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2024-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1082163

Company registration number 03963387 (England and Wales)

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

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

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Mr P Tomlin (Interim Chair) Mr D Aslan Mr R Cooke Dr G Hutton Mr T Jagger Ms A Kershaw Ms L Li Ms E Polychroniadou Ms M Rudd Chief executive officer Ms L J Chilton Charity number 1082163 Company number 03963387 Registered address 27 Old Gloucester Street Holborn London WC1N 3AX Independent examiner Rogers Spencer Newstead House Pelham Rd Nottingham NG5 1AP Bankers TSB 11 Low Pavement Nottingham NG1 7DQ

(Appointed 7 November 2023) (Appointed 7 November 2023) (Appointed 7 November 2023)

(Appointed 7 November 2023) (Appointed 7 November 2023) (Appointed 7 November 2023)

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

CONTENTS

Page
Introduction 1
Trustees' report 2 - 7
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities 8
Independent examiner's report 9
Statement of financial activities 10
Balance sheet 11
Notes to the financial statements 13 - 27

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

INTRODUCTION

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Welcome to the Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements of the National Biodiversity Network Trust, for the year ended 31 March 2024. This document fulfils the Trust's statutory reporting requirements as a charity registered in England and Wales and a company limited by guarantee. A more detailed review of the NBN Trust's activities and achievements through the year can be found in our 2023-24 Impact Report.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing documents, 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 published in October 2019.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Objectives and activities

The National Biodiversity Network Trust (‘NBN Trust’ or ‘Trust’) is the UK charity dedicated to biodiversity data. Our mission is "making data work for nature", and our strategic ambitions are set out in the Trust’s 2022-27 Strategy.

We manage the UK’s largest partnership for nature – the National Biodiversity Network – which brings together hundreds of organisations with an interest in collecting, sharing and using biodiversity data. Our partners include national and local charities, government agencies, Local Environmental Records Centres, recording groups, universities, and ecological businesses. Working together, we create a vast flow of data carrying the evidence needed to protect and restore biodiversity.

At the heart of this flow is the NBN Atlas, our data portal. The NBN Atlas is the UK’s largest repository of publicly available biodiversity data, bringing together data from more than 175 partners. Remarkably, most of the UK’s wildlife data is collected by volunteers. Sustaining and growing the volunteer community is essential to the continuing flow of new data into the future. We manage iNaturalistUK, one of the foremost digital recording tools, and support the rapidly growing community of people who use it to record their observations of UK wildlife.

2023-24 was a successful year for the Trust. We significantly enhanced access to biodiversity data, with a 22% increase in the number of wildlife records held on the NBN Atlas, exceeding 255 million records in total. The new data resources include the first set of records derived from eDNA (environmental DNA) to be published on the NBN Atlas. We also launched two major projects focused on data and technology: the NBN Atlas IMAGINE project, supported by Amazon Web Services, and the NBN Atlas Accelerator Project, funded by Natural England and the Environment Agency. Meanwhile, our Better Biodiversity Data Project, funded by the Scottish Government and NatureScot, continued to drive forward improved access to the data needed for the recovery of Scotland’s nature.

As the lead partner for the popular citizen science recording tool, iNaturalistUK, we were excited when the number of UK observers using the app and website passed 100,000. By the end of the year the total rose to 113,000 people who have collectively shared more than 4.6 million observations of UK wildlife.

Our annual conference was hosted by National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh, and featured keynote speakers Mairi McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition (Scottish Government) and Natalie Prosser, CEO of the Office for Environmental Protection. At the event, we launched the updated NBN Awards for Wildlife Recording to honour and celebrate those who make outstanding contributions in the field of biodiversity data.

Public benefit

We have had regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities.

The role of volunteers

The Trust benefits enormously from the support of its Trustees, who are unpaid volunteers. In 2023-24 we also worked with three non-Trustee volunteers, who kindly supported us with fundraising research, data use research, and software development. We are hugely grateful to them.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Funding Summary

In 2023-24, we benefited from the following grants, some of which were secured in-year and others continued from previous years. Most are for multi-year projects.

We are enormously grateful to our members, donors and funders for the support that they provide in enabling us to make data work for nature. In 2023-24, the Trust received £228,832 in unrestricted funds in the form of grants, membership subscriptions, donations, NBN Conference ticket sales and donated services. Membership subscriptions and donations amounted to £126,997 for the year, making an important contribution to achieving our mission.

