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2023-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04128009 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1085619

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

FOR

GESGB

Ledgers Accountancy Services Ltd Chartered Accountants 15 Sedgmoor Close Flackwell Heath High Wycombe Bucks HP10 9BH

GESGB

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 11
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 12
Independent Examiner’s Report 13
Statement of Financial Activities - Group 14
Statement of Financial Position - Group 15 to 16
Statement of Financial Position – Charity17 to 18
Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows19 to 20
Notes to the Financial Statements21 to 34

GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 04128009 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1085619

REGISTERED OFFICE – The Business and Technology Centre, Bessemer Drive, Stevenage, SG1 2DX

TRUSTEES The following Trustees have held office since January 2023: Natasha Hunt, James Churchill, Mark Rees, Julian Bessa, Aaron Lockwood, Matthew Allen, Jade Metcalfe, Andrea De Silva, Gerald Stein, Andrew Miles, Ian Sayers

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Maria Iredale

ACCOUNTANTS Ledgers Accountancy Services Ltd, 15 Sedgmoor Close, Flackwell Heath, Bucks, HP10 9BH

INVESTMENT MANAGERS Danamere, International House, Homewell Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1EE

BANKERS Royal Bank of Scotland, 28 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0DB

Note – PESGB held a member vote on a special resolution to change the name of the Society to GESGB (Geoscience Energy Society of Great Britain). The vote took place between 07/06/2022 - 08/08/2022 and achieved a required percentage of over 75% in favour of the change (The actual acceptance was 77.5%). The resolution was passed at a council meeting on 14/10/2022 and was subsequently accepted by Companies House on 23/11/2022.

The new name came into effect on 12/01/2023 and was adopted throughout the organisation in April 2023 with GESGB branding.

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GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2023.

The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102 SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ issued in May 2015.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT GOVERNING DOCUMENT

The Society is controlled by its governing document, its Memorandum and Articles of Association, and constitutes a limited Company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. As such the Trustees have no Share Capital interests in the organisation.

The Geoscience Energy Society of Great Britain (GESGB) was founded in 1964, now a registered Charity with Limited Liability status and is a non-profit making organisation. It has a membership of approximately 2,500 individual members and 20 sustaining company members.

PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT

The Trustees who form the Council have reviewed the Charity Commission guidance regarding public benefit and are satisfied that the objects of the Charity meet those requirements. The objective of the GESGB is to promote and advance, for the public benefit, education in the scientific and technical aspects of subsurface energy and related technologies. The ‘public’ are our members, although the wider general public can also become involved with the GESGB and benefit from association,’.

To achieve and further its objectives the GESGB organises and supports various projects, including educational lectures, meetings, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, field trips, training courses and workshops. The GESGB produces its own bimonthly educational and information Magazine as well as supporting other educational publications. Various member services include the publication of an online Membership Directory, organising and undertaking lecture programmes and provision of lowcost professional training.

Our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are run by GESGB members for GESGB members. Each of the SIGs focus on a specific area of the wider energy industry. These groups offer the opportunity for members to connect with other professionals within their specific area of interest, share knowledge and best practices, and grow professionally within the field. Joining any of our SIGs is a member benefit with no additional fee to belong to them. The most active SIG Groups are Africa (instrumental in organising the Africa Energy Conference), Geophysics, Old Timers, Sales & Marketing (a new SIG established in 2021) and Young Professionals.

The GESGB Trustees wish to thank all the volunteers whose contributions throughout a very challenging 2023 made our online events, courses, and the Magazine such a success. The Trustees review the strategic direction of the Society annually to ensure that all opportunities for the GESGB to meet its charitable objectives are explored. The Trustees regularly review the short and medium-term financial plan for the Society and put in contingency measures to manage challenges that might impact on cashflow and the Society’s financial security.

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GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

LEADERSHIP

The Trustees play a key role in the leadership of the charity, volunteering both their time and their expertise. The Council meet bi-monthly for a four-hour meeting in which its strategy, performance against objectives and financial health are closely managed. In addition, the Presidents (past, current and elect), Treasurer and Executive Director meet monthly, to ensure the financial security of the society. Differing viewpoints are welcome and explored, and decisions are made based on their relevance to the strategy and the charitable objects of the Society. Over the last four years the focus has been on achieving a solid baseline for the Society to then build up from. These results for 2023 show significant progress in this area, with a positive net income on a consolidated basis (Charity and Conferences) of £58,663. This follows on from the surpluses in 2021 and 2022. The results for 2022 and 2023 demonstrate that the Society can become financially viable in non-PETEX years. This is easy to say but requires a significant amount of hard effort to achieve.

