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2024-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1073956

Company registration number 03659361 (England and Wales)

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees K Soriano (Chair of Trustees)
I McCarthy (Vice Chair & FHRC Chair)
N Bintley (Treasurer)
J Falkingham
R Behari
H Patel
S Smith
Y Tan
L Pritchard
C Petitgas
D Heron
S Groom (Appointed 22 June 2023)
D Gilmore (Appointed 25 January 2024)
S McGowan (Appointed 25 January 2024)
C Watkiss (Appointed 7 March 2024)
Secretary J M Mitchell
Charity number 1073956
Company number 03659361
Registered office 55 New Bird Street
Liverpool
L1 0BW
Auditor DSG
Castle Chambers
43 Castle Street
Liverpool
L2 9TL
Bankers Barclays Bank plc
265 -267 Lord Street
Southport
PR8 1PD
Solicitors Hill Dickinson
No 1 St Pauls Square
Liverpool
L3 9SJ

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 14
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 15
Independent auditor's report 16 - 18
Statement of financial activities 19 - 20
Balance sheet 21
Statement of cash flows 22
Notes to the financial statements 23 - 37

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

Liverpool Biennial of Contemporary Art Limited is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity which is operated in order to:

Founded in 1998, the Liverpool Biennial has become renowned in the international contemporary art world for bringing together artistic practices from across the world. Taking place every two years, Liverpool Biennial connects with artists across the globe, commissioning the best international contemporary art to be shown in an exciting, vibrant, and free exhibition set across Liverpool in open public spaces, partner cultural organisations, historic buildings, and disused commercial premises.

Having commissioned over 395 new artworks and presented work by over 560 renowned artists from around the globe, Liverpool Biennial is built on a longstanding commitment to connecting international artists with local practitioners, communities, and the public at large.

Key to the organisation’s success are the international connections and reputation of Liverpool Biennial and the expertise of our team. Liverpool Biennial is world-recognised for a high level of artistic excellence and its widereaching programme and has established a regional and international reputation as a leader and innovator in biennial thinking and practice.

The most recent festival uMoya: The Sacred Return of Lost Things (10 June – 17 September 2023), curated by South African artist, curator and healer Khanyisile Mbongwa attracted over 101,000 visitors who specifically visited with the intention of engaging with the festival, and overall and across all exhibition sites received over 763,000 visits.

Furthermore, Liverpool Biennial‘s reach exceeds the time-bound limits of the festival undertaking public realm installations and educational programmes in non-Biennial years and creates valued legacy permanent works to which visitors to the region continue to flock. In the past year we have continued to develop engagement with a commission by Alicja Biala, Merseyside Totemy , which given its prominent site on Liverpool’s waterfront has been seen by over 4,500,000 people. As a work primarily concerned with the consequences of environmental crisis it has continued its engagement with this subject matter, with ongoing school workshops and repurposing and reinstalling the elements within schools in the region. Additionally, 2 public realm commissions from uMoya: Taiwanese artist Eleng Luluan’s Ngialibalibade – to the Lost Myth and British artist, Rudi Loewe’s The Reckoning have remained in the city, sustaining our commitment to ensuring that at least one public realm sculpture extends its life beyond the duration of the festival. They are now part of our collection of permanent installations including co-commission with Culture Liverpool, of Nathan Coley’s light-work, From Here …; Daniel Steegman Mangrané’s sculpture, La Pensée Férale ; Liverpool Mountain by New York-based, Swiss-born artist, Ugo Rondinone, co-commissioned with our partner Tate Liverpool; Sir Peter Blake’s Dazzle Ferry ; and at Crosby beach, Antony Gormley’s Another Place .

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

We hold a year-round programme of talks, seminars, discussions, schools’ workshops, and commissions. These include working with local schools, peer workshops and discussions of the Biennial themes and development. In addition to the festival itself, the past year has seen focus placed on developing curators from the Global South and Sub-Saharan Africa through our partnership with British Council and bringing together a group of people with lived experience of disability to act as Critical Friends to the organisation. These are all intended as spaces to share and explore ideas, reflect on our institutional role and activity and to contribute towards sector-leading thinking around the current and future Biennials.

Mission and Aims

Liverpool Biennial brings dynamic, vibrant contemporary art to audiences in Liverpool and beyond, by presenting ambitious, free exhibitions and public art of international stature. We intend to make powerful experiences for everyone by presenting art within the urban environment. We commission and present contemporary art by leading international artists to realise our belief that art and creativity are central to humanity, making experiencing art a part of everyday life for everyone.

Liverpool Biennial’s core aims are:

  1. To present the leading visual art biennial in the UK, led by a high-quality exhibition of work by international and UK-based artists.

  2. Broaden and deepen engagement with contemporary visual art.

  3. Add value to the visual arts infrastructure and professional capacity through partnership, talent development, co-production, and touring.

Our overarching vision is to be A Biennial for Everybody , shifting our working practices to support a diverse and inclusive team, Board, artist cohort and audiences. Concomitantly we are exploring how Biennial structures can change to support this ambition and our long-term financial sustainability and growth by considering our year-round working and commitments to activity which run across consecutive biennials. These options are being explored with additional focus through the lens of the Leading Systemic Change course, run/delivered by/through Clore Leadership, which is being undertaken by our Director.

