THE AMATEURS TRUST DATED 30 JUNE 1999
REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1076369
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
THE AMATEURS TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ Report | 1 - 6 |
| Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities | 7 |
| Report of the Independent Auditor | 8 - 10 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 11 |
| Balance Sheet | 12 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 13 |
| Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows | 14 |
| Notes forming part of the Financial Statements | 15 - 20 |
THE AMATEURS TRUST
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Official Charity Name: | The Amateurs Trust |
|---|---|
| Registered Charity Number: | 1076369 |
| Principal Office Address: | 53 Bowbrook Vale, Wigmore Park |
| Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 8SY | |
| Trustees: | Mrs Zewen Alford |
| Mrs Pamela Marjorie Brown | |
| Dr Philip Alford | |
| Mr Terence Ilott (deceased 24 May 2025) | |
| Mr Martin Pollock (appointed 1 August 2025) | |
| Administrator: | Mrs Pamela Marjorie Brown |
| Main Bank Account: | Lloyds Bank plc |
| PO Box 13, 60 George Street | |
| Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 2BB | |
| Accountants: | Moore Family Office Limited |
| 42 Berkeley Square | |
| London W1J 5AW | |
| Independent Auditor: | R E Jones & Co |
| 132 Burnt Ash Road | |
| Lee, London SE12 8PU | |
| Investment Managers: | Quilter Cheviot |
| 28/30 The Parade, St Helier | |
| Jersey JE4 8TE | |
| BNY Mellon Fund Managers Limited | |
| The Bank of New York Mellon Centre | |
| 160 Queen Victoria Street | |
| London EC4V 4LA | |
| Evelyn Partners | |
| 45 Gresham Street, London | |
| EC2V 7BG |
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2025
The Trustees present their report for the year ended 5 April 2025 under the Charities Act 2011, together with the financial statements for the year, and confirm that they comply with the requirements of the Act, the Trust Deed 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 (FRS102) effective 1 January 2015.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Amateurs Trust is an unincorporated registered Charity, which was established by Ian Carrodus Hutcheon under a governing Deed of Trust dated 30 June 1999. The Trustees are very sad to report that Terence Ilott passed away on 24 May 2025. The Trustees are very grateful for the dedicated service and time that Terence provided to the Trust during his time as a Trustee. Zewen Alford is an original Trustee and Dr Philip Ramsey Alford and Pamela Marjorie Brown were subsequently appointed on 14 November 2002 and Martin Pollock was appointed as an additional Trustee on 1 August 2025. The four Trustees are considered to be the Key Management Personnel of the Trust and are actively involved in the administration.
The minimum number of Trustees, required by the governing Deed, is three. Trustees serve an indefinite term based on their relative experience and contribution to the Trust as a whole. On the agreement of all existing Trustees, a new Trustee may be recruited. In selecting new Trustees the existing Trustees take into account the benefits of appointing a person who through residence, occupation, employment or otherwise has special knowledge of the area of benefit or who is otherwise able, by virtue of his or her personal professional qualifications to make a contribution to the pursuit of the objects or the management of the Trust. The Trustees keep the skill requirements of the Trustee body under review and in the event that a Trustee retires, or additional new Trustees are required, the existing Trustees collectively discuss the change.
The background to the Trust is provided to the prospective new Trustee before appointment and further information is then shared at the regular Trustees' meetings throughout the year. This information includes a brief history of the Trust, a copy of the previous year's financial statements, a copy of the previous Trustees' Minutes, and a copy of the governing Trust Deed. There is no formal induction or training of new Trustees, however the Trustees attend charity Trustee training/information workshops and online briefings to upgrade their skills and knowledge when possible.
The Trustees meet regularly throughout the year and agree the broad strategy and areas of activity for the Trust, including consideration of grant making, investment, reserves and risk management policies and performance. The day to day administration of grants and the processing and handling of applications prior to the consideration of the Trustees is shared by the Trustees.
All Trustees give of their time freely and no Trustee remuneration was paid in the year. Details of Trustee expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in note 6 to the accounts. Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests and in accordance with the Trust's policy withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises.
During the year the Trustees have continued to assess and, where necessary, refine the governance of the trust and the policies that are in place. The Trustees have a conflict of interest policy and have investment policies with each investment manager together with an overall investment policy for the Trust. Going forward the Trustees will continue to monitor and adapt their policies in the best interests of the Trust.