The Trustees are ambassadors for the Society and represent our values during interactions with the membership and in the delivery of the charitable objects. The GESGB’s Mission dictates the strategy and ensures the delivery of the charitable objects. All Council meetings are carefully documented in minute form and are available to GESGB members should they make a request. Any HR issues within the office team are brought to the attention of the Council and support and direction given to the Executive Director as required. All new staff have a full induction before starting their role, and have regular updates to their job descriptions, formal appraisals, contracts, and performance related pay. All volunteers, similarly, receive a full induction to the role.

The trading subsidiary PESGB Conferences Ltd and its relationship with the GESGB, the parent charity was formally set up by a solicitor to ensure compliance with the Charity Commission rule and VAT regulations. there were changes in the relationship in 2018 to ensure that all current legislation was accommodated within the agreement. PESGB Conferences now has a separate governing body, over which the GESGB Council has the authority of veto. Post accounting period PESGB Conferences has now changed its name to GESGB Conferences Ltd..

OUR MISSION

The GESGB will be relevant, useful, and beneficial to members at every stage of their careers within the energy industry.

OUR VALUES

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GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

INTEGRITY

The Council always acts with integrity, where they are informed about issues affecting the charity sector and discuss their potential impact on the Charity. Evidence for this can be found in the Council minutes. The Trustees understand their roles and responsibilities, this is a result of a comprehensive induction pack produced annually. The Society is nearly 60 years old and the legacy left by each Council is important; each Trustee wants to make a positive impact on the Society. The Society has a Declaration of Interests Register and each Trustee is informed about for reporting a conflict as part of their induction. The charity has a Code of Conduct for both the Trustees and the members.

DECISION MAKING

The Charity has a policy stating the different levels of delegated authority depending on the decision that must be made. The Council Action Register sets out the decisions made or to be made, the area of the strategy they relate to, the ownership and the time frame/ follow up; this is reviewed at every Council meeting to ensure that all necessary decisions are not missed.

Any decisions that directly affect the membership are communicated through the Magazine and e-bulletin as soon as possible. To encourage new ideas the Trustees’ term of office on Council is time limited and is regularly refreshed.

BOARD EFFECTIVENESS

The Executive Council is elected from the membership and runs the Society on a voluntary basis as the Charity’s Trustees. The term of office for a trustee is two years, apart from the position of President, which runs for three years. Each year, half of the Council positions become vacant through retirement and nominations are sought from the GESGB membership for their replacement. A ballot takes place in October/ November and the successful candidates take up their positions in January. All active members can vote and are encouraged to vote online.

In 2011, following a review of the procedures for election of Council members, it was agreed that those wishing to stand for Council should now be nominated and seconded by active GESGB members. In exceptional circumstances, the Council has authority to veto a candidate’s nomination or to replace a President-Elect if the individual subsequently is unable to undertake the role, as was the case in 2023. In 2022 the Trustees took the decision to remove the position of Vice President from the roster of roles. This decision will be reviewed in 2024 along with the other roles in the society, with the expansion of the Charitable Objects under GESGB. The Society holds an AGM each year and the 2023 AGM was held on 20th November.

DIVERSITY

The GESGB Council understands its role in promoting diversity, at board level, within its membership, and in representing an industry that has been historically skewed in many respects. Regarding gender diversity the 2023 GESGB Council comprised more than 30% women. The office team is currently 100% women.

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GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

OPENNESS & ACCOUNTABILITY

The Society is appreciated by its members and receives feedback to this effect which is shared with the Council. Members are actively encouraged to give their suggestions for improving the Society and are always responded to promptly and courteously. All members are informed about the Charity’s performance against its targets at the GESGB AGM and through the GESGB Magazine. Any questions arising from the AGM are discussed at the following Council Meeting. All the contact details for the Trustees are available on the website, along with their pictures and short biographical summaries.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Risks to the GESGB markedly changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, in a large part, due to the closure of the office. The pandemic changed the way that the GESGB and the rest of the UK worked, and we have seen a behaviour change in terms of in-person attendance as well as a reluctance to engage socially. Consequently, other income sources around education continue to be developed, and the risks mitigated as much as practically possible.