Mission

We present the largest and longest-running visual art biennial in the UK, led by a high-quality exhibition of work by international and UK-based artists. Liverpool Biennial brings extraordinary contemporary art to audiences in Liverpool and beyond by co-commissioning and presenting ambitious, free exhibitions and public art of international scope and impact to make public powerful experiences with art and the city. We commission and present contemporary art by leading international and UK based artists that connect art, people, and place to realise our belief that art and creativity are central to human experience and to make art a part of everyday life for everyone: A Biennial for Everybody.

We work with, and for, our communities of international and local artists, art professional peers, local cultural and university partners, our team and board, and the children and people of Liverpool with care, to support opportunity, development, and growth. We create connections and deepen life-long engagement with international contemporary art for everybody.

We add value to the visual art infrastructure (buildings, funding, organisations) and capacity (artists, freelancers, curators, arts administrators, networking) through partnership working locally, nationally, and internationally.

Priorities 2023-2026

Liverpool Biennial has reassessed its priorities within the context of the ongoing social and economic environment and its impact on our city and communities, ACE’s Let’s Create and the four new Investment Principles and LCC’s 10-year strategy, Developing a Cultural Strategy for Liverpool 2021-2030. We also commissioned a Development Review & Recommendations in 2021 to identify opportunities and weaknesses in relation to ensuring sustainability and agility around financial income.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The following priorities have been identified to connect with the existing long term aims of Liverpool Biennial and to align to areas of priority in Let’s Create and Developing a Cultural Strategy for Liverpool. Over the first year of the new ACE funding we have delivered on all our Outcomes and Investment Principles which align with the following:

1. People

Liverpool Biennial will develop sustained ways of working with our communities and artists to ensure more people have a chance to engage in cultural activity, support wellbeing and address issues that are relevant to their lives. We will broaden and deepen engagement with contemporary art to create impact and value for our local communities and the people with whom we work.

2. Excellence in Programme

Liverpool Biennial will continue to work at the highest level, commissioning world-class art for audiences in England and from around the world. We will commission international, national, and local artists to create new work for exhibitions, public realms and our engagement programmes, including 35 artists at Liverpool Biennial 2023. We aim to present the leading visual art festival in the UK led by a high-quality exhibition of work by international artists.

3. International Working

Liverpool Biennial will collaborate with international artists and organisations to co-commission and exhibit new work. It will connect artists, curators, students, and sector peers to build relationships that support the growth of individuals, organisations, and the economic impact of Liverpool Biennial for the region.

4. Development and Training

Liverpool Biennial will develop opportunities, training and support for young people and people facing barriers to employment to enter, develop and remain in the cultural sector. We will offer support and development to artists working within our programme. We will seek to expand and formalise our training offer with additional resource and through partnership working.

5. Environmental Impact

Liverpool Biennial will work to address the impact of the biennial model on the environment and its role as a communicator of environmental issues. It will develop more sustainable models of practice that address cocommissioning, touring, production, and shipping. We will work to innovate and share learning nationally and internationally.

6. Organisational Sustainability & Leadership

Liverpool Biennial will work to develop the sustainability and flexibility of our organisation and act as a leader in the sector. We will develop skills around the use of data to support our ability to analyse, set aims and respond quickly to changes in our environment. We will look to research and trial new income streams, incubating ideas that currently include trialling limited charging on events, consultancy work, a festival food and drink offer and expanding our commercial activity.

The Board is aware of the responsibilities of the organisation to our staff, artists, audiences, partners, and the communities we serve. We have worked hard over the past 12 months to realise new ways of working supported by our new funding relationships with the British Council, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Art Fund. These have allowed us to realise some of our commitments to supporting d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists, audiences and team and Board members and developing our role as an international training and networking organisation. We have received significant ongoing funding from Bloomberg to develop a new website and deliver a new CRM system to ensure we meet our commitments to digital accessibility and maximising income potential. This, alongside the establishment of an experienced senior management team and our curator Khanyisile Mbongwa brought renewed impetus, energy, and expertise to the organisation.

The team has also recruited the next curator for Liverpool Biennial 2025, Marie-Anne McQuay, a Liverpool-based, highly regarded practitioner who has delivered the Wales pavilion as part of Venice Bienniale (2019).

The Board is conscious that the past 12 months have continued to test the organisation, our partners, and the artists with whom we work. In particular, the effects of the economic context and inflationary pressures on budgets have been significant alongside continuing difficulties caused by Brexit and its impact on the transportation of works of art and movement of artists.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

In shaping our objectives and planning our activities the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The Biennial achieves public benefit through its public presentation of contemporary art, which is embedded into the communities it serves through education and learning programmes, as well as supporting artists and the arts community through the commissioning of new works. The public benefit we deliver is demonstrated in the paragraphs that follow.

Activities, evaluation and performance

Liverpool Biennial connects international artists, practitioners and thinkers with local artists, academics, and students of all ages, as well as local communities and the wider public. In the past year we have focused on activity related to our newly invigorated commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusion and moving towards becoming an inclusive Biennial for Everybody. The most recent Biennial, uMoya; the Sacred Return of Lost Things , curated by South African curator, artist and healer Khanyisile Mbongwa explored the colonial histories of the city, acknowledging the pain of the past and its ongoing echoes. The festival worked with many artists who practice in relation to forms of indigenous and ancestral knowledge, wisdom and healing. These works were presented as emancipatory practices, each of them moving towards a future of healing and joy.

