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← British Union Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists

2024-12-31-accounts

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Registered Charity No: England and Wales: 1044071 Scotland: SC040701

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 DECEMBER 2024

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Contents

Page
Trustees and Advisors 1
Trustees' report 3
Auditor’s Report 15
Group Statement of Financial Activities 19
Charity Statement of Financial Activities 20
Charity and Group Balance Sheet 21
Statement of Group Cash Flow 22
Notes to the fnancial statements 23

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Trustees

Pastor E B Brooks (Chairperson) A Keough (From 1 Sep 2024) Pastor J C Surridge (Secretary, resigned 13 Jun 2024) Pastor G Kumi (resigned 11 Sep 2024) Mr W Aguiar (Treasurer) Pastor A Lawrence (From 18 Jan 2024) Pastor J Adamovic Mr C Lethbridge Pastor G Allcock Mr F Mahlangu Pastor K Andrasi Mrs H Mathieu Mrs P F Asamoah Mrs N Ninvalle Pastor N Barrett Pastor Steve Palmer (From 19 Sep 2024) Mr D Billett Mrs S Platt-McDonald Pastor J Botha Mrs D Rancic Pastor P Chenjerai Miss E Sanguesa Dr S Currow Pastor D Serb (resigned 31 Aug 2024) Dr E P Dorairaj Pastor K Thomas Mrs L S Flemmings-Danquah Pastor J Venter (From 13 June 2024) Mr A Gardiner Pastor M Walker Pastor K Johns (Resigned 31 Sep 2024) Mr S A Walters Mr D Johnson

Registered Charity Numbers

England & Wales 1044071 Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland 1044071-2 Scotland 1044071-3 and SC040701 Wales 1044071-1

Principal Office

British Union Conference, Stanborough Park, WATFORD, WD25 9JZ

Page 1

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Auditors
Moore Kingston Smith LLP
4 Victoria Square
ST ALBANS, AL1 3TF		 Bankers
HSBC Bank plc
73 High Street
WATFORD, WD17 2DS
Solicitors
Anthony Collins LLP
134 Edmund Street
BIRMINGHAM, B3 2ES		 Solicitors
Penman Sedgwick LLP
5 George Street
WATFORD, WD18 0SQ
Pension Scheme Advisors
(Actuarial & Administrative)
Barnett Waddingham LLP
Decimal Place, Chiltern Avenue
AMERSHAM, HP6 5FG		 Pension Scheme Advisors
(Solicitors)
Sacker & Partners LLP
20 Gresham St
LONDON, EC2V 7JE

Page 2

British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Trustees’ Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

The Trustees submit their annual report and the audited financial statements of the British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the Charity comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the Charity’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP2015) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” issued in July 2014. They have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. The Trustees confirm that they have sought to comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

Structure, Governance and Management

Constitution

The constitution currently in force was last amended on 22 October 2021.

Method of Appointment or Election of Trustees

The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and coopted under the terms of the constitution.

Policies Adopted for the Induction and Training of Trustees

New trustees are provided with electronic copies of the Charity’s constitution, its Policy Book and Education Handbook, Pension Plan Explanatory Booklet and minutes of the executive committee meetings for the current year. In addition, each trustee receives a copy of the Charity Commission document “The essential trustee – what you need to know, what you need to do” and the regular Charity Commission Newsletters. In addition, Trustees are provided with regular bulletins from the Churches Legislative Advisory Service.

In as much as the majority of new trustees start their term of office at the commencement of each new quinquennium the primary induction is provided at the first meeting of the quinquennium, with further support during the term of office. For the current trustees this induction took place over the weekend of 5 to 7 November 2021 at the De Vere Staverton Park Conference Centre.

Organisational Structure and Decision Making

The Charity is the principal administrative body of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It generally works in harmony with the policies of the Church’s international office of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Trans-European Division, situated in St Albans, Hertfordshire.

Page 3

British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Within its territory, the Charity carries out its objects both directly and through related organisations. Principally the latter consist of three ‘Missions’ in Ireland, Scotland and Wales respectively (all branches of and financially dependent upon it), two ‘Conferences’ in North and South England respectively (both registered charities in their own right and financially selfsupporting).

Within these latter organisations the objects are pursued mainly through a network of local churches which are heavily dependent upon a large pool of voluntary lay support.

Additionally, specialised aspects of the Charity’s purposes are performed on its behalf by a number of subsidiary organisations.

Related Organisations

The following subsidiary organisations have carried out certain aspects of its operations:

Reporting Serious Incidents

The Trustees continue to assess the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks. There was one serious incident reported to the Charity Commission, regarding potential reputational damage as it relates to a historical safeguarding incident in one of our conferences, the South England Conference .

Safeguarding

Through the activities of local congregations and the Youth, Family and Children’s Ministries departments the Charity works with children and has a safeguarding policy and a procedure for DBS Disclosure applications for employees and volunteers working with children and also for those working with vulnerable adults.

Page 4

British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Objectives and Activities

Policies and Objectives

The Charity has adopted the following objectives in pursuit of its mission to proclaim the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to teach the commandments of God as the supreme rule of life and to encourage people to become His disciples and responsible members of the Church and to support charitable and humanitarian work which is in harmony with the doctrines and principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Church:

Strategies for Achieving Objectives

In summary the strategies used to achieve the above objectives have been to:

Achievements and Performance

During 2024 the Church experienced growth in church membership in all its regional sections and at the year-end registered a total of 1,120 accessions through baptism and a further 353 by profession of faith. Total net growth for the year was 2,043, taking the membership figure at 31 December 2024 to 44,670.

Page 5

British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Review of Activities

The Seventh-day Adventist Church congregational activities that take place, in the 314 churches and 117 smaller congregations, seek to provide public benefit by the advancement of religion

through a variety of centres for weekly worship services, prayer meetings and other programmes that are open to the local communities in which they are located. Depending on the size and resources of the local congregation these activities include weekly family worship, Bible study classes for all age ranges from infancy to adult, prayer meetings, and Adventurer, Pathfinder and senior citizen clubs, health awareness events and family support programmes. These local congregational activities are supported from the regional and national headquarters through various departmental training events, activity programmes, personnel support and resource provision.

Some of the support provided from national headquarters is outlined below, by department:

Adventist Community Services

The Adventist Community Services (ACS) department served as a vital conduit for compassion, inclusion, and practical outreach across the Union in 2024. Guided by values such as adaptability, human dignity, and non-judgement, the department undertook interventions that addressed urgent needs while fostering spiritual and social wellbeing.

Spiritual Support and Nurture

ACS sustained weekly faith-based WhatsApp reflections and Zoom sessions aimed at nurturing hope and resilience. Bereavement support continued to grow, with the distribution of C.O.M.F.O.R.T books and bespoke Bereavement Care Ministry Boxes to churches and individuals. Christian counselling referrals and access to prayer networks were also expanded.

Community Outreach and Crisis Response

In response to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, ACS collaborated with local churches and agencies to deliver food, clothing, and household essentials. Programmes such as SHARE and LAYERS were expanded, and ACS partnered with One Vision to support Ukrainian refugees and the homeless. A strong emphasis was placed on wholistic health and social justice through seminars and keynote speaking engagements.