Every effort is made to quantify the possible risks to the society and put in place controls and procedures that are designed to mitigate each identified risk. Management tools include the Risk Register and the Risk Management Plan. The risks include

The Risk Register is reviewed on a six-monthly basis (or as required) with the Council and between these times on a six-monthly basis with the office team. Risk mitigation measures included two staff members trained to IOSH level in Health and Safety; new policies and dialogue with the conference venues on a co-ordinated response to protestor issues; Governance training for Council members on responsibilities and induction and training of new Trustees.

New Trustees receive a comprehensive welcome pack to familiarise themselves with the background and activities of the Society and its subsidiary company during induction.

As existing members of the GESGB, Trustees may already be familiar with many aspects of the Society. Trustees are provided with relevant background information including a copy of the Society’s statutory accounts and Charity Commission guidance regarding their responsibilities as Charity Trustees. Trustees can access Governance Training during their term through the GESGB admin function and are encouraged to do so.

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GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES

Objectives & Aims

The principal activity of the Society continued to be that of a registered Charity though the objects were changed in 2022 to reflect the changing industry and the energy transition.

Our Charitable Objects are ‘to promote and advance, for the public benefit, education in the scientific and technical aspects of subsurface energy and related technology’. Our challenge continues to be to serve our members as the energy industry evolves, offering opportunities through education and networking to secure current and future employment.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership has reduced to around 2,500 and has been in continuous decline since 2014 as members retire from the industry. This results in a continual reduction of membership revenue. The numbers also consider the re-statement of membership levels made at the 2021 AGM. Membership churn in 2023 was 7%.

As of Q1 2023, 86% of members were based in the UK and 14% overseas. Of the UK-based members 19% were based in Scotland and 56% in southern England, with London SE England and Aberdeen being the dominant geographies.

Despite downsizing or closure of many E&P companies, the Sustaining Company Sponsorship remained stable and is now beginning to grow. The benefits on offer to the Sustaining Sponsors was reviewed and new packages were put in place for our corporate supporters. The members’ magazine continues to print in a limited print run and at a cost-price for members who wish to pay the production costs. Distribution began with 88 members although this has since fallen to 44. All members receive a digital copy.

PUBLICATIONS

The GESGB continues to offer members a reduced subscription to the Journal of Petroleum Geology, the Geological Society Journal of Petroleum Geoscience and Geo ExPro, However, these offers have declined in popularity. The GESGB is very appreciative to all those involved over the last thirty years in the production of the North Sea map and to the Map’s sponsors.

The GESGB Magazine continues to inform the members about not only the technical aspects of what is happening in the E&P industry but also giving members the opportunities to share their stories and experiences across the network. Editorial has been included from the Special Interest Groups and the Regional Groups on their activities and it also has hosted articles from members of the GESGB staff. It has become a conduit where information travels in all directions across the network. The GESGB extends grateful thanks to its magazine editor and all volunteer news writers and other technical contributors, as well as the support received from advertisers.

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GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

VOLUNTEERS

The GESGB greatly appreciates the volunteer support of GESGB membership, those who contribute their industry knowledge regularly to the magazine, those who support the lecture and events programme in and those representatives within organisations, who assist the Society by displaying and distributing promotional material within their organisations.

Magazine Content – Much of the content is written by the volunteers.

The GESGB thanks all the established and new Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Regional Branches for organising and supporting the society through online meetings and lectures that were staged throughout 2023.

These groups have flourished during the pandemic and have seen higher levels of member engagement as result of their online activities. These self-directed, independent groups, form an opportunity to engage nationally and internationally with members, the pandemic has seen the SIGs become a reason for joining the society rather than just an additional activity.

The GESGB office and Trustees extend a special thank you to all individuals and companies who support these events and to those members who volunteer their time to help to organise them. Volunteering by the members, to support the activities of the GESGB is an essential element in the management of the Society.

Volunteers make up the governing Council of both GESGB and PESGB Conferences, they manage the content of the courses and conferences. The volunteer contribution over the year is estimated at approximately 675 hours.

YP/Student Mapping – Undergraduate mapping funding was given in 2023 to 5 students chosen by the Young Professionals SIG. The plan is for this to continue to 2024 and then to be reviewed.