The Trust's net expenditure was higher than incoming resources, resulting in a negative in-year balance of £9,567. The Trust's total fund balance at 31 March 2024 was £260,110 which will be carried forward into 202425.

The Trust is anticipating a balanced year-end position for 2024-25.

We will continue to take forward the Medium-Term Financial Strategy to secure additional income across restricted and unrestricted funding sources. As such, the Board of Trustees has a reasonable level of confidence that the income target will be met. Should income fall short of the target, the Trust will adjust expenditure accordingly.

Trust reserves

The unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets ('the free reserve') held by the charity at 31 March 2024 amount to £176,207.

Annually, the Finance and Audit Committee (FAC, a committee of the Board) reviews the free reserve figure and the amount required to meet the reserve policy (set at three months' running costs) to ensure that adequate reserves are maintained.

As at 30 June 2024, the amount required to run the Trust for three months is £163,257 resulting in a surplus of £12,950.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Risk management

A Risk Register is maintained to facilitate the management of all significant risks to the Trust, including those pertaining to Finance, Technology, Staffing, Governance and Engagement. The Risk Register tracks changes in the risk level for each risk and documents mitigation. Each relevant Board committee reviews the Risk Register on a quarterly basis and ensures that the Trust has systems designed to manage all risks. The Risk Register is also presented to the Board at each meeting, and the committees may escalate risks to the Board at any time, as needed. The main internal financial risks are minimised through the consistent application of procedures for financial delegation and appropriate authorisation of all transactions.

Plans for future periods

A work plan is in place for 2024-2025 setting out the priority activities for the year. This includes:

Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will have 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.

Achievements and performance

Please refer to the "Objectives and activities” section above for details of the Trust's main achievements. Further detail is provided in our Annual Impact Report 2023-24.

Financial review

Please refer to the "Funding summary and Trust reserves” section above for the financial review of the year. Structure, governance and management

The Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 3 April 2000 and registered as a charity on 25 August 2000. The company was set up under a Memorandum of Association, which established its objectives and powers, and is governed under its Articles of Association (updated November 2018). As set out in the Articles of Association, the charitable Object (purpose) of the NBN Trust is:

To advance, formally and informally, public participation in and public understanding and enjoyment of the conservation of biological resources, together with their sustainable and wise use, by providing public access to biological records, data or information pertaining to the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Trust has power to do anything which is calculated to further its Object or is conducive or incidental to doing so. For example, the Trust has power to undertake the following activities (selected articles only, for the full list please refer to the Articles of Association):

1. To facilitate, promote and co-ordinate the collection, compilation, collation, interpretation, pooling and dissemination of biological records;

  1. To promote and facilitate the survey and study of biodiversity through biological recording and both disseminate and promote the dissemination of the results of such study and research;

3. Through the provision of services, advice, guidance or other means, develop understanding of how biological data and information can be used to aid decisions taken by others consistent with the Object.

The terms of reference for the Board of Trustees are laid out in the Trust's Rules and Standing Orders. The Board meets at least four times a year to monitor the Trust's performance, agree the strategy and take decisions regarding governance issues and significant strategic matters.

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:

Mr P Tomlin (Interim Chair) Mr D Aslan Mr R Cooke Dr R Fairley (Treasurer) Mrs W Harper Mr N Hodges (Chair) Dr B H Howell Dr G Hutton Mr T Jagger Ms A Kershaw Ms L Li Ms E Polychroniadou Mr M Postles Ms M Rudd Dr D Slawson Ms C Taylor

(Appointed 7 November 2023) (Appointed 7 November 2023) (Retired 29 February 2024) (Retired 29 February 2024) (Retired 29 February 2024) (Retired 29 February 2024) (Appointed 7 November 2023)

(Appointed 7 November 2023) (Appointed 7 November 2023) (Appointed 7 November 2023) (Retired 29 February 2024)

(Resigned 16 February 2024) (Resigned 4 October 2023)

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

In 2023-24 we successfully managed a significant transition in our Board as five Trustees reached the end of their term of service. We give thanks and recognition to all the retiring Trustees. We are looking forward to the continued evolution of the Charity with the support of our current Board members.