Activities included:

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Evaluation

In the planning, delivery, and evaluation of all our programmes the Trustees of Liverpool Biennial have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

The Trustees monitor and measure the organisation’s progress against its Business Plan which was rewritten in close consultation with the team, Trustees, and stakeholders. Outcomes are measured by Senior Management and the Board against SMART objectives and the Audience Development, Digital, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Environmental Sustainability Action Plans.

Key objectives for the past year included delivering a Biennial festival that was rated excellent by visitors and critically acclaimed, continuing to develop and nurture local, national and international partnerships, sustaining and developing a diverse leadership (through Trustee involvement), embedding ACE’s Investment Principles across the organisation’s work; providing training and development opportunities for artists and curators; developing our sustainability commitments, reviewing our income, and fund-raising strategy and opportunities, and delivering a Biennial programme of engagement for communities, schools and young people. The progress of the organisation’s aims is supported by quantitative and qualitative data from audience and stakeholder feedback.

The Biennial is independently evaluated by the Audience Agency to help better understand its audiences, and to obtain the economic, social, and cultural impact of our work. This combined qualitative and quantitative data of visitor figures, visitor origin, visitor spend and contribution to local economy, surveys the responses of the Biennial's core audience, and feedback from peers, stakeholders, and a focus group of Liverpool residents, informs us of our impact.

As an ACE National Portfolio Organisation Liverpool Biennial uses and will continue to use Audience Finder and undergoes artistic and quality assessment by peers. Liverpool Biennial also played a lead role in the Liverpool Arts Regeneration Consortium (LARC) (now disbanded) Tate Plus and Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) and our Director Samantha Lackey is a Director of CVAN NW and Board Member of the International Biennial Association which helps benchmark our progress against comparable organisations in the sector.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Performance

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Environment and Sustainability commitments

Greenhouse gas emissions disclosure (scope 1, 2, and 3)

Environment and Sustainability commitments
Greenhouse gas emissions disclosure (scope 1, 2, and 3)		 Environment and Sustainability commitments
Greenhouse gas emissions disclosure (scope 1, 2, and 3)
Scope 1
Fuel combustion 0 tonnes CO2e
Companyvehicles 0 tonnes CO2e
Fugitive emissions 0 tonnes CO2e
Scope 2
Purchased electricity,heat and steam 4.239 tonnes CO2e
Scope 3
Purchasedgoods and services Data not available at this time
Business travel 28 tonnes CO2e
Employee commuting 9 tonnes CO2e
Waste disposal 0 tonnes CO2e
Use of soldproducts 0 tonnes CO2e
Transportation and distribution(up- and downstream) Data not available at this time
Investments 0 tonnes CO2e
Leased assets and franchises 0 tonnes CO2e

Performance review against targets

Environmental Responsibility

The measurable actions are broken down into four categories: Skills & Development; People & Representation; Planning; and Tools & Monitoring. Each category has three specific actions within it that are reviewed quarterly by the management team.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Environment and Sustainability Working Group

The group is comprised of staff from each department and ideally two Trustees (Ian McCarthy and one other) and reports quarterly to FHRC with a summary going quarterly to Board as well as a full annual report. There is an Environment and Sustainability Policy (available to view on Liverpool Biennial website) and Environment and Sustainability Action Plan, both developed by this group and agreed by the Board.

Risks

EN03 Failure to achieve sustainability aims sits within the risk register. The register is reviewed fortnightly by managers and quarterly updates are sent to FHRC with a summary going to Board. The risk is currently scoring low which is on target, and has many current controls in place such as monitoring and reporting of environmental impacts, and all members of the working group trained in carbon literacy. The remaining action required is for a sustainability audit to take place.

Advocacy & Partnerships

LB is a member of Shift, a network of cultural organisations within the Liverpool & Merseyside region committed to carbon reduction. A representative from the working group attends every Shift meeting to share skills, knowledge, and resources, and LB has signed the Shift pledge, committing to improving the environmental sustainability of our day-to-day operations and supporting the network towards sector-wide change. Most notably, a partnership with Ecotricity has been established, aiming towards a convergence of all Shift members. Not only will this mean all the network members using a more renewable energy source, but Ecotricity are offering a 12.5% discount as well as other benefits. Long term, the money generated from the convergence will go towards a legacy project – potentially a solar farm in the Liverpool City Region. It is hoped that LB (and the other network organisations) will start moving over to Ecotricity once the cost-of-living crisis has eased and energy prices have settled.

A key partnership that has been developed has been with the Liverpool John Moores University Low Carbon EcoInnovatory department of the School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment. After a lengthy application process, ERDF funding was secured for them to create a bespoke carbon monitoring toolkit for LB that can be used to assess the carbon output of individual commissioned artworks (including production, shipping, and artist travel) that we can use in future planning. So far the tool has been used for Alicja Biala’s Merseyside Totemy and going forward we aim to use it to hypothesize carbon outputs before works are created so the team and the artists can ensure they are using the least impactful materials and processes possible.