EVENTS HELD DURING THE YEAR

During 2023 a variety of online and in person activities took place as the hybrid and online options work well for many of our members. The monthly Evening Lecture series returned as a hybrid event in both London and Aberdeen with a monthly high calibre technical talk. We saw the member attendance continue to be buoyant because of the ease of access. These evening lectures continued to be free to attend for members of the GESGB and the organisations with whom the Society has agreements. A new venue for the London lecture was established at The Bedford Hotel in Holborn, a change from The Geological Society, due to the cost involved.

During the year, the Society held seven conferences, two field trips (Boulby Mine and North Sea Connections) and three Night Schools (West Africa Petroleum Systems, Fundamentals of Petroleum Geomechanics, and a Detailed Look at the Basics of (Marine) Seismic Data Processing. This year saw an expansion of Educational Training programme, and along with Night Schools offered the Partner Training Programme with two courses, QGIS for Geoscience Professionals, and Seismic Reservoir Characterization Using Inversion Techniques.

Strategically the GESGB is continuing to build on the success of established events in 2022 and engaging in collaboration with other membership societies, sharing risk and reward. The collaboration with AAPG continued positively in April 2023 with the Business Exploration Opportunities show (BEOS) held at the Business Design Centre in Islington for the second time. Some 417 attendees participated in the conference.

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GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

In May in collaboration with The Geolsoc, the Society hosted the first Energy Geoscience Conference (ECG-1) in Aberdeen which attracted over 620 delegates. EGC has evolved from the highly successful Petroleum Geology ‘Barbican’ Conference which left a significant legacy of knowledge of the UK Continental Shelf. Just like that Barbican series, EGC will be documented though peer-reviewed Proceedings to be published by the Geological Society.

DEVEX was jointly organised by PESGB/AFES/SPE and supported by the NTSA. This was the 20th DEVEX conference and exhibition, held in Aberdeen. The event was in-person and was attended by 227 delegates.

In September, we hosted the GESGB/HGS Africa Conference at the Kia Oval, which attracted 260 delegates. A few months later, in December significant interest was shown in both the Carbon Capture & Storage for Geoscientists event hosted by the Energy Transition SIG Group and the mirror event held by the Geophysics SIG.

COMPLIANCE

To ensure the Society’s organisational health, several areas of compliance were focused on in 2023 to ensure that the GESGB met all requirements for both organisations and charities where applicable.

Data Protection – The GESGB had a Data Protection Audit in February 2016, and this gave clarity to many aspects of the storage of data, both financial and member related. We adopted new procedures and continued to develop them as we adopt new systems. The GESGB is fully compliant with the GDPR legislation.

Health and Safety – The GESGB focused on the Health and Safety of both the staff and the external activities of the organisation in 2022 maintaining an excellent record of compliance. New guidance for staff mental health in the aftermath of the pandemic and the changes to their working situation has been carefully monitored.

Contracts – Due to the closure of the GESGB admin office there has been a significant reduction in the number of contracts that the GESGB is now involved with.

Strategy – The strategy for the GESGB during 2023 focused on financial sustainability and building a solid infrastructure.

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GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Where appropriate the GESGB follows the relevant guidelines of the Fundraising Regulator. The GESGB does not employ third parties to secure funds. The GESGB has not had any complaints about its fundraising practices during 2024. The GESGB does not target specific individuals or funding bodies for grant funding, although adhoc requests to the membership have occurred. Occasionally a member may offer to donate to a specific initiative that the GESGB is involved in, and money can be given to these projects by standing order. Any money donated for a particular project is ‘ring-fenced from general spend.

Reserves Policy

This continues to be applied in accordance with The Charities Act as follows: Given the cyclical nature of the Energy Industry and therefore the potential threat to Society income sources, the GESGB’s Trustees intend to hold back enough funds from its reserves, to ensure that the Society can function effectively over a two-year period of severely reduced income. The pandemic has been a situation whereby the society has had a severely reduced income over a sustained period.

In addition, the Society will retain funds in the reserve that are designated for the specific purposes of pre-investing in its large exhibitions and in investment in the organisation for its continued growth and development as a benefit for the members. The Trustees review the sum annually to ensure it is continually up to date. The sum estimated to cover both eventualities is set at £1,000,000. The GESGB financial reserve is currently at £520,499 which is lower than required due to the downturn. No corrective action was taken in 2023 to align our reserve with our target but we are planning to make contributions into the reserve in future years to meet our target.