Training and Leadership Development

Whole-church and leader-specific training was carried out on topics like bereavement care, food hygiene, and community initiative evaluation. The 'Community Connectors' project was launched to empower local leaders in outreach and faith-based leadership.

Page 6

British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Resources Produced

The department updated Young Adults Resource Packs (YARP), spiritual nurture cards, and redesigned its Christmas brochure. It also disseminated culturally relevant health awareness materials and expanded resource boxes to enhance church-led outreach.

Adventist Discovery Centre (ADC)

The Adventist Discovery Centre (ADC), the British Union Conference’s (BUC) Bible correspondence school and resource centre, experienced remarkable growth and innovation in 2024. Offering over 20 Bible, health, archaeology, and faith courses via print and digital platforms, the ADC continued its mission to provide accessible Christian education across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Programme Expansion and Reach

A significant highlight of the year was the surge in total registrations, which rose from 283 in 2023 to 715 in 2024. This was primarily driven by the online format, with 578 registrations compared to 137 by post. Enrolments also reached a record 724, demonstrating increased engagement across the board.

The number of course completions climbed to 204, split between 105 in print and 99 online. Although the print format maintained a high completion rate of 68%, the online rate, while still lower at 17%, showed considerable improvement from previous years.

FreeBible Programme and Resource Distribution

The FreeBible initiative continued to expand, with 983 Bibles distributed in 2024, up 71% from the previous year. This programme has become a vital entry point for many individuals exploring Christian faith.

Operational Output and Future Plans

The total number of lessons delivered and marked rose to 4,204, a 79% increase year-on-year. Looking ahead, the ADC will continue investing in online course development and marketing, while also supporting evangelistic efforts with new resources and digital engagement strategies.

Children’s Ministries

The Children’s Ministries Department played a vital role in nurturing the spiritual, emotional, and physical development of children throughout the BUC in 2024. Central to its operations was a year-long campaign preparing for the phased launch of the new 'Alive in Jesus' curriculum, set to replace the longstanding GraceLink series.

Training and Curriculum Rollout

Extensive training was delivered both in-person and online, targeting leaders across the BUC. The first phase of the curriculum rollout focused on the 0–3-year age groups. The GraceLink curriculum continued to support children’s engagement through its accessible, value-based lessons.

Community Engagement and VBS Programmes

The department actively supported Vacation Bible Schools (VBS), which offered creative, weeklong programmes blending spiritual teaching with play, art, and storytelling. These initiatives significantly boosted local church interaction with children from the wider community.

Page 7

British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Annual Events and Safeguarding

Designated Children’s Ministries Sabbaths were observed BUC-wide, with tailored resources provided to churches. In partnership with Family Ministries, the department continued to lead in safeguarding education and policy implementation across all missions.

Communication and Media

The Communication and Media Department provided essential strategic and operational support across the Union during 2024. In addition to regular content creation and outreach, the team was tested by significant media interest arising from legacy safeguarding issues.

Media Training and Engagement

Media training was delivered to BUC administrators, departmental directors, and regional leaders to enhance confidence and consistency in external communications. The department also facilitated media response protocols during sensitive periods, particularly relating to safeguarding matters reported in the national press.

Content Production and Strategic Messaging

The department produced high-quality multimedia content such as the "State of the Union" video series, the "Hope Restored" testimonies, and the stewardship-themed "God First" videos. IN2G, a popular youth-focused programme, featured discussions on mental health and spirituality.

Publications and Newsletter

The weekly newsletter, distributed to nearly 6,000 recipients, showcased stories from churches, promoted events, and fostered a sense of community. Despite the cancellation of a planned health documentary, other initiatives moved forward including studio upgrades to enhance future production capacity.

Forward Plans

Looking ahead, the department plans to upgrade crisis communication strategies, foster closer

collaboration across Union entities and expand the reach of its digital platforms.

Education

The BUC Education Department navigated a year of opportunity and looming uncertainty due to political and economic developments. A primary concern in 2024 was the confirmation of a 20% VAT on independent school fees starting January 2025, with associated losses of tax relief threatening the viability of small faith-based schools.

Advocacy and School Resilience

Following the Labour Government’s October budget, schools under BUC were prompted to engage MPs, advocate for faith education, and brace for financial strain. While some independent schools nationwide prepared for closure, Adventist institutions remained operational, albeit with uncertain enrolment forecasts.

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British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Academic Enrichment and Events

The department hosted training for headteachers on mental health and prepared for AAA inspections. Stanborough Secondary School saw significant success, including participation in the EXSEED STEM programme at Loma Linda University, ~*~ where students collaborated on original research projects.

School Development and Inspection

SDA schools remained focused on improving Ofsted and ISI inspection results. A strategic emphasis on raising spiritual and academic standards continued,

with leadership advocating for a multi-academy trust model to potentially mitigate financial pressures.

Marketing and Accessibility

Education marketing improved slightly within the Church. The potential reopening of Stanborough's boarding facility was a focal point, aiming to broaden accessibility to Adventist secondary education.

Family Ministries

Family Ministries focused on strengthening families and church communities through a robust mix of training, policy development, and emotional wellbeing initiatives in 2024.

Safeguarding Developments

The year was marked by heightened safeguarding activities, especially in response to a nationally publicised non-recent abuse case. The department updated the 'Safeguarding Our Church' policy and launched new awareness resources including posters, leaflets, and personal guidance cards. A Serious Incident Review Committee was also established.

Training & Leadership Development

A six-week online leadership course trained 33 participants, covering core subjects such as spiritual parenting, effective communication, and relational resilience. Additional workshops were provided on marriage preparation, using the Prepare-Enrich framework.

Emotional and Relational Wellbeing

The department promoted emotional health during 'Christian Home and Marriage Week' and 'Family Togetherness Week.' Resources were disseminated throughout the year, supporting both preventative and restorative relational health.

Collaboration and Publications

Family Ministries worked closely with Cornerstone Counselling Services and published the monthly 'BUC Family' newsletter. Regular articles also appeared in the Messenger magazine to highlight ongoing efforts in family wellbeing and safeguarding.

Page 9

British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Health Ministries

Health Ministries played a vital role in promoting holistic health within church and community settings during 2024. With growing interest in lifestyle medicine, mental health, and pandemic recovery, the department provided strategic leadership and relevant resources.

Education and Prevention

The department delivered seminars on physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. A particular focus was placed on grief recovery and supporting those

dealing with post-pandemic trauma. Articles on health were published regularly in church media.

Partnerships and Collaboration

Collaboration with the NHS and local health authorities enabled the Church to participate in initiatives addressing disparities in healthcare access among BAME populations. Health expos, screenings, and wellness campaigns were hosted by churches with departmental guidance.

Community Engagement

Practical tools such as health-themed Sabbath =| rt Ponarrsne: rtf resources and workshop materials were distributed across local congregations. Special attention was given to dietary education, fitness, and chronic disease prevention through faith-based health promotion.

Ministerial Association

The Ministerial Association continued to support pastoral effectiveness and spiritual growth across the Union. Its programming in 2024 combined leadership development with interpersonal care and theological enrichment.

