1089807
Faith-Based Global Human Development
CONGRESS WBN 1089807
REPORTS AND ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
Congress House 250-256 Kingsland Road Hackney London E8 4DG 0207 249 6633
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1089807
CONGRESS WBN 1089807
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
REGISTERED ADDRESS
Congress House 250-256 Kingsland Road Hackney London E8 4DG
CHARITY NUMBER 1089807 GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated 1 September 2000 TRUSTEES Dr Noel Woodroffe Paul Humberstone Paul Lindo
PRINCIPAL BANKERS
HSBC Bank PLC
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
George A Kitcher FCA Regus 15th Floor, Brunel House 2 Fitzalan Road Cardiff CF24 0EB
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INDEX
Pages 4 – 6 Trustee Report Page 7 Independent Examiner’s Report Page 8 Statement of Financial Activities Page 9 Balance Sheet Pages 10 – 13 Notes to the Accounts
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CONGRESS WBN 1089807
TRUSTEE REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report for the year ended 30 September 2025.
OBJECTS
The objectives Congress WBN are focused on effecting human, social and national transformation through the propagation of clearly defined faith-based, moral, ethical, and values-based principles, patterns, and approaches. The organisation is composed of eight sectors of strategic global initiatives involving networks of professional groups, educational institutions, businesses, churches, individual national leaders, university students, and global technology initiatives.
STUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The trustees consider the board of trustees in charge of directing and controlling the charity. Meetings of the trustees are quorate and regular with additional communication between meetings. Routine discussions include the wellbeing of volunteers, the development of new philosophical & operational platforms, upcoming programmes or events, the level of reserves, the financial position and risk management.
The operational management of the charity is delegated to Paul Lindo. With a leadership team of volunteers, regular leadership meetings are convened to review the charity's programmes and set targets to be achieved in line with the objects of the charity.
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
The past year has been another significant one for the Charity, marked by increased international engagement, youth development initiatives, and community-building activities. A key highlight was the continued success of the London Games, which brought together participants from across the UK and Europe, providing opportunities for relationship building and community cohesion. The Charity also supported the youth retreat, bringing together hundreds of next generation, young people from the Global Borderless Kingdom Community, Elijah Centre. The retreat provided a unique environment for spiritual growth, and leadership development, helping young people deepen their faith while strengthening relationships across nations. A significant outcome of the youth retreat was the activation of a Youth Charter, creating a framework for future youth engagement and leadership across the global community.
The year also saw increased engagement across the European region, reflected in a higher level of travel and collaborative activity that supported the ongoing development and strengthening of the network. Alongside these activities, the Charity continued to invest in the development of its technology resources and operational infrastructure, improving communication, connectivity, and organisational effectiveness. Through these initiatives, the Congress WBN has continued to advance its mission.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
Income Generation
The charity does not undertake fund raising activities. Instead, it is funded by the financial contributions of individuals and connected communities committed to its values and objectives.
Financial Performance
Total incoming resources for the year ended 30 September 2025 were £270k. Individual charitable donations remained the charity's principal source of income, contributing £224k, representing approximately 84% of total income (see page 8). Individual donations decreased by 4% compared with the previous year, resulting in an overall reduction in donation income of 4% year on year.
Total operating expenditure for the year was £330k (2023/24 £240k), an increase of £90k (38%). This rise reflects the increased level of programme and ministry activity undertaken during the year, particularly in relation to travel, individual support gifts and donations. Expenditure on rents and premises also increased significantly, largely due to the recognition of catch-up lease-related costs incurred during the year. These factors, together with broader inflationary pressures affecting operating costs, contributed to the overall increase in expenditure.
Investment Policy
The trustees undertake an annual review of the operations of the charity to determine opportunities for investment. By default, the charity holds in reserve funds intended for future events and activities in the coming months.
