Company registration number.. 2829085 Charity registration number.. 1030564 Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited {A company limited by guaranleel Annual Report and Financial Siaiements f()r the Year Ended 31 Augusl 2024 EJ Business Consulianls Limiied 2 Toomers Wharf, Canal Walk Newbury Bcrkshire RG14 IDY Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited Contents Reference and Administrative Details Trustees, Report 2to6 Statement uf Truslees, Responsibilities Independent Examiner's Report Stst¢m¢nl c)f Tr inancial Activilies Balance Sheet 10 Notes lo the Ftnan¢ial Sl8l¢mcnis Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited Reference and Administrative Details Ch4irman R Sandford Chlef Exeeutlj'e Offleer K Barrow Trustees l Hanson G Ward, ViLe Chair R Drury E Smiih P Hobbs J Hawkins Iresibyned 6 Noveniber 2023) K Fldrri.s A tioldsmith S Circenwood A F.1scy J ("oley P C'h()ugulc {upp()inlcd 27 Janu&ry 2025) SecretAry L Vincent Principal Office Shaw House ('hurch Road Newbury BL'rk¥hire RG14 2DR The charity is incorpordied in Englynd & Wgles. 2829085 CompAn)' Re%lstr*tltsn Number Charlty Reglstratlon Number 10311564 Bankers Mclro Bank PIC Independenl Ex4miner EJ Buqiness Consulianls Limited 2 Toomcrs Wharf, C'anal Walk Newbury Berkshire R(i14 IDY Page I Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited Trustees, Report The Trustees (w'ho are also Directors ot the charity tor the purposes of the Companie8 Act) present their annual report together with the audited Iinancial statements ot Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited {Ihe charity) for the year ended 31 August 2024. The Tw.stees confirn) thai the Annual Report and financial slatements of thc charity comply Mpiih the currcni siaiuiory rcquiremenls. the rcquiremcnts of thc charity's governing document and the provisions of the Sialemeni of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounitng and Reporting by Charities" issued in MarLh 2005. Introduction Educalion Business Partnership (West Berkshire) (EBP) is an experienced and trusted bruker. cngaging busincss professionals io interpret the w'orld of ￿'ork for young people. EBP'S mission is to unitc cducation and busincss to inspire and equip our future workforce for tomo￿0w'S workplace. EBP achieves this mission by working in partnership with businesses, funders and volunteers lo deliver a range of programmes and iniliatives to young people tn schools dnd colleges aLfoss the Thames Valley. EBP builds and culiii'ales strong, trusted relaiionships with businesses and educational instihjtions to facilitate interdcttve encounlcrs with companies to influencc the slud¢nts journcy into work, inspire young people, raise awareness of sectorb. pathways and options and equip them tor ihe ￿orkplaCe. Schools dnd ¢ollcg¢s pay iiicinbership fees to F.BP to fully benefit from the vital suppon that panners provide in th¢ foTm of rcsourccs and financc to catry out actii'ilies. EBP delivers programmes supported by businesses which cover the following aTeas'. Personal and work related skills devcloprncnt for young people Aspiration raising for future life direction. increasing motivation to study Personal finance awareness and skills Insight into industrles and skills Work experienc¢ placements Business understanding Employability skills embedded into cU￿1cUluM delivery and personal, social and health education (PSHE) Structure, Governance and ManAgement Governing Document The organisaiion is a charilablc company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 22nd Junc 1993 and registered as a charity on 22nd Jun¢ 1993. The company was cstablished under a Memorandum of Association which established the objecls and powers of the charitable compan}, and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required lo contribute an amounl not exceeding £1. Recruitment Appointment of the Board ofTrustee5 The governing body of the company is the Board ol. Directors, who are also the charity Tn]stees for the purpose of charity law. Under ihe requiremenls of Ihe Memorandum and Articles of Associalion one third ot. the members of the Board of Direciors stand dom4) al each Annual General Meeting. They are eligible for re-election. Page 2 Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited Trustees, Report The process of appointing Trustees to ihe charity is undertaken by firstly identifying arcas whcr¢ 5ki11s and professional expertise are not currently found amongy the existing Trustees. Suitablc Landidates ar¢ identified within the community. The Chair of T￿sleeS Chicl Executii'e Officer interview shortlislcd candidat¢s, they are invited to attend the next board meeting as a gyuesl before an appoinimenl is madc. Trustee Induction and Training ()n being appoinled as a Trustee a copy of ihe Memorandum and Articles of Association, Ihe recenl busines5 plan dnd mu.