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2021-07-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02396173 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1004086

Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2021 for Ex Cathedra Limited

Locke Williams Associates LLP Chartered Accountants Registered Auditors c/o Blackthorn House St Pauls Square Birmingham West Midlands B3 1RL

Ex Cathedra Limited

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

Page
Report of the Artistic Director 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 11
Report of the Independent Auditors 12 to 14
Statement of Financial Activities 15
Balance Sheet 16 to 17
Cash Flow Statement 18
Notes to the Financial Statements 19 to 27

Ex Cathedra Limited

Report of the Artistic Director for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

Ex Cathedra is back! I'm tempted to say Ex Cathedra is Bach… Mozart, Beethoven, Monteverdi, Alec Roth, Liz Dilnot Johnson, Roxanna Panufnik, Penelope Thwaites … and much more! Ex Cathedra continues to celebrate the great human achievements of the past alongside new and special projects which reach out to the world, in particular the Middle East, India, Africa, Australia and the Americas.

It feels like a rebirth, a renewal, a refreshment, a regeneration. It is very sweet and joyful to have announced a 2021-22 season which is stronger and more passionate than ever, and which eagerly reaches out to a wide audience. We have learnt so much from our time in isolation, the tragic dark ages of the pandemic, but now we have a wonderful, innovative programme.

Of course Ex Cathedra never went away. From the beginning and throughout the pandemic the whole Ex Cathedra family rallied in a creative explosion which embraced with apparent ease new technology to produce high quality and imaginative virtual videos, live films with and without audience. Much of this work can be found on our website and YouTube channel, with ticketed concerts released at the Idagio Global Concert Hall.

Our Education and Participation team alone, with its extraordinary group of Vocal Tutors, has produced over 1,500 short films to provide online materials for schools, hospitals, community choirs and workshops. We have maintained our Academy of Vocal Music, Student and Graduate Scholarships, the Associate Conductors scheme, our relationship with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire especially in the field of research, and have commissioned new music and new editions.

This extraordinary creative energy, imagination and ability to engage the local community is a great tribute to the spirit of Ex Cathedra

Grants from the government's Culture Recovery Fund and other wonderful funders and supporters have helped avoid disaster and made this work possible. We are extremely grateful to them all.

However, there are challenges ahead. Earned income has fallen dramatically and will be slow to recover. We urgently need more regular support towards core costs and our artistic programme if we are to sustain our current activity, grow and flourish over the next 50 years.

We are ambitious to engage more people - from all backgrounds - in singing. Singing is for everyone, and singing together is a powerful, shared creative experience. It transforms individuals into a community, connecting us, regardless of age, ethnicity, faith, gender or any other definition. It builds confidence, shared understanding and empathy. It teaches us to listen with care and express ourselves with confidence.

Everyone should have opportunity to experience the physical and wellbeing benefits of singing together, and to be inspired by world-class choral music. As the great Tudor composer William Byrd wrote in the preface to his Psalms, Sonets, and Songs of Sadness and Piete in 1588:

Since singing is so good a thing, I wish all men would learne to sing.

Jeffrey Skidmore OBE Artistic Director

Page 1

Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

Ex Cathedra is established to further the education of the public of the West Midlands and elsewhere in the art and science of music. It seeks to reach and engage as many people as possible with outstanding vocal experiences by exploring, commissioning and performing the finest choral music, and by producing inspirational projects with participants of all ages in schools, hospitals and community groups. Ex Cathedra has set out the following priorities in its Business Plan for 2021-23:

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Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Significant activities

Thanks to its recordings, live and online performances, and its sector-leading education and participation projects, Ex Cathedra's international reputation as a leading UK choir and Early Music ensemble goes from strength to strength.

Founded in 1969 by Jeffrey Skidmore OBE, Ex Cathedra comprises a chamber choir, a Consort (10 singers), and a Baroque Orchestra/Ensemble comprising the UK's finest period-instrumentalists. Its education and participation projects are delivered by a team of Vocal Tutors, all members of Ex Cathedra, who comprise qualified teachers, professional singers, conductors and experienced workshop leaders.