Investment Policy and Objectives

This has been established and adopted in 2002, a segment of the Charity’s unrestricted funds, known as the ’reserve’, is to be invested with a view to maintaining and enhancing its value. Value is defined by a combination of capital growth and generated income but there is no intent to create an income enough for the Charity to carry out its objectives. The Trustees employ the services of an Independent Financial Advisor to ensure that this money is invested in a manner appropriate to the policy and the written guidelines.

Key Management Personnel Remuneration

The Trustees consider their Board of Trustees and the Executive Director as comprising the key management personal of the charity in charge of directing and controlling the charity and running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis. All Trustees give their time freely and no trustee remuneration other than expenses for meeting attendance was paid in the year. Details of trustee expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in the accounts. Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests and register them with the Executive Director and in accordance with the GESGB policy, withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises

The salary of the Executive Director is reviewed annually and normally increased in accordance with average earnings. In view of the nature of the Charity, its role as a membership society and its funding from the public it serves, the Trustees consider that a multiple of up to three times the median average salary for UK employees is appropriate for this role. The remuneration is also benchmarked with other membership societies within the Energy industry of a similar size and activity to ensure that the remuneration set is fair and is aligned with that generally paid for similar roles.

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GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 Financial Summary

At the end of the year the GESGB made a surplus of £58,663, which continues the trend from 2021 & 2022. The results for 2022 and 2023 demonstrate that the Society can provide a surplus in non-PETEX years without drawing upon reserves. This is an important achievement as over the last thirteen years the Society has never had three years of consistent surplus until now. To reach this milestone has required consistent focus on financial viability in how the Society provides benefits for its members and how GESGB events are executed. This was a strategy first put in place by President Beverley Smith in 2020, which successive Presidents James Churchill and Julian Bessa have maintained. The 2023 President hopes that this focus will be maintained by future Councils.

To put this milestone 2023 financial result in context, over the decade 2010 to 2020, the Society had only made a surplus in two of those ten years, and that was because of PETEX in 2012 & 2014. From 2015 to 2020 the Society made a continual loss even in a PETEX year.

At the 2023 AGM, it was announced that membership fees will rise, and this was the first time in six years during which the Society tried to absorb inflationary rises in its cost base. Our membership fees provide for around 25% of our income, and as a benchmark this is considerably below the around 40% considered as robust for a membership society. This decision was not taken lightly by Trustees.

2024 Outlook

The GESGB along with the rest of the world continued to face challenges caused by the change in behaviour post- pandemic. These included a reduction in the numbers of speakers and delegates for the London Evening Lectures, and the change in the number of people working in London, which impacts the number of people attending networking events and in-person SIG meetings.

These challenges have meant that the society has taken a measured approach in establishing what business as usual now looks like, as part of the strategy to achieve a solid financial baseline. This gave us a good platform for 2024 to build up from and we have a challenging and exciting range of conferences and events planned. Some in partnership and some with GESGB in sole control. The measured approach of 2023 allowed the GESGB to focus on future planning and the conference and events programme for 2025 is also complete which gives our supporting companies time to plan their sponsorship or attendance into the calendar.

The change in the name of the society and its charitable objects are far reaching and positive changes for the society. The change opens the society up to a new audience and we will work with the universities to re-engage the students in the society.

In 2024 we will focus on broadening the demographics of the society and ensuring diversity, equality and inclusion are appropriately considered in the work that we do. This will positively impact the events we stage and the benefits we promote. We seek to add balance to the demographic spread of the organisation.

The ‘reach’ and engagement of under-represented member groups, within the 2024/25 programme, will continue to grow through the inclusive opportunities presented by online platforms and the links with other organisations who support us will be strengthened.

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GESGB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The focus will be on the recruitment of younger members across the energy sector and the retention of the loyal members, offering education and training to support the members with their career progression.

The access to information that the members gained through the provision of online activity, is being further developed in 2024/2025. Members welcome both in-person activity and the opportunities for information sharing offered by online platforms.