%1 rcLcnl stalcmenl uf incoine and expenditure are presenled i() Ihe new Iruslee. All Trustees dre givcn many oppurtunilies to become familiar with th¢ work of the ci)mpany. All are encuurdgcd io aitcnd a numbcr of events cach year lo experience the charily al work. As triiining opportunilies pre5enl Ihemselves. Trust¢cs arc cn¢ouragcd to attend appropriale ex1ernal iraining events to support the undertaking of th¢ir role. The Board of Trustees meet 3 limes per year. Orggni54tional Structure A Chief Executive o￿l¢er ICEO) is appointed by the Trustees lo manage the day-lo-day operations of Ihe harily. To ensure ihe e(fecliveness of Ihe urganisalion. the CEO has delegated authority for operational mallcrs including finance. employment, bu5ine55 dcvclopincnt, thnd raising and delivery management agains1 an agreed business plan. The CF.0 is a member of the Association of F.ducation Business Professionals (AF.BP} network and sits on ihe following networkslgruups.. Skills and Enteryjrise Pannership for West Berkshirc and Elusiness Growth dnd Skills group (Rcading). Thc Chair of Truslees is a member of The Association of Chairs. Rel4ted Parties In so far as it is complementary lo the charity's objectives, the company is a member of the following organisations.. ASs￿latIon ot Education Business Professionals {fom)erly EBP National) Risk M4nagement The company acknowledges at all limes the risks associated with ils work as a charitable company. The Board of Trustees ensures that 115 objectives. philosophy and strategy encompass the identification and conlrol of risks at all times. li recognises that such risk involves the following: Governance and management Operational risk Financial risk Environmental and external risk Law and regulation risk To ensure that such risk 15 identified and appropriat¢, control measures are put in place. The Board of Trustees directs ihe CEO to undertake a regular revie￿. and evaluation of all aspects of the company and maintain the company's Risk Regisler. The CEO submits ihis regular risk analysis for review based on ihe company's pre-defined 'Risk Policy,. Page 3 Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited Trustees, Report Objects and Activities for public benefit In .setting ihe objeciives and planning activilies, the Truslees have given careful consideration lo the c.harity Commission s gcncral guidance un public ben¢fil and in particular lo ils supplemcniary public benefil guidance on advancing education and on fee-charging. The prineipal activity of the company is to advance the education and training of young people, pupils and students in the Thames Valley and Wiltshire, wilh particular regard lo the development of self-confidence. commercial and business skills and other relalcd maiters. And lo provide young people with insights into industry and the skills needed lor working life. In planning thc purtlolio ol activitie5 fi)r the year, the company sought to demonstrate the public benefit Ii) the Lummunity from such aclivities. The focus of the company's activities remains on work-relaled learning, establishing effective partnerships between the business and educalion seclors. EBP recruil busines8 ￿'01￿nIe¢r5 to inforni, inspire. coach and menlor young peopl¢. The principal benefi¢iaries of the company's aciivities are young people through building on their knowledge and awareness of the importance of ski115 needed to compete in ihe employment market. Also, companies who work with EBP secure a suslainable partnership to improve the suppl}, and quality of future skills, as Th'ell as the supply chain of potential candidates for local businesses. Alongside this there is a considerable community benefit bi)ih to the adulis who arc vulunicering and Ic) Ihe healih and effectivenesg of the communilies in which the volunteering takes place. EBP works with all young people aged between 7_19 years, regardless of their personal background. faith, gender. disability or personal circumstances. Through the sharing of skills and knowledge, life experiences and altitudes. the young people all benefil. The cornpany carries out its work within the Thame% Valley and