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Risk Management
The Trustees are responsible for the management of the risks faced by the Trust. Risks are identified and assessed, and controls are established throughout the year. A formal review of the Trust's risk management process is undertaken on an annual basis. The key controls used by the Trust include formal agendas and minutes for all Trustee meetings, comprehensive planning, budgeting and accounting and clear authorisation and approval levels of all grants and other expenditure.
Through the risk management processes established, the Trustees are satisfied that the major risks identified have been adequately managed. The major risks identified by the Trustees are financial, being the volatility of investment returns on the managed portfolios and the proper use of the grants given by the Trust each year.
Objects, Objectives and Principal Activities for the Public Benefit
The Trust’s objects are::
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To further the advancement of the education of the general public particularly in matters of historical, artistic, geographical and scientific interest;
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The relief of poverty, distress and hardship;
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The provision of relief for the elderly, sick or disabled;
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The provision of medical and health services to relieve sickness and protect and preserve public health, and
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Generally for such purposes or objects which are from time to time recognised as exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objectives in planning future activities and setting the grant making policy for the year.
The Trust fulfils its objectives through its donations, in particular by:
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providing funding to charitable causes in Luton, Bedfordshire, North Hertfordshire and Dorset, in particular for purposes related to health, education and the relief of hardship;
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providing donations to projects through other registered UK charities which provide research, support and care for the benefit of the public as a whole;
Grant Making Policy
The Trust has established its grant making policy to achieve its objectives for the benefit of the public.
In making decisions on applications for funding, Trustees consider factors including the expected outcomes of projects, the beneficiaries, and organisations’ governance arrangements and financial viability. The Trustees request regular reports from the recipients of their donations to provide details of how the grants have been allocated and spent. Grants are only continued where the applicant provides sufficient relevant information to the Trustees and satisfies the Trustees that continuation of funding is in the interests of the Trust. In the case of local projects, these may be monitored personally by a Trustee or Trustees, for example through visits to projects and meetings with organisations.
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Achievements and Performance
A summary of the year’s results and performance is given on page 11 of the accounts.
The Trust's charitable donations in the year continued to focus on health, education and relief of hardship and disadvantage. Grants were made to causes in Luton, Bedfordshire, north Hertfordshire and Dorset, as well as nationally-based organisations. In the area of medicine and health, including mental health, donations continued support for the work of Keech Hospice, CHUMS, Tilehouse Counselling, Autism Bedfordshire, and Mummy’s Star. It provided a new grant to Changing Faces, a charity providing advice and support for people with a visible difference, to Luton & Dunstable Hospital Charitable Fund to help fund a dementia coordinator, and to MS Therapy Centre to provide funding for an exercise therapist, .
In the Bedfordshire/North Hertfordshire area, the Trust continued its support for the Luton-based youth charity Youthscape, for Azalea, for Level Trust, and for the work of STEP in Hertfordshire schools. It provided new grants to Crohns & Colitis for their work carried out in Bedfordshire, Luton Safe at Home Scheme to support their work with child home safety checks and free safety equipment for families with children under five living in Luton, Youth Talk, a charity in St Albans providing free counselling for young people, and to Families United Network, a charity providing programmes and activities for young people in Luton who have disabilities or complex needs. In Dorset, the Trust provided further support for the work of Poole Waste Not Want Not, and for Relate. It provided new grants for The Crumbs Project which helps to support adults with disabilities and mental health issues, The Drop In based in Portland providing activities for young people, and Wessex Cancer Support helping provide support and wellbeing for people and families affected by cancer. The Trust also made donations towards grant programmes managed by Community Foundations in Bedfordshire and Dorset.
The Trustees try to predict the forthcoming year's annual income so that they can plan the level of grants for each financial year. The income for the year was £14,567 higher than last year and the Trustees distributed 100% of the income by way of charitable activities. In light of advice from their investment advisors (Asset Risk Consultants) and their investment managers, the Trustees are satisfied that the level of investment income and performance of assets represents an appropriate return on funds. Over the twelve months ended 31 March 2025 the Amateurs Trust aggregate portfolio returned 3.0% (year ended 31 March 2024: 10.7%) in comparison to the Benchmark and ARC Charity Steady Growth peer group returns of 3.5% and 2.7% respectively (year ended 31 March 2024: 13.6% and 9.4%) against a more volatile equity backdrop. The lead up and release of the ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs on the 2[nd] April led to uncertainty in markets. Forwarding looking sentiment indicators slumped in March, as uncertainty over prices consumed the US. This uncertainty was mirrored in the bond markets as continued increases in government borrowing and sticky inflation worried lenders. World Equity returned 5.1%, driven by the US equity return of 4.7%. Meanwhile UK equity returned 8.1%, Emerging markets returned 2.2% and Chinese equity returned 18.5%. UK bond markets returned 3.2%, Crude oil declined 25.1% and broad commodities declined 3.6%. There remains significant concentration in equity markets with US mega tech stocks making up more than 20% of the MSCI World Index.