Risk Management
The trustees have considered the relevant operational, financial and compliance risks for the charity and have taken steps to mitigate:
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a. Financial Risks
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This includes unplanned tapering of financial contributions thereby causing the trust to be unable to meet its financial obligations. This has been mitigated by the trust through the regular convening of the finance committee wherein the trust receives regular up to date financial information to enable the trustees to plan accordingly.
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b. Operational Risks
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This includes the inappropriate management of volunteers leading to defamation and damage to reputation. This is mitigated by reporting structures being in place to enable trustees to review operational issues in a timely manner. A constantly managed culture of values-based functionality embedded in the operational structures of the organisation also mitigates against this risk.
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c. Compliance Risk
The trustees recognise the risk of becoming non-compliant either to changes in statute or by outdated policies and procedures. The risk is mitigated by the work of their compliance team who routinely report and advise on changing legal/policy requirements.
Reserves Policy
The trustees aim to maintain current assets at a level which equates to a month of unrestricted charitable expenditure. With robust cash and account monitoring systems in place, the trustees consider that this level provides sufficient funds to enable financial obligations to be met and allow for sufficient time to review and revise its ongoing commitments should a decrease in income be recognised. The level of current assets at 30[th] September 2025 was £201k. Unrestricted charity expenditure is £28k a month on average. The current level of reserve is therefore adequate as per the above policy.
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TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements in each 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 of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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i. Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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ii. Observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
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iii. Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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iv. State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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v. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue operations.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial information may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
APPROVAL
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf on 21July 2026 by:
Paul Lindo
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CONGRESS WBN 1089807
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 30 September 2025
| Incoming Resources Charitable Income Individual Donations KCN Contributions Other Income Book & CD Sales Other Income Bank Interest Received Miscellaneous Donations Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Expenditure in furtherance of charitable objectives Other Operating Costs Total Resources Expended Net Movement in Funds Fund Balances, 1 October Fund Balances, 30 September |
Note | Unrestricted Funds |
Total Funds 2025 |
Total Funds 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 3 |
£ 224,492 43,768 0 123 268,384 1,270 269,653 330,029 330,029 |
£ 224,492 43,768 0 123 268,384 1,270 269,653 330,029 330,029 |
£ 232,713 47,121 22,524 14 302,372 1,270 303,579 239,502 239,502 |
||
| -60,376 | 64,077 | ||||
| -60,376 | |||||
| 260,903 200,527 |
260,903 200,527 |
196,826 260,903 |
The above funds are unrestricted as to purpose.
All movements of funds and all recognised gains and losses are included above.
The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of these accounts.
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CONGRESS WBN 1089807
Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2025
| Description | Note | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Assets | ||||
| Cash at Bank | 4 | 193,704 | 254,080 | |
| Cash in Hand | 6,823 | 6,823 | ||
| Debtors & Prepayments | 5 | |||
| 200,527 | 260,903 | |||
| Creditors:amounts falling due within one year |
||||
| Creditors & Accruals | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
| Net Current Assets | 200,527 | 260,903 | ||
| NET ASSETS | 200,527 | 260,903 | ||
| Unrestricted Funds | ||||
| General Fund | SOFA | 200,527 | 260,903 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 200,527 | 260,903 | ||
APPROVAL
Approved by the Trustees on 21 July 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Paul Lindo
The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of these accounts.
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CONGRESS WBN 1089807 Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025
1. Accounting Policies
- (a) Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts under the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, unless otherwise stated in the accounting policies.
The Trustees have reviewed the Charity's financial position, cash flow forecasts and reserves and are satisfied that the Charity has adequate resources to continue its activities for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis and are not aware of any material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt on the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
(b) Funds structure
The unrestricted funds are available to be spent on the furthering of the objects of the charity as seen fit and proper by the trustees.
(c) Income recognition
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, there is sufficient certainty or receipt and so it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Donations from members and other donations are recognised when received.
Income in respect of HMRC Gift Aid claims is recognised when the claim has been submitted to HMRC.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included upon notification of the interest payable by the Bank.