Wi115hire (with the mdjorily laking plaLC in We%1 BLrkshire. RLading, Wokingham, Souih Oxford5hire and Swind()n) bul seoks to work in partnership with similar organisalions outside of ihe region, to cnrich the wurk and experiences for all who arc engaged in the busincss and cducalion s¢clors. Bencfif is gained for this rcgion by working in collaboralion with ihe Educalion Business Partnerships (EBPS) in the wider Berkshire, Solent and Souih Eastern area. A¢hi¢vementS And Performanee 2023124 was an excellent year for EBP. We are proud to report ihal we 5UCC¢Ssfully delivered to over 23,000 students -our biggest ever number of face-lo- face inleraclions, and we delivered 265 workshops which was +50 /0 l)n the year. The Developing Skills team had an especially successful year with sales ending +190/Tr year and +8 % 10 plan. We madc good head￿aY on our stralcgic objcclives.. * Increased ￿olunteer recruitment -sign¢d up 125 new volunt¢crs. GroHrth tn new. geographical areas (Swindon and Wiltshire +310/0) Increased our work within Primary Schools {+106 10 year). Increased social media engagement with +25 /• more posts on the year which resulted in engagement acr055 811 channels of + 46 /0 on last year. Our new marketing strategy and DST portfolio drove an addiiional £11.8k of sales. Increased our offer for SENDlvulnerable S￿denIS As predicled, work experience continued to decline due to an ongoing pressure on schuul budgeis, and 2 large schools unfortunalely did no( rencw Iheir Lontracts with us al Ihe end of July 2024. We have worked to diversify the uffer introducing a supported w'ork cxpcricnLC pro¥ramme and looking al oiher avenues, including a team re-stN¢tur¢ to n]iligate the losses Thhich will affect Ihc acadcmic ycar 202412025. Page 4 Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited Trustees, Report Finanei*l Review Total income for Ihe 12 months was £455,968 which includes a small amount of investmenl income Irom our r¢serv¢s. We achieved a surplus for the year of £3,166. Investmcnl Poliry The Trusiees have maintained a policy of relaining a prudeni amount in reserves leai'ing most of the charity's funds available lo undertake day-to-day operations. Last financial year, the Board of Trust¢¢5 and Finance sub-committee made the decisioT] lo move the element of unrestricted reseTr'es held in an investment fund to a fixed leTm savings account to guaranlee a return on investmenl and lo derisk any further losses-due lo the ongoing underpertormance of the previous invesled fund. Reserves Policy The Trnslees review the rese￿eS policy annually. The minimum lo be held will b¢ a sum sufficient to temlinate all contracts i)f emplc)ymenl and exit frum all legally binding contrdcls. All addilional monies in reserve are held to cnsuTr satl5faclory conclusion of all contracts to supply services to schools and colleges in the Thames Valley. PrincipAI Funding Sourte$ The main funders for activiiies were broken doThTr as follows.. Schools and Colleges, 36•/9 of iotal incorne (40 /ol Business funding 32t/l o of lotal income {290/L¥I Oihcr sourccs (funding bodies, charitable trusi funds, local authorily projects ¢￿}, 320/0 (310/0) Figures shown in brackeis relate lo 202212023 financial year. The dillerenceg in Ihe makeup of income sources are reflcciive of our strategy to increase funding from business and other sources, to mitigate the risk of decreasing school budgets. Plans for Fulure Periods EBP plans lo continue a steady dnd sustained grO￿lh plan. The management leam will work with the Chair and Board of Trustees lo r¢fresh and r¢invigorat¢ the organi5ation's business plan lo build on the foundalions for growth cstablishcd prior to ihe pandemic. EBP will continue lo support schools and colleges in mccting th¢ Gatsby Benchmarks by conlinuing to align programmes and conlenl to the fra￿e￿'0rk. whil¢ simultaneously delivering against funders, objectives. EBP will seek lo a55iSt the growing cohort ot young people experiencing ongoing challenges including. SEND, anxiety and behaviour issues by Seeking to secure tunding for programmes lo support improvements in their confidence. resilicncc and well_being as well as to enable ground to be made up with missed employer engagement opportunities. EBP will- work lo broaden the range of corporate organisations they support to meel their sludenl engagemenl, employee volunteerin8 and Corporale Social Responsibilily objeclives. The increasing range of seclors experiencing .skills shortages, which have becn exacerbated by