Financial Review (including Reserves Policy)
The Trust is reliant on the income from its investments. The Trust’s income during the year ended 5 April 2025 comprised investment income and bank interest amounting to £285,705 (year ended 5 April 2024: £271,138). The Trustees allocated the income from the Unrestricted Fund for donations as follows:
General Charitable Causes
£285,705
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Financial Review (including Reserves Policy) (continued)
The grant administration costs of the Trust for the year ended 5 April 2025 were £17,951 (year ended 5 April 2024: £18,571). The Trustees report no income deficit or surplus, before other recognised gains and losses, for the year ended 5 April 2025 (year ended 5 April 2024: deficit of £41,549).
The Trustees have a written reserves policy and aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which is sufficient to distribute the Trust Fund to charitable causes for the year whilst retaining capital for the maintenance and growth of the Fund. The income generated, from the cash held by the Trust and also by the investments under management, all form part of the reserves.
Investment Policy and Performance
The charitable Trust Deed confers upon the Trustees wide powers of investment, in all respects, as if they were absolute owners beneficially entitled to the underlying assets. At present the Trust's funds comprise listed securities (investment portfolios held with three separate investment managers) and cash.
Trust monies requiring investment under the Trust may be invested in the purchase of such stocks, funds, shares, securities or other investments of whatsoever nature as the Trustees shall in their absolute discretion think fit. The Trustees shall have the same full and unrestricted powers of investing and converting investments in all other respects as if they were absolutely entitled to the Trust Fund beneficially.
The Trustees' policy is to invest the funds available in a secure market, endeavouring to obtain a reasonable income, compatible with protection of the capital value involved and taking into account inflationary factors. With this in mind the Trustees have employed the services of Quilter Cheviot, Bank of New York Mellon and Evelyn Partners to act for them on a professional basis. The balance of funds are held in cash and are placed on a deposit account. The Trustees current investment policy, which had previously been put in place following the advice of Asset Risk Consultants (ARC), has a target rate of return of UK CPI +3%.
The Trustees monitor the performance of the investments held by the Trust in line with their short and long term aims and objectives, as well as undertaking regular reviews with the investment managers at the Trustees' meetings throughout the financial year. The Trustees have engaged with Asset Risk Consultants (ARC) to help monitor the performance of the investments and the various components making up the portfolios which are split between the three investment managers. The aggregate portfolio has continued to perform well since inception, in September 2009, with annualised returns of 8.0% (to 5 April 2024: 7.8%). This has outpaced the UK CPI+3% target, which has generated an annualised return of 7.4% over the same period. The Target was changed from UK CPI+4% to UK CPI+3% in September 2023.
Investments are shown at fair value rather than book cost in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting by Charities. In the year to 5 April 2025, the Trust made unrealised losses on listed investments of £543,118 (year ended 5 April 2024 gains of: £453,112) and a realised gain of £365,825 (year ended 5 April 2024: £440,397).
The Trustees confirm that the Trust's assets are sufficient to fulfil its obligations in respect of unrestricted funds and that all investments held by them on behalf of the Trust have been acquired in accordance with the powers available to them under the Trust Deed.
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Plans for the Future
The Trustees will continue to aim to distribute the income of the Fund whilst maintaining the capital of the Fund. The incoming resources available for charitable purposes for the next year (to 5 April 2026) are expected to be similar to the current year.
The Amateurs Trust is a lasting testimony to the generosity and philanthropic concerns of the Settlor, the late Ian Carrodus Hutcheon. The Trustees will continue to direct the Charity's funds to general charitable causes which they think fit as laid out in the Deed of Trust. The Accounts
The Trustees are satisfied with the financial position of the Trust and confirm that they have adequate assets available to fulfil their obligations.
