Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 FOR ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANCHESTER
Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANCHESTER
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the trustees | 1 - 4 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8-11 |
Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The Charity conversion to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation was implemented in 2023. The focus of the AFM is the education of the public generally but particularly within the Greater Manchester region concerning French language, literature, culture and associated modes of thought and to promote cultural harmony and linguistic diversity by encouraging linguistic and cultural exchanges has been successfully implemented with no change in 2025.
The full-time Managing Director, whose salary is paid by the French Foreign Office, is assisted by the following members of staff:
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An operations Manager (previously “course and exam administrator”), full time
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a full-time course director,
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a full-time administration manager,
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2 part-time assistants: 1 in course and exam administration and 1 acting as administrator/receptionist in evening hours and since September as marketing, communication and cultural assistant during afternoon hours (new position).
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The remaining staff employed as teachers assist with other events as appropriate.
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An external digital marketing expert was recruited in 2025 for 8 to 10 hours of dedicated work for AFM.
In 2025, the Alliance did not recruit French volunteers as in previous years.
BUSINESS REVIEW
2025 is the 3rd full year of return to normal business since the changes of end 2021 regarding the new course calendar (shorter sessions and possibility to enroll and pay online) were implemented. The results are positive compared to the previous couple of years. Throughout 2025, the demand for in-class courses has continued to progress for collective and private courses. The course fees were increased again in 2025 giving AFM an increased yearly income compared to 2024 and 2023.
The number of enrolments has strongly increased by 18.9% compared to 2024 (+ 2% in 2024 compared to 2023) and the number of students has increased also by 14% in 2025 compared to 2024 meaning that AFM attracted more new students than the previous year.
After the 2024 decrease, 2025 exam enrolments increased by 117% with 191 candidates compared to 88 the previous year.
These positive results were reached thanks to the multiple actions launched in the marketing sector: updating and modernisation of the AFM website enhancing the SEO, a consistent and regular strategy of posts on all AFM social media accounts, designed social media paid campaigns using AFM students testimonials, etc.
A French course program for companies based in Greater Manchester has been created and promoted during 2025 and 2 contracts with a company in the banking sector were signed and implemented.
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In 2025 the position regarding the rented accommodation underwent major changes:
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The Alliance officially occupies and pays rent for 41% of the 1[st] floor since 1[st] November 2025 in addition to the ground floor of 125 Portland Street
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The lease has been modified for both with obligation to leave by 30[th] September 2026.
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The landlord has informed AFM that the building works will not be implemented and that he had not yet made plans for the future regarding the building.
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The landlord did not confirm his former proposition to submit a less expensive premises solution to AFM when it is time to move out.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
The AFM will need to identify new premises before September 2026.
Since Brexit, it has been more difficult for AFM to recruit teachers from France which is why our strategy is still to recruit people with the relevant right to work in the UK.
The AFM cultural program was satisfactory in 2025 with successful events such as the 22 French cinema sessions in 3 different greater Manchester locations, a painting exhibition at AFM premises and 8 conferences covering various Cultura topics. 2025 cultural program gathered 1321 persons in total.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The Alliance is still operating with caution despite some clear signs of improvement in the demand for language classes.
Following plans have been identified by the Board towards the AFM future
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identifying urgently new premises in MCR city center and move by summer 2026
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assisting AFM settling in its new premises and stabilise its activity from its new location.
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helping the AFM to generate more income, improve its visibility via digital marketing,
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develop the staff resources, hire more teachers
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reach full self-sufficiency.
The Trustees are still taking part in operational work groups, meet regularly to consider the various changes and developments affecting the life of the Alliance and to consider how best to respond to these. The Managing Director provides regular financial updates along with projections of likely future developments and these are discussed at the regular meetings of the Board.
In order to consolidate its activities, the Alliance will continue to work actively with an expert in digital marketing to increase the number of students and companies based in Greater Manchester dealing with international business.
FINANCIAL POSITION & RESERVES POLICY
The financial situation of the Alliance would be more problematic if it did not benefit from the free occupation of the 1st floor in the premises during 10 months in 2025 and the grant made by the French Government.