Following on from a discussion about the above toolkit within a meeting about Gallery Climate Coalition’s newly developed Carbon Calculator, initial conversations have begun around the possibility of partnering to develop a carbon calculator for commissioning artworks that all commissioning institutions can use.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Financial review

While the ongoing programme creates activity and benefit throughout the two-year cycle, the intensity of the Biennial festival creates different characteristics in each of the years of the operating cycle.

The public programme of talks, events and exhibitions happens across the Biennial cycle and provides regular audiences and public benefit, but the planning, production and exhibition timelines of the festival means that the first half of the edition’s cycle is characterised by high revenue and lower expenditure and the latter half by greatly increased expenditure on time-specific delivery of the Festival which outstrips income. This is a normal part of the Biennial cycle (one year in surplus, one year in deficit) so the company’s financial performance is usually considered over the two-year biennium. As such significant cashflows are expended in the festival year of a cycle, of which this year was the second, completing year.

Liverpool Biennial 2023 Year 1 2023 Year 2 2024 Total Biennial
Income £1.5m(50%) £1.4m(50%) £2.9m(100%)
Expenditure £1.1m(34%) £2.0m(66%) £3.1m(100%)

This table represents a typical Biennial cycle where income is split equally between the two years whereas expenditure is double in the second year.

Income

The funds raised during the financial year 2023-24 totalled £1,640,129 (2023: £1,600,469) and expenditure was £1,882,554 (2023: £1,095,043) The charity therefore ended the year with a deficit of £242,425 (2023: surplus of £505,426).

The charity has total funds to be carried forward on 31 March 2024 of £1,245,014 (2023: £1,487,439) of which £112,932 are designated funds (2023: £162,932), £209,169 are restricted funds (2023: £317,891 ) and £922,913 in general unrestricted funds (2023: £1,006,616 ).

Robust management procedures and effective board oversight through quarterly board meetings and Finance and Human Resource Committee (FHRC) meetings, are in place to oversee the sound management of the Biennial’s resources throughout the year.

Designated Funds

The charity has committed certain funds to support its planned transformation activities, programme and to protect the viability of the festival:

£49,532 (2023: £49,532) to provide match funding for the continuation of Liverpool Biennial public realm works or fund their decommissioning. In the previous financial year £7,000 was identified specifically within the designated funds for the future decommissioning of Daniel Steegman Mangrané’s public realm sculpture. Public realm works continue to be a key component of the Biennial’s exhibitions, legacy, and purpose.

£63,400 (2023: £113,400) to establish initiatives that will make step changes in the sustainability and resilience of Liverpool Biennial.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Reserves

The Board constantly monitors its reserves and has reviewed its reserves policy in July 2024, as it does formally on an annual basis. Liverpool Biennial will hold sufficient funds to maintain liquidity; cover unforeseen short-term cash requirements; provide continuity in the case of unexpected, temporary changes in trading conditions; and maintain a provision for anticipated unmet future needs due to changes in the funding and operating environment. The Charity has determined that 6 months of average operational expenditure over a biennium period is appropriate, due to the following key factors:

Due to the two-year biennium cycle, a surplus may be carried forward from the first year of the cycle to the second in order to fund activity in a festival year. At the end of the financial year 2023-2024 free reserves available were £914,968 (2023: £989,912) representing unrestricted funds less unrestricted funds attributable to tangible fixed assets.

For the 2023-24 financial year, 6 months' operational costs total £427,646 (2023: £343,284), representing staff costs, premises costs, support costs and governance costs. As described above, due to the Biennial cycle, using annualised figures does not reflect the seasonality of funds and costs. The Biennial has comfortably met its reserves policy for the current financial year.

Going Concern

A detailed business planning and budget process takes place in advance of each biennium cycle, supported by regular management accounts and reforecasting of financial projections throughout the period. This permits the organisation to react quickly when performance is not in line with planning.

Detailed financial plans were created as part of the 2 year Biennium budget planning, which included scenario planning to ensure the best use of the public funds the Biennial receives to support its activities and to support our application both to ACE NPO funding and local Liverpool City Council Funding through CAIP. Our two major funders, Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council continued with funding for the Liverpool Biennial, with ACE providing standstill funding of £802,861 per year for the next 3 years and CAIP confirming funding of £180,000 for 23-24 with a likelihood of continued funding for the 2 subsequent years.

With new fundraising expertise on the team income budgets have been set realistically with a focus on developing individual giving and initiating new corporate relationships. Staffing costs have been reviewed and the expenditure for temporary staff (mediators) to support found venues has been incorporated into core budgets. Following advice from ACE and in response to significant budgetary pressures the number of artists within the forthcoming Biennial was reduced from 40 to 35 to ensure excellence of outcome for those artists (the overall budget against artistic production was not reduced). Future focus has been placed on working within our city context to develop long-term funded projects with communities, alongside major public realm works and festival activities.