Ex Cathedra is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, with funding currently secured until March 2023, and receives a small annual grant from Birmingham City Council. Ex Cathedra receives sponsorship from private and commercial sources and grants from trusts and foundations. During the pandemic it has benefited from the government's Culture Recovery Fund.

In setting objectives, the trustees give careful consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary guidance on widening access and setting fees. The company offers a wide range of ticket prices for all its concerts, with tickets available from £13 for all concerts and discounts for those in receipt of benefits, u16s and students, 18-30s, and disabled patrons. It frequently targets ticket offers to groups it has worked with in local areas e.g. Ladywood.

To meet its objectives, Ex Cathedra:

Public benefit

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.

Page 3

Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities

REVIEW OF PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Building on the swift pivot to digital outputs during spring 2020, activities during 2020-21 were adapted to meet the changing pandemic conditions, meeting government requirements and restrictions as they evolved, with a combination of online and hybrid performances and projects. Until May 2021, engagement with audiences and project participants was online only, although musicians were able to come together in controlled environments to perform and record films and project resources. From spring 2021 sociallydistanced audiences returned to concert performances and the Academy of Vocal Music resumed rehearsing in person, but participatory projects like Singing Playgrounds and Singing Medicine remained online.

This was possible thanks to support from the government's Culture Recovery Fund and support from other funders who responded to urgent appeals or agreed with proposals to reach and engage project beneficiaries via digital methods.

Notable achievements during the year included:

Sample page from www.singingplaygrounds.co.uk - available free to all Birmingham schools during lockdown

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Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

Feedback included:

"one of Britain's very best choirs… superb" ( New York Times )

“necessity is the mother of invention, and Ex Cathedra have done something remarkable with this online presentation” ( Midlands Music Review of “Our First 50 Years” online concert)

“Wow! That film! what a testament to your creativity and drive and the brilliance of your whole team! Well done everyone. Stunning at every moment.” ( Composer )

“Many congratulations on the concert. Just wonderful singing. And much admiration for the recording, editing and final creation. A wonderful record of the achievements in these strange but creative times” ( Audience - former CEO of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Scottish Opera and trustee of Three Choirs Festival)

“That rendition of Jerusalem with the Indian singer and the musical accompaniment was, in my view, a stroke of genius. A magnificent response to those who have been using music to seek to divide us in recent weeks. Thank you! What a wonderful way to celebrate Birmingham as she is today. Thank you.” ( Audience tweet)

“Being a professional choral singer is such a unique vocation, with no real guide book on how to go about your work. Training with Ex Cathedra is that guide book which every young singer wants - lessons in how to be a professional in a safe, supportive environment. I am hugely grateful for this opportunity.” (Ellie Sperling, 2018-19 Scholar )

“I really can't think of a comparative scheme in which a conductor is able to experience the breadth and depth of an organisation, from rehearsals to Board meetings.” (Sarah Latto, Associate Conductor Spring 2019)

“M has been part of the Junior Academy and Girl’s Academy for a number of years and has gained so much from the experience. She has loved taking part in The Nutcracker at the Hippodrome, St John Passion at Symphony Hall and many other projects –a fantastic experience, we feel very lucky to be part of it.” ( Parent of Academy of Vocal Music singer)

"Participating in Singing Medicine is like taking a child into a meadow and letting them run; getting them into the air and letting them be free. It's a moment of space, to share, to express, to sing, it's almost like being allowed to stretch." (Member of staff at Birmingham Children's Hospital )

“@singingmed One of the greatest teams lifting spirits, changing worlds. Your work is amazing.’ ( Prof Grenville Hancox MBE)

A Singing Medicine film, featuring Noah Bear

Noah Bear meets William Shakespeare at the Library of Birmingham ahead of a recording for Singing Playgrounds

Page 5

Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Finances

The attached financial statements show the current state of finances to be secure. Thanks to the funding support available - including the government's Culture Recovery Fund which allowed reflation of reserves depleted during the first part of the pandemic - reserves increased over the year by £28,869 to £143,770.