Training and Events

A major highlight was the European Pastors’ Council in Serbia, attended by BUC ministers for reflection and training. The Ministerial Training Advisory Committee (MinTAC) met four times to plan strategic ministerial growth and develop training materials.

Pastoral Support

The department led the annual induction for new pastors and coordinated multiple church visits to support ministers in their roles. It maintained a focus on strengthening pastoral families and addressed challenges related to spiritual burnout.

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British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Engagement with Newbold College

Ministerial staff interviewed theology students at Newbold College, providing career guidance and pathways to future ministry roles.

Possibility Ministries

Possibility Ministries continued to challenge societal and ecclesiastical assumptions about disability, loss, and difference, promoting inclusive theology and practice throughout 2024.

Education and Awareness

The department created and disseminated training modules on topics such as autism, neurodiversity, bereavement, and disability in the Bible. These were used in workshops and seminars for pastors and local churches.

Advocacy and Inclusion

Possibility Ministries promoted the inherent dignity of all individuals, regardless of physical, cognitive, or emotional differences. It empowered local churches to adapt programming and facilities to be more welcoming and supportive of members with unique needs.

Support Materials

Practical resources included guidance for carers, grief recovery literature, and pastoral care tools. These materials were regularly updated and distributed Union-wide.

Stewardship Ministries

Reactivated in mid-2024, the Stewardship Department began a revitalisation of the Church’s understanding of faith-based resource management. The theme "God First" guided its projects and communication strategy.

Strategic Vision and Campaigns

A new nationwide consultation on the Combined Offering Plan was launched. Stewardship awareness was promoted through a dedicated FOCUS magazine issue, monthly newsletters, and a social media presence.

Resource Development

The department collaborated on multimedia productions and launched “All Nature Sings,” a creation-focused stewardship series. Training events were initiated to support pastors and stewardship

leaders in presenting biblical stewardship in a practical and inspiring way.

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British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Partnerships and Planning

In collaboration with other departments and entities, Stewardship Ministries is working to build systems for continuous feedback and church-wide engagement on giving practices, lifestyle

stewardship, and mission-focused financial planning.

Women’s Ministries

Under the theme “Empowered – Reaching Women, Restoring Lives, Reflecting Christ,” the Women’s Ministries department focused on empowering women to fulfil their God-given potential in their personal lives, families, churches, and wider communities. Grounded in core values such as Christian service, discipleship, personal worth, and respect, the department implemented strategic priorities centred on spiritual nurture, mission outreach, community engagement, and leadership development.

Spiritual Development

This remained a foundational pillar. The department expanded online devotionals, workshops, and prayer networks to support women’s spiritual and

emotional wellbeing. Specialised resources, including forgiveness training, devotional materials, and grief recovery support, were shared across the territory. Bereaved women received dedicated care through befriender training, personalised cards, and bespoke bereavement boxes. The department continued supporting women facing life challenges, trauma, and loss through tailored spiritual materials and events, such as the Women’s Prayer and Wellbeing Conference.

Community Outreach and Advocacy

Aligned with the General Conference’s “I Will Go” mission strategy, the department delivered impactful community outreach and advocacy initiatives. These included awareness training on misogyny and trauma recovery, support for survivors of domestic abuse, and collaboration with local networks such as the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Champions. Efforts were extended to address Long COVID challenges, aid for Ukrainian refugees, and the cost-of-living crisis. Women’s Ministries also contributed to homelessness relief and food hub expansions, while developing evangelistic materials and wellbeing resources for women in distress or transition.

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British Union Conference – Trustees’ Annual Report – Year Ended 31 December 2024

Total Membership Involvement

This was enhanced through coordinated programmes with local churches. These included month-long and regional abuse awareness campaigns, participation in annual Women’s Emphasis and Prayer Days, and the EndItNow initiative. Churches received ongoing training and briefings on trauma support, emotional resilience, and holistic wellbeing. Creative training in crafts and arts further enabled women to engage in ministry, with seminars conducted both nationally and internationally.

Resource Development

New and updated materials were produced for occasions such as International Women’s Day, student outreach, and age-specific empowerment. Greeting cards and spiritual content celebrated women's life milestones and provided comfort during crisis. Training materials focused on emotional resilience, leadership development, and abuse awareness were widely distributed to enhance support and advocacy efforts.

Training and Leadership Development

Finally, the department prioritised recognising and nurturing the unique gifts of women. Abuse awareness and recovery training was provided to Women’s Ministries leaders, alongside sessions on crisis support, emotional resilience, and practical ministry tools. Partnerships were strengthened with initiatives such as the GC Women’s Ministries Leadership Certificate. Inspirational activities included celebrating impactful female leaders through the “Women Positively Impacting Their Communities” series and hosting international guest speaker Brenda Walsh.

Throughout the year, Women’s Ministries demonstrated its commitment to nurturing women spiritually, supporting them practically, and empowering them to serve meaningfully in every sphere of life.

Page 13

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The trustees (who are also directors of British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustee5' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.) Company law required trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company and the group and of the outgoing resources and application of resource5, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently,. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,. state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company & group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companie5 Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Jacques Venter Executive Secretary Date: ?5_ 01. 2c>2 Page 14

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees and Members of the British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists For the year ended 31 December 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise Group and Parent Charity’s Statement of Financial Activities, the Group and Parent Charity Balance Sheet, the Group Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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 Auditor’s Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity 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 charity’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 other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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.

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 course of 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 there is 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.

Page 15

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees and Members of the British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists For the year ended 31 December 2024

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 Act 2011 and Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 47, the trustees 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 charity’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 charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act and appointed under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.

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 an auditor’s report 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 aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

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Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees and Members of the British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists For the year ended 31 December 2024

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

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.

The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the charity.

Our approach was as follows:

Page 17

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees and Members of the British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists For the year ended 31 December 2024

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, 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.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Charities Act 2011 and Section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees 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 any party other than the charity and charity's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinion we have formed.

Moard K ug Moore Kingston Smith LLP Statutory auditor

Date: 26th September 2025 4 Victoria Square St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3TF

Moore Kingston Smith LLP is eligible to act as auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 18

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Group Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
4
Fund-raising income
5
Total
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities:
6
Governance
9
Net income/(expenditure)
Gains/(losses) on investments
Transfers between funds
Other recognised gains/(losses):
Actuarial gains/(losses) on
defined benefit pension scheme
Net movement in funds
Fund balances brought forward
Fund balances carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
£
£
£
12,792,797
2,120,790
14,913,587
4,475,163
36,815
4,511,978
2,577,168
70,272
2,647,440
-
173,243
173,243
19,845,128
2,401,120
22,246,248
-
-
-
16,561,240
2,269,196
18,830,436
191,637
-
191,637
16,752,877
2,269,196
19,022,073
3,092,251
131,924
3,224,175
(5,298,953)
-
(5,298,953)
(287,443)
287,443
-
-
-
2,697,000
-
2,697,000
202,855
419,367
622,222
47,067,491
5,145,124
52,212,615
47,270,346
5,564,491
52,834,837
2024		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
£
£
£
12,735,893
2,832,383
15,568,276
3,534,761
428,668
3,963,429
2,463,049
37,457
2,500,506
-
35,361
35,361
18,733,703
3,333,869
22,067,572
-
-
-
14,553,404
3,368,171
17,921,575
94,714
-
94,714
14,648,118
3,368,171
18,016,289
4,085,585
(34,302)
4,051,283
(1,575,578)
-
(1,575,578)
(317,550)
317,550
-
-
-
-
(1,139,000)
-
(1,139,000)
1,053,457
283,248
1,336,705
46,014,034
4,861,876
50,875,910
47,067,491
5,145,124
52,212,615
2023