The Biennial’s forecasts and financial projections indicate that it will continue to be able to operate within the bounds of its resources. Accordingly, after making appropriate enquiries the Board of Trustees has a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, it continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing financial statements.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Plans for future periods

The current Business Plan (2023-2026) demonstrates Biennial planning that anticipated a deficit for the 2023 Biennial and then a surplus for the 2025 Biennial. However, the 2023 Biennial operated to complete with a surplus due to tight adherence to budgets, the successful realisation of partnership income and underspend in relation to staffing and operations, due largely to unforeseen departure of staff and limited time for recruitment. Given this situation, and the impact on staff welfare the Board has agreed to allocate funding from Designated Funds towards additional staffing for the forthcoming Liverpool Biennial 2025 including an Executive Assistant and an additional Mediator Manager with additional contingency. A new mental health support system has also been initiated with Wellbeing in the Arts which will provide specific expertise to support staff and artists over the future Biennium period. As aforementioned, work has been undertaken to review and reset plans for ambition, change and growth for the Liverpool Biennial which will be implemented in the coming cycle.

Structure, governance and management

Liverpool Biennial was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 29 October 1998 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

K Soriano (Chair of Trustees) I McCarthy (Vice Chair & FHRC Chair) N Bintley (Treasurer) J Falkingham R Behari H Patel S Smith Y Tan L Pritchard C Petitgas D Heron S Groom (Appointed 22 June 2023) D Gilmore (Appointed 25 January 2024) S McGowan (Appointed 25 January 2024) C Watkiss (Appointed 7 March 2024) A Valle (Resigned 22 June 2023) C Evans (Resigned 28 June 2023)

Key management personnel of Liverpool Biennial of Contemporary Art Limited:

Samantha Lackey Director Allison Mottram Head of Finance Petra van den Houten Director of Development, Marketing and Communications Lily Mellor Director of Programme and Partnerships

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Members’ liability

Each member of the charitable company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the charitable company in the event of it being wound up while they are a member, or within one year after they cease to be a member, such amount as may be required not exceeding £10, for the debts and liabilities contracted before they ceased to be a member.

Trustees’ indemnities

Professional indemnity insurance is in place to protect Trustees and officers from negligent acts, errors or omissions occurring on Charity business.

Retirement, recruitment and training of trustees

A normal term of office for a Trustee is three years at the end of which the Trustee can either stand down or continue if re-elected for a further period of three years. The role of the Trustee is a strategic one, with day-to-day operational decisions delegated to the Executive Director. The Board and the Executive team form the key governance and management of the charity.

Board recruitment has been a key priority and one new Trustee was appointed in June 2023, with another two appointments following in January 2024 and one in March 2024. Measures have been taken to ensure that recruitment considered a spectrum of skills and experience, age, gender, race, disability, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Liverpool Biennial recruits Board members through open competition.

Following recruitment Trustees are fully inducted into the business of the Charity to provide a clear understanding of their role and responsibility as Trustee, their legal obligations under charity and company law, the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, along with understanding of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, scheme of delegation and policies and procedures underpinning the Charity’s governance arrangements.

As the UK’s largest festival of contemporary art Liverpool Biennial identifies that the Board of Trustees must represent a spectrum of skills, ages, and individuals from across the country.

An experienced Trustee and Senior Management Team improve stability and governance through prioritisation and risk management at four Board and four FHRC meetings a year, a minimum of one Away Day a year, and at fortnightly Management meetings.

Trustees have specialist expertise in disparate areas including contemporary art, law, finance, museums, development agencies, philanthropy, management, property, brand marketing and communications, public relations, digital and fundraising. Subgroups, involving Trustees, include FHRC, the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Working Group and the Environmental Sustainability Working Group. Trustees also take on specialist roles such as Whistleblowing Lead, Safeguarding Lead, and ACE reps linked to individual Investment Principles. New Trustees undertake an induction with the Chair, the Director, and members of the Senior Management Team.

The Trustees do not receive renumeration for their role but are able to reclaim their travel and accommodation expenses for Charity business.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Organisational structure

The Trustees have overall responsibility and ultimate decision-making authority for all the work of the charity. The Trustees are responsible for:

The Trustees delegate the day to day running of the organisation to the Director and Senior Management Team. The Trustees have the power to direct change where required. The Trustees delegate responsibilities to the FHRC for finance and HR matters.

Risk Management

The Trustees have a risk management strategy which is largely managed through a risk register, which is reviewed by the Management team on a bi-monthly basis, by FHRC at each meeting, with highly scored risks being reported to Board reported quarterly to Board, and in full once per annum, for scrutiny by all Trustees. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Significant external risks to funding have led to a renewed Marketing and Development strategy, which has been incorporated into the new business plan and sets out the ambition for the diversification of funding and activities. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects.

Remuneration

Liverpool Biennial believes that to attract and retain the calibre of staff we need to deliver our charitable objectives our remuneration policy should provide salaries that are competitive in our sector; be considered fair, equitable and transparent; allow for progression over time and deliver arrangements that are sustainable within the available resources.

Having reviewed the broader economic climate and the financial situation of the Liverpool Biennial, a Board decision was taken to award a 2.5% pay increase to all staff and a move to the Real Living Wage for the lowest paid members of the team. This is in line with our new Business Plan commitments to supporting and diversifying our team.

Liverpool Biennial operates its salary structure within salary bands. The remuneration arrangements for all staff are reviewed annually by the Trustees. As a charity we feel that we offer salaries that are commensurate with duties and responsibilities. The Board of Trustees has delegated responsibility for determining matters of pay and pay-related benefits to the FHRC. The Committee meets routinely each winter to agree the following year’s percentage increase and arrangements for executive pay. In agreeing the pay award, the committee considers indicators in the wider economy, what levels of award have been made by organisations the Biennial compares itself with and affordability.