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All cash is held on an interest bearing bank account except for a small working balance which is held on a current account.
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The accounts comply with current statutory requirements.
Approved by the Trustees on 14 January 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Mrs Zewen Alford
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Trust and of the income and expenditure of the Trust for that period. In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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observe the methods and principles in 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 (FRS102);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Trust and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with relevant legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The Amateurs Trust (the 'charity') for the year ended 5 April 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 5 April 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
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. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
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 trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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sufficient accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the directors' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
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.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud
The objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud or error; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud or error; and to respond appropriately to those risks.
Based on our understanding of the charity and industry, and through discussion with the trustees and other managers (as required by auditing standards), we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to health and safety, anti-bribery and employment law. We considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Charities Act, Charities SORP (FRS 102), taxation and pension legislation. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alter to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. We evaluated management's incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls) and determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries to increase revenue or reduce expenditure and management bias in accounting estimates. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
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Discussions with Trustee’s and assessment of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations (including health and safety) and fraud; and
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Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls that management has in place to prevent and detect fraud; and
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Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships, including related party transactions that may indicate risks of material misstatements due to fraud; and
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Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any manual entries made ate year-end for financial statement preparation.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed noncompliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity's members, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity'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 charity and the charity's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Stephen Jones (Senior Auditor) For and on behalf of R E Jones & Co Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 132 Burnt Ash Road London SE12 8PU
Date: 26 January 2026
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| Note Income from: Investments 2 Accrued Income Scheme Total Expenditure on: Raising funds: Investment Management costs Charitable activities 4 Other resources expended 5 Total Net (Expenditure) before Net Gains on Investments Net (losses)/gains on investments 7 Realised gain/(loss) on currency Net Income/(Expenditure) and Net Movement in Funds Reconciliation of Funds: Total Funds brought forward at 6 April 2024 Total Funds carried forward at 5 April 2025 £ |
Income Capital Unrestricted Account Account Funds 2024 £ £ £ £ 285,705 - 285,705 272,822 - - (1,684) 285,705 - 285,705 271,138 - 60,025 60,025 52,337 285,705 342,786 628,491 589,356 - 3,166 3,166 2,838 285,705 405,977 691,682 644,531 - (405,977) (405,977) (373,393) - (175,482) (175,482) 893,509 - (243) (243) (229) - (581,702) (581,702) 519,887 - 12,631,121 12,631,121 12,111,234 - £12,049,419 £12,049,419 £12,631,121 |
|---|---|
All the above funds are unrestricted. The notes on pages 15 to 20 form part of these accounts.
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 5 APRIL 2025
| Note Fixed Assets Investments 7 Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors & Prepayments 8 Cash at bank Cash with Investment Managers Current Liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 9 Net Current Assets Net Assets Represented by the Funds of the Charity Unrestricted Funds Income Account Capital Account Net Assets |
2025 £ £ 11,727,542 11,727,542 293 241,637 163,431 405,361 83,484 321,877 £12,049,419 - 12,049,419 £12,049,419 |
2024 £ £ 12,328,649 12,328,649 3,685 234,770 153,318 391,773 89,301 302,472 £12,631,121 - 12,631,121 £12,631,121 |
|---|---|---|
Approved and signed by the Trustees on 14 January 2026
Mrs Zewen Alford Dr Philip Alford
Mrs Pamela Brown
Mr Martin Pollock
The notes on pages 15 to 20 form part of these accounts.
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Net cash used in operating activities (Note 1) | (694,107) |
(574,126) |
||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||
| Interest received | 16,219 | 18,234 | ||
| Investment income received | 269,486 | 254,588 | ||
| Foreign exchange | (243) | (229) | ||
| Payments to acquire investments | (2,096,415) | (3,208,838) | ||
| Receipts from the disposal of investments | 2,522,040 |
3,304,751 |
||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 711,087 |
368,506 |
||
| Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year | 16,980 | (205,620) | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents brought forward | 388,088 |
593,708 |
||
| Cash and cash equivalent carried forward | £ | 405,068 |
£ | 388,088 |
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities
| 2025 £ Net movement in funds for the reporting period (as per the statement of financial activities) (583,513) Adjustments for: Net losses/(gains) on investments 177,293 Net losses/(gains) on foreign exchange 243 Interest (16,219) Investment income (269,486) Decrease/(increase) in debtors 3,392 (Decrease)/increase in creditors (5,817) £ (694,107) £ 2. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds 2025 £ Balance at 6 April 2024 388,088 Net cash inflow/(outflow) 16,980 Balance at 5 April 2025 £ 405,068 £ 3. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents 2025 £ Cash held by investment managers 163,431 Cash at bank and in hand 241,637 £ 405,068 £ |
2024 £ 519,887 (893,509) 229 (18,234) (254,588) (576) 72,665 (574,126) 2024 £ 593,708 (205,620) 388,088 2024 £ 153,318 234,770 388,088 |
|---|---|
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1. PRINCPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Basis of Accounting
These accounts have been prepared for the year to 5 April 2025. The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The Trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.