All recognised gains and losses are included in the statement of financial activities

Page 19

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Charity Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
4
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities:
6
Governance
9
Net income/(expenditure)
Gains/losses on investment assets
Transfers between funds
Other recognised gains/(losses):
Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined
benefit pension scheme
Net movement in funds
Fund balances brought forward at January 1
Fund balances carried forward at December 31		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
£
£
£
12,612,505
131,488
12,743,993
551,264
(118,298)
432,966
2,595,347
-
2,595,347
15,759,116
13,190
15,772,306
12,202,382
403,820
12,606,202
134,442
-
134,442
12,336,824
403,820
12,740,644
3,422,292
(390,630)
3,031,662
(5,325,170)
-
(5,325,170)
(287,443)
287,443
-
2,697,000
-
2,697,000
506,679
(103,187)
403,492
39,819,784
2,356,922
42,176,706
40,326,463
2,253,735
42,580,198
2024		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
£
£
£
12,007,052
399,353
12,406,405
203,184
290,752
493,936
2,480,307
-
2,480,307
14,690,543
690,105
15,380,648
10,273,323
888,208
11,161,531
94,714
-
94,714
10,368,037
888,208
11,256,245
4,322,506
(198,103)
4,124,403
(1,593,000)
-
(1,593,000)
(317,550)
317,550
-
(1,139,000)
-
(1,139,000)
1,272,956
119,447
1,392,403
38,546,828
2,237,475
40,784,303
39,819,784
2,356,922
42,176,706
2023

All recognised gains and losses are included in the statement of financial activities

Page 20

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Balance Sheets as at 31 December 2024

Notes Group Charity
Fixed Assets
Tangible Fixed Assets
13
Investment Properties
14
Investments
15		 2024
£
33,256,936
200,000
-		 2023
2024
£
£
33,518,645
29,510,532
200,000
200,000
-
1,066		 2023
£
29,681,956
200,000
1,066
33,456,936 33,718,645
29,711,598		 29,883,022
Current Assets
Stocks
16
Debtors
17
Investments
18
Cash at bank and in hand		 1,618,372
6,560,093
2,466,843
13,876,045		 1,757,184
68,310
5,469,703
3,665,112
2,238,010
2,185,626
11,305,038
8,957,042		 130,078
3,069,873
1,983,011
8,687,222
Total Current Assets
Creditors: Amounts due within a year
19		 24,521,353
4,953,155		 20,769,935
14,876,090
2,055,470
1,817,186		 13,870,184
1,356,005
Net Current Assets 19,568,198 18,714,465
13,058,904		 12,514,179
Creditors: Amounts due after one year
20
Provisions for liabilities		 190,297 220,495
190,304		 220,495
190,297 220,495
190,304		 220,495
Total Net Assets 52,834,837 52,212,615
42,580,198		 42,176,706
Fund balances
Unrestricted
Restricted		 47,270,346
5,564,491		 47,067,491
40,326,463
5,145,124
2,253,735		 39,819,784
2,356,922
Total Funds
21		 52,834,837 52,212,615
42,580,198		 42,176,706

Approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on ………………………...…………………. and signed on its behalf by: Approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 23042025, and signed on its behalf by: Wederly Aguiar Treasurer Wederly Aguiar /4p

The notes on pages 23 to 39 form part of these accounts. The notes on pages 23 to 39 form part of these accounts.

Page 21

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Group Cash flow statement for the year ended 31 December 2024

A
Statement of cash flows
Note
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities
23
Cash flows from investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities
24
Cash flows from financing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities
25
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning
of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
year
B
Analysis of changes in net debt
Cash:
Cash at bank and in hand
less:Deposits treated as liquid resouces
Cash equivalents:
Deposits included in cash
Debt:
Debts due within one year
Debts due after more than one year		 01 January
2024
11,305,038
(6,617,210)
4,687,828
6,617,210
11,305,038
(17,328)
-
11,287,710		 2024
£
2,020,324
495,728
54,955
2,571,007
11,305,038
13,876,045
Cash flow
Other non-
cash
2,571,007
585,470
3,156,477
(585,470)
2,571,007
(54,955)
-
-
2,516,052
-		 2023
£
(1,967,610)
1,239,576
(250,940)
(978,974)
12,284,012
11,305,038
31 December
2024
13,876,045
(6,031,740)
7,844,305
6,031,740
13,876,045
(72,283)
-
13,803,762

Page 22

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

1 Accounting Policies

1.1 Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' effective 1 January 2015 and applicable accounting standards, except for the method of accounting for local congregational funds referred to in note 1.16 The Group Statement of Financial Activity and Balance Sheet consolidate the charity and subsidiary undertakings dependent on it. The results of subsidiaries are consolidated on a line by line basis.

1.2 Basis of income recognition

Voluntary income, by way of donations and gifts to the charity, is included in full in the statement of financial activities when received. Intangible income is not included unless it represents goods or services which would have otherwise been purchased.

Legacies are monitored from the time of notification to their final receipt. They are only recognised in the financial statements when there is sufficient evidence that the legacy will be received and the value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

The charity does not recognise pending legacies until conditions for recognition have been met.

1.3 Going concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of going concern is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity ad group to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of the approval of these financial statements. After making enquiries, the trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

1.4 Fund accounting

Restricted funds are those which are to be used for the specified purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is allocated to the appropriate fund. The nature of restriction is further explained in the notes to the financial statements.

Designated funds are those which have been set aside by the administration with the consent of trustees for specific anticipated purposes or events. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

General or Unrestricted funds are donations and other income received or generated for the furtherance of the objects of the charity without specified purposes and, therefore, are available as general funds.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

1.5 Grant-making policies

The trustees allocate grants in accordance with the objects set out in the charity's written constitution, which are summarised in the Trustees' Annual Report. In general, grants are made to associated charities through appropriate committee requests and policy arrangements, rather than in accordance with public application.

1.6 Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received.

Donated services or facilities, which comprise donated services, are included in income at a valuation which is an estimate of the financial cost borne by the donor where such a cost is quantifiable and measurable. No income is recognised where there is no financial cost borne by a third party.

Page 23

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

1.7 Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.

Fundraising costs are incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made, except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.

Staff costs and overhead expenses are allocated to activities on the basis of time spent on those activities. Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis. All costs include value added tax where applicable.

1.8 Risk mitigation

The Trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have established systems or procedures in order to manage those risks. They are supported in this regard by Adventist Risk Management who create awareness of risk for the world-wide operations of the church and who source cover to mitigate attendant risks.

