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2023-03-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Company Charity registration registration number: number: 4178503 1091222

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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CONTENTS

pml.ac.uk

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOREWORD BY THE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

This past year has been hugely successful for PML on many fronts. The achievements detailed later in this report are outstanding, and all the more significant, when delivered in a very challenging environment of funding uncertainty, rising energy costs and inflation.

Of particular note are the three international awards conferred upon our scientists, which not only recognise the individuals’ research contributions but also PML’s scientific excellence. These awards together with many other activities, such as our contributions at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, have continued to raise PML’s profile and standing on the international stage.

A personal highlight of the year was the launch of the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy (NCCA) with our partners the Marine Biological Association and the University of Plymouth. It was an honour and privilege to welcome HRH the Princess Royal to PML to showcase to her and the 170 event guests how coastal autonomy is changing the way in which we undertake marine research.

During the year we made two excellent appointments to our Board of Trustees in Dan Crockett, Oceans and Climate Director at the Blue Marine Foundation, and Dr Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Both bring considerable fundraising experience and expertise which will help us shape and deliver our plans for increasing funding to PML from charitable and philanthropic sources.

On the subject of the Board of Trustees, strong governance is an important element in the operation of any charity. For that reason, an external evaluation of PML’s governance was commissioned. The outcomes were very positive, with PML scoring above the all-charities benchmark. As with every aspect of PML, we will continue to strive to improve our performance further.

Finally, and importantly, these achievements are possible because of the strength and dedication of the PML team. I would like to thank the PML Senior Management, staff, students and Trustees for their part in what has been an incredibly successful year.

Janice Timberlake Chair of Board of Trustees

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The quality and impact of PML research are key to its future, and we very much focus on producing high quality research publications and achieving impact from our research. One example of the former is a paper published last summer on a pioneering new study that investigates global trends in ship emissions, using a novel AI method to catalogue over one million ship tracks. This research established the first clear evidence of a global cloud response to changes in environmental regulations.

In terms of impact PML research fed into the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report published in February 2022.

As a charity which bids for every element of its income, I am delighted at the success that PML has achieved in the last year. The success rate (74%) of our research proposals across all funders was at an unprecedented level. We were also able to attract new funders including the Wellcome Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation. Underpinning these successes is the quality of our research and the reputation of our scientists.

Likewise, PML has been successful in attracting funding for its infrastructure and research. I would like to thank the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) for funding towards a solar carport which will help achieve our net zero ambitions, while reducing energy costs.

NERC funding of £651k for scientific equipment contributing to the implementation of PML’s digital strategy was also greatly appreciated. Our digital strategy required the recruitment of a lead in digital innovation and marine autonomy, in addition to other digital-centred posts. I am very pleased that PML has been able to recruit this expertise over the course of the past year and I look forward to the developments in this exciting field.

In the latter part of the year, we launched the PML Advanced Research Fund, which uses funds from reserves to support high reward, international quality, cutting-edge research projects from our scientists. A decision on proposals to be funded will be made in summer 2023.

PML has also invested from its reserves in IT and other infrastructure in order to improve its business resilience. Equally, our trading subsidiary has invested in new areas for growth to provide an important future income stream to PML. These crucial investments, together with a downturn in the financial markets, affecting our investment portfolio, have led to a small deficit in our consolidated accounts in this financial year. I am confident that the successes of this year will lead to positive financial results downstream.

The contributions of our staff and their achievements over the last year have put us in a strong position to deliver our charitable aims of a healthy and sustainable ocean.

Prof. Icarus Allen Chief Executive

pml.ac.uk

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OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS

129 ISI (peer-reviewed) scientific papers

Unique users 63,464 Sessions 100,948 Page views 198,854 Website statistics from 31st March 2022 - 31st March 2023

34 first-authored

109 of which were gold open access

17,768 Twitter followers 10,365 LinkedIn followers (Social media following as of March 2023)

107.32 CO2/$m Revenue The weighted average carbon intensity of PML’s investment portfolio at 31 March 2023. Compared with the Vanguard FTSE All World value of 207.43 CO /$m 2

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74% £28.3m £9.6m
New research proposals/ Global Advertising Value UK Advertising Value Equivalent
contracts success rate Equivalent of our PR of our PR
4%
of PML papers were in top 1%
of most highly cited ecology/
environmental papers in the world
ISO9001:2015,
ISO14001:2015 &
ISO45001:2018
certified
8
New PhD students
5
Awards
External
governance
review
PML scored higher
than the all charities
benchmark in all
15
categories
197
Number of policy mentions of
6,173
PML research during the year Mentions of PML
(The Publications Office of the
research outputs in
EU, World Health Organisation) news outlets
World Bank, OECD, UN FAO
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

CHARITY NAME

Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Charity Registration Number 1091222 (England & Wales)

Company Registration Number 4178503

Registered Office Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH

SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Prof J I Allen Chief Executive

Prof S Widdicombe Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Science

B K Tremain Director of Operations & Company Secretary

S Coughlin Head of Financial Services

TRUSTEES

The Trustees listed below were Trustees for the whole of the year ended 31 March 2023 and at the date this report was approved unless stated otherwise:

J E Timberlake Chair

N B Buckland OBE

M J Butcher

Prof L J Carpenter MBE FRS FRCS

D Crockett (Appointed 1 February 2023)

Dr V C E Garçon

N J Godefroy

P R James

Prof T D Jickells OBE

Dr B MacKenzie

Prof R F Rayner (Retired 31 January 2023)

Dr J I Virmani (Appointed 1 January 2023)

PATRON

James Cameron Explorer, environmentalist and renowned filmmaker

J Davy Head of Human Resources (Retired 31 March 2023)

Dr T J Smyth Head of Science

SOLICITORS

Foot Anstey LLP Salt Quay House, 4 North East Quay, Sutton Harbour, Plymouth PL4 0BN

Tozers LLP Broadwalk House, Southernhay W, Exeter EX1 1UA

BANKERS

Co-Operative Bank 8 Old Town Street, Plymouth PL1 1DE

AUDITORS

PKF Francis Clark Melville Building East Unit 18, 23 Royal William Yard Plymouth PL1 3GW

INVESTMENT MANAGERS

Brewin Dolphin Ltd Vantage Point, Woodwater Park, Pynes Hill, Exeter EX2 5FD

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TRUSTEES. REPORT

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

The Trustees (as listed on page 8), who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements and auditors’ report of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2022.

The Trustees, who are also Directors of Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) for the purposes of the Companies Act, submit their annual report (incorporating the strategic report), together with the audited consolidated financial statements of the charity and its trading subsidiary for the period ended 31 March 2022. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Who We Are & What We Do

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is an independent, not-for-profit research institute. Its mission is to pursue research excellence, enhancing its position as a world leader in the field of marine science. This in turn supports PML’s vision of a healthy and sustainable ocean, through the delivery of impactful, cutting-edge environmental and social science.

Our 160+ staff work to understand the ocean, how it sustains life and the human impact upon it, allowing society to benefit from clean, productive and biologically diverse seas, now and for future generations.

PML’s vision is set in the context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the “double decade” of action: The Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and The Decade of Ecosystem Restoration”.

Our Values

We have a set of seven core values which reflect our organisational culture and underpin the ethos of the PML Group:

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COLLABORATION EXCELLENCE INNOVATION
INTEGRITY MEANINGFULNESS
RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY
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Public Benefit Statement

The Trustees can confirm that they have referred to the guidance provided by the Charity Commission, including the guidance ‘public benefit: running a charity (PB2)’ when reviewing the aims and objectives of the Charity and in planning future activities. The Trustees also give due consideration to how these activities contribute to the aims and objectives set.

PML’s charitable objects are:

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OUR STRATEGY pml.ac.uk li

OUR STRATEGY

PML’S STRATEGY (2020-2025), WHICH WAS REVIEWED AND AMENDED DURING THE YEAR, SETS OUT ITS STRATEGIC AIMS COLLATED UNDER FOUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AS FOLLOWS:

1. SCIENCE EXCELLENCE & IMPACT

PML will continue to deliver its internationallyrecognised and world-leading expertise focused on five Science to Impact Challenges:

2. BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

3. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Engaging and supporting our internal and external communities.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

PML wholly owns a trading subsidiary, PML Applications Ltd, a “for good” commercial business providing consultancy and services to a global client base in the areas of marine biofouling and corrosion, coastal technologies, environmental solutions and geospatial applications (including software).