(b) Assessment of Going Concern
The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The Trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of one year from the date of approval of these accounts.
At the year end the Trust had positive unrestricted reserves. The Trustees believe that the Trust's financial statements should be prepared on a going concern basis on the grounds that the Trust has sufficient liquid resources and that the Trustees have the power under the Trust Deed to utilise the expendable capital account for charitable purposes at their discretion if required.
The Trustees have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Trust to continue as a going concern. The Trustees are of the opinion that the Trust will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due. The most significant areas of judgement that affect items in the accounts are detailed above. With regard to the next accounting period, the year ending April 2025, the most significant areas that affect the carrying value of the assets held by the Trust are the level of investment return and the performance of the investment markets (see the investment policy and the risk management sections of the Trustees' report for more information).
(c) Fixed Asset Investment
Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The Trust does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.
As noted above the main form of financial risk faced by the Trust is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT’D)
(c) Fixed Asset Investment (cont’d)
Realised gains (or losses) on investment assets are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value at that date. Realised and unrealised investment gains (or losses) are combined in the statement of financial activities and are credited (or debited) in the year in which they arise.
(d) Debtors
Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.
(e) Cash at Bank and in Hand
Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition.
(f) Creditors and Provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the Trust anticipates it will pay to settle the debt.
(g) Income Recognition
All income is recognised in the period in which the Trust is entitled to receipt, the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty, and it is probable that the income will be received.
Dividends and interest from listed investments, including associated tax credits, are credited to the statement of financial activities when they are receivable by the Trust. Bank interest is credited to the statement of financial activities when it is receivable by the Trust.
(h) Expenditure Recognition
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings.
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT’D)
(h) Expenditure Recognition (cont’d)
Expenditure is included in the statement of financial activities when incurred and includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered. The costs of raising funds comprise those costs directly attributable to managing the Trust's investment portfolio and raising investment income.
Charitable activities comprise grants payable in pursuance of the objectives of the Trust and in meeting the costs of administering the donations. Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is conveyed to the recipient except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching to them are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end, are noted as commitments but not accrued as expenditure in the accounts. Charitable activities also comprise governance costs which include costs which are directly attributable to legal procedures necessary for compliance with statutory requirements.
(i) Funds Added
Funds added to the Trust are credited to the capital account when receivable.
(j) Unrestricted Funds
The Trust has two unrestricted funds which are capital and income. It is the Trustees intention that income is to be applied to or for the benefit of exclusively such objects or purposes as are for the time being charitable in law and that the capital account may be applied in the same manner as far as necessary.
(k) Taxation
The Trust is a registered charity under the Charities Act 2011 and is not liable to UK income, corporation or capital gains tax on its income and chargeable gains as these fall within the various exemptions available to registered charities.
Irrecoverable VAT has been charged to the accounts in line with the expense to which it relates and is not disclosed separately.