1.9 Foreign Currency Translations

The British Union Conference is part of the world-wide network of Seventh-day Adventists contributing to that endeavour and being supported by it. Funds are transferred between organisations at monthly internal exchange rates for inter-organisational transfers, and at rates determined by our Banks for external transactions.

1.10 Fixed Assets

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets in order to write off each asset on a straight-line basis over its expected economic life. The rates of depreciation applied to each class of asset are:

Freehold property 1.33 - 2.00% Office fixtures and equipment 20 - 33% Computer equipment 20 - 33% Items of furniture and equipment costing less than £1,000 each are treated as an expense on acquisition.

1.11 Pension costs

Following the closure of the Seventh-day Adventist Retirement plan in December 2013, pensions are now provided in terms of the national Auto-Enrolment requirements and funds are invested in a Group Personal Pension Plan through Legal and General Insurance Company. Costs relating to the former plan are now borne by the British Union Conference

1.12 Stock

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads.

1.13 Operating leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the lease term.

1.14 Investments

Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. The Statement of Financial Activites includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals throughout the year.

1.15 Investment properties

Investment properties are included in the Balance Sheet at their fair value.

Page 24

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

1.16 Accounting for local congregation

A sound organisational structure, good financial mangement and control have always been characteristic of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Affiliated local congregations are considered to be members of British Union Conference.

There is a strong bond between the congregations and the Conference. Donations in respect of tithe, Church World Mission and special offerings given by individual members have always been remitted to their Mission as Conference Funds. These funds belong to their Mission which administers them, employing and direcings the ministers, and which has beneficial ownership of church buildings.

Members also give funds specifically for the work locally and for the maintenance and upkeep of their church building. Traditionally these "Local Funds" have been held administered and accounted for locally.

Over time, the relationship between the local congregations and their respective Mission or Conference has evolved and the financial bond has strengthened. Increasingly, local congregations have remitted "Local Funds" to their Conference or Mission to administer.

Until 2011 the Local Congregations were considered to be separate legal entities governed by their local Church Board in accordance with the 'Church Manual', and the accounts of the Conference were prepared on this basis, excluding 'Local Funds'. Late in 2011, legal advice was received to the effect that, on balance, local congregations are in effect branches of the Conference. Though in practice they operate as voluntary local self governing support groups.

The Trustees recognise that the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require that the Charity's accounts comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' effective 1 January 2015. This requires the accounts of the reporting charity to include in its own accounts the accounts of branches which are not separate legal entities.

In these financial statements "Local Funds" remitted to and administered by the conference are included as Incoming Resources and Expenditures of the Conference. These funds, held by the Conference, are disclosed separately as funds restricted to the use of the local congregations.

Donations retained and administered locally have not been included in these financial statements since the Trustees do not administer these funds. Donors participate in the appointment and governance of the church at all levels, and anticipate transparency appropriate to their expectations. In the opinion of the Trustees, consolidation would serve to confuse the donor's understanding.

There are 56 local congregations directly affiliated to the British Union Conference.

Accounts in respect of Charitable funds donated by members of the local congregation and administered by local funds treasurers have always been prepared and presented annually to the local congregation. There has also long been in place a program for Independent Examination of those local funds by the Charity. It is estimated that for 2024 total resources administered locally are in the region of £440,000.

1.17 Accounting for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Republic of Ireland

This Financial Statement includes accounts and transactions relating to the Irish Mission and its registered charity 'The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ireland' for the Republic of Ireland. Statements audited for the Irish Regulator are extracted from these combined Financial Statements in Euro Currency for the purpose of transparency and compliance in that jurisdiction.

1.18 Financial instruments

a. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash at banks and in hand and short term deposits with a maturity date of three months or less.

b. Debtors and creditors

Amounts receivable or payable within one year of the reporting date are carried at their at transaction price. Amounts that are receivable or payable in more than one year and are not subject to a market rate of interest are measured at the present value of the expected future receipts or payment discounted at a market rate of interest.

Page 25

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

1.19 Critical accounting estimates and judgments

In the application of the Charity and group’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount 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 following judgements and estimates have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements:

2
Income from donations and legacies
Group:
Tithe contributions from members in Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Grants from General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Support from local conferences in England
Conferences for past pension deficits
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations
Subtotal of base donations
Donations
Legacies
Grants
Subtotal of other donations
Total income from donations and legacies
Charity:
Tithe contributions from members in Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Grants from General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Support from local conferences in England
Conferences for past pension deficits
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations
Subtotal of base donations		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
3,086,764
-
3,086,764
763,431
69,996
833,427
4,467,422
4,467,422
4,102,536
4,102,536
52,075
52,075
12,472,228
69,996
12,542,224
166,076
502,027
668,103
84,484
-
84,484
70,009
1,548,767
1,618,776
320,569
2,050,794
2,371,363
12,792,797
2,120,790
14,913,587
3,086,764
-
3,086,764
763,431
69,996
833,427
4,467,422
4,467,422
4,102,536
4,102,536
52,075
52,075
12,472,228
69,996
12,542,224
2024

Page 26

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

2
Income from donations and legacies (continued)
Subtotal of base donations
Donations
Grants
Subtotal of other donations
Total income from donations and legacies
Group:
Tithe contributions from members in Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Grants from General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Support from local conferences in England
Conferences for past pension deficits
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations
Subtotal of base donations
Donations
Legacies
Grants
Subtotal of other donations
Total income from donations and legacies
Charity:
Tithe contributions from members in affiliated congregations
Grants from General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Support from local conferences in England
Conferences for past pension deficits
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations
Subtotal of base donations
Donations
Legacies
Grants
Subtotal of other donations
Total income from donations and legacies		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
12,472,228
69,996
12,542,224
79,963
61,492
141,455
60,314
60,314
140,277
61,492
201,769
.
12,612,505
131,488
12,743,993
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
2,879,568
-
2,879,568
746,626
114,843
861,469
4,420,371
4,420,371
3,939,216
-
3,939,216
187,583
187,583
12,173,364
114,843
12,288,207
(78,631)
1,060,082
981,451
133,000
133,000
508,160
1,657,458
2,165,618
562,529
2,717,540
3,280,069
12,735,893
2,832,383
15,568,276
2,879,568
2,879,568
483,866
114,843
598,709
4,420,371
4,420,371
3,939,216
3,939,216
139,970
139,970
11,862,991
114,843
11,977,834
9,293
192,475
201,768
1,000
1,000
133,768
92,035
225,803
144,061
284,510
428,571
12,007,052
399,353
12,406,405
2024
2023