ACCOUNTANTS

The Accountants, Ledgers Accountancy Services Ltd were approved as accountants at the 2024 Annual General Meeting Signed on behalf of the Trustees

Julian Bessa

Date 26 September 2024

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GESGB

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of PESGB for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 26 September 2024 and signed on the board's behalf by:

J Bessa - Trustee

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GESGB

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of GESGB ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

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

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company 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 your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, 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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

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

Carolyn Collins FCA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Ledgers Accountancy Services Ltd 15 Sedgmoor Close Flackwell Heath High Wycombe Bucks HP10 9BH

Date: 26 September 2024

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GESGB

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
INCOME AND
ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
600
Income from trading subsidiary 16
417,987
Other trading activities
3
209,868
Investment income
4
6,916
Other income
-
Total
635,371
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
5
7,382
Expenditure from trading
subsidiary
16
355,736
Charitable activities
6
Charitable purposes
251,155
Other
-
Total
614,273
Net Income before Gains and
Losses
21,098
Net gains on investments
34,353
NET INCOME
55,451
RECONCILIATION OF
FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
668,814
Prior year adjustment
-
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD
724,265		 Restricted
Endowment
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,508
-
3,508
-
-
-
-
-
3,508		 2023
Total
funds
£
600
417,987
209,868
6,916
-
635,371
7,382
355,736
251,255
-
614,273
21,098
37,861
58,959
-
-

727,773		 2022
Total
funds
£
-
225,135
293,200
2,994
-
521,329
2,673
211,287
230,023
-
443,983
77,346
(61,470)
15,876
652,938
-
668,814

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GESGB

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
10
-
Investments
11
456,210
456,210
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
12
175,801
Cash at bank and in hand
232,488
408,289
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within
one year
13
(172,042)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
236,247
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
692,457
NET ASSETS
692,457		 Restricted Endowment
fund
£
-
-
-
35,317
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
35,317
-
35,317		 2023
Total
funds
£
-
491,527
491,527
175,801
232,488
408,289
(172,042)
236,247
727,773
727,773		 2022
Total
funds
£
724
452,180
452,904
85,363
248,702
334,065
(118,155)
215,910
668,814
668,814

15

GESGB

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION - continued 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes 2023 2022
FUNDS 16
Unrestricted funds 692,457 636,892
Endowment funds 35,317 31,922
TOTAL FUNDS 727,773 668,814

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 September 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:

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

J Bessa - Trustee

............................................. J M Churchill - Trustee

16

GESGB

CHARITY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
10
0
Investments
11
456,310
456,310
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
12
155,805
Cash at bank and in hand
65,260
221,065
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within
one year
13
(51,881)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
169,184
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
625,494
NET ASSETS
625,494		 Restricted
Endowment
fund
£
-
-
-
35,317
-
35,317
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
35,317
-
35,317		 2023
Total
funds
£
0
491,627
491,627
155,805
65,260
221,065
(51,881)
169,184
660,811
660,811		 2022
Total
funds
£
724
452,280
453,004
115,556
84,235
199,791
(50,194)
(149,547)
602,601
602,601

17

GESGB

CHARITY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION - continued 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes 2023 2022 Notes 2023 2022
FUNDS 16
Unrestricted funds 625,494 570,679
Endowment funds 35,317 31,922
TOTAL FUNDS 660,811 602,601

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 September 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. J Bessa - Trustee

............................................. J M Churchill - Trustee

18

GESGB

STATEMENT OF GROUP CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
1
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of fixed asset investments
Sale of fixed asset investments
Interest received
Dividends received
Net cash provided by investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in
the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
the reporting period		 2023
£
(23,560)
(23,560)
-
-
430
2,248
4,668
7,346
(16,214)
248,702
232,488		 2022
£
51,436
51,436
-
-
696
421
2,573
3,690
55,126
193,576
248,702

19

GESGB

NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF GROUP CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
Statement of Financial Activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Gain on investments
Interest received
Dividends received
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors
Decrease in provisions
Net cash provided by/(used in) operations		 2023
£
58,959
724
(39,776)
(2,248)
(4,668)
(90,438)
53,887
-
(23,560)		 2022
£
15,876
2,174
61,376
(421)
(2,573)
(25,224)
228
-
51,436

2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1/1/23 Cash flow At 31/12/23
£ £ £
Net cash
Cash at bank and in hand 248,702 (16,214) 232,488

20

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

GESGB

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

Going Concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern. The trustees made this assessment for a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, using reserves if necessary and they are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties.

Consolidation

In the parent entities financial statements, the cost of a business combination is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed, plus costs directly attributable to the business combination. The excess of the cost of the business combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. The cost of the combination includes the estimated amount of contingent consideration that is probable and can be measured reliably and is adjusted for changes in contingent considerations after the acquisition date. Provisional fair values recognised for business combinations in previous periods are adjusted retrospectively for the final fair values determined in the 12 months following the acquisition date. Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

The consolidated financial statements incorporate those of GESGB and all its subsidiaries (i.e. entities that the group controls through its power to govern the financial and operating policies so as to obtain economic benefits). Subsidiaries acquired during the year are consolidated using the purchase method. Their results are incorporated from the date that control passes.