The charity received revenue grant funds amounting to £245,140 from local authority and public sources, of which £171,022 was from the Culture Recovery Fund. This was critical as Ex Cathedra's annual funding from Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council is far less than its baseline operating costs, so reserves were being rapidly depleted placing Ex Cathedra in a perilous position.

£405,503 was raised from sponsorships, donations and grants from other public sources, trusts, commercial and private funds for use during the year, only a small reduction on pre-pandemic fundraising.

However, earned income from ticket sales, and from fees for concert engagements and education projects was just £69,976 - 22% of the last full pre-pandemic year.

Fundraising Practices

Over the last 10 years fundraised income has become an increasingly important income stream. Ex Cathedra's approach is to seek funds from individuals, companies and charitable trusts, with the large majority of funds raised in the year being received from trusts and foundations.

Fundraising activities were undertaken by members of staff, including a part-time Grants & Individual Giving Manager, who drafts applications, writes reports for funders and looks after the individuals who donate to the Host of Angels scheme.

Ex Cathedra is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and adheres to the Regulator's Fundraising Promise, Code of Fundraising Practice and its terms and conditions. During the year Ex Cathedra received no complaints about its fundraising work.

Reserves policy and going concern

The trustees have established a policy on the amount of reserves that Ex Cathedra should carry. They believe that as a non-profit making organisation there is no requirement to accumulate reserves beyond its immediate needs. However, Ex Cathedra does need to maintain a minimum level of free reserves to safeguard its ongoing viability and provide adequate cashflow.

To meet the cashflow requirements, the trustees consider that the organisation should seek to maintain reserves at the equivalent level of 8 weeks of turnover.

The trustees have also determined a minimum operating threshold, being the funds necessary to finance the business through an orderly shutdown of the charity in the event of an unforeseen, catastrophic disaster. This level will also vary from time to time. It was recently calculated at £100,000.

The trustees have reviewed the circumstances of Ex Cathedra, with a regular review of the cashflow forecast and projects pipeline given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. They are delighted that a further grant from round 3 of the Culture Recovery Fund has been secured to support Ex Cathedra during the winter of 2021-22 and consider that adequate resources continue to be available to fund the activities of the organisation for the foreseeable future. The trustees are of the view that charitable company is a going concern.

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Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

FUTURE PLANS

Plans for 2021-22 will see Ex Cathedra present a concert programme that welcomes audiences back to something nearer a normal season of activity. However, audience confidence is expected to remain hugely deflated by the coronavirus pandemic even without further restrictions. Plans will remain under continuous review for both safety and financial reasons. Support from round 3 of the Culture Recovery Fund will offset some of the box office shortfalls, and this, alongside other funds raised for the year, is expected to make the planned season of concerts possible.

The return to 'in person' rehearsals and performances will enable the Academy of Vocal Music youth choirs, graduate and student Scholars, and Associate Conductor schemes operate - and nurture talent - much as they did before the pandemic. However, delivery of 'in person' activity in schools is expected to remain limited, dependent on case numbers in the community, and there is currently no clear date for a return to 'in person' activity in hospitals and healthcare settings. These projects will continue to be delivered digitally, building on the skills developed by the organisation during the pandemic via the dedicated websites www.singingplaygrounds.co.uk and www.singingmedicine.co.uk (forthcoming in 2022). Ex Cathedra has the flexibility to rapidly switch to 'in person' delivery if this becomes possible.

Ex Cathedra believes it is critically important to safely support its project beneficiaries throughout the rest of the pandemic and is very grateful to its various funders for valuing this work and supporting digital delivery where 'in person' is not possible. Patients - often already isolated for medical reasons - will continue to face greatly limited visiting and distanced/barrier nursing. We know that singing can help recovery (including from Long Covid) as well as improving wellbeing and combatting isolation. Singing together is powerful. It releases feel-good hormones, reduces stress and aids deeper breathing. It touches our emotions and can transform individuals into a community, connecting us, regardless of age, ethnicity, faith, gender or any other definition. Sadly, schools - often lacking confident musicians on their staff - remain uncertain about creating safe singing environments and the amount and quality of music provision in schools is patchy. Children often have very limited opportunities in much-changed school environments. Ex Cathedra's suite of schools projects are designed to support a return to singing in schools, and provide teachers with support, resources and confidence.