Page 27

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

3 Incoming Resources from charitable activities

3
Incoming Resources from
charitable activities
Group
Church Ministry
Publishing
Education
Humanitarian Aid and Welfare
Total Charitable Income
Charity
Church Ministry
Total Charitable Income
Group
Church Ministry
Publishing
Education
Humanitarian Aid and Welfare
Total Charitable Income
Charity
Church Ministry
Total Charitable Income
4
Investment Income
Group
Locally listed investments
Return on local cash
Unrealised Gains(Losses) on Investments
Charity
Return on local cash
Unrealised Gains(Losses) on Investments		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
593,405
(118,298)
475,107
2,055,133
2,055,133
1,826,625
-
1,826,625
-
155,113
155,113
4,475,163
36,815
4,511,978
551,264
(118,298)
432,966
551,264
(118,298)
432,966
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
247,834
290,752
538,586
2,003,763
2,003,763
1,283,164
-
1,283,164
-
137,916
137,916
3,534,760
428,668
3,963,429
203,184
290,752
493,936
203,183
290,752
493,936
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
-
70,272
70,272
2,577,168
-
2,577,168
(5,298,953)
-
(5,298,953)
(2,721,785)
70,272
(2,651,513)
2,595,347
-
2,595,347
(5,325,170)
-
(5,325,170)
(2,729,823)
-
(2,729,823)
2024
2024
2023

Page 28

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

Investment Income (continued)
Group
Locally listed investments
Return on local cash
Unrealised Gains(Losses) on Investments
Charity
Locally listed investments
Return on local cash
Unrealised Gains(Losses) on Investments
Fundraising Income
Group
Public Collection for Humanitarian Relief
Group
Public Collection for Humanitarian Relief		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
-
37,457
37,457
2,463,049
-
2,463,049
(1,575,578)
-
(1,575,578)
887,471
37,457
924,928
-
-
-
2,480,307
-
2,480,307
(1,593,000)
-
(1,593,000)
887,307
-
887,307
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
-
173,243
173,243
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
-
35,361
35,361
2023
2024
2023

4 Investment Income (continued)

5 Fundraising Income

Page 29

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

Expenditure by Charitable Activity
Summary by fund type
Group
Church Ministry
Publishing
Education
Humanitarian Aid & Welfare
Objectives in other geographical areas
Retirement responsibilities
Total Charitable Expenditure
Charity
Church Ministry
Education
Humanitarian Aid & Welfare
Objectives in other geagraphical areas
Retirement responsibilities
Total Charitable Expenditure
Group
Church Ministry
Publishing
Education
Humanitarian Aid & Welfare
Objectives in other geographical areas
Retirement responsibilities
Total Charitable Expenditure
Charity
Church Ministry
Education
Humanitarian Aid & Welfare
Objectives in other geagraphical areas
Retirement responsibilities
Total Charitable Expenditure		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
9,575,365
403,820
9,979,185
2,634,941
2,634,941
2,342,570
2,342,570
1,130,361
1,865,376
2,995,737
97,740
97,740
780,263
-
780,263
16,561,240
2,269,196
18,830,436
9,114,135
396,053
9,510,188
1,553,975
7,767
1,561,742
525,589
525,589
228,420
228,420
780,263
780,263
12,202,382
403,820
12,606,202
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
5,300,494
566,631
5,867,125
2,449,756
39,947
2,489,703
2,655,336
169,368
2,824,704
421,192
2,479,963
2,901,155
97,953
112,262
210,215
3,628,672
-
3,628,672
14,553,404
3,368,171
17,921,575
4,393,473
566,631
4,960,104
1,809,304
169,368
1,978,672
343,923
39,947
383,870
97,953
112,262
210,215
3,628,671
-
3,628,671
10,273,323
888,208
11,161,531
2024
2023

6 Expenditure by Charitable Activity

Page 30

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

7 a. Analysis of Resources by Activity

Group
Church Ministry
Publishing
Education
Humanitarian Aid and Welfare
Objectives in other geographical areas
Retirement responsibilities
Group
Church Ministry
Publishing
Education
Humanitarian Aid and Welfare
Objectives in other geographical areas
Retirement responsibilities
Charity
Church Ministry
Education
Humanitarian Aid and Welfare
Objectives in other geographical areas
Retirement responsibilities
Church Ministry
Education
Humanitarian Aid and Welfare
Objectives in other geographical areas
Retirement responsibilities		 Grant
Activities
Support
Total
Funding of
Directly
Costs
Expense
Activities
Undertaken
£
£
£
£
509,711
5,301,071
4,168,403
9,979,185
-
2,326,378
308,563
2,634,941
235,278
1,750,497
356,795
2,342,570
1,803,243
820,592
371,902
2,995,737
97,740
-
-
97,740
780,263
-
-
780,263
3,426,235
10,198,537
5,205,664
18,830,436
Grant
Activities
Support
Total
Funding of
Directly
Costs
Expense
Activities
Undertaken
£
£
£
£
726,084
4,190,099
950,942
5,867,125
-
2,385,500
104,204
2,489,703
520,459
1,759,625
544,621
2,824,704
1,200,397
1,543,950
156,809
2,901,155
210,215
-
-
210,215
611,446
3,017,226
-
3,628,672
3,268,601
12,896,399
1,756,575
17,921,575
Grant
Activities
Support
Total
Funding of
Directly
Costs
Expense
Activities
Undertaken
£
£
£
£
265,583
5,310,648
3,933,957
9,510,188
1,048,153
295,036
218,553
1,561,742
12,000
295,036
218,553
525,589
228,420
-
-
228,420
780,263
-
-
780,263
2,334,419
5,900,720
4,371,063
12,606,202
Grant
Activities
Support
Total
Funding of
Directly
Costs
Expense
Activities
Undertaken
£
£
£
£
188,470
4,425,090
346,543
4,960,104
1,047,445
245,838
685,388
1,978,672
118,779
245,838
19,252
383,870
210,215
-
-
210,215
3,628,671
(2,629,571)
2,629,571
3,628,671
5,193,580
2,287,196
3,680,755
11,161,531
2024
2024
2023
2023

Page 31

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

7 b. Analysis of non-grant expenditure by Charitable Activity

Group
Church Ministry
Publishing
Education
Humanitarian Aid & Welfare
Church Ministry
Publishing
Education
Humanitarian Aid & Welfare
Former Pension Support
Charity
Church Ministry
Education
Humanitarian Aid & Welfare
Church Ministry
Education
Humanitarian Aid & Welfare
Former Pension Support		 Staff Costs
Depreciation
Other Costs
Total
£
£
£
£
3,355,845
156,421
5,957,208
9,469,474
919,970
21,973
1,692,998
2,634,941
1,580,232
95,206
431,854
2,107,292
564,876
10,879
616,739
1,192,494
6,420,922
284,480
8,698,799
15,404,201
Staff Costs
Depreciation
Other Costs
Total
£
£
£
£
2,634,290
189,819
2,316,932
5,141,041
846,513
26,033
1,617,157
2,489,703
1,502,898
121,100
680,247
2,304,245
533,776
12,417
1,154,565
1,700,758
379,024
-
2,638,202
3,017,226
5,896,502
349,368
8,407,104
14,652,974
Staff Costs
Depreciation
Other Costs
Total
£
£
£
£
3,583,247
165,622
5,495,737
9,244,605
199,069
9,201
305,319
513,589
199,069
9,201
10,283
218,553
3,981,385
184,024
5,811,338
9,976,747
Staff Costs
Depreciation
Other Costs
Total
£
£
£
£
2,789,249
200,984
1,781,401
4,771,634
154,958
11,166
765,103
931,227
154,958
11,166
(146,872)
19,252
379,023
-
2,250,548
2,629,571
3,478,188
223,316
4,650,180
8,351,684
2023
2024
2024
2023