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DELIVERING OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES – OUR ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE

Strategic Priority 1 SCIENCE EXCELLENCE & IMPACT 1

Science Excellence

The excellence and relevance of PML’s science has been amply demonstrated by its unprecedented 74% success rate in winning new research projects valued at £10M in total. Moreover, PML has been able to attract new funders for its research, including charitable foundations – the Wellcome Trust and Garfield Weston Foundation – aligning with its strategy for diversification of funding, and emphasising the impact being delivered by PML’s research.

External recognition of PML’s scientific excellence also came in the form of five awards:

Citation analysis, covering the period 2018-2022, shows that 4.0% of PML papers were in the top 1% of the most cited ecology / environmental science papers in the world. Two of PML’s scientists, Prof. Pennie Lindeque and Dr Matt Cole, were named for the fourth and third year running, respectively, on the annual Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers List 2022.

Science Strategy

A principal focus during this year has been the implementation of a digital science strategy to underpin PML’s research strategy. This focuses on the application of new tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomy, to support its research goals. PML was delighted to appoint Dr Matthew Palmer as Lead for Environmental Digital Science and has successfully recruited to a number of other posts in the digital realm.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Advanced Research Fund

PML has created this fund using reserves to generate new science ideas. The fund was launched in December 2022 and the first tranche of proposals has been received and will be evaluated for funding by external experts, and science Trustees in the next financial year.

People

PML was delighted to welcome 13 new science staff, including to roles such as Environmental Economist, Earth Observation Scientist and Modeller, as well as the digital roles mentioned above. PML also welcomed Prof. Osvaldo Ulloa as a Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellow in March 2023. He will be using remote sensing, optical, and molecular tools to investigate ecosystem structure, dynamics, and productivity in a changing ocean.

PML also launched the Trevor Platt Science Fellowship. Funded by its Education Support Fund, PML has sought an outstanding early career researcher to undertake a fellowship at PML, starting in summer 2023, in any aspect of biological oceanography. PML’s Education Support Fund also enabled PML to match fund five PhD students with various universities, who took up their research projects at PML in October 2022, together with three other PhD students supported via other funding streams.

New Infrastructure/Equipment

Linked to the digital strategy implementation, PML was successful in obtaining funding of £651k from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) for an Automated, in situ Plankton Imaging and Classification System (APICS) which will radically improve the understanding of how environmental changes are affecting plankton, the microscopic organisms at the foundation of the marine food chain.

Resumption of Scientific Cruises

The first post-covid pandemic Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT) scientific cruise took place between February and March 2023, involving 26 scientists from PML, national and international universities. AMT continues to provide measurements in remote ocean gyres. These data have been collected since 1995 and are used to understand how biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles function naturally and how they might be influenced by climate change.

Science & Impact Highlights

PML researchers produced 129 peer-reviewed papers (160 in FY2021-22) during this financial year, 34 of which were first-authored, with the focus on high quality rather than a high volume of papers. Some highlights from PML’s research undertaken during the year against each of the Science to Impact Challenges are provided below:

Autonomy, Technology & Digitisation

PML was delighted to host the visit of HRH The Princess Royal for the launch of the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy, which PML and partners in Marine Research Plymouth – the Marine Biological Association and the University of Plymouth – has founded.

The launch event was attended by over 170 guests, including charitable foundations, industry, Maritime UK, government departments, the Royal Navy, NERC, the Met Office and the Hydrographic Office. The Centre aims to advance understanding of our constantly evolving ocean and coastlines and will further cement Plymouth’s position as the UK centre of excellence for the application of coastal marine autonomy.

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CASE STUDY

AUTOMATED, IN SITU PLANKTON IMAGING AND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (APICS)

PML scientists are on the cusp of achieving a radically improved understanding of how environmental changes are affecting plankton, the microscopic organisms at the foundation of the marine food chain which also play a vital role in generating oxygen for the planet.

As part of a £6.6 million Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funding package for UK environmental science equipment, PML was awarded £651k in 2022/23 for its bespoke ‘Automated, in situ Plankton Imaging and Classification System’ (APICS).

Designed for remote deployment in the Western Channel Observatory (the marine biodiversity reference site in the Western English Channel), the new system uses two state-of-the-art submersible devices (an ‘Imaging FlowCytobot’ and a ‘Plankton Imager’) to gather images of plankton at varying sizes which can then be automatically classified using machine learning software.

This innovative, automated technique will radically improve the frequency, duration and range of plankton monitoring, which is currently carried out manually by scientists in situ .

Through the use of renewable energy to power the equipment, and the reduced reliance on research vessels, the project also supports PML’s ambition of moving towards net zero oceanography.

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CASE STUDY

ATLANTIC MERIDIONAL TRANSECT (AMT)

Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT) is a research programme that samples the open ocean between the UK and the South Atlantic.

Led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and funded by Natural Environment Research Council’s (NERC) National Capability, AMT is a highly important expedition for the marine science community as it collects samples along the length of the Atlantic, producing a unique dataset and the opportunity to monitor changes in this expansive and dynamic ocean.

In February 2023, AMT30 left the Falkland Islands for its 38-day voyage back to the UK; the first AMT expedition to run since 2019 (due to the Covid-19 pandemic).

A truly multidisciplinary programme it undertakes biological, chemical and physical oceanographic research, AMT also provides an invaluable training experience for budding marine scientists to work at-sea alongside leading researchers from around the world.

The main deliverable of AMT is the unique data time series (1995 – 2019 and now 2023) of spatially extensive and consistent observations on the structure and biogeochemical properties of planktonic ecosystems in the Atlantic Ocean. This data is vital to validate models addressing questions related to the global carbon cycle as well as monitoring environmental change.

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DELIVERING OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES CONTINUED

Biodiversity

A comprehensive new review of impacts on zooplankton caused by ocean warming was published by 22 leading scientists from around the world, including a co-author from PML. Zooplankton are a critical link between the smallest and largest marine organisms and play an important role in the transfer of carbon.

A study was published between PML and the University of Portsmouth, to help improve understanding of the link between marine habitat ‘health’ and ecosystem service provision, which will lead to a more precise approach for active marine habitat management and restoration.

Scientists from PML and the Universities of Plymouth and Strathclyde have been working on an optical model to show the extent and ecological impact of urban light on marine ecosystems. Their resulting publication shows that coastal megacities could be illuminating the marine environment up to six times more than the moon.

Following nomination by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO, PML’s Director of Science has been selected by the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to serve as an expert for the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Indicators for The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Cleaner Seas

PML researchers are collaborating on a project, with more than 30 research organisations across South Asia and the UK, that aims to improve nitrogen management and measure how nitrogen is impacting our environment. Preliminary research from PML showed how pollution emitted inside a lagoon could remain for a few days before being washed out to the ocean, thus requiring management to minimise further impacts to the fragile ecosystem of the lagoon.

Climate Change

A paper on climate change and the ability of the ocean to sustain future seafood demand, co-authored by a PML scientist, highlighted the need for swift actions to be taken.

PML scientists were co-authors on a policy brief Addressing Climate Change Impacts from Health focusing in particular on Egypt in the run-up to the UN COP27 Climate Change meeting.

PML scientists contributed to the Ocean Acidification chapter of the OSPAR Quality Status Report.

A modelling study led by PML scientists has shown that the seas of Southeast Asia may warm by 1.1 to 2.9oC through the 21st century, with reduced oxygen levels and many other environmental changes that could cause stress for marine life.

A new research project, which is investigating seaweed detritus as a blue carbon “blind spot” started during the year. The study will help improve understanding of natural climate change mitigation solutions provided by seaweed habitats and the patches of seafloor with which they are connected.

Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture

A final version of a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) web alert system, produced under the S-3 EUROHAB project, led by PML, was officially launched in September 2022. This system will enable HABs to be tracked at high resolution, thus benefiting shellfish farms and marine management stakeholders.