Trustees are appointed via open application and a competency-based selection process. Trustees may serve a three-year term, with the potential for a further three years at the discretion of the Board.

The AGM is held at the annual NBN Conference in November.

The Finance and Audit Committee (FAC) is a permanent sub-committee of the Board. The terms of reference for the FAC were reviewed and agreed at the Board of Trustee meeting in May 2024. The FAC meets four times a year, in advance of the Board meetings, to monitor the Trust's financial processes and provide an audit function.

One new committee and an advisory group were established in 2023-24:

Both are comprised of and chaired by Trustees.

Further ad hoc sub-committees may be convened as needed, on a 'task and finish' basis, to ensure adequate oversight of significant matters.

The Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the daily operation of the Trust, including (but not restricted to) the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans, financial and team management, stakeholder relations, advocacy and fundraising,

An internal governance review was undertaken in 2023. The review found that governance is effective across all areas. A set of actions and improvements was developed, which was taken forward in 2023-2024 and included items such as appointing a trustee as a Wellbeing contact for staff members.

As several current Trustees reached the end of their second three-year term in March 2024, six new Trustees were appointed to the Board in November 2023. This ensured continuity and retained the skills that we require on the Board.

Arrangements for setting pay and remuneration of key management personnel

All Trustees give their time freely and have not received remuneration for time devoted to Trust business in the year. Remuneration of Trustee expenses is detailed within the financial accounts.

Where staff pay increases exceed the Chief Executive Officer delegated authority financial limits, these are presented to the Board of Trustees for approval within the annual budget.

Two employees received total remuneration exceeding £60,000 in 2023-24.

Relationships with related parties and any other charities and organisations

All Trustees and senior members of staff such as the Chief Executive Officer and the Finance and Business Manager annually update the Declaration of Interest form to notify the Trust of any relationships with related parties.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Donated Services and Facilities

To calculate donated services, the main consideration was whether the Trust would have paid for the work or services had it not been carried out by another party. Based on these criteria, donated services during 2023-24 were valued at £17,789 and included free use of rooms for the NBN Conference and general meeting along with pro bono advice and assistance for legal matters and Trustee recruitment assistance.

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

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

..............................

Mr P Tomlin (Interim Chair)

Dated: .........................

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees, who are also the directors of National Biodiversity Network Trust 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.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of National Biodiversity Network Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Melvin Bailey FCCA DChA

For and on behalf of Rogers Spencer

Chartered Accountants Newstead House Pelham Rd Nottingham NG5 1AP

Dated: .........................

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
189,795
499,866
Investments
4
8,457
-
Other income
5
30,580
-
Total income
228,832
499,866
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
8,015
-
Charitable activities
7
230,384
452,622
Total expenditure
238,399
452,622
Net income/(expenditure)
(9,567)
47,244
Transfers between
funds
25,528
(25,528)
Net movement in
funds
9
15,961
21,716
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2023
163,848
58,585
Fund balances at 31 March
2024
179,809
80,301		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
689,661
234,097
280,084
8,457
953
-
30,580
29,919
450
728,698
264,969
280,534
8,015
977
-
683,006
231,835
248,158
691,021
232,812
248,158
37,677
32,157
32,376
-
(26,209)
26,209
37,677
5,948
58,585
222,433
157,900
-
260,110
163,848
58,585		 Total
2023
£
514,181
953
30,369
545,503
977
479,993
480,970
64,533
-
64,533
157,900
222,433

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

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
14
Investments
15
Current assets
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
17
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
19
Unrestricted funds		 2024
£
74,116
269,291
343,407
(86,899)		 £
3,600
2
3,602
256,508
260,110
260,110
80,301
179,809
260,110		 2023
£
76,315
219,644
295,959
(75,583)		 £
2,055
2
2,057
220,376
222,433
222,433
58,585
163,848
222,433

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

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 .........................

..............................

Mr P Tomlin (Interim Chair)

Company registration number 03963387 (England and Wales)

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
26
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Investment income received
Net cash generated from/(used in)
investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2024
£
(4,422)
8,457		 £
45,613
4,035
-
49,648
219,644
269,292		 2023
£
(4,109)
953		 £
21,258
(3,156)
-
18,102
201,542
219,644

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

National Biodiversity Network Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 27 Old Gloucester Street, Holborn, London, WC1N 3AX.