All the financial statements are made up to 31st December 2023. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.

21

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Basis of preparing the financial statements

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Entities in which the group holds an interest and which are jointly controlled by the group and one or more other venturers under a contractual arrangement are treated as joint ventures. In the group financial statements, joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method.

Entities other than subsidiary undertakings or joint ventures, in which the group has a participating interest and over whose operating and financial policies the group exercises a significant influence, are treated as associates. In the group financial statements, associates are accounted for using the equity method.

Income

All membership and sponsorship income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

The income from fundraising ventures is shown gross, with the associated costs included in fundraising costs.

Expenditure

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 a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Intangible assets

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

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Plant and machinery - 33% on cost

22

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Endowment funds are funds received which the donor has expressly provided to be retained as permanent capital of the charity. the income generated by the fund can be applied for the general purpose of the charity, unless further restrictions on its usage are expressed.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Government grants

Grants will be included in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income will be accrued.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
2023 2022
£ £
Donations 600 -

23

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Membership
Fundraising events
Sponsorships
Magazine
Room hire
INVESTMENT INCOME
Investment income
Interest receivable
RAISING FUNDS
Investment manager fees		 2023
£
141,041
37,134
21,650
10,042
-
209,868
2023
£
4,668
2,248
6,916
2023
£
7
,382		 2022
£
108,774
20,746
20,200
17,629
-
167,349
2022
£
2,573
421
2,994
2022
£
2
,673
2023
£
2023
£

4. INVESTMENT INCOME

5. RAISING FUNDS

24

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 2023 2022
£ £
COST OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Staff costs 183,794 143,588
Rates, Water, Rent (5,519) 1,141
Bank charges 1,823 4,029
Insurance 847
Telephone 147
Postage and stationery 922
Advertising 300 33
Sundry
Scholarship
Computer costs 27,859 24,057
Travelling
Membership services 0 600
Magazine 17,308 7,101
Venue 8,817 4,640
Bad debts - 6,685
Repairs and renewals -
10,075
237,646
217,026

SUPPORT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Depreciation & disposal of assets
GOVERNANCE COSTS
Audit & accountancy fees 12,783 7,646
Legal and professional fees
12,783
Total251,155		 (135)
1050
445
726


0

2,640
108
4,670
5,825
-
1,834
2,174

3,177
10,823
230,023

3,177

25

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

7. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Remuneration was paid to the Chief Executive who is employed by the Charity.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year ended 31 December 2022.

8. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2023
£
237,738
26,860
16,162
280,760		 2022
£
199,271
23,913
8,566
231,750

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2023 2022
Staff 6 6

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

£60,001 - £70,000 2023
1		 2022
1

The remuneration of key management personnel (including pension, bonus and employer’s national insurance) in the year was £73,560. (2022 - £73,500).

26

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

9. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total
funds fund fund funds
£ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies - - - -
Income from trading subsidiary
 225,135
-		 - 225,135
Other trading activities 293,200 - - 293,200
Investment income 2,994 - - 2,994
Other income - - - -
Total 521,329 - 521,329
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds 2,673 - - 2,673
Expenditure from trading subsidiary 211,287 - - 211,287
Charitable activities
Charitable purposes 230,023 - - 230,023
Other - - -
Total 443,983 - - 443,983
Net gains on investments (61,470) - - (61,470)
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 15,876 - - 15,876
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 652,938 - - 652,938
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 668,814 - - 668,814

27

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

10. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Plant and
machinery
£
COST
At 1 January 2023 14,319
Disposals (495)
At 31 December 2023 13,824
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2023 13,595
Charge for year 229
At 31 December 2023 13,824
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2023 0
At 31 December 2022 724

11. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - CHARITY

Shares in
group
undertakings
investments
£
MARKET VALUE
At 1 January 2023
1,690
Additions
-
Disposals
-
Gains
-
At 31 December 2023
1,690
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2023
1,690
At 31 December 2022
1,690		 Listed
Totals
£
450,490
-
(430)
39,776
489,836
489,936
450,590		 £
452,180
-
(430)
39,776
491,526
491,526
452,280

28

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

11. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - continued

The company's investments at the balance sheet date in the share capital of companies include the following:

Subsidiary

PESGB Conferences Limited

Registered office: Business and Technology Centre, Bessemer Drive, Stevenage, SG1 2DX Nature of business: Organising conferences

Class of share: Ordinary
Holding 100%
Devex
Registered office:
Nature of business: Organising conferences and exhibitions
Class of share:
Unincorporated
Holding
33%
Aggregate capital and reserves
Profit for the year
Investments exceeding 5% of portfolio
2023
Units Market Value
BNY Mellon Multi Asset
25,224.53
44,168
Artemis
16,524.49
18,983
Black Rock Charishare
7,521.00
54,791
Jupiter Merlin Growth
7,395.16
44,587
CT Global Multi Asset
33,833.95
42,353
Margetts
8,839.19
47,049
Premier Miton
33,527.65
40,669
Royal London Sustainable
20,206.91
70,057
Jupiter Merlin Balanced
22,394.05
36,587
Schroder MM Diversity
35,102.73
42,965		 2023
2022
£
£
1
1
1
1
2022
Units Market Value
24,527.83
30,866
16,524.49
17,736
12,138.07
58,566
7,931.72
40,402
30,450.86
39,614
8,839.19
42,632
12,511.12
24,122
23,177.10
20,207
24,470.16
24,470
19,625.25
19,625

29

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

12.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
GROUP
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
175,801
85,363

CHARITY
Trade debtors
Amounts owed by group
VAT(26,702)1,057
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2023
£
602
63,073
112
,126
2023
£
1,572
116,467
36,372
1,039
128,74
8
 2022
£
38,786
36,371
10
,206
2022
£
5,933
61,988
36,372
10
,206
115,556

30

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

13.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
GROUP
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
VAT
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
CHARITY
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
14.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - CHARITY
At 1/1/23
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
570,679
Endowment funds
Karen Reed memorial fund
31,922
TOTAL FUNDS
602,601		 2023
£
112,972
6,706
0
4,101
48,263
172,042
2023
£
4,672
6,706
4,101
36,402
51,881
Net
movement
in funds
£
54,722
3,508
58,230		 2022
£
2,907
3,568
49,146
15,622
46,912
118,155
2022
£
1,179
3,568
1,835
43,612
50,194
At
31/12/23
£
625,401
35,430
660,831

31

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Incoming Resources Resources Gains and Movement Movement
resources expended losses in funds
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 310,773 (232,696)
(57,021)		 21,056
Endowment funds
Karen Reed memorial fund - - (4,449) (4,449)
TOTAL FUNDS 310,773 (232,696)
(61,470)		 16
15. COMPARATIVE MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - GROUP
Net
movement At
At 1/1/22 in funds 31/12/22
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 616,567 20,325 636,892
Endowment funds
Karen Reed memorial fund 36,371 (4,449) 31,922
TOTAL FUNDS 652,938 15,876 668,814
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Gains and Movement
resources expended losses in funds
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 521,329 (443,983) (57,021) 20,325
Endowment funds
Karen Reed memorial fund - - (4,449) (4,449)
TOTAL FUNDS 521,329 (443,983) (61,470) 15,876

GESGB NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

32

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

15. COMPARATIVE MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued CHARITY

CHARITY
Net
movement
At 1/1/22
in funds
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
549,623
21,056
Endowment funds
Karen Reed memorial fund
36,371
(4,449)
TOTAL FUNDS
585,994
16,607
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
Resources
Gains/losses
Movement
resources
expended
and transfers
in funds
£
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
310,773
(232,696)
(57,021)
Endowment funds
Karen Reed memorial fund
-
-
(4,449)
TOTAL FUNDS
310,773
(232,696)
(61,470)
16.
INCOME FROM SUBSIDIARY
2023
£
Turnover
417,987
Cost of sales
228,058
Gross profit
189,929
Administrative expenses
127,678
62,251
Other operating income
-
Operating profit
62,251
Interest receivable and similar income
2,026
64,277
Interest payable and similar expenses
-
(Loss)/Profit before taxation
64,277
Taxation
-
Gift Aid payable to parent charity
63,547
Reserves movement in subsidiary
730		 At
31/12/22
£
570,679
31,922
602,601
£
21,056
(4,449)
16,607
2022
£
225,135
(121,692)
103,443
(89,594)
13,849
-
13,849
421
14,270
-
14,270
-
15,000
(730)

33

GESGB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

17. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the years ended 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022.

34