The Trustees are grateful for this support but they are aware that this support has been declining and that running costs (renting property in Central Manchester and salaries) do increase regularly. The Alliance will also need to make provisions for the new premises: move- in and out cost, fit-outs, etc.
In 2025 the Alliance has managed, thanks to a cautious spending policy, to reach an exceeding budget despite new recruitment, increased teacher remuneration, increased administrative salaries following an important increase in the minimum wage and an unexpected additional rent to pay over 2 months.
Reserves remain untouched and sufficient to enable the Charity to continue its activities.
INVESTMENT POWERS AND POLICY
Under its governing document, the Alliance has powers to invest in any way the trustees choose. The directors continue to monitor relevant rates and remain ready to move funds in order to increase the interest earned.
DIRECTORS
Board members were unchanged in 2025: Rodolphe Soulard, Isabelle Vanderschelden, Frederic Blesser, Romain Bardot, Sirka Moore, Stephen Chegwin, Virginie Ghaznavi, Jonathan Leese, and Margaux Stivanin.
The Managing Director is paid by the French foreign office. All other members of the Board serve in an honorary capacity and none received any remuneration or compensation in the year under review.
Rodolphe Soulard acts as honorary French consul in Manchester and the Alliance provides him with office space for two periods of two hours per week, for which he pays a rent of £60 per month. He has been Chairman of the Board of the AFM since April 2023.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
RISK MANAGEMENT
As outlined above, the trustees keep under review the risks that the Charity faces; they continue to monitor the financial systems of the Alliance and also seek, as far as they are able, to keep under consideration other operational and business risks faced by the Charity.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees (who are also the directors of Alliance Française de Manchester) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law governing charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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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, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's independent examiners are unaware.
17/6/2026 | 5:52 PM BST Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
Romain Bardot Trustee/Secretary
Rodolphe Soulard Chairman / Trustee
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Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANCHESTER REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Trustees
Rodolphe Soulard Isabelle Vanderschelden Fred Blesser Sirka Moore Romain Sebastien Bardot Jonathan Leese Virginie Ghaznavi Margaux Stivanin Stephen Chegwin
Independent Examining Accountant
Cowgills Limited Fourth Floor Unit 5B, The Parklands Bolton BL6 4SD
Bankers
Drummond House (DO) Branch Customer Service Centre, Drummond House, 1 Redheughs Avenue Edinburgh, EH12 9JN
Solicitors
Davis Blank Furniss 90 Deasngate Manchester M3 2QJ
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Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANCHESTER
I report on the company for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 10.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
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Examine the charities accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act
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Follow all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act.
Independent examiner's statement
The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Nicola Roby FCA FCCA
for and on behalf of Cowgills Limited Fourth Floor Unit 5B, The Parklands Bolton BL6 4SD
Date: ............................................
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Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANCHESTER
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
| Funds | Funds | ||
| Notes | £ |
£ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||
| Incoming from activities in furtherance of the | 450,570 | 408,234 | |
| charity’s objectives | |||
| Bank interest received | 2,473 | 2,992 | |
| Grants received French government & other | 1 | 27,384 | 30,034 |
| grants | |||
| Total Income | 480,427 | 441,260 | |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | 2 | ||
| Cost of activities in furtherance of the Charity’s | (399,965) | (386,512) | |
| Objects | |||
| Other expenditures: | |||
| Marketing and publicity | (18,260) | (7,131) | |
| Management and administration of the charity | (40,318) | (45,956) | |
| Total resources expended | (458,543) | (439,599) | |
| NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | 21,884 | 1,661 | |
| Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2025 | 187,850 | 186,189 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 209,734 | 187,850 |
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
All incoming resources and resources expended arise from charitable activities during the period.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANCHESTER
BALANCE SHEET At 31 December 2025
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||
| Tangible assets | 3 | 5,528 | 6,076 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Stock | 6 | - | - |
| Debtors | 4 | 35,751 | 20,460 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 224,353 | 186,984 | |
| 265,632 | 207,444 | ||
| CREDITORS | |||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 5 | (55,898) | (25,670) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 209,734 | 187,850 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT | |||
| LIABILITIES | 209,734 | 187,850 | |
| FUNDS | 7 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 209,734 | 187,850 |
17/6/2026 | 4:37 PM BST The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on ……………………. and were signed on its behalf by:
..................................... ..................................... Rodolphe Soulard Romain Bardot
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Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANCHESTER
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)',
Assessment of going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income
Income represents enrolment and tuition fees receivable by the company for services provided unless they relate to a future period in which case they are deferred.