Brexit, is further increasing demand from eniployers for progrdmm¢s to cngagc and inspire young people. continue lo exlend schoollcollege partnerships lo facililale delivery of initiatives. work closely wilh a range i)f funder5 10 ideniify new, and seek lu continue existing. funding slreams. EN'aluai¢ and quality a5surc all of its pri)visi()n. ￿'orkIng to continually improve conlcnl and delivery models to meet funder and school/college objectives. Page 5 Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited Trustees, Report EBP will ensurc ihal the Company remains well reprcscntcd on kcy stralcgic bodies such as the LF.P, AF.BP {fonncrly EBP Nalional), LoLal Auihority/ELonumiL Dcvclopmcnt b(Idics and any new seniur stratcgiL working groups. Reprcscntaiii)n on importani dnd inf0mlati￿¢ ciporational bodics such a5 Careers Leads meetings will bc mainlained in W¢sl B¢rk5hirc, Readinb. and SwindoiLIWiltshire. All market inlelligence dnd insighi gained from such groups w'ill be collilted and used to inforn) progrdnlme desi￿ lo ensure business and school objectives coniinue to be met by existing and proposed new pri1￿￿ran]mcS lo aid business development cftorts. Training ot. EEIP staff will ensure they remain up lo date with statulory obligalions for Insliluie of Occupational S#fcly and Health {IOSII) MJndgTing, Safcly. Safcgyuarding training and First Aid courscs and ccrtificalion. Disclosure dnd Ba￿ing Service (DBS) checki w'ill also continue io be undertaken. A slrong pallern of inlernal conimuni¢ation will be maintained lo en.%ure thai ¥lalT are fully inlornied about Irends, changes and new working practices. Members of the BoArd of Tru%tte% Members (Ir thL' B()ard c)f Tru%lccs, wh() arc Dircct()r% for the purp()sc of cnmpany law and Trustees fc)r the purp()%L' ()f Lharily l£lW. whi) scri'cd during Ihc yLar and up l(Tr Ihe dalc i)f thi% rcpibrt arc .%el i)ul Iin pdgL. I. This rcport was approvcd by the Trust¢¢s on 12ih May 2025 and signed on their behalf by.. Robert Sandford, c.hair of Trusiee4 Page 6 Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities Thc trustccs {who are also the directors of F.ducation Business Partnership Wesl Berkshire Limited for the purposes of company lawl are responsible lor preparing the tntslees, report and the financial statemenis in accurdanee with the United Kingdon) Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounling Praclice) and applicable lam. and regulations. Company law requires the tru5lees lo prepare financial siatemenls for each financial y¢ar. Under company law the Iruslees musi nol approve the financial statemenls unless Ihey are salisfied thai ihey give a Irue and fair view of the bldle of affairs ()[ Ihe charitable company and of ils inci)ming reqources and application of resour¢es, including its illLume and expendilure, for that period. In preparing Ihese fin4￿cial stalemenls, the irnslees are required io.. selecl suilable accounting policies and apply them consistently,. observe the methods and principles in the Charilies SORP- make judgements and eslimales that are reasonable and prudent; stale whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any materi81 departures disclosed and explained in Ihc financial statements: and prepare the financial ststemenls on ihe going concern basis unless il is inappropriate to prebume that the charilable company will continue in business. The Iruslees are responsible for keepingy adequate accouniing records thai are sufficient io show and explain the charilablc company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy al any time the financial position of the eharitable company and enable them to ensurc that the financial stalements comply wilh Ihe Compante5 Acl 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding Ihe assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for th¢ prevention and deteclion of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the trustees of the charity on 12 May 2025 and signed on ils behalf by.. R Sand Chai an Page 7 Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 Augu512024 which are sei out on Pdges 9 10 17 . Respective responsibilities of trustees ¥nd examiner The Irustees (who arc also Ihc dircclurs of thc i()mpany for thL purp()%rs i)r Lumpany law) are respi?nsible f()r Ihe preparalion of the aLLuunls. Thc Irusiees Lonsider Ihal an audit is ni)I required for this year under section 144{2) of the Charities Act 201 I (the 201 l Acl) and that an independent examination is needed. The charity's gross income