Our Approach to Fundraising Activities

In the financial year the charity did not run legacy campaigns. However, the implementation of the new CRM system will allow us to improve our future ability to raise income from individuals and through campaigns. For the first time we ran an Annual Appeal and held a fundraising dinner marking the 25[th] anniversary of the organisation. The trustees were pleased to receive unsolicited gifts from patrons and supporters who generously support our artistic work.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Biennial Statement

Liverpool Biennial attracts valued financial support from a wide range of sources: cultural and regeneration bodies, the local and national business community, philanthropists and local, national and international charitable trusts and foundations. The past year has seen us continue to receive ACE National Portfolio Review funding and LCC funding. We have outlined new focus on people, place and partnership and have committed to new sustainability and D, E & I commitments alongside acknowledging further work on entrepreneurial activities to diversify income streams. We have been successful in receiving delivering work related to new funding from Art Fund and partnership working with the British Council. Additionally, we were supported by Bloomberg to develop a new website and CRM, the website of which was launched in May 2023.

As we look ahead, it will be a challenge to maintain high ambitions whilst dealing with the uncertainties of inflationary pressure on potential income sources beyond the public sector, from individual and private trusts and foundations to corporate partners and sponsors. It is expected that the wider economic landscape will have an operational, financial, and thus strategic impact in future years.

We would like to thank all our supporters, funders, and partners. Our principal funders have provided financial and collegiate support for many years, so we are particularly grateful to Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council. Our work would not happen without the many other companies, governments, organisations, and individuals who contribute to the festival and programme. A full list is available on our website.

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that DSG be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Small company provisions

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

Disclosure of information to auditor

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

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

N Bintley (Treasurer) Trustee

5 September 2024

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees, who are also the directors of Liverpool Biennial Of Contemporary Art Limited for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Liverpool Biennial Of Contemporary Art Limited (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows 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 Financial Reporting Standard 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.

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

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the 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 charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud

Based on our discussions with the charity’s management and the Trustees, we identified that the following laws and regulations are significant to the entity:

These matters were discussed amongst the engagement team at the planning stage and the team remained alert to non-compliance throughout the audit.

Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: inquiries of management and the Trustees as to whether the entity complies with such laws and regulations; enquiries with the same concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence; review of Trustee meeting minutes; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.

No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity’s controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK).

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

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

Jean Ellis BA FCA CTA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of DSG

5 September 2024

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor

Castle Chambers 43 Castle Street Liverpool L2 9TL

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Current financial Current financial year
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds
2024 2024 2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 3 1,021,374 - 1,021,374 1,039,447
Charitable activities 4 314,921 285,130 600,051 559,081
Investments 5 18,704 - 18,704 1,941
Total income 1,354,999 285,130 1,640,129 1,600,469
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 6 96,214 - 96,214 117,675
Charitable activities 7 1,250,523 535,817 1,786,340 977,368
Total expenditure 1,346,737 535,817 1,882,554 1,095,043
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers 8,262 (250,687) (242,425) 505,426
Gross transfers between funds (141,965) 141,965 - -
Net (expenditure)/income for the year/
Net movement in funds (133,703) (108,722) (242,425) 505,426
Reconciliation of funds
Fund balances at 1 April 2023 1,169,548 317,891 1,487,439 982,013
Fund balances at 31 March 2024 1,035,845 209,169 1,245,014 1,487,439

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Prior financial year

Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds
2023 2023 2023
Notes £ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 3 1,029,447 10,000 1,039,447
Charitable activities 4 138,266 420,815 559,081
Investments 5 1,941 - 1,941
Total income 1,169,654 430,815 1,600,469
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 6 117,675 - 117,675
Charitable activities 7 781,047 196,321 977,368
Total expenditure 898,722 196,321 1,095,043
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers 270,932 234,494 505,426
Net (expenditure)/income for the year/
Net movement in funds 270,932 234,494 505,426
Reconciliation of funds
Fund balances at 1 April 2022 898,616 83,397 982,013
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 1,169,548 317,891 1,487,439

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

2024 2024 2023 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 12 7,945 16,704
Current assets
Debtors 13 333,201 237,498
Cash at bank and in hand 956,887 1,342,513
1,290,088 1,580,011
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year 14 (53,019) (109,276)
Net current assets 1,237,069 1,470,735
Total assets less current liabilities 1,245,014 1,487,439
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds 16 209,169 317,891
Designated funds 17 112,932 162,932
General unrestricted funds 922,913 1,006,616
Total unrestricted funds 1,035,845 1,169,548
Total charity funds 1,245,014 1,487,439

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

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 5 September 2024

N Bintley (Treasurer)

Trustee

Company registration number 03659361

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2024 2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash (absorbed by)/generated from 21
operations (404,084) 389,660
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (246) (23,342)
Investment income received 18,704 1,941
Net cash generated from/(used in)
investing activities 18,458 (21,401)
Net cash used in financing activities - -
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents (385,626) 368,259
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,342,513 974,254
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 956,887 1,342,513

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Liverpool Biennial Of Contemporary Art Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 55 New Bird Street, Liverpool, L1 0BW.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds relate to income received or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose. Income and expenditure is allocated to the general fund in accordance with the policies set out below. Unexpended funds are carried forward to future periods.

Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.

Restricted funds relate to all income received where the donor has specified its use. Related expenditure is also allocated to restricted funds.

1.4 Income

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (the SOFA) when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief is recorded, in relation to the Biennial it relates to, once the full amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Grants received towards running costs are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when conditions for receipt have been met. Where a grant is received relating to a future accounting period, the income is deferred until that period.

Grants towards capital expenditure are released to the profit and loss account over the expected useful life of the assets.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Leasehold improvements Over the term of the lease Office equipment 33% per annum straight line Computer Equipment 33% per annum straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Taxation

The charity benefits from various exemptions from taxation afforded by tax legislation and is not liable to corporation tax on qualifying income or gains falling within those exemptions.

The charity is able to partially recover Value Added Tax. Expenditure that is not recoverable by the charity is recorded in the accounts inclusive of VAT.

1.11 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.12 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.13 Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’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 where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Donations and gifts
17,238		 - 17,238 13,835 10,000 23,835
Grants receivable for core
activities
1,004,136		 - 1,004,136 1,015,612 - 1,015,612
1,021,374 - 1,021,374 1,029,447 10,000 1,039,447
Grants receivable for core activities
Arts Council England
766,361		 - 766,361 766,361 - 766,361
Liverpool City Council
201,275		 - 201,275 212,751 - 212,751
Other
36,500		 - 36,500 36,500 - 36,500
1,004,136 - 1,004,136 1,015,612 - 1,015,612

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Restricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Charitable activities
Income within charitable
activities 17,051 - 17,051 5,369 - 5,369
Performance related
grants 9,425 285,130 294,555 100,310 420,815 521,125
Museums and Galleries
Tax Relief 288,445 - 288,445 18,677 - 18,677
Other income - - - 13,910 - 13,910
314,921 285,130 600,051 138,266 420,815 559,081
5 Income from investments
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Interest receivable 18,704 1,941
6 Expenditure on raising funds
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Fundraising and publicity
Staff costs 96,214 117,675

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7 Expenditure on charitable activities

Charitable Charitable
Charitable
Charitable
activities activities
2024 2023
£ £
Direct costs
Staff costs 563,957 383,275
Premises costs 81,270 63,643
Artist fees 146,035 35,795
Print, post and stationery 1,415 913
Telephone 1,323 1,028
Travelling 8,255 11,335
Legal and professional fees 18,446 9,887
Training 14,939 11,065
International exhibition costs 703,962 294,604
Marketing 132,887 43,847
1,672,489 855,392
Share of support and governance costs (see note 8)
Support 31,990 38,675
Governance 81,861 83,301
1,786,340 977,368
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 1,250,523 781,047
Restricted funds 535,817 196,321
1,786,340 977,368
Charitable
Total
activities
2024 2023
£ £
Staff costs 22,985 28,831
Depreciation 9,005 9,844
Governance 81,861 83,301
113,851 121,976

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

8 Support costs allocated to activities (Continued)
2024 2023
Governance costs comprise: £ £
Staff costs 71,581 75,876
Audit fees 8,540 7,425
Other taxation costs 1,740 -
81,861 83,301

9 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration from the charity during the year (2023: £nil).

None of the trustees were reimbursed expenses during the year (2023: one trustee reimbursed £143 relating to travel costs).

10 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024 2023
Number Number
Activities in furtherance of the charity's objects 18 12
Managing and administering the charity 4 4
Total 22 16
Employment costs 2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 681,763 537,327
Social security costs 44,649 41,123
Other pension costs 28,325 27,207
754,737 605,657
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000
is as follows:
2024 2023
Number Number
£60,001 to £70,000 1 1

Contributions totalling £15,885 (2023: £17,178) were made to defined contribution pension schemes on behalf of employees whose emoluments exceed £60,000.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

10 Employees

(Continued)

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Aggregate compensation 240,421 233,489

11 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

12 Tangible fixed assets

12 Tangible fixed assets
Leasehold Office Computer Total
improvements equipment Equipment
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2023 124,067 19,900 25,011 168,978
Additions - - 246 246
Disposals - - (3,591) (3,591)
At 31 March 2024 124,067 19,900 21,666 165,633
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2023 124,067 7,076 21,131 152,274
Depreciation charged in the year - 6,412 2,593 9,005
Eliminated in respect of disposals - - (3,591) (3,591)
At 31 March 2024 124,067 13,488 20,133 157,688
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024 - 6,412 1,533 7,945
At 31 March 2023 - 12,824 3,880 16,704
13 Debtors
2024 2023
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Other debtors 330,593 230,973
Prepayments and accrued income 2,608 6,525
333,201 237,498

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Other taxation and social security 4,172 15,743
Trade creditors 33,119 51,562
Other creditors 5,094 35,152
Accruals and deferred income 10,634 6,819
53,019 109,276
15 Retirement benefit schemes
2024 2023
Defined contribution schemes £ £
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes 28,325 27,207