2021-22 will see Ex Cathedra welcome back live, non-distanced audiences, reschedule some of its postponed plans, adapt others, and continue to develop innovative and inclusive new approaches:

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Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

Following Peter Phillips' appointment as Chair of Ex Cathedra in January 2021, priorities for the 2021-22 year were identified: to secure Ex Cathedra's recovery from the pandemic; ongoing work towards the appointment of an Assistant Conductor and successor for Jeffrey Skidmore; and to work towards another step-change in the organisation's fundraising and financial model.

Over the last 10 years, Ex Cathedra has evolved its financial model to adjust to continuing changes in the funding available. However, funding for core costs from public funders has not been available to enable staff capacity to grow alongside the increase in activity required to generate more earned income, and has indeed declined to just 7% of projected turnover for 2021-22. The trustees recognise that the staff team are working far in excess of their contracted hours and pay is low compared to peer organisations. The organisation's underlying financial model remains at risk despite this hidden subsidy provided by its dedicated staff, and it is potentially over-exposed to fluctuations in box office and fundraised income - expected to be significant risks throughout the next 2 years. As the organisation emerges from the pandemic, it needs to make another stepchange in its underlying funding and financial model to create a sustainable structure and platform from which to deliver its existing programme of activity and unlock its latent potential.

The 2021-22 year will see Ex Cathedra apply for National Portfolio Funding from Arts Council England for the period 2023-26. The trustees believe that Ex Cathedra's contribution to the strategic objectives of its core public funders is currently greatly undervalued, and that it deserves better recognition for what it already delivers - and a better opportunity to unlock its potential to further deliver - against the outcomes of Arts Council England's Lets Create strategy for 2020-30. They believe that singing is a powerful, shared creative experience and that everyone should have an equitable opportunity to experience the physical and wellbeing benefits of singing together and to be inspired by world-class choral music. They believe that Ex Cathedra provides an offer that is not available anywhere else in the UK, and that there are very few arts organisations in England who already engage as many people of all ages and backgrounds or are as well placed to deliver these strategic outcomes via singing-based projects.

Christmas Music by Candlelight Photo: Simon Peter King

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Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document and constitution

Ex Cathedra is controlled by its governing document, its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 1 February 1989 as amended on 25 November 2004 to allow for indemnity insurance cover for directors and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Each director agrees to contribute £1 in the event of the charity winding up.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The Company currently has 10 directors or trustees, the Chairman being appointed from amongst them. Birmingham City Council nominates up to one representative to observe meetings under its funding agreement. Ex Cathedra also appoints one young person (under 20) each year to attend and contribute to Board meetings.

Induction and training of new trustees

When considering co-opting new directors or trustees, the Board has regard to the requirement for any specialist skills needed. New directors are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. They are required to state on their appointment that they know of no reason why they should not be appointed and to undergo clearance procedures with the Disclosure and Barring Service (repeated periodically) due to the Company's relationships with vulnerable beneficiaries.

Organisational structure

The directors meet quarterly as a Board. Trustees are nominated to take responsibilities for different areas of the Company's activities e.g. finance, education, marketing etc. The day-to-day running of the charity is delegated to the General Manager with support from the Director of Education and Head of Finance.

Key management remuneration

The board of directors (trustees), General Manager, Director of Education and Head of Finance comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis. All directors give of their time freely and no director received remuneration during the year. The pay of senior staff is reviewed annually.

Risk management

The trustees have carried out a detailed review to identify the major risks that the charity faces in order to implement a risk management strategy that includes the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks and their potential effect on the charity. Risks are scored for likelihood and impact after mitigation. The Risk Register is reviewed by the Board at least once a year and adjusted as necessary.