Page 32

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

8 Analysis of grants

Grants to individuals
Group - Education Grants & Support
Charity - Education Grants & Support
Grants to institutions
Name of Institution / grant
Primary Schools
Newbold College
General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists
Adventist Development & Relief Agency
Stanborough Press Ltd
North England Conference
South England Conference
Other grants to Church Entities
Retirement Fund
Total Institutional Grants
Total Grants
Governance costs
Audit costs
Trustee's expenses		 Grant description
Educational Need
Educational Need
General Operations
Humanitarian Aid
Christian literture
General Operations
General Operations
Past pension deficit
General Operations		 Number of
Beneficiaries
Total
Number of
Beneficiaries
Total
£
£
124
338,732
108
294,018
124
338,732
108
294,017
Group
Charity
Group
Charity
£
£
£
£
-
512,204
-
526,987
197,217
197,217
226,441
226,441
228,420
228,420
210,215
210,215
1,803,243
12,000
1,200,397
118,779
-
7,250
-
-
29,833
29,833
12,000
12,000
67,907
67,907
27,226
27,226
281,291
167,843
686,858
149,244
780,263
780,263
611,446
611,446
3,388,174
2,002,937
2,974,583
1,882,338
3,726,906
2,341,669
3,268,601
2,176,355
Group
Charity
Group
Charity
£
£
£
£
141,671
88,767
78,713
78,713
49,966
45,675
16,001
16,001
191,637
134,442
94,714
94,714
2023
2023
2024
2023
2024
2024

Page 33

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

10
Net resources expended
Total
2024
This is stated after charging:
£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets:
284,480
Reimbursement of expenses to trustees
49,966
Fees payable to the charity's auditor
for the audit of the annual accounts
141,671
During the year retirement benefits were accruing to 12 Trustees (2023: 12) in respect of pension schemes
11
Staff Costs
Total
2024
£
Staff costs were as follows:
Wages and Salaries
4,829,588
Social Security Costs
536,185
Other Pension Costs
1,055,149
6,420,922
The average number of employees during the year
2024
in the following categories were:
no
Charitable activities
102
Support activities
12
Management and administration
3
117
No employees received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 during the year
Employed trustees and their immediate family members received emoluments as follows:
2024
£
Key management
175,378
Other trustees
276,045
12
Other Finance Income
Return on pension scheme assets
(3,088,201)
Interest on pension scheme liabilities
(1,979,000)
(5,067,201)		 Total
2023
£
349,368
16,001
78,713
Total
2023
£
4,474,384
435,038
987,080
5,896,502
2023
no
79
12
3
94
2023
£
165,381
327,490
318,758
(2,081,000)
(1,762,242)

Page 34

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

13
Tangible Fixed Assets
Group Cost
As at 01 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
As at 31 December 2024
Depreciation
As at 01 January 2024
Charge for Year
On Disposals
As at 31 December 2024
Net Book Value
As at 01 January 2024
As at 31 December 2024
Charity Cost
As at 01 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
As at 31 December 2024
Depreciation
As at 01 January 2024
Charge for Year
On Disposals
As at 31 December 2024
Net Book Value
As at 01 January 2024
As at 31 December 2024		 Freehold
Churches
Operational
Capital
Total
Property
& Schools
Equipment
Work in Progress
£
£
£
£
£
27,728,648
10,933,047
1,917,709
21,590
40,600,994
-
-
22,770
-
22,770
-
-
-
28,684,648
10,933,047
1,940,479
21,590
40,623,764
1,836,921
3,483,864
1,761,564
-
7,082,349
97,399
152,568
34,512
-
284,479
-
-
-
1,934,320
3,636,432
1,796,076
-
7,366,828
25,891,727
7,449,183
156,145
21,590
33,518,645
26,750,328
7,296,615
144,403
21,590
33,256,936
27,329,324
5,398,021
696,276
-
33,423,621
-
-
12,600
-
12,600
-
-
28,285,324
5,398,021
708,876
-
33,436,221
1,755,118
1,308,831
677,716
-
3,741,665
95,570
77,725
10,729
-
184,024
-
-
1,850,688
1,386,556
688,445
-
3,925,689
25,574,206
4,089,190
18,560
-
29,681,956
26,434,636
4,011,465
20,431
-
29,510,532
14
Investment Property
Market Value at 01January
Market value at 31 December		 2024
2023
£
£
200,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
Group		 2024
2023
£
£
200,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
Charity

The valuation was undertaken on 23 January 2023 by Jeffreys, a firm of chartered surveyors.

15
Fixed Asset Investments
Stanborough Press Ltd at original cost
16
Stocks
Departmental supplies
Inventory of goods for sale		 2024
2023
£
£
-
-
2024
2023
£
£
68,310
130,081
1,550,062
1,627,103
1,618,372
1,757,184
Group
Group		 2024
2023
£
£
1,066
1,066
2024
2023
£
£
68,310
130,078
-
-
68,310
130,078
Charity
Charity

Page 35

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

17
Debtors
Due after more than one year
Trade debtore
Loans owed by related charities
Loans owed by employees
Due within one year
Trade debtors
Loans owed by related charities
Other amounts owed by related charities
Amounts owed by local congregations
Accrued Income
Prepayments
Employees
Other Receivables
Total
18
Current Asset Investments
Listed investments
Unlisted investments		 2024
2023
£
£
951,950
951,950
41,430
38,787
41,404
42,025
1,034,784
1,032,762
1,645,039
1,306,725
54,319
100,091
2,777,286
1,966,169
371,044
289,208
49,939
2,177
49,712
86,998
43,709
56,574
534,261
628,999
5,525,309
4,436,941
6,560,093
5,469,703
2024
2023
£
£
152,297
108,030
2,314,546
2,129,980
2,466,843
2,238,010
Group
Group		 2024
2023
£
£
-
-
41,430
147,544
57,161
42,025
98,591
189,569
-
-
66,319
112,091
2,859,474
2,005,066
371,044
289,208
49,939
2,177
24,409
53,395
41,436
55,943
153,900
362,424
3,566,521
2,880,304
3,665,112
3,069,873
2024
2023
£
£
25,153
-
2,160,473
1,983,011
2,185,626
1,983,011
Charity
Charity

19 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Bank Loans and Overdrafts
Suppliers
Advances for charitable activities
Due to associated charities
Due to local congregations
Employees
Accrued expenses
Deferred income
Agency/Trust Accounts
Taxes payable
Other Creditors		 2024
2023
£
£
72,283
17,328
703,715
487,122
161,640
88,264
3,208,227
563,837
10,511
3,742
35,112
43,468
256,392
446,026
13,609
25,067
69,906
98,289
149,508
111,359
272,252
170,968
4,953,155
2,055,470
Group		 2024
2023
£
£
71,897
17,328
151,233
-
-
-
1,157,493
814,421
10,511
3,742
35,304
56,825
98,442
260,056
7,880
19,338
712
-
149,508
111,359
134,206
72,936
1,817,186
1,356,005
Charity