Grant receivable
Grants are credited as incoming resources when they are receivable provided conditions for receipt have been complied with, unless they relate to a specific future period in which case they are deferred.
Expenditure
Expenditure which is charged on an accruals basis is allocated between:
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Expenditure incurred directly to the fulfilment of the charity’s objectives
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Expenditure incurred directly in the effort to market the charity
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Expenditure incurred in the management and administration of the charity
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation which is provided in annual instalments over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Small items of equipment and furniture are not capitalised but are written off on acquisition through the income and expenditure accounts.
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates:
Leasehold improvements 10% Fixture and fittings 25% Office equipment 25% Computer equipment 33%
Stock
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANCHESTER
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
1. GRANTS RECEIVED
| 2. 3. |
31.12.25 31.12.24 £ £ French government and other grants 27,384 30,034 ANALYSIS OF TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Leasehold improvements Fixture & Fittings Computer equipment Totals £ £ £ £ COST At 1 January 2025 Additions At 31 December 2025 116,946 - 116,946 41,619 - 41,619 34,952 2,816 37,768 193,517 2,816 196,333 DEPRECIATION At 1 January 2025 116,946 40,835 29,660 187,441 Charge for year - 330 3,034 3,364 At 31 December 2025 116,946 41,165 32,694 190,805 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2025 - 454 5,074 5,528 At 31 December 2024 - 784 5,292 6,076 Staff cost Other Depreciation Total £ £ £ £ Direct charitable Teaching 284,283 111,084 3,364 398,731 Cultural 1,026 1,026 Other expenditure Marketing 18,260 18,260 Management & administration of charity 40,318 40,318 284,283 170,688 3,364 458,335 |
|---|---|
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Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANCHESTER
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
4. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors 5. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors Delegation Generale Accruals and deferred income Other creditors 6. STOCK Stock of education materials 7. UNRESTRICTED FUND At 1 January 2025 Profit/(Deficit) for the year At 31 December 2025 |
31.12.25 £ 28,999 6,752 35,751 31.12.25 £ 30,134 603 3,757 21,404 55,898 31.12.25 £ - 31.12.25 £ 187,850 21,884 212,623 |
31.12.24 £ 15,354 5,106 20,460 31.12.24 £ 1,598 603 4,461 19,008 25,670 31.12.24 £ - 31.12.24 £ 186,189 1,661 |
|---|---|---|
187,850 |
8. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The French government which sponsors this company has made grants totalling £27,384 (2024: £30,034) towards operational costs.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 7D298296-E9BB-8C4C-8055-FD3970CDB92C
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MANCHESTER
INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
| Income Fees receivable Grant receivable Bank interest received Cost of sales Opening stock Education materials Closing stock Gross Profit Expenditure Investment in cultural events Examination fees Salaries Administration subsistence Training Travel Cleaning Rent and service charges Rates and council tax Telephone PPS Advertising and marketing Website Costs Repairs and maintenance Computer software Accountancy Insurance and security Depreciation Bank charges Library Translations Hire of equipment Legal fees Net Profit/(Deficit) for the year |
31.12.25 £ 450,570 27,384 2,473 480,427 - 208 (-) 208 480,219 1,026 10,614 284,283 2,936 136 1,351 11,172 69,394 16,019 1,833 3,061 12,178 6,082 9,484 3,570 3,720 4,448 3,364 8,205 179 - - 5,280 458,335 **21,884 ** |
31.12.24 £ 408,234 30,034 2,992 |
|---|---|---|
| 441,260 - 463 (-) 463 440,797 2,796 11,742 271,936 16,181 533 1,098 12,664 60,710 15,567 1,911 2,715 7,131 5,259 6,940 2,635 4,050 3,399 1,991 6,880 280 - - 2,718 439,136 **1,661 ** |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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