The trustees consider that the main risks to Ex Cathedra are:

A focus on its Business Plan priorities, strong relationships with key funders, robust financial monitoring, and the work of subgroups ensure that these priorities are being addressed. The charity has a strong system of internal control, including:

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Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 02396173 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number 1004086

Registered office

CBSO Centre Berkley Street Birmingham West Midlands B1 2LF

Trustees

J F Clemson Mrs P Hawthorne Smalley (resigned 14.12.20) Ms S M Kernthaler Ms L J Krishnamoorthy P N Ledgard G R Mackenzie OBE (resigned 18.1.21) P S Philips (chair) (appointed 18.1.21) S Purkess (resigned 19.10.20) Dr J M Pymm Mrs J Robinson Ms P Whitehouse

Young Person Representative Rosy Heneghan (appointed 27.10.2020)

Company Secretary Mrs A R Burgess

Auditors

Locke Williams Associates LLP Chartered Accountants Registered Auditors c/o Blackthorn House St Pauls Square Birmingham West Midlands B3 1RL

General Manager Peter Trethewey

Advisers Bankers Lloyds Bank Erdington Branch Birmingham

Insurance brokers

Marsh Commercial 45 Church Street Birmingham B3 2RT

Page 10

Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of Ex Cathedra Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland"

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

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

In so far as the trustees are aware:

AUDITORS

The auditors, Locke Williams Associates LLP, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 24 January 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

Mison Levier- Burgess

Mrs A R Burgess - Secretary

Page 11

Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Ex Cathedra Limited (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 July 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. 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 Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

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Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditors under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the company and the industry in which it operates, and considered the risk of acts by the company that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud. We designed audit procedures to respond to these risks, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

We focussed on laws and regulations which could give rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements, including, but not limited to, the Companies Act 2006 and UK tax legislation. Our tests included agreeing the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation, enquiries with management and enquiries of third parties where appropriate.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. We did not identify any key audit matters relating to irregularities, including fraud.

As in all our audits, we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including testing journals and checking the authorisation of expenditure as part of our substantive testing, using analyitical review to identify any significant or unusual transactions and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

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Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' 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 trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Locke Williams Associates LLP Chartered Accountants Registered Auditors Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006 c/o Blackthorn House

St Pauls Square Birmingham West Midlands B3 1RL 27/01/2022

Date: .............................................

Page 14

Ex Cathedra Limited

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
319,313
Charitable activities
5
Own promotions
36,414
Engagements, media and other concerts
33,562
Learning
-
Recording
-
Charitable trading
3
2,551
Investment income
4
20
Other income
6
-
Total
391,860
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
7
21,381
Charitable activities
8
Own promotions
193,028
Engagements, media and other concerts
95,423
Learning
53,699
Recording
-
Total
363,531
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
28,329
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
110,211
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
138,540		 Restricted
funds
£
331,330
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
331,330
19,375
80,679
-
230,736
-
330,790
540
4,690
5,230		 31.7.21
Total
funds
£
650,643
36,414
33,562
-
-
2,551
20
-
723,190
40,756
273,707
95,423
284,435
-
694,321
28,869
114,901
143,770		 31.7.20
Total
funds
£
482,578
183,444
33,032
12,000
28,941
8,098
144
10,589
758,826
45,418
302,712
93,815
296,733
30,863
769,541
(10,715)
125,616
114,901

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 15

Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Balance Sheet 31 July 2021

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
14
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
15
Cash at bank
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
16
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
19
Unrestricted funds:
General fund
IT Fund
Restricted funds:
Alice Corser Scholarship Fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 31.7.21
£
8,352
52,968
464,215
517,183
(381,765)
135,418
143,770
143,770
138,198
342
138,540
5,230
143,770		 31.7.20
£
1,513
25,566
434,221
459,787
(346,399)
113,388
114,901
114,901
109,869
342
110,211
4,690
114,901

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 July 2021.