Page 36

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

20 Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year

Deferred income
Returnable deposits on retirement
properties
Of which amounts falling due after 5 years:
Repayable by instalments
21
a. Statement of Funds (Group)
Designated Funds
Invested in Property & equipment
Property revaluation
Provision for buildings
Revolving investments
Retirement factilities
Other Program Funds
Total Designated Funds
General Funds
Tithe Fund
Other General Funds
Pension Deficit
Total General Funds
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Humanitarian Development and Relief
Communication in Britain and Ireland
Legacies funds
Local congregational funds
Other Restricted Funds
Total Restricted Funds
Total Funds		 2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
25,731
30,971
25,731
30,971
164,570
189,524
164,570
189,524
164 570
189 524
164 570
189 524
190,301
220,495
190,301
220,495
74,529
90,024
74,529
90,024
Brought
Incoming
Resources
Transfers
Carried
Forward
Resources
Expended
In / Out
Forward
£
£
£
£
£
13,023,645
-
(274,695)
(249,598)
12,499,352
20,495,000
-
-
-
20,495,000
923,323
337,625
(158,136)
(75,063)
1,027,749
500,000
-
-
-
500,000
1,541
-
-
-
1,541
710,460
238,375
(808,982)
925,337
1,065,190
35,653,969
576,000
(1,241,813)
600,676
35,588,832
(1,501,729)
12,206,102
(10,609,710)
(965,125)
(870,462)
12,915,251
1,764,073
(2,204,354)
77,006
12,551,976
-
11,413,522
13,970,175
(12,814,064)
(888,119)
11,681,514
47,067,491
14,546,175
(14,055,877)
(287,443)
47,270,346
2,582,873
2,387,930
(1,865,376)
-
3,105,427
1,140,559
(55,827)
(234,722)
16,955
866,965
205,329
-
-
-
205,329
1,093,881
61,492
(147,829)
233,704
1,241,248
122,482
7,525
(21,269)
36,784
145,522
5,145,124
2,401,120
(2,269,196)
287,443
5,564,491
52,212,615
16,947,295
(16,325,073)
-
52,834,837
Group
Charity

Page 37

21

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

b. Statement of Funds (Charity)
Designated Funds
Invested in Property & equipment
Property revaluation
Provision for buildings
Revolving investments
Other Program Funds
Total Designated Funds
General Funds
Tithe Fund
Other General Funds
Total General Funds
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Communication in Britain and Ireland
Local congregational funds
Other restricted funds
Total Restricted Funds
Total Funds		 Brought
Incoming
Resources
Transfers
Carried
Forward
Resources
Expended
In / Out
Forward
£
£
£
£
£
9,186,956
-
(184,024)
(249,598)
8,753,334
20,495,000
20,495,000
923,323
337,625
(158,136)
(75,063)
1,027,749
500,000
500,000
712,001
238,375
(808,982)
925,337
1,066,731
31,817,280
576,000
(1,151,142)
600,676
31,842,814
(1,501,729)
7,876,625
(6,891,850)
(965,125)
(1,482,079)
9,504,233
1,981,321
(1,596,832)
77,006
9,965,728
8,002,504
9,857,946
(8,488,682)
(888,119)
8,483,649
39,819,784
10,433,946
(9,639,824)
(287,443)
40,326,463
1,140,559
(55,827)
(234,722)
16,955
866,965
1,093,881
61,492
(147,829)
233,704
1,241,248
122,482
7,525
(21,269)
36,784
145,522
2,356,922
13,190
(403,820)
287,443
2,253,735
42,176,706
10,447,136
(10,043,644)
-
42,580,198

22 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Investment property
Current Assets
Creditors due within one year
Creditors due in more than one year
Total Funds		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
33,256,936
-
33,256,936
33,518,645
200,000
-
200,000
200,000
18,956,862
5,564,491
24,521,353
20,769,935
(4,953,155)
-
(4,953,155)
(2,055,470)
(190,301)
-
(190,301)
(220,495)
47,270,342
5,564,491
52,834,833
52,212,615

23 Net cash flow from operating activities

Net cash flow from operating activities
Net incoming resources before revaluations
Returns on investments & servicing of finance
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Provision for bad debts made/(released)
Revaluation of investments
(Increase) / Decrease in stocks
(Increase) / Decrease in debtors
Increase / (Decrease) in creditors		 2024
2023
£
£
622,218
1,336,699
(747,331)
(1,239,576)
284,479
349,368
141,708
(51,671)
-
(1,983,096)
138,812
12,054
(1,232,098)
(1,245,615)
2,812,536
854,227
2,020,324
(1,967,610)

Page 38

24

British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

25

Analysis of cash flows from investing activities

Analysis of cash flows from investing activities
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Interest received
Interest paid
Investments made
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Net cash inflow from investing activities
Analysis of cash flows from financing activities
Loans repaid
Net cash inflow from investing activities		 2024
2023
£
£
2,729,823
1,239,576
(1,982,492)
-
747,331
1,239,576
(228,833)
-
(22,770)
-
495,728
1,239,576
2024
2023
£
£
54,955
(250,940)
54,955
(250,940)

26 Related party transactions

The charity is affiliated to the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (a USA non-profit organisation), whose divisional office, the Trans-European Division, is at 119 St Peter's Street, St Albans, Herts AL1 3EY

Regional conferences affiliated to the charity are:

North England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 22 Zulla Road, Nottingham, NG3 5DB South England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 25 St Johns Road, Watford, WD17 1PY The charity has tithe-sharing agreements with each of these associated charities.

27

Tithe-sharing grants received General
Conference
£
-		 North England
South England
Total
Total
Conference
Conference
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
1,434,770
3,032,652
4,467,422
4,808,559		 North England
South England
Total
Total
Conference
Conference
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
1,434,770
3,032,652
4,467,422
4,808,559		 North England
South England
Total
Total
Conference
Conference
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
1,434,770
3,032,652
4,467,422
4,808,559
Tithe-sharing grants received for
pension deficit		 55,591 1,050,220
2,244,573
3,350,384
2,946,914
Other grants received 795,132 - -
795,132
421,989
Tithe-sharing grants made 228,420 - -
228,420
322,472
Other grants made - - -
-
39,226
Amounts due to charity < 1 year - 565,723
1,866,854
2,432,577
1,937,751
Amounts due to charity > 1 year - 35,953
13,685
49,638
86,091
Amounts due by charity < 1 year 1,064,826 - -
1,064,826
198,885
Amounts due by charity > 1 year - - -
-
52,787
Other related entities Country Shareholding
Description
Seventh-day Adventist Association Ltd Charity No. 209780 UK N/A Titular holder of property
Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire Company No. 89953 (Trustees are appointed by
BUC executive committee)
Stanborough Press Ltd Charity No. 235245 UK 100% Publishing and distribution of
Alma Park Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire Company No. 41819 Christian literature
(Trustees are appointed by the
BUC executive committee)
Adventist Development & Relief Agency Charity No. 1074937 UK N/A Humanitarian Aid
Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire Scottish No. 37726 (Trustees are appointed by the
BUC executive committee)
Stanborough School Unincorporated UK N/A Christian education at primary
Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire and secondary levels
(Majority of trustees are appointed)
by the BUC executive committee

Page 39