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

16 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

Movement in funds Movement in funds Movement in funds Movement in funds
Balance at Incoming Resources Balance at Incoming Resources Transfers Balance at
1 April 2022 resources expended 1 April 2023 resources expended 31 March 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Creative Europe 7,471 45,037 (52,508) - - - - -
The Liverpool Bid Company 67,593 55,882 (77,112) 46,363 - (57,805) 19,157 7,715
Art Fund - 52,616 (500) 52,116 6,957 (59,073) - -
British Council - 16,035 (500) 15,535 75,257 (70,830) 16,360 36,322
Ministry of Taiwan - - - - 29,167 (29,167) - -
Phileas Contemporary Art Fund - - - - 14,059 (16,976) 2,917 -
Liverpool John Moores University 8,333 - (6,860) 1,473 - - (1,473) -
Paul Hamlyn - 76,500 - 76,500 76,500 (12,040) - 140,960
Sevenstore - 15,000 - 15,000 - (9,209) (5,791) -
Liverpool One - 10,000 (305) 9,695 - (12,788) 3,093 -
Italian Ministry of Culture - 23,003 - 23,003 25,046 (66,357) 18,308 -
Bloomberg - 100,000 (53,915) 46,085 25,000 (46,913) - 24,172
Galerie Lelong & Co - 10,000 - 10,000 - (12,665) 2,665 -
Other items below £10,000 - 26,742 (4,621) 22,121 33,144 (141,994) 86,729 -
83,397 430,815 (196,321) 317,891 285,130 (535,817) 141,965 209,169

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

16 Restricted funds

(Continued)

Creative Europe: Perennial Biennial collaborative organisational development and research grant

The Liverpool Bid Company: Delivery of public realm strategy through implementing a programme of contemporary art in the BID district; also included an amount for the repair of "Hummingbird Clock", an artwork in the BID District which was commissioned by LB and BID in 2016.

Art Fund: To make Liverpool Biennial 2023 more accessible, through additional measures for d/Deaf, Neurodivergent and Disabled artists alongside creation of an Access Liasion Officer role and to contribute to 3 ediator roles at Liverpool Biennial 2023.

British Council: To present Unmute at Liverpool Biennial 2023 and to host an international delegation of curators in the UK.

Ministry of Taiwan: To present Taiwanese contemporary art by Eleng Lualang

Phileas Biennale: To present Belinda Kazeem-Kaminski

Liverpool John Moores University: Programme of Digital Art commissions in partnership with LSAD/IAT.

Paul Hamlyn: To support multi-year commitments to d/Deaf, Neurodivergent artists and communities from 2023-2025

Sevenstore: To support Artist Bursaries at Liverpool Biennial 2023

Liverpool One: To present Rudy Loewe at Liverpool Biennial 2023

Italian Ministry of Culture: To present Binta Diaw at Liverpool Biennial 2023.

Bloomberg: Digital Accelerator programme to support new website and CRM.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

16 Restricted funds

(Continued)

Included within the items less than £10,000 in 2024 are the following:

Transfers

Liverpool Biennial has targets for the whole festival and two-year biennial cycle. Fundraised restricted income is often awarded on the basis that we contribute other funds to it including the staff time to deliver the project. This results in the transfer of funds shown above and does not denote a project overspend.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

17 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 April Incoming
Resources
Resources		 Transfers At 31 March At 31 March
2023 resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Public realm works 49,532 - - - 49,532
Sustainability and resillience 113,400 - - (50,000) 63,400
General funds 1,006,616 1,354,999 (1,346,737) (91,965) 922,913
1,169,548 1,354,999 (1,346,737) (141,965) 1,035,845
Previous year: At 1 April Incoming
Resources		 Transfers At 31 March
2022 resources expended 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Public realm works 49,532 - - - 49,532
Sustainability and resillience 113,400 - - - 113,400
General funds 735,684 1,169,654 (898,722) - 1,006,616
898,616 1,169,654 (898,722) - 1,169,548

Public realm works fund – to provide funding for the continuation of Liverpool Biennial public realm works or fund their decommissioning.

Sustainability and resilience fund – this relates to establishing initiatives that will make step changes in the sustainability and resilience of Liverpool Biennial.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

18 Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**Total **		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
funds funds funds funds funds funds
2024 2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are represented
by:
Tangible assets 7,945 - - 7,945 16,704 - - 16,704
Current assets/(liabilities) 914,968 112,932 209,169 1,237,069 989,912 162,932 317,891 1,470,735
922,913 112,932 209,169 1,245,014 1,006,616 162,932 317,891 1,487,439

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

19 Operating lease commitments

Lessee

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Within one year 18,239 18,731
Between two and five years 13,985 32,223
32,224 50,954

20 Related party transactions

Transactions with related parties

There were no other disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023: none).

21 Cash generated from operations
Cash generated from operations 2024 2023
£ £
(Deficit)/surpus for the year (242,425) 505,426
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities (18,704) (1,941)
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets 9,005 9,844
Movements in working capital:
(Increase) in debtors (95,703)
(193,545)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (56,257) 69,876
Cash (absorbed by)/generated from operations (404,084) 389,660

22 Company limited by guarantee

Liverpool Biennial Of Contemporary Art Limited is incorporated under the Companies Act as a company limited by guarantee. the liability of the members is limited to £10.