For further science and impact highlights, please see the news section on our website.

pml.ac.uk

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CASE STUDY

LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR COASTAL AUTONOMY (NCCA)

Officially launched by HRH The Princess Royal in October 2022, the NCCA is the UK’s first autonomous fully integrated coastal observing and monitoring network.

Founded by the partners in ‘Marine Research Plymouth’ (Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), Marine Biological Association (MBA), University of Plymouth) it employs the latest autonomous technologies to drive towards a net zero oceanographic capability, delivering world-leading and cutting-edge science.

A fleet of state-of-the-art surface autonomous vessels, sub-surface coastal platforms and sophisticated scientific buoys are integrated on a unique high-speed award-winning marine communications network.

The high resolution data it produces is designed to support policy-makers and other organisations to enable good stewardship and an enhanced understanding of the coastal environment.

The NCCA is also delivering a platform to train and develop the next generation of scientists and technologists in partnership with industry and the public sector.

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DELIVERING OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES CONTINUED

From Local to Global

PML plays an important role at the local/regional, national and global level, demonstrated by many of the science and impact highlights shown above. Also of note are the following activities, evidencing PML’s contribution and collaboration at many levels:

Local/Regional

PML collaborates with universities and research organisations across the UK and overseas. Some of the closest collaborations are locally with the Marine Biological Association and the University of Plymouth, who together with PML form Marine Research Plymouth. This partnership has been reinforced during the year through the creation of the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy (see above), and other initiatives, such as Science Dialogues, to enhance co-operation and cohesion of the world-leading science undertaken by the three partners.

PML also works closely in the region with the University of Exeter and the Met Office, for example on research in environmental intelligence.

National

PML plays a prominent role in NERC National Capability – long-term programmes which enable the UK to deliver world-leading environmental science. PML works in collaboration with other research centres in the UK on programmes, such as TerraFIRMA – Future Impacts, Risks and Mitigation Actions in a changing Earth system.

PML was selected as one of ten environmental and sustainability charities and Non-Governmental Organisations chosen to take part in The Alan Turing Institute’s first combined Turing Internship Network (TIN) and Data Study Group (DSG) programme. The programme was focused on tackling climate change and learning about its impact through data science and artificial intelligence (AI) research.

Global

A previous aim of PML had been to maximise PML’s international visibility and engagement through the establishment of an International Office. Objectives for this International Office were set and have been delivered through the year, including:

Following the retirement of Dr Carol Turley, PML has successfully recruited Dr Matt Frost as its new Head of International Office.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Strategic Priority 2 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE 2

There have been several notable achievements under this strategic priority as follows:

Increase Funding from Charitable Sources

In March 2022 the Board agreed to invest a sum of reserves into a fundraising strategy to support additional staff (in post from August 2022) and marketing and communications activities. In addition to the new charitable foundation funders mentioned above (Wellcome Trust and Garfield Weston Foundation), funding of US$1M was secured from the Simons Foundation for phase 2 of a research project on computational biogeochemical modelling of marine ecosystems, and £359k was secured from the Amazon Right Now Climate Fund for seaweed farming. PML’s role in this project is to research seaweed’s potential to sequester carbon. In total during the year PML secured funding of £1.9M from charitable sources.

Infrastructure & Resilience

A new high performance computer to support PML’s modelling research has been specified and ordered, and will be commissioned in September 2023. This project has been funded by NERC capital investment funds. PML has also been implementing other essential computing infrastructure measures. A back-up generator, which operates using biofuel, has been installed and commissioned, for business continuity purposes in the event of a power cut, providing power to our data centres, experimental and essential infrastructure.

Modernisation of Business Platforms and Digital Information

Following the implementation of a new website last year, our Marketing & Communications team have been highly active in producing and promoting digital content on PML’s research.

Such efforts have led to a greater level of coverage of PML’s research and science activities evidenced by the Advertising Value Equivalency (AVE) and reach of this coverage for the year as follows:

AVE: global £28.3M; UK £9.6M

Alongside our external profile, a major project has been the development of a new Sharepoint intranet to improve internal communication and business efficiency.

Our new HR system has been rolled out, including modules for staff appraisal and onboarding of new staff and students with the latter receiving positive feedback from new starters.

Industrial & Academic Partnerships

The launch of the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy, as described above under Science Excellence, involved many industrial partners with whom relationships have been developed. On the academic side, PML’s Chief Executive was invited to undertake an external review of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), with whom PML has a Memorandum of Understanding. A visit to PML of the Chief Operating Officer of AIMS is planned for this autumn.

Quality Assurance

A decision was taken to streamline PML’s ISO accreditation process, to integrate ISO9001 (Quality Management), ISO45001 (Health & Safety Management) and ISO14001 (Environmental Management Systems), which has worked well. PML has maintained certification to the ISO9001 Quality Management Standard – see below under Social Responsibility and Environmental Responsibility for further information.

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DELIVERING OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES CONTINUED

Strategic Priority 3 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 3

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

An EDI strategy was developed, approved by the Board of Trustees and published, together with EDI operating objectives, PML’s Annual Report to the Board on EDI and Gender Equality Plan. All information is available on our website here. PML is pursuing accreditation to Investors in Diversity and undertook a culture survey of its staff, students, Board of Trustees and other stakeholders to inform future action. Mandatory EDI training has also been implemented.

A new Head of People & Culture has been recruited and will progress the implementation of the EDI strategy in 2023-24.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing

PML has maintained certification to the ISO45001 Health and Safety Management Standard. Continuous improvements have been made, including the development of additional codes of practice and implementation of additional health and safety measures.

Monthly pulse surveys across all employees are undertaken to understand any issues or changes so that timely action can be taken.

PML’s standing as an excellent place to work was underlined not only by our ability to recruit new staff but also by having been judged a Finalist in the Western Morning News Best Place to Work regional awards.

21pml.ac.uk TRUSTEES’ REPORT CONTINUED

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OCEANUS

CASE STUDY

PLANS FOR THE WORLD’S FIRST LONG-RANGE AUTONOMOUS RESEARCH VESSEL REVEALED

In May 2022, PML revealed plans for Oceanus , which is set to usher in a new era for net zero oceanography and advanced international marine research.

Supported by seed funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the sleek, futuristic-looking and fully uncrewed ‘ Oceanus ’ has been designed as a self-righting, light-weight, mono-hulled autonomous vessel capable of carrying an array of monitoring sensors to collect data for research into critical areas such as climate change, biodiversity, fisheries and biogeochemistry.

Designed primarily to make the transatlantic sampling voyage from the UK to the Falklands, the Oceanus will carry an advanced scientific payload and use the latest AI technology to help navigate the best course to its target location, with real-time input from weather forecasts and other marine data feeds.

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DELIVERING OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES CONTINUED

Strategic Priority 4 ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY 4

Improvements to Buildings & Estate

During the year PML initiated the installation of a new cycle compound to enable more employees and students to cycle to work. This installation was completed in April and was partially funded by Plymouth City Council’s Transforming Cities Fund. Planning permission was also granted for a solar carport which supports PML’s aim to reduce its carbon footprint and also will reduce energy costs. This project, funded primarily by the Natural Environment Research Council, is underway and will be completed by late summer 2023.

Aiming Towards Net Zero Carbon

Banking & Investments

In early 2023 PML changed its banking provision from HSBC to the Co-operative Bank, as the latter’s environmental values align with those of PML. As a marine research organisation PML’s investment policy embraces environmental objectives. The weighted average carbon intensity of PML’s investment portfolio at 31 March 2023 was 107.32 CO2/$M Revenue compared with the Vanguard FTSE All World value of 207.43.

The Trustees recognise the significant achievements of the staff over the course of the last year and would like to thank them for their outstanding contributions.

In November 2022 PML achieved accreditation to the ISO14001 (Environmental Management Systems) standard. Earlier in the year a design was completed for the world’s first long-range autonomous vessel – Oceanus . Funding to realise this design is being sought. Significant work has also been undertaken to reduce our data storages and associated carbon footprint and energy costs by removing data that is no longer needed and data coding efficiency practices.