exceedcd £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of EJ Business Consultants Ltd. Having satisfied niyself that the charity is not subject to dudil under company law and is eligible for independenl examination. il 15 my responsibility lo.. examine the accounts under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act: to follow thc proc¢dur¢s laid down in the general DireLlions given by th¢ Charity Commission und¢r Section 145(5Xb) of the 201 l Act. and to state whether particular matlers have come lo my attention. Basis of independenl exgminer'5 report My examination was ca￿led out in a¢¢ordance with thc gcncral Dirc¢lions g]￿en by the Charity Commission. An examinalion includes a review of ihc accounting rccords kept by the charity and a comparison of Ihe accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanalions from you ag iruslees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all ihe evidence that would be required in an audii and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounis present a 'lNe and fair view. and ihe report is limited to those matters set out in the stalcment below. Ind¢p¢nd¢nt ex*miner'$ $tat¢ment In conncclion wilh my examinali(In. no matter has come to my allcnlion.. ( l ) which gives me r¢asonablc cause lo believ¢ that in any material respect the requirements: lo keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the c.ompanies Act 2006; and lo prepare accounts which accord with the accounttng records, Lumply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with ihc methods and principles of the Statement of Rc¢ommend¢d Practice= Accounting and Reporting by Charilies have not been met. or (2) to which. in my opinion. altenlion should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to bc redLhed. Emma Thomas EJ Business C.onsulianls Ltd 2 Toorners Wharf, Canal Walk Newbury Berkshire RG14 IDY 12 May 2025 Page 8 Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2024 {Including Income and Expendilure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses) Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2024 Note Ineome and Endowments from: Chari(ablc aclii'ities Investment income 122.711 1.743 331,514 454,225 1,743 Tolal Income 124.454 331,514 455,968 Expenditure OD: Charithble activilics 1121.288) (331,5141 {452,802} Total Expenditure (121,288) (331.514) (452,802} Nel income 3,166 -3,166 Nel movemenl in funds 3,166 3,166 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 163,616 163,616 Total funds carried forward 166,782 166,782 Totxl 2023 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Note Income and Endojvments from: Charitsble acliN'iiics Investment income 139,898 330,667 470,565 Tolal Income 139,907 330,667 470,574 Expendlture on: Raising funds Charitsble aclivilies (19,708) {138,577 (19,708) (469,244) (330,667) Total Expendilure (158,285) (330,667) 1488.9521 Net expendilure {18,378) (18,378) Nel movement in funds 118,378) (18.378) ReconciliAtion of funds Total funds broughi fonvard 181,994 181,994 Total funds carried forward 163,616 163,616 All of the charity's activiti¢s d¢rive from continuing operations during the above two periods. Page 9 Education Business Partnership West Berkshire Limited (Registration number: 2829085) Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2024 2024 2023 Note Fixed assets Tangible assels Investments 934 91,743 1,194 92,677 1,194 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 31,804 74,051 45,062 163,487 105,855 20¥,549 Creditors: Amount5 falling due M-ithln one Year 10 (31,750) (46,127) Net currtnt Assets 74,105 162,422 Net assets 166,782 163,616 Funds of the charity: UDr¢$tri¢ted income fuDds Unrestricted funds 166,782 163,616 Total funds 166,782 163,616 For th¢ financial year ¢nding 31 Augusi 2024 ihe charity wa5 entiiled lo exemplion from audit under section 477 of ihe Companies Aci 2006 relaling to small companies. Direclors, responsibilities.. The members have nol required the charity lo obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in ac¢ordan¢¢ with section 476,. and The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with Ihe requirements of the Act with respect io a¢¢ounling records and the preparation of accounls. Thesc accounts havc bc¢n prepared in a¢cordanc¢ with thc provisions applicable to companies subject lo the small companies regime. The financial statements on pages 9 10 17 were approved by the Iruslees, and auihorised for issue on 12 May 2025 and signed on ih¥ir behalf by.. R Sandfo