The members have not deposited notice, pursuant to Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 requiring an audit of these financial statements.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

These financial statements have been audited under the requirements of Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 16

Ex Cathedra Limited (Registered number: 02396173)

Balance Sheet - continued 31 July 2021

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 24 January 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:

P N Ledgard

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 17

Ex Cathedra Limited

Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
21
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents
in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end
of the reporting period		 31.7.21
£
38,314
38,314
(8,340)
20
(8,320)
29,994
434,221
464,215		 31.7.20
£
81,285
81,285
(1,776)
144
(1,632)
79,653
354,568
434,221

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 18

Ex Cathedra Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

For grants and donations to be recognised, the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled

Income from charitable activities includes ticket and fee income earned from undertaking performances, engagements and recordings. Income is received in exchange for supplying goods and services in furtherance of the charitable objectives and is recognised when entitlement has occurred.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Costs are shown net of any recoverable VAT.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

Charitable activity costs include those direct costs incurred in the furtherance of the charitable actives and are analysed between the significant activities undertaken.

Support (core) costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity.

Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources. Payroll costs been allocated accords activities on the basis of employees involvement in each activity and other overheads have been allocated in proportion to incoming resources by activity.

Fund-raising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Page 19

Ex Cathedra Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Tangible fixed assets
Concert equipment - 25% on cost
Fixtures and fittings - 25% on cost
Office equipment - 25% on cost
Computer equipment - 33% on cost

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised at cost

Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Taxation

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Grants for core funding purposes
Sponsorships and donations		 31.7.21
£
245,140
405,503
650,643		 31.7.20
£
70,859
411,719
482,578

Included within grants for core funding purposes is £171,022 of Cultural Recovery Funds received from the Arts Council England during the year.

Page 20

Ex Cathedra Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

3.
CHARITABLE TRADING
Royalties, media and recording
Sales of CDs etc
Other income
4.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Deposit account interest
5.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Activity
Own promotions
Engagements, media and other concerts
Learning
Recording
6.
OTHER INCOME
HMRC – Creative Industry Tax relief
7.
RAISING FUNDS
Other trading activities
Purchases
Staff costs		 31.7.21
£
1,307
1,244
-
2,551
31.7.21
£
20
31.7.21
£
36,414
33,562
-
-
69,976
31.7.21
£
-
31.7.21
£
13,865
26,891
40,756		 31.7.20
£
1,817
2,881
3,400
8,098
31.7.20
£
144
31.7.20
£
183,444
33,032
12,000
28,941
257,417
31.7.20
£
10,589
31.7.20
£
19,504
25,914
45,418

Page 21

Ex Cathedra Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

8. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Own promotions
Engagements, media and other
concerts
Learning		 Direct
Costs
£
272,243
94,074
284,435
**650,752 **		 Support
costs (see
note 9)
£
1,464
1,349
-
2,813		 Totals
£
273,707
95,423
284,435
653,565

9. SUPPORT COSTS

Support costs are the charity's Governance costs, being audit and legal fees. These costs have been allocated to the charitable activities in proportion to income arising.

10. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

31.7.21 31.7.20
£ £
Auditors' remuneration 2,700 2,500
Auditors' remuneration for non audit work 113 113
Depreciation - owned assets **1,501 ** 263

11. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2021 nor for the year ended 31 July 2020.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 July 2021 nor for the year ended 31 July 2020.

12. STAFF COSTS

STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 31.7.21
£
183,224
8,016
8,731
199,971		 31.7.20
£
177,821
10,297
8,732
196,850

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

The average monthly number of employees during the year was 13 (2020:13). The Charity employs 3 full time members of staff with an average of 9 part time (including 4 choral Scholars), FTE number of staff is 5.80.

Page 22

Ex Cathedra Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

12. STAFF COSTS - continued

The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel is £75,875 (2020 £74,484). The charity considers its key management personnel compromise the board of directors, who are the Charity's trustees, and the senior management team, being the general manager, the director of education and the director of finance.

13. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted
funds
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
179,620
Charitable activities
Own promotions
183,444
Engagements, media and other concerts
33,032
Learning
12,000
Recording
28,941
Charitable trading
8,098
Investment income
144
Other income
10,589
Total
455,868
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
22,828
Charitable activities
Own promotions
254,930
Engagements, media and other concerts
93,815
Learning
64,507
Recording
30,863
Total
466,943
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(11,075)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
121,286
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
110,211		 Restricted
funds
£
302,958
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
302,958
22,590
47,782
-
232,226
-
302,598
360
4,330
4,690		 Total
funds
£
482,578
183,444
33,032
12,000
28,941
8,098
144
10,589
758,826
45,418
302,712
93,815
296,733
30,863
769,541
(10,715)
125,616
114,901

Page 23

Ex Cathedra Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

14. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Concert
equipment
£
COST
At 1 August 2020
13,218
Additions
5,045
At 31 July 2021
18,263
DEPRECIATION
At 1 August 2020
13,218
Charge for year
315
At 31 July 2021
13,533
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 July 2021
4,730
At 31 July 2020
-		 Fixtures
and
Office
Computer
fittings
equipment
equipment
£
£
£
1,944
568
14,262
-
-
3,295
1,944
568
17,557
1,944
568
12,749
-
-
1,186
1,944
568
13,935
-
-
3,622
-
-
1,513		 Totals
£
29,992
8,340
38,332
28,479
1,501
29,980
8,352
1,513

All assets are used in direct furtherance of the Charity's objects.

15. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors
Deferred income
Accrued expenses		 31.7.21
£
6,998
45,970
52,968
31.7.21
£
23,716
4,602
10,330
247,710
95,407
381,765		 31.7.20
£
4,719
20,847
25,566
31.7.20
£
12,646
5,006
972
259,640
68,135
346,399

16. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Page 24

Ex Cathedra Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

17. LEASING AGREEMENTS

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:

Within one year
Between one and five years
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Unrestricted
funds
£
Fixed assets
8,352
Current assets
511,953
Current liabilities
(381,765)
138,540		 Restricted
funds
£
-
5,230
-
5,230		 31.7.21
£
7,574
3,809
11,383
31.7.21
Total
funds
£
8,352
517,183
(381,765)
143,770		 31.7.20
£
8,060
12,284
20,344
31.7.20
Total
funds
£
1,513
459,787
(346,399)
114,901

18. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

At 1.8.20
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
109,869
IT Fund
342
110,211
Restricted funds
Alice Corser Scholarship Fund
4,690
TOTAL FUNDS
114,901
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
391,860
Restricted funds
Restricted income fund
330,790
Alice Corser Scholarship Fund
540
331,330
TOTAL FUNDS
723,190		 Net
movement
At
in funds
31.7.21
£
£
28,329
138,198
-
342
28,329
138,540
540
5,230
28,869
143,770
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(363,531)
28,329
(330,790)
-
-
540
(330,790)
540
(694,321)
28,869

Page 25

Ex Cathedra Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Investment fund
IT Fund
Restricted funds
Alice Corser Scholarship Fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.8.19
£
96,944
24,000
342
121,286
4,330
125,616		 Net
movement
in funds
£
(11,075)
-
-
(11,075)
360
(10,715)		 Transfers
between
funds
£
24,000
(24,000)
-
-
-
-		 At
31.7.20
£
109,869
-
342
110,211
4,690
114,901

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted income fund
Alice Corser Scholarship Fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
455,868
302,598
360
302,958
758,826		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(466,943)
(11,075)
(302,598)
-
-
360
(302,598)
360
(769,541)
(10,715)

Purpose of funds:

Designated Fund:

The Investment fund represents funds set aside for future investment opportunities in Education and Choral activities.

Restricted Funds:

Page 26

Ex Cathedra Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

20. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 July 2021.

21. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
Statement of Financial Activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Interest received
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by operations		 31.7.21
£
28,869
1,501
(20)
(27,402)
35,366
38,314		 31.7.20
£
(10,715)
263
(144)
108,057
(16,176)
81,285

22.. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.8.20 Cash flow At 31.7.21
£ £ £
Net cash
Cash at bank 434,221 **29,994 ** 464,215
434,221 **29,994 ** 464,215
Total 434,221 **29,994 ** 464,215

Page 27