PML has enrolled into the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) with all our laboratories at a ‘Bronze’ standard and making good progress towards ‘Silver’. This has resulted not only in energy and associated carbon reduction, but also less unnecessary wastage of chemicals and materials by improved sharing practices.

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FINANCIAL REVIEW

Results for the year

Net loss for the year amounted to (£36k) (2022 net income: £464k). After adjusting for realised and unrealised investment gains, the net movement in funds for the year amounted to a loss of £211k (2022 income: £630k). The total funds carried forward remain in a net asset position of £8,444k (2022 funds carried forward: £8,654k).

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PRINCIPAL RISKS & UNCERTAINTIES

Risk Management

PML’s risk management policy is reviewed annually by the Board. In addition, a comprehensive analysis of risks to which PML is exposed is undertaken and systems identified and put in place to mitigate risk. Under the terms of the risk management policy, the Senior Management Team carries out a periodic evaluation of the risks, by way of a risk register. The Audit & Finance Committee also review the risk register in detail and present to the Board those risks of greatest significance to PML. Principal risks and their mitigation are discussed by the Trustees on a regular basis.

The principal risks and uncertainties faced by PML relate primarily to (i) energy costs and (ii) inflation, especially as there is a long lead time between the generation of research proposals, and their associated costings generation, and receipt of income for contracts. The current risk being faced is that some existing contracts were costed prior to inflationary and energy cost pressures. In mitigation our overhead costs were increased so that all new research proposals are costed at the new rate. Energy costs are being mitigated in part by measures to reduce in consumption and renewables installation as mentioned above.

Another risk to future funding is the continued non-association of the UK with the Horizon Europe research programme. Whilst the UK government has stated that other international funding will be provided, it is uncertain as to the priorities for this funding. In mitigation PML is diversifying its sources of funding.

Reserves Policy

A reserves policy was developed and adopted by PML in its first year of operation and has been subsequently revised over the years. The reserves policy is reviewed annually by the Trustees to ensure it is fit for purpose. The policy provides for the maintenance of general reserves (under unrestricted funds) at a level equivalent to at least six months’ expenditure, in order to provide adequate working capital levels for the ongoing operation of PML and completion of existing projects.

The reserves are set at a level to withstand any short-term setback, whether operational, in the investment markets, or in key sources of research income. If the free reserves should fall outside the level of six months’ expenditure, the Trustees would review PML’s strategic plan accordingly.

The policy also provides designated reserves (under unrestricted funds), which are funds set aside to assure that capital and other significant expenditure approved by the Trustees can be funded as required over at least the next 12-month period.

Bank balances decreased over the year from £6.2M to £4.9M. There was £239k held for partners.

Principal Funding Sources

Income was derived principally from competitive research of £6.4M (2022: £6.4M) from a variety of customers, (including UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), the European Commission, the European Space Agency and foundations), including over £0.6M received from sub-contractors (2022: £1.6M), and the UKRI-NERC National Capability funding, amounting to £3.8M (2022: £4.0M). This income has enabled PML to undertake strategic and applied research, generating knowledge and publications, leading to impact, as well as carrying out the activities listed under Achievements and Performance.

PML scientists have been exceptionally successful in terms of winning competitive research funding. New contracts won during the financial year were valued at £10.1M (2022: £3.0M), with a further £484k under negotiation/successful. In addition, NERC has provided capital funding of £400k for the solar carport.

Investment Policy

PML’s investment policy was reviewed in March 2023 and no further changes were made. PML aims to make investments that have a positive impact on environmental issues, whilst achieving the best financial return. PML will only invest in sectors or companies that have a positive tilt to environmental solutions. PML will not invest in sectors with a negative impact on the environment such as oil and gas, and mining, and will only invest in companies that have a clear strategy to get to net zero as a business.

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PRINCIPAL RISKS & UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The portfolio of investments is managed by a professional asset management organisation approved by the Trustees. The assets within the managers’ portfolio are held by professional custodians. The activities and performance of the investment managers and portfolio, including ESG aspects are monitored through regular reporting to PML’s Audit & Finance Committee, which reports to the Trustees.

Trading Subsidiary

PML’s trading subsidiary, PML Applications Ltd, reported an operating profit of £82k (2022: £537k), and generated £1.8M (2022: £1.7M) of income for PML. The operating profit was lower than in previous years due to the cessation of Copernicus funding (resulting from the non-association of the UK with Horizon Europe) and investment within the trading subsidiary for future growth. A gift aid payment of £528k was made by PML Applications to PML in the financial year. Following careful consideration, the PML Board of Trustees agreed to accept a deferment of the repayment of the remaining balance of £100k of its loan to PML Applications Ltd for a further year to provide the trading subsidiary with sufficient working capital for future growth. This growth is necessary for generating gift aid to PML, which in turn is used to support investment in areas of the charity deemed necessary by PML.

Fundraising Policy

PML’s approach to fundraising is to target charitable foundations and trusts, and corporations through their foundations. PML will not embark on fundraising from the general public, whether in person, through events or on-line. Any crowdfunding initiative will only be undertaken as part of a specific fundraising campaign or proposal for research project or capital funds. PML adheres to the Fundraising Code of Practice. In the last year PML has adhered to the requirements of the Code; there have been no complaints received regarding PML’s fundraising practices. PML’s complaint procedure is available at www.pml.ac.uk/legal.

Plans for Future Periods

In addition to the considerable number of research projects, PML’s plans for the future (2023-24 financial year) are as follows:

26

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

PML is a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. PML is governed by its Articles of Association adopted in July 2010 (following changes in both charity and company law) and amended by special resolutions, most recently in November 2022 to align the maximum term of office of a Trustee with the term recommended in the Charity Governance Code. Responsibility for the overall governance of PML rests with the Board, who are Trustees for the purposes of the Charities Act and Directors for the purposes of the Companies Act. Members of the charity comprise serving Trustees and the serving Chief Executive, each of whom undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required (not exceeding £10) to PML’s assets in the event of PML being wound up.

Appointment of Trustees

Trustees must retire after serving a period of five consecutive years, except where such Trustee has been invited, and has agreed to serve, with the approval by resolution of the Trustees and of the members of the Charity, an additional period of office of not more than four years, or if the Trustee is elected as Chair, whereupon their term will be deemed to have recommenced. In exceptional circumstances, Trustees may continue beyond a nine-year period, subject to a rigorous review in accordance with the Charity Governance Code, and to approval by resolution of the Trustees and of a special resolution by the members of the Charity. The Trusteeship of Prof. Jickells OBE was extended for a further one year beyond a nine year term until January 2024 following a rigorous review which concluded that his understanding of the scientific research of PML was essential in the transition and handover to Trustees appointed in April 2022.

PML has in place a policy and procedure on the appointment of Trustees. Recruitment of new Trustees is led by a Nominations Committee, the composition of which reflects the skills being sought. This Committee reports to the Board. When recruiting a new Trustee, the Board is mindful of the need to ensure a balance of skills, background and diversity.

For details on individual Board members, please see the relevant section on our website at www.pml.ac.uk/governance.

Induction & Training of Trustees

PML has in place policies on the induction and training of Trustees. New Trustees undergo a comprehensive induction, meeting other members of the Board of Trustees, as well as the Senior Management Team and staff to learn about its governance, research, impact, financial performance and infrastructure and also the work of its wholly owned trading subsidiary, PML Applications Ltd. Each Trustee receives an induction programme, which is tailored to suit the expertise of the Trustee and their role on the Board.

As part of the formal induction programme, new Trustees receive a detailed induction pack containing various documents relating to PML and the duties of a Trustee, including key Charity Commission publications – CC3 “The Essential Trustee” and the Charity Governance Code – the Articles of Association, PML’s Strategy, Science Plan and Operating Plan, the most recent set of accounts, as well as various other policy documents. The Company Secretary has overall responsibility for the induction of Trustees. Where specific training is identified as necessary, then this is delivered internally or through external providers, including attendance at seminars or conferences.

Trustees also receive updates on charity law, e.g. the changes being brought about by the Charities Act 2022. A rolling programme of refresher training for Trustees is being explored.