(d) Expenditure recognition
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
All expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis.
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CONGRESS WBN 1089807 Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025
(e) Irrecoverable VAT
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure line for which it was incurred.
(f) Governance costs
Governance costs comprise the costs associated with the governance of the Charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
(g) Charitable activities
The expenditure on charitable activities is shown in note 3.
(h) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised in accordance with the Charity's capitalisation policy and are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment.
The Charity did not hold any tangible fixed assets during the year.
(j) Pensions
The charity does not have any employees and does not pay into any pension funds on behalf of anyone.
2. Related party transactions and trustees' expenses and remuneration
The board of trustees have commissioned Portal Consulting Service Ltd (PCS) to undertake a process of capacity building, including management and operations reviews. PCS has a successful track record of delivering such capacity building programmes to its customer base.
The board of trustees has commissioned Congress Global Consulting Ltd (CGC) to undertake wider reaching strategic consulting services. Paul Lindo is a
director of PCS and CGC. During the year £6,000 was paid to PCS for services (£6,000 2023/24) and £15,330 was paid to CGC for services (£10,655 2023/24). These costs are included in the general cost category of the operating expenditure.
The board authorised a non-recurrent transfer of £2,000 to Dr Noel Woodroffe to support designated project activities (£10,000, 2023/24).
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CONGRESS WBN 1089807
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025 – continued
3. Operating costs on charitable activities
| Operating Costs | General | Total Total |
|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 2024 |
|
| £ | £ £ |
|
| Utilities | 13,338 | 13,338 11,024 |
| Communication | 4,597 | 4,597 5,291 |
| Rents & Hires | 118,304 | 118,304 71,747 |
| Travel | 36,647 | 36,647 26,650 |
| Hotel Accommodation | 6,486 | 6,486 5,661 |
| Premises | 13,539 | 13,539 7,272 |
| Bank Charges | 1,188 | 1,188 1,046 |
| General | 32,612 | 32,612 43,849 |
| Gifts and Donations | 85,686 | 85,686 49,900 |
| Office & Admin | 15,280 | 15,280 16,620 |
| Seminars & Conferences |
2,351 | 2,351 443 |
| Total | 330,029 | 330,029 239,502 |
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CONGRESS WBN 1089807
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025 – continued
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 4. | Cash at Bank | £ | £ |
| HSBC - CWBN (Savings) | 6,073 | 32,418 | |
| HSBC - CWBN | 10,632 | 4,717 | |
| HSBC - ECEL | 95,144 | 127,831 | |
| HSBC – ORC | 79,022 | 77,792 | |
| HSBC – CWBN_RC | 2,833 | 11,322 | |
| 193,704 | 254,080 | ||
| 5. | Debtors & Prepayments | ||
| Debtors | 0 | 0 | |
| Prepayments | 0 | 0 | |
| 0 | 0 | ||
| 6. | Creditors & Accruals | ||
| Creditors | |||
| Accruals | 0 | 0 | |
| 0 | 0 |
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Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of: CONGRESS WBN I report on the accounts for the trust for the year ended 30th September 2025 which are set out on pa8e5 8 to 13. Respectlve respOr1b11ltleS of trustees and examiner The charity's trustee5 are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity Trustees consider that an audit is not required for thi5 year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act follow the procedures laid down in the General Direction5 given by the Charity Commission under sectiorTr 14515llbl of the Charsties Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basls of independent eJ(amlner's report My examination was carried out in accordance with the Generdl Direction given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those record5. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures In the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees on any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required by an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair" view and the report is limited to those matter5 set out in the ststement below. Independent examiner'5 Staternent In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention= 111 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any materièl respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting record5 and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met: or 121 to which. in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. George Kitcher FCA Chartered Accountant Regus 15th Floor Brunel House Cardiff CF24 OEB Date 23.07.2026