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 are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income, any performance related conditions attached have been met or are fully within the control of the charity, the income is considered probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Donations and legacy income is received by way of donations, grants and gifts and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity, being the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market.

Investment income is included when receivable.

Income from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

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.

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the sofa on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis, as set out in the notes to the accounts.

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:

Fixtures and fittings

two years 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 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

1.8 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).

1.9 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.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.10 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.

1.11 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 applied to its charitable objects.

1.12 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.

1.13 Pension costs

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company. The annual contributions payable are charged to the statement of financial activities.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
£
£
Donations
2,333
-
Grants receivable
62,798
499,866
Subscriptions
124,664
-
189,795
499,866
For the year ended 31 March 2023
234,097
280,084
Grants receivable for core activities
Natural England
-
109,492
Nature Scot
-
227,900
Natural Resources Wales
-
15,000
National Museums Northern Ireland
-
15,000
Manx National Heritage
-
2,000
Environment Agency
-
14,015
Enterprise Development
-
17,395
Caring for Gods Acre
-
-
Groundwork Uk
-
19,121
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
60,000
-
Garfield Weston Foundation
-
-
John Ellerman Foundation
40,000
Natural History Museum
-
15,115
Amazon AWS Imagine
24,828
Campaign for National Parks
1,032
Caring for Gods Acre
1,500
Other
266
-
62,798
499,866		 Total
2024
£
2,333
562,664
124,664
689,661
109,492
227,900
15,000
15,000
2,000
14,015
17,395
-
19,121
60,000
-
40,000
15,115
24,828
1,032
1,500
266
562,664		 Total
2023
£
5,214
386,184
122,783
514,181
514,181
106,000
69,225
15,000
15,000
1,716
7,363
12,605
1,500
-
88,000
50,000
16,675
23,068
386,184

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4 Income from investments

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Income from unlisted investments 6,000 -
Interest receivable 2,457 953
8,457 953

5 Other income

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
Other income
3,056
-
Donated services and
facilities
17,789
-
Conference income
9,735
-
30,580
-		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
3,056
6,033
450
17,789
13,131
-
9,735
10,755
-
30,580
29,919
450		 Total
2023
£
6,483
13,131
10,755
30,369

6 Raising funds

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Fundraising and publicity
Weather lottery costs 197 224
Other fundraising costs 1,350 753
Staff costs 6,468 -
8,015 977

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7 Charitable activities

Depreciation and impairment
Donated services and facilities
Project costs
Website development
NBN Atlas Project
Share of support costs (see note 8)
Share of governance costs (see note 8)
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 2024
£
2,078
17,789
270,543
1,499
180,001
471,910
191,423
19,673
683,006
230,384
452,622
683,006		 2023
£
2,054
13,131
40,847
4,138
205,257
265,427
206,133
8,433
479,993
231,835
248,158
479,993

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

8
Support costs
Staff costs
Depreciation
Premises
Insurance
Travelling expenses
Communications & IT
Postage, printing &
stationery
Meeting & conference
costs
Finance costs
Management fees
Legal and professional
Accountancy
Examiners fees
Trustees expenses
Board meeting expenses
Governance costs
Analysed between
Charitable activities		 Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
148,512
-
800
-
7,936
-
1,632
-
16,436
-
4,977
-
4,059
-
5,882
-
1,029
-
160
-
-
1,506
-
940
-
6,900
-
5,039
-
1,707
-
3,581
191,423
19,673
191,423
19,673		 2024
£
148,512
800
7,936
1,632
16,436
4,977
4,059
5,882
1,029
160
1,506
940
6,900
5,039
1,707
3,581
211,096
211,096		 Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
168,311
-
2,099
-
8,593
-
1,465
-
11,134
-
4,533
-
2,503
-
7,352
-
143
-
-
-
-
190
-
528
-
5,388
-
1,020
-
1,307
-
-
206,133
8,433
206,133
8,433		 2023
£
168,311
2,099
8,593
1,465
11,134
4,533
2,503
7,352
143
-
190
528
5,388
1,020
1,307
-
214,566
214,566

Governance costs includes payments to the examiners of £2,340 (2023- £2,100) for examination fees.

