A. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

2025 2024
£ £
Net Income/Expenditure (20,419) (15,864)
Increase/(Decrease) in debtors (964) 155
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors (13,926) (1,374)
------------ ------------
Net inflow/(outflow) cash flow from operating (35,309) (17,083)
activities
------------ ------------

B. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds

2025 2024
£ £
Balance at 1 Jan 2025 215,790 232,873
Net cash outflow/inflow (35,309) (17,083)
------------ ------------
Balance at 31 Dec 2025 180,481 215,790
------------ ------------

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Publishing Qualifications Board

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2025

1. Accounting Policies

1.1 Accounting basis and standards

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are prepared in UK £ Sterling which is the functional currency of the Charity.

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - (Charities SORP (FRS102)) and the Companies Act 2006.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out on pages 12–17. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

1.2 Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The reported deficit is £20k. The Trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The review of our financial position, reserves levels and future plans give the Trustees confidence that the Charity remains a going concern for the foreseeable future.

1.3 Income

Income is recognised when the Charity have entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. For the Distance Learning courses, entitlement to the fees is taken when the student enrols but subject to a thirty-day cooling off period.

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Publishing Qualifications Board

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2025

1.4 Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings:

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the Charity, but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back-office costs, personnel, payroll and governance costs that support the activities of the Board. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the Charity and compliance of constitutional and statutory requirements.

The Board identifies the costs of its support functions. It then identifies those costs which relate to the governance function. Having identified its governance costs, the remaining support costs together with governance costs are allocated to the one key charitable activity undertaken in the year.

1.5 Fund accounting

The Charity’s Unrestricted General Funds consist of funds that can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees.

1.6 Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, which are described in note 1, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The Trustees do not consider there are any critical judgements or sources of estimation uncertainty requiring disclosure.

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Publishing Qualifications Board

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2025

2. Income from charitable activities

2025 2024
£ £
Distance Learning courses 71,127 91,030
------------ ------------
71,127 91,030
------------ ------------

All income from charitable activities was attributable to the unrestricted funds.

3. Publicity and promotion

These are the costs incurred in promoting the educational activities of the Charity. They include advertisements in print and digital media. All costs were attributable to the unrestricted funds.

4. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Activities Support Total
undertaken costs
directly
£ £ £
Distance Learning courses 38,723 45,593 84,316
------------ ------------ ------------
38,723 45,593 84,316
------------ ------------ ------------

All costs for 2025 (2024: £99,573) were attributable to unrestricted funds.

5. Governance costs

Governance costs
2025 2024
£ £
Office Costs 332 381
Human Resources 3,250 3,988
Audit & Tax Fees 1,100 1,100
Legal fees - -
------------ ------------
4,682 5,469
------------ ------------

Governance costs include payments to the Auditors of £1,100 (2024: £1,100) for audit fees and £nil (2024: £nil) for other services.

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Publishing Qualifications Board

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2025

6. Analysis of staff costs, Trustee remuneration and expenses and the cost of key management personnel

The average number of employees, analysed by function, during the year was:

2025 2024
Courses 1 1
Governance 0.5 0.5
Web and Marketing 1.5 0.5
------------ ------------
3 2
------------ ------------

The average number of full-time equivalent employees was 3 (2024: 2).

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

2025 2024
£ £
Wages and salaries 20,273 23,926
Social security costs 2,389 2,624
Pension costs 3,468 4,175
----------- -----------
26,130 30,725
====== ======

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

Key management personnel comprise the senior leadership responsible for directing and controlling the activities of PQB.

During the year these responsibilities were undertaken by one individual engaged as a contractor. Fees paid in respect of this role amounted to £11,315 (2024: £13,462). These fees are included within support costs and are not included within staff costs disclosed above.

15

Publishing Qualifications Board

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2025

Trustees’ remuneration

The Trustees received reimbursement of expenses during the year totalling less than £500 (2024: less than £500).

The number of Trustees reimbursed expenses during the year was 2 (2024: 1).

2025 2024
Number of Trustees
reimbursed expenses 2 1
during the year
------------ ------------
2 1
------------ ------------

7. Debtors

2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 4,424 3,460
Pre-payments 89 89
------------ ------------
4,513 3,549
------------ ------------

8. Creditors: amount falling due within one year

2025 2024
£ £
Accruals 140,353 154,279
------------ ------------
140,353 154,279
------------ ------------

9. Taxation

As a registered Charity the Publishing Qualifications Board is exempt from Corporation Tax on its charitable activities.

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Publishing Qualifications Board

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2025

10. Related party transactions

In the current year no related party transactions were reported either from the Trustees or management.

11. Contingent liabilities

There were no contingent liabilities at the year end.

12. Capital commitments

At 31 December 2025, the Trustees had no capital commitments.

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