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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

----- Start of picture text -----
All Charity Benchmark
Benchmarking: PML v Digi-Board All Charities Benchmarks Plymouth Marine Laboratory
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
ORGANISATIONAL PURPOSELEADERSHIP INTEGRITYDECISION-MAKINGRISK & CONTROLEFFECTIVENESSBOARD COMPOSITIONBOARD E D & I ACCOUNTABLEOPEN & FOUNDATION PRINCIPLEBOARD BEHAVIOURS & CULTURESAFEGUARDING GENERATIONINCOME USE OF DIGITAL COMMITTEES
----- End of picture text -----

Evaluation of Board Performance

An external evaluation of governance was undertaken in association with Digi-Board in late summer 2022. PML scored higher in all 15 categories against the Digi-Board All Charities Benchmark. Whilst the outcome was very positive, the Board recognised the need for continuous improvement, particularly in areas such as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and stakeholder engagement. The Board reviewed the detailed findings of the evaluation, from which an action plan has been derived and is being implemented.

Organisational Structure

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees, which can have up to 11 members, is responsible for the governance of PML. The Board generally meets at least four times per year (or more frequently as required), receiving regular reports on the financial and management aspects of the organisation, and to discuss strategic issues. Average attendance by Trustees over the last year at Board meetings was 80% (2022: 81%).

Committees

In addition to the main Board, there are three principal committees as follows:

The Terms of Reference of the Audit & Finance Committee were amended during the year to encompass responsibilities relating to the Trevor Platt Science Fund. Thanks to a generous donation to PML this fund has been established in memory of Prof. Trevor Platt FRS, former employee of PML, to provide financial support for capacity building activities relating of aquatic environmental research, education and stewardship.

28 TRUSTEES’ REPORT CONTINUED

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

At the March 2023 Board meeting it was agreed to establish a Fundraising Committee to support PML’s fundraising strategy. This Committee has now been set up and comprises two Trustees – Dan Crockett and Dr Virmani – and various members of staff.

Senior Management Team

The Chief Executive is given delegated authority for the day-to-day operation, delivered through the Senior Management Team, including scientific, financial, health and safety, and employment related matters. The specific levels of authority are detailed in a statement of Delegated Authority. The Chief Executive reports regularly to the Board on key aspects of PML’s performance as detailed above.

As a major funder of PML, NERC and PML agreed to an observer attending PML Board meetings and this arrangement has been in place since March 2021.

PML Applications Ltd

PML’s wholly owned subsidiary, PML Applications Ltd, was established to undertake more applied and commercial work and facilitate knowledge exchange. It may gift aid its profits to PML.

Blue Marine Foundation

Dan Crockett, PML Trustee, is Oceans and Climate Director at the Blue Marine Foundation. PML received income of £42k from the Blue Marine Foundation during the 2022-23 financial year for one research project, and invoiced during the past year for £35k for another research project.

Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO)

PML has hosted the secretariat of POGO for nine years, providing accommodation and staffing for the secretariat under a formal agreement. In February 2017 POGO became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in the UK.

Related Parties

UKRI-NERC

PML is eligible to bid on a competitive basis for funding from UKRI, including from NERC. PML is designated a Delivery Partner for ‘National Capability’, a funding stream directly procured by NERC which enables the UK to deliver world-leading environmental science.

As part of the transfer of ownership process from NERC to PML in 2002 a staff loan agreement covering NERC employees was in place, which was novated to UKRI in 2018. On 1 April 2022 the remaining 23 UKRI-NERC employees were transferred to PML under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings [Protection of Employment]).

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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Pay Policy for Senior Staff

All of the Trustees (Directors) give of their time freely and no Trustee received remuneration during the year. Details of Trustees’ expenses incurred in the course of their duties are disclosed under note 8. The Chief Executive’s remuneration package is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees who review benchmarking data from the research and charity sector, and assess performance against objectives set for the year.

The remuneration of the senior staff (members of the Senior Management Team) is reviewed by the Remuneration Committee (see above) as part of the entire PML workforce’s remuneration, with recommendations made to the Board of Trustees for its approval.

Due to the nature of this balance the Trustees have strong certainty that the majority can be earnt and released to income over the next financial year to fund staff costs and overheads. As at year end the charity also held an investment portfolio of £3.7M which as a last resort could be realised to fund any deficits that arise as a result of the risks identified above.

The Trustees believe that PML is a going concern on the following basis:

Going Concern

PML’s cash position (as at 30 April 2023) is strong at £4.4M.

Income and expenditure forecasting has been undertaken for the financial year ending 2023-24 which has shown that the result for PML will be a trading deficit of the order of £200k, primarily due to energy costs and inflation and its consequences as noted above under Principal Risks. Outline forecasts for 2024-25 and 2025-26 have also been produced which show that the company will return to a small surplus position over this time period.

Current signed contracts stand at £23.9M, of which £10.9M has already been recognised up to 31 March 2023. The remaining £13.0M relates to projects which run over the next three financial years.

At year end the Trustees acknowledge that the net current asset position was a relatively modest £2.6M. They take assurance from the fact that within current creditors is £2.9M of cash advances received on competitive research contracts.

In conclusion, there are no material uncertainties to cast doubt on PML’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Disclosure of Information to Auditor

Each Trustee has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a Trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity’s auditor is aware of that information. The Trustees confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditor is unaware.

The annual report was approved by the Trustees of the charity on 14 July 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

J E Timberlake Chair and Trustee

30

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of Plymouth Marine Laboratory for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ report and the Trustees’’ report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”.

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the parent charitable company and the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the parent charitable company and the group 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 parent charitable company and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Approved by the Trustees of the charity on 14 July 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

J E Timberlake Chair and Trustee

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF PLYMOUTH MARINE LABORATORY

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Plymouth Marine Laboratory (the ‘charitable parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 March 2023, which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising Charities SORP – FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Use of our Report

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

Other Information

The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Conclusions Relating to Going Concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Opinion on Other Matters Prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

Matters on which we are Required to Report by Exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the and the Trustees’ Report.

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

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities (set out on page 31), the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

34 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the company and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to acts by the company which were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.

We considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements, including, but not limited to the reporting framework (FRS 102 and Companies Act 2006) and the relevant tax compliance regulations in the UK. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to fraudulent financial reporting.

We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the operations of the group, including, but not limited to various environmental and employment laws and regulations (e.g. Environmental Protection Act and The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) that are applicable in the UK.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements. This risk increases the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements as we are less likely to be come aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org. uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Duncan Leslie

(Senior Statutory Auditor) PKF Francis Clark, Statutory Auditor

Melville Building East Unit 18, 23 Royal William Yard Plymouth PL1 3GW

28 July 2023

Audit procedures performed by the engagement team include, but were not limited to, discussion and inquiries with management of compliance with laws and regulations and review of correspondence and contracts with third parties. We also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including testing of journals and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the Directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

36

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

(Including Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Unrestricted
Funds Funds Restricted Total
– General – Designated Funds 2023
Note £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Income and
Endowments from:		 Income and
Endowments from:		 Income and
Endowments from:		 Income and
Endowments from:		 Income and
Endowments from:		 Income and
Endowments from:
Charitable Activities 3 719 - 11,486 12,205
Other Trading Activities 4 1,719 - - 1,719
Investment Income 76 - - 76
Total Income 2,513 - 11,486 13,999
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds (1,278) - - (1,278)
Charitable Activities 5 (788) (459) (11,486) (12,734)
Other Expenditure (23) - - (23)
Total Expenditure (2,090) (459) (11,486) (14,035)
Net Income/(Expenditure) 424 (459) - (36)
Transfers Between Funds (1,225) 1,225 - -
Gains/(Losses) on
Investments Assets		 (175) - - (175)
Net Movement in Funds (976) 766 - (211)
Reconciliation of Funds
Total Funds Brought Forward 4,025 4,629 - 8,654
Total Funds Carried Forward 21 3,049 5,395 - 8,444

The notes on pages 42 to 70 form an integral part of these financial statements.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

(Including Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

For comparative purposes – financial performance for prior financial year ended 31March 2022:

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Unrestricted
Funds Funds Restricted Total
– General – Designated Funds 2022
Note £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Income and
Endowments from:		 Income and
Endowments from:		 Income and
Endowments from:		 Income and
Endowments from:		 Income and
Endowments from:		 Income and
Endowments from:
Charitable Activities 3 725 1,652 10,864 13,241
Other Trading Activities 4 1,722 - - 1,722
Investment Income 58 - - 58
Total Income 2,505 1,652 10,864 15,021
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds (828) - - (828)
Charitable Activities 5 (2,471) (371) (10,864) (13,705)
Other Expenditure (24) - - (24)
Total Expenditure (3,323) (371) (10,864) (14,557)
Net Income/(Expenditure) (817) 1,282 - 464
Transfers Between Funds 582 (582) - -
Gains/(Losses) on
Investment Assets		 165 - - 165
Net Movement in Funds (70) 700 - 630
Reconciliation of Funds
Total Funds Brought Forward 4,095 3,930 - 8,024
Total Funds Carried Forward 21 4,025 4,629 - 8,654

All of the group’s activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds’ breakdowns for 2023 and 2022 are shown in note 21.