9 Net movement in funds
Net movement in funds 2024 2023
£ £
Net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting)
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 2,877 4,153

10 Trustees

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

During the year, expenses totalling £5,039 were reimbursed to trustees (2023: £1,020).

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

11 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Management
Senior Management
Technical
Officers
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2024
Number
1
4
2
6
13
2024
£
386,210
37,976
26,937
451,123		 2023
Number
1
3
1
2
7
2023
£
242,477
25,501
16,931
284,909
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more
were:
2024 2023
Number Number
£60,000 - £69,999 2 1

Pension contributions in relation to higher paid staff totalled £7,720.

12 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

13 Donated services and facilities

To calculate donated services, the main consideration was whether the Trust would have paid for the work or services had it not been carried out by another party. Based on these criteria, donated services during 202324 totalled £17,789. This includes room hire in relation to Board of Trustee meetings and the NBN conference, pro bono advice received and assistance with finding digital trustees.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

14 Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and
fittings
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023 20,132
Additions 4,422
Disposals (7,228)
At 31 March 2024 17,326
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2023 18,077
Depreciation charged in the year 2,877
Eliminated in respect of disposals (7,228)
At 31 March 2024 13,726
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024 3,600
At 31 March 2023 2,055
15 Fixed asset investments
Other
investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2023 & 31 March 2024 2
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024 2
At 31 March 2023 2
2024 2023
Other investments comprise: Notes £ £
Investments in subsidiaries 24 2 2

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

16 Debtors

Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2024
£
22,131
51,985
74,116		 2023
£
45,257
31,058
76,315

17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2024
£
11,537
8,931
7,289
59,142
86,899		 2023
£
7,141
1,784
4,119
62,539
75,583

18 Retirement benefit schemes

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.

The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £26,937 (2023: £16,931).

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

19 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.

At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
2023 resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
- - - - -
NBN Atlas Project - 120,000 (180,001) 60,001 -
Amazon - AWS Imagine - 24,828 (24,917) 89 -
John Ellerman Foundation - 40,000 (3,965) - 36,035
Better Biodiversity Data Project 50,000 212,900 (197,745) (50,000) 15,155
Enterprise Development
Programme 8,643 17,395 (5,408) (20,630) -
New to Nature Project (58) 19,121 (21,790) 2,727 -
Turing Project - 12,600 (10,000) (2,600) -
Nature Education Nature Park
and Climate Action Awards - 15,115 - (15,115) -
New Atlas Accelerator Project - 37,907 (8,796) - 29,111
58,585 499,866 (452,622) (25,528) 80,301
Previous year: At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
2022 resources expended 2023
£ £ £ £ £
NBN Atlas Project - 145,579 (217,960) 72,381 -
Better Biodiversity Data Project - 99,225 (11,726) (37,499) 50,000
Enterprise Development
Programme - 12,605 (3,962) - 8,643
New to Nature Project - - (58) - (58)
Turing Project - 21,450 (14,452) (6,998) -
Nature Education Nature Park
and Climate Action Awards - 1,675 - (1,675) -
- 280,534 248,158 26,209 58,585

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

19 Restricted funds

(Continued)

NBN Atlas Project

These figures represent contributions from the statutory nature conservation bodies to the annual running costs of the NBN Atlas (see expanded list on page 15).

Amazon Web Services Imagine Grant

We were awarded a grant from Amazon Web Services through the 2023 AWS IMAGINE Grant UK programme (October 2023 to October 2024). The grant will enable us to migrate to a new data processing pipeline, which means we will be able to publish new wildlife records on the NBN Atlas faster.

John Ellerman Foundation

Grant funding of £120,000 has been received from the John Ellerman Foundation, for the period from January 2024 to January 2027. The funding is a contribution to our core costs and will support the following outcomes: the NBN Atlas will be providing enhanced access to UK biodiversity data; we will be better equipped to meet the conservation sector’s changing needs; and we will be a more resilient organisation.

Better Biodiversity Data Project

Funding received from Scottish Government and NatureScot to deliver the Better Biodiversity Data Project (November 2022 to January 2025). The project is a partnership with Local Environmental Records Centres and the Scottish Biodiversity Information Forum, and aims to safeguard and enhance access to Scotland's biodiversity data.