2. INVESTMENT INCOME
| INVESTMENT INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Gross bank interest | 16,219 | 18,234 |
| Income from listed securities | 269,486 | 254,588 |
£ 285,705 |
£ 272,822 |
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
3. ANALYSIS OF GRANT ADMINISTRATION & GOVERNANCE COSTS
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||||||
| Grant administration: | ||||||||
| Moore Family Office Group – Accounting | 8,970 | 9,600 | ||||||
| Asset Risk Consultants | 8,000 | 8,000 | ||||||
| Indemnity insurance | 951 | 941 | ||||||
| Other expenses | 30 | 30 | ||||||
| Total Grant Administration Costs (note | 4) | 17,951 | 18,571 | |||||
| Governance costs: | ||||||||
| R E Jones & Co – Audit Fee (note 4) | 3,360 | 3,300 | ||||||
| Total Governance Costs (note 4) | 3,360 | 3,300 |
||||||
| Total Costs | £ |
21,311 | £ |
21,871 | ||||
| 4. | EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | |||||||
| Total | Total | |||||||
| Income | Capital | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Donations (note 10) | 276,018 | 331,162 | 607,180 |
567,485 | ||||
| Grant administration costs (note 3) | 8,160 | 9,791 | 17,951 |
18,571 | ||||
| Governance costs (note 3) | 1,527 |
1,833 | 3,360 |
3,300 | ||||
| £ | 285,705 | £ 342,786 | £ 628,491 |
£ | 589,356 | |||
| 5. | OTHER RESOURCES EXPENDED | |||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| £ | £ | |||||||
| Storage costs | 3,166 | 2,838 | ||||||
| Total | £ |
3,166 | £ |
2,838 |
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
6. INFORMATION REGARDING TRUSTEES, KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND RELATED PARTIES
The Trust considers its key management personnel to be all of the Trustees.
The Trust had no employees. None of the Trustees received any remuneration during the year.
No charges have been made to the charity during the year ended 5 April 2025 for the work carried out as trustee by Martin Pollock who is a senior manager of Moore Family Office Limited. Moore Family Office charged professional fees of £7,475 plus VAT during the year to 30 June 2025.
Trustees were reimbursed with expenses during the year of £NIL (year ended 5 April 2024: £NIL).
The Trustees have purchased indemnity insurance during this reporting period.
7. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
The portfolios are structured to provide a wide range of diversification to protect the Trust’s assets, and to produce a balance of income and capital growth in accordance with benchmarks agreed with each investment advisor.
Investments: Listed on a recognised Stock Exchange
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Fair value brought forward at 6 April 2024 | 12,328,649 | 11,531,053 |
| Additions | 2,096,415 | 3,208,838 |
| Disposals | (2,522,040) | (3,304,751) |
| 11,903,024 | 11,435,140 | |
| Unrealised (loss)/gain | (541,307) | 453,112 |
| Realised gain | 365,825 | 440,397 |
| Fair Value carried forward at 5 April 2025 | £11,727,542 | £12,328,649 |
The following investments represent more than 5% of the total portfolio fair value:
| Newtons Global Growth & Income Fund for Charities | 43.85% | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEBTORS & PREPAYMENTS | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Quilter – outstanding dividends | - | 3,444 | |||
| Safestore – prepayment | 293 | 241 | |||
£ |
293 | £ |
3,685 |
8. DEBTORS & PREPAYMENTS
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THE AMATEURS TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| 9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 £ Asset Risk Consultants 2,000 Moore Family Office Limited – Accountancy Fees 900 R E Jones & Co. – Audit Fees 3,360 Donations payable 66,000 Quilter – Investment Management Fees 11,224 £ 83,484 £ 10. DONATIONS 2025 Age Concern Luton - Autism Bedfordshire 5,000 Azalea 26,000 Bedfordshire & Northants MS Therapy Centre - Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation 66,000 Changing Faces 30,000 CHUMS 45,000 Community Interest Luton (LETS) - Crohns & Colitis 5,000 Dorset Community Foundation 75,000 Families United Network 5,000 Keech Hospice 50,000 Luton & Dunstable Hospital Charitable Fund 46,000 Level Trust 25,000 MS Therapy Centre 15,000 Mummy’s Star 15,000 MYTIME - Poole Waste Not Want Not 30,000 Refugee Support Europe - Relationship & Family Therapy Relate (formerly Relate - Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch) 10,000 Safe at Home Scheme 15,000 STEP 20,000 The Crumbs Project 13,680 The Drop In 30,000 Tilehouse Counselling 20,000 Wessex Cancer Support 10,500 Youth Talk 15,000 Youthscape 35,000 Total Donations (note 4) £ 607,180 £ |
2024 £ 4,000 1,800 6,420 66,000 11,081 89,301 2024 25,000 5,000 36,000 15,000 66,000 15,000 60,000 17,750 - 60,000 5,000 50,000 - 25,000 - 17,735 40,000 15,000 15,000 10,000 - 20,000 - - 20,000 - 15,000 35,000 567,485 |
|---|---|
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