The notes on pages 42 to 70 form an integral part of these financial statements.

38 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES CONTINUED

Consolidated Balance Sheet 31 March 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
Note £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Fixed Assets Fixed Assets Fixed Assets Fixed Assets
Intangible Assets 12 432 426
Tangible Assets 13 8,527 9,212
Investments 14 3,711 3,833
12,670 13,471
Current Assets
Debtors 15 3,862 2,856
Cash at Bank and in Hand 16 4,917 6,237
8,779 9,094
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 17 (6,157) (7,399)
Net Current Assets 2,622 1,694
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 15,292 15,165
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due After More Than One Year 18 (6,849) (6,511)
Net Assets 8,444 8,654
Funds of the Group:
Restricted - -
Unrestricted – Designated 5,395 4,629
Unrestricted – General 3,049 4,025
Total Funds 21 8,444 8,654

The financial statements on pages 36 to 70 were approved by the Trustees, and authorised for issue on 14 July 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

J E Timberlake Chair

N J Godefroy

Chair of Audit and Finance Committee and Trustee

Company Registration Number: 4178503

The notes on pages 42 to 70 form an integral part of these financial statements.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Balance Sheet 31 March 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
Note £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Note 2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000
Fixed Assets
Intangible Assets 12 432 426
Tangible Assets 13 8,527 9,212
Investments 14 3,811 3,933
12,770 13,571
Current Assets
Debtors 15 3,699 2,783
Cash at Bank and in Hand 16 4,542 4,832
8,240 7,616
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 17 (5,844) (6,593)
Net Current Assets 2,396 1,022
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 15,166 14,593
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due After More Than One Year 18 (6,849) (6,511)
Net Assets 8,317 8,082
Funds of the Charity:
Restricted - -
Unrestricted – Designated 5,393 4,627
Unrestricted – General 2,925 3,455
Total Funds 21 8,317 8,082

The financial statements on pages 36 to 70 were approved by the Trustees, and authorised for issue on 14 July 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

J E Timberlake Chair

N J Godefroy

Chair of Audit and Finance Committee and Trustee

Company Registration Number: 4178503

The notes on pages 42 to 70 form an integral part of these financial statements.

40 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES CONTINUED

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Year Ended 31 March 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
Note £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Cash Flows from Operating Activities Cash Flows from Operating Activities Cash Flows from Operating Activities Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income/(Expenditure) for the Reporting Period
(as per the Statement of Financial Activities)		 (211) 630
Adjustments to Cash Flows from Non-Cash Items
Depreciation 1,290 1,290
Amortisation 94 60
Investment Income (76) (58)
Interest Payable 3 3
(Proft)/Loss on Disposal of Tangible Fixed Assets (1) 3
Fair Value Movement on Investment Assets 175 (165)
1,274 1,762
Working Capital Adjustments
(Increase)/Decrease in Debtors 15 (1,006) 777
Decrease in Creditors 17 (1,242) (1,439)
Decrease in Deferred Income 18 (1,074) (91)
Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities (2,048) 1,010
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Interest Receivable and Similar Income 76 58
Purchase of Tangible Fixed Assets 13 (705) (380)
Sale of Tangible Fixed Assets 1 1
Capital Grants 1,411 704
Purchase of Investments (53) (38)
Net Cash Flows from Investing Activities 730 344
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Repayment of Loans and Borrowings 17 - (49)
Interest Payable and Similar Charges (3) (3)
Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities (3) (51)
Net (Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents (1,320) 1,303
Cash and Cash Equivalents at 1 April 6,237 4,934
Cash and Cash Equivalents at 31 March 4,917 6,237

All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The notes on pages 42 to 70 form an integral part of these financial statements.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Charity Status

The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the Trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: Prospect Place The Hoe Plymouth PL1 3DH

2. Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Key Accounting Estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of Compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting and reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006, with the exception that grants in respect of capital expenditure received are deferred and released to the Statement of Financial Activities over the expected useful lives of the relevant assets to which they relate This treatment provides consistency with the treatment adopted by other similarly funded institutions including Universities.

Basis of Preparation

The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The functional currency of Plymouth Marine Laboratory is considered to be pounds sterling because that is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the company operates.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the charity and its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 31 March 2023.

No Statement of Financial Activities is presented for the charity as permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. The charity had a positive net movement in funds for the financial year of £235,000 (2022 – £327,000).

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption not to prepare a cash flow statement, as the charity figures are included in the consolidated cash flow statement and the members have not objected to the exemption being taken.

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

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between the charity and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, are eliminated in full.

Intra-group losses are also eliminated but may indicate an impairment that requires recognition in the consolidated financial statements.

42

Going Concern

PML’s cash position (as at 30 April 2023) is strong at £4.4M.

Income and expenditure forecasting has been undertaken for financial year ending 2023-24 which has shown that the result for PML will be a trading deficit of the order of £200k, primarily due to energy costs and inflation and its consequences as noted above under Principal Risks. Outline forecasts for 2024-25 and 2025-26 have also been produced which show that the company will return to a small surplus position over this time period.

Current signed contracts stand at £23.9M, of which £10.9M has already been recognised up to 31 March 2023. The remaining £13.0M relates to projects which run over the next three financial years.

At year end the Trustees acknowledge that the net current asset position was a relatively modest £2.6M. They take assurance from the fact that within current creditors is £2.9M of cash advances received on competitive research contracts. Due to the nature of this balance the Trustees have strong certainty that the majority can be earnt and released to income over the next financial year to fund staff costs and overheads. As at year end the charity also held an investment portfolio of £3.7M which as a last resort could be realised to fund any deficits that arise as a result of the risks identified above.

The Trustees believe that PML is a going concern on the following basis:

Critical Accounting Judgements and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, which are described above, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts 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 if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. The following are the critical judgements and estimates that the directors have made in the process of applying the charity’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements:

Provision is made against research debtor balances where costs (including those to complete) exceed contracted income.

Income

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities where the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be qualified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

In conclusion, there are no material uncertainties to cast doubt on PML’s ability to continue as a going concern.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Deferred Income

Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. Contractual arrangements and performance related grants are recognised as goods or services are supplied. Other payments are recognised when a constructive obligation arises that results in the payment being unavoidable.

Research and Development and Patents

As an organisation wholly engaged in research, the group does not classify research and development expenditure separately in the accounts. Expenditure in respect of the development of patents has been written off.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property rights arising from the group’s research and development have not been included in these accounts as their market value cannot be readily estimated. The anticipated annual income generated from such rights is not material in value and is credited to the income and expenditure account on receipt.

Pensions

On 1 April 2022 the remaining 23 UKRI-NERC employees were transferred to PML under TUPE with their existing pension rights. For these employees, payments are made to the Research Council’s Pension Scheme – a defined benefits scheme. Employees who joined PML after 31 March 2002 have the option to join the Plymouth Marine Laboratory Group Scheme. This is a defined contribution scheme administered by Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Ltd. (formerly Scottish Life). Contributions for both schemes are charged to the accounts as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the schemes.