Enterprise Development Programme

The Enterprise Development Programme, funded by Access - the Foundation for Social Investment, helps organisations to grow financial resilience and impact by providing a mixture of grant and learning support to help get enterprise ideas off the ground. Our grant ran from November 2022 to March 2024 and provided £30,000 of funding, as well as staff training, coaching and business development advice. We utilised the support to explore the potential for developing an enterprise that creates bespoke biodiversity data portals.

New to Nature Project

The New to Nature programme, run by Groundwork UK, provided 12-month employment opportunities in nature organisations for 96 young people from who might not normally have had access to a career in the environmental sector. The programme focused on young people who are from an ethnic minority, who are disabled or who are from low-income homes. We created a new position of NBN Atlas Support Officer, which was 90% funded by the programme from April 2023 to April 2024.

Turing Project

This project was a collaboration with the Alan Turing Institute and Natural England. The project explored new ways to measure and visualise the impact of sharing data via the NBN Atlas. The main activity was a Data Study Group: an intensive, facilitated five-day workshop at the Alan Turing Institute's premises in London, where a group of researchers tackled our impact challenge. Preparatory work was undertaken in 2022-23, with the Data Study Group and final report delivered in May 2023.

National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Awards

We are a partner in this major project funded by the Department for Education and led by the Natural History Museum. The project aims to make sure every young person in England has opportunities to develop a meaningful connection to nature, understands the concepts of climate change and biodiversity loss, and feels able to do something about it. Our role in the project includes developing resources to help schools utilise iNaturalistUK. The project is currently funded from January 2023 to August 2025.

NBN Atlas Accelerator

The NBN Trust has secured funding from Natural England and the Environment Agency to meet a series of objectives, which include: implementation of high priority, high impact enhancements to the NBN Atlas, and the development of an NBN Atlas Strategy and Route Map. The project runs from January 2024 to March 2025.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

20 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 Transfers At 31 March
2023 resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 163,848 228,832 (238,399) 25,528 179,809
Previous year: At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
2022 resources expended 2023
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 157,900 264,969 (232,812) (26,209) 163,848

21 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
At 31 March 2024:
Tangible assets
3,079
521
Investments
2
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
176,728
79,780
179,809
80,301
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
At 31 March 2023:
Tangible assets
-
2,055
Investments
2
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
163,846
56,530
163,848
58,585		 Total
2024
£
3,600
2
256,508
260,110
Total
2023
£
2,055
2
220,376
222,433

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

22 Company limited by guarantee

National Biodiversity Network Trust is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have a share capital. There were 9 members of the company at the year end (2023: 10 members). Every member promises, if the charitable company is dissolved while he or she remains a member or within 12 months afterwards, to pay up to £10 towards the cost of dissolution and the liabilities incurred by the Charity while the contributor was a member.

23 Related party transactions

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Aggregate compensation 58,774 60,037

The Trustees believe there is no controlling party of the charitable company.

BioD Services Limited is a 100% subsidiary of National Biodiversity Network Trust. It is a company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales, company number 04178674.

During the year, BioD Services transferred £6,000 to NBN Limited (2023: £nil). As at 31 March 2024 a balance of £4 (2023: £4) remained outstanding to BioD Services Limited.

24 Subsidiaries

These financial statements are separate charity financial statements for National Biodiversity Network Trust.

Details of the charity's subsidiaries at 31 March 2024 are as follows:

Name of undertaking Registered Nature of business Class of % Held
office shares held Direct Indirect
BioD Services Limited United Kingdom Project management Ordinary 100.00
shares

BioD Services Limited is no longer trading.

25 Recorder 6 Consortium

The NBN Trust is the agent for the Recorder 6 consortium.

During the year income totalling £10,225 (2023: £10,467) was received in respect of software licences and expenditure totalling £42 (2023: £48) has been incurred.

At 31 March 2024 the balance owing to the Recorder 6 consortium was £50,056 (2023: £39,873).

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

26
Cash generated from operations
Surplus for the year
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
Movements in working capital:
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase in creditors
(Decrease) in deferred income
Cash generated from operations
27
Analysis of changes in net funds		 2024
2023
£
£
37,677
64,533
(8,457)
(953)
2,878
4,153
2,199
(72,055)
11,316
26,080
-
(500)
45,613
21,258

The charity had no material debt during the year.