Value Added Tax

As the group is registered partially exempt for VAT purposes, all expenditure and fixed asset purchases are shown inclusive of VAT where applicable.

44 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are stated in the Balance Sheet at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment. They are amortised on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives.

Amortisation

Amortisation is provided on intangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset
class		 Amortisation
method and rate
Computer software 2–10 years straight line

Tangible Fixed Assets

Individual fixed assets costing £3k or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation and Amortisation

Provision is made for depreciation on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the costs of each asset evenly over its expected useful working life.

Fixed assets are depreciated in the month of acquisition, but are not depreciated in the month of disposal. Components of assets with substantially different economic lives are accounted for separately for depreciation purposes and depreciated over their individual useful economic lives.

----- Start of picture text -----
Asset Depreciation
class method and rate
----- End of picture text -----

Asset
class		 Depreciation
method and rate
Scientifc Equipment 2–10 years straight line
Computer Equipment 2–5 years straight line
Plant 10 years straight line
Vehicles 4 years straight line
Ships 20 years straight line
Leasehold Buildings 25 years straight line

Fixed Asset Investments

Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.

Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.

Borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

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45

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Foreign Exchange

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are expressed in pounds sterling at rate(s) of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the time of the transaction. All exchange differences are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.

Financial Instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are recognised/ (derecognised) when the company becomes/(ceases to be) party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. The company holds the following financial assets and liabilities:

Short-term debtors and creditors

Fund Structure

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds which have been assigned by the Trustees for future projects.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes.

Hire Purchase and Finance Leases

Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Pensions and Other Post Retirement Obligations

The group operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the group has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment (“doubtful debts”) are recognised in Statement of financial activities before net income.

Loans qualifying as basic financial instruments under FRS102

Loans are initially recorded at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Other financial instruments not qualifying as basic under FRS102

Forward exchange contracts are measured at fair value at the balance sheet date. Movements in fair value are charged or credited to the statement of financial activities before net income.

Investments

Investments in subsidiaries and associates are measured at cost less impairment. For investments in subsidiaries acquired for consideration including the issue of shares qualifying for merger relief, cost is measured by reference to the nominal value of the shares issued plus fair value of other consideration. Any premium is ignored.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

46 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

3. Income from Charitable Activities

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Total Total
– General Restricted 2023 2022
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Unrestricted
– General
£ 000		 Restricted
£ 000		 Total
2023
£ 000		 Total
2022
£ 000
NERC Funding (National Capability) - 3,831 3,831 3,984
Research Income - 6,366 6,366 4,804
Designated Income - - - 1,652
Deferred Income on Capital Expenditure - 1,074 1,074 1,027
Reimbursements - - - -
VAT Recoverable (Due to Partial Exemption) 5 - 5 36
Charges for Secretariat Services – Partnership
for Observation of the Global Oceans		 127 - 127 110
Doctoral Training Grants 55 - 55 117
Other Income 531 216 747 1,511
719 11,486 12,205 13,241

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47

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4. Income from Other Trading Activities

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
Summary Profit and Loss Account £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Summary Proft and Loss Account 2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000
Turnover 1,844 1,810
Cost of Sales and Administrative Expenses (1,759) (1,270)
Operating Proft 85 540
Interest Payable on Loan (3) (3)
Net Proft 82 537
The Assets and Liabilities of the Subsidiary were:
Current Assets 818 1,604
Current Liabilities (592) (932)
Total Net Assets/(Liabilities) 226 672
Aggregate Share Capital and Reserves 226 672
Reconciliation with Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA)
Turnover (as above) 1,844 1,810
Less: Income from Parent Charity (125) (87)
Per SOFA – Income from Other Trading Activities 1,719 1,723
Cost of Sales and Administrative Expenses (as above) 1,759 1,270
Less: Recharged by Parent Charity (481) (442)
Per SOFA – Expenditure on Raising Funds 1,278 828

48 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

5. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

----- Start of picture text -----
Activity Undertaken Activity Support Total
Directly Costs Expenditure
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Activity Undertaken
Directly
£ 000		 Activity Support
Costs
£ 000		 Total
Expenditure
£ 000
Research Staf Costs 5,870 - 5,870
Recurrent Costs – Science 1,555 - 1,555
Recurrent Costs – Science Support 1,448 - 1,448
Depreciation and Amortisation of Assets 1,384 - 1,384
Senior Management and Administrative
Staf Costs		 - 1,774 1,774
Administration Costs - 627 627
Governance Costs - 76 76
Total for 2023 10,257 2,477 12,734
Total for 2022 11,315 2,390 13,705

Included within the expenditure analysed above, there are governance costs of £75,752 (2022 – £65,368) which relate directly to charitable activities. See note 6 for further details.

6. Analysis of Governance and Support Costs

Governance Costs Restricted
£ 000		 Total
2023
£ 000		 Total
2022
£ 000
Audit fees
Audit of the Financial Statements 26 26 22
Other Fees Paid to Auditors 19 19 18
Trustees Remuneration and Expenses 9 9 9
Other Governance Costs 22 22 17
76 76 65

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49

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7. Net Incoming/Outgoing Resources

This is stated after charging/(crediting):

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
£ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000
Audit Fees 26 22
Other Non-Audit Services 35 35
Depreciation and Amortisation of Assets 1,384 1,348
Operating Leases – Other Assets 144 150
(Proft)/Loss on Disposal of Tangible Fixed Assets (1) 3
Deferred Grants Released (1,074) (1,049)
Foreign Currency (Gains)/Losses (93) 2
Finance Charges Payable - 4

8. Trustees Remuneration and Expenses

No Trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the group during the year.

During the year, expenses totalling £9k (2022: £9k) for travel, subsistence and accommodation were reimbursed or paid on behalf of eight Trustees (2022 – six Trustees).

9. Staff Costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
£ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Staf Costs During the Year were: Staf Costs During the Year were: Staf Costs During the Year were:
Wages and Salaries 6,811 6,510
Social Security Costs 739 694
Pension Costs 672 662
Restructuring Costs - 404
8,223 8,270

The monthly average number of persons (including Senior Management Team /leadership team) employed by the group during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

2023
Number		 2022
Number
Permanent Staf – Science and Support 106 113
Permanent Staf – Management and Admin 59 49
Temporary Staf 11 16
176 178

50 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

9. Staff Costs continued

The number of employees whose emoluments fell within the following bands was:

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
Number Number
----- End of picture text -----

2023
Number		 2023
Number
£60,001 - £70,000 6 2
£70,001 - £80,000 2 3
£80,001 - £90,000 2 1
£120,001 - £130,000 1 1

The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the group were £601,307 (2022 – £587,001).

10. Auditors’ Remuneration

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
£ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000
Audit of the Financial Statements 26 22
Other Fees to Auditors
All Other Assurance Services 9 5
All Other Non-Audit Services 10 14
19 18

11. Taxation

The group is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

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51

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

12. Intangible Fixed Assets

Group

----- Start of picture text -----
Software Total
£ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Cost Cost Cost
At 1 April 2022 602 602
Transfers 100 100
At 31 March 2023 702 702
Amortisation
At 1 April 2022 176 176
Charge for the Year 94 94
At 31 March 2023 270 270
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2023 432 432
At 31 March 2022 426 426

Charity

----- Start of picture text -----
Software Total
£ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Cost Cost Cost
At 1 April 2022 602 602
Transfers 100 100
At 31 March 2023 702 702
Amortisation
At 1 April 2022 176 176
Charge for the Year 94 94
At 31 March 2023 270 270
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2023 432 432
At 31 March 2022 426 426

52 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

13. Tangible Fixed Assets

Group

----- Start of picture text -----
Land and Furniture and Ships and Assets under
Buildings Equipment Vehicles Construction Total
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost
At 1 April 2022 7,621 11,875 951 190 20,638
Additions - - - 705 705
Disposals - (2) - - (2)
Transfers - 92 20 (212) (100)
At 31 March 2023 7,621 11,965 971 683 21,241
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022 2,144 8,580 702 - 11,426
Charge for the Year 468 765 57 - 1,290
Eliminated on Disposals - (2) - - (2)
At 31 March 2023 2,612 9,343 759 - 12,714
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2023 5,009 2,623 212 683 8,527
At 31 March 2022 5,477 3,295 249 190 9,212

Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £Nil (2022 – £Nil) in respect of freehold land and buildings and £5,009,000 (2022 – £5,477,000) in respect of leaseholds.

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53

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

13. Tangible Fixed Assets continued

Charity

----- Start of picture text -----
Land and Furniture and Ships and Assets under
Buildings Equipment Vehicles Construction Total
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost
At 1 April 2022 7,621 11,836 951 190 20,599
Additions - - - 705 705
Disposals - (2) - - (2)
Transfers - 92 20 (212) (100)
At 31 March 2023 7,621 11,926 971 683 21,202
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022 2,144 8,541 702 - 11,387
Charge for the Year 468 765 57 - 1,290
Eliminated on Disposals - (2) - - (2)
At 31 March 2023 2,612 9,304 759 - 12,675
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2023 5,009 2,623 212 683 8,527
At 31 March 2022 5,477 3,295 249 190 9,212

Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £Nil (2022 – £Nil) in respect of freehold land and buildings and £5,009,000 (2022 – £5,477,000) in respect of leaseholds.

54 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

14. Fixed Asset Investments

Group

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
£ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

2023
£ 000		 2023
£ 000
Other Investments 3,711 3,833
Other Investments
Listed
investments
£ 000
Cost or Valuation
At 1 April 2022 3,833
Revaluation (175)
Additions 76
Investment Manager Fee (23)
At 31 March 2023 3,711
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2023 3,711
At 31 March 2022 3,833

Charity

2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000
Shares in Group Undertakings and Participating Interests 100 100
Other Investments 3,711 3,833
3,811 3,933

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55

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

14. Fixed Asset Investments continued

Shares in Group Undertakings and Participating Interests

Subsidiary
Undertakings
£ 000		 Total
£ 000
Cost
At 1 April 2022 100 100
At 31 March 2023 100 100
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2023 100 100
At 31 March 2022 100 100
Other Investments
Listed
Investments
£ 000
Cost or Valuation
At 1 April 2022 3,833
Revaluation (175)
Additions 76
Investment Fees (23)
At 31 March 2023 3,711
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2023 3,711
At 31 March 2022 3,833

56 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

14. Fixed Asset Investments continued

Details of Undertakings

Details of the investments in which the charity holds 20% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital are as follows:

----- Start of picture text -----
Proportion of Voting
Rights and Shares Held
Country of Principal
Undertaking Incorporation Holding 2023 2022 Activity
----- End of picture text -----

Subsidiary undertakings Subsidiary undertakings Subsidiary undertakings Subsidiary undertakings Subsidiary undertakings Subsidiary undertakings
PML Applications Ltd
Prospect Place, West Hoe,
Plymouth, PL1 3DH		 England
and Wales		 Ordinary
shares		 100% 100% Marine research
Smart Sound Plymouth Ltd
Prospect Place, West Hoe,
Plymouth, PL1 3DH		 England
and Wales		 Ordinary
shares		 100% 100% Innovative marine
technology
development –
currently dormant
GenePro Ltd
(held by a subsidiary)
Prospect Place, West Hoe,
Plymouth, PL1 3DH		 England
and Wales		 Ordinary
shares		 100% 100% Exploitation
of intellectual
property –
currently dormant

Subsidiaries

The profit for the financial period of PML Applications Ltd was £82,376 (2022 – £536,725) and the aggregate amount of capital and reserves at the end of the period was £226,070 (2022 – £671,924).

The profit for the financial period of Smart Sound Plymouth Ltd was £Nil (2022 – £Nil) and the aggregate amount of capital and reserves at the end of the period was £Nil (2022 – £Nil).

The profit for the financial period of GenePro Ltd (held by a subsidiary) was £Nil (2022 – £Nil) and the aggregate amount of capital and reserves at the end of the period was £Nil (2022 – £Nil).

15. Debtors

Group Group Charity Charity
2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000		 2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000
Trade Debtors 2,333 1,518 2,206 1,437
Due from Group Undertakings - - 268 124
Prepayments 148 176 148 176
Accrued Income 1,222 1,151 949 1,033
Other Debtors 159 12 128 12
3,862 2,856 3,699 2,783

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57

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

16. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Group Group Charity Charity
2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000		 2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000
Cash at Bank 4,917 6,237 4,542 4,832

Balances Held by the Group that Are Not Available for Use by the Group

At year end £239k (2022: £Nil) was held on behalf of other project partners.

17. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year

----- Start of picture text -----
Group Charity
2023 2022 2023 2022
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Group Group Charity Charity
2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000		 2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000
Trade Creditors 178 441 160 383
Due to Group Undertakings - - 12 1
Other Taxation and Social Security 216 289 184 181
Other Creditors 64 61 64 57
Accruals 1,521 1,475 1,467 1,428
Deferred Income 4,177 5,133 3,957 4,543
6,157 7,399 5,844 6,593

58 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

18. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due After One Year

Group Group Charity Charity
2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000		 2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000
Deferred Income 6,849 6,511 6,849 6,511

Deferred Capital Grants

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
Group and Charity £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Amounts to be Released: Amounts to be Released: Amounts to be Released:
Within One Year 1,022 1,023
In Two to Five Years 2,464 3,011
In Over Five Years 4,385 3,500
7,871 7,534

Analysis of Deferred Capital Grants

Group and Charity 2023
£ 000		 2022
£ 000
Deferred Capital Grant Brought Forward (7,534) (7,878)
Resources Deferred in the Period (1,411) (704)
Amounts Released from Previous Periods 1,074 1,049
Deferred Capital Grant at Year End (7,871) (7,534)

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59

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

19. Obligations Under Leases and Hire Purchase Contracts

The total value of future minimum lease payments was as follows:

Operating Lease Commitments

Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

----- Start of picture text -----
Group Charity
2023 2022 2023 2022
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Land and Buildings Land and Buildings Land and Buildings Land and Buildings Land and Buildings
Within One Year 22 22 22 22
Between One and Five Years 86 86 86 86
After Five Years 130 140 130 140
238 248 238 248
Other
Within One Year 108 122 108 122
Between One and Five Years 122 224 122 224
After Five Years 32 - 32 -
262 346 262 346

In addition to the financial commitments listed above a long term lease to 2094 has an annual commitment of £57k per annum.

The amount of non-cancellable operating lease payments recognised as an expense during the year was £144k (2022: £150k).

60 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

20. Commitments

Group and Charity

Capital Commitments

Commitments for purchase of capital equipment: the total amount contracted for but not provided in the financial statements was £169k (2022 – £21k).

Pension Commitments

In March 2022 the remaining 23 UKRI-NERC employees were transferred to PML under TUPE with their existing pension rights, i.e. that they remain members of the Research Council’s Pension Scheme (RCPS) which is a defined benefit scheme funded from annual grant-in-aid on a pay-as-you-go basis. PML was required to enter into an Admission Agreement with RCPS for pension administrative purposes.

Employees, who joined after 31 March 2002 are entitled to be members of the Plymouth Marine Laboratory Group Pension Scheme. This is a defined contribution scheme administered by Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Ltd. (formerly Scottish Life). Contributions for the year were a minimum of employer’s 6.5% and employees 3.5%.

The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the company to the schemes and amounted to £662,000 (2022: £637,000). Commitments provided for in the accounts amounted to £60,000 (2022 – £52,000). Commitments not provided for in the accounts amounted to £Nil (2022 – £Nil). £Nil relates to pension commitments related to pensions payable to past directors (2022 – £Nil).

The pension scheme is contributory and the benefits are by analogy to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, except that while the scheme provides retirement and related benefits based on final emoluments, redundancy and injury benefits are as agreed under the staff transfer agreement between UKRI and PML dated 29 March 2022. The pension scheme is administered by the Research Council’s Joint Superannuation Service, and the finance administered by the Biotechnology Sciences Research Council. The scheme is a multi-employer scheme, for which a separate RCPS account is published. NERC are unable to identify their share of the underlying assets and liabilities.

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61

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

21. Funds

Group 2022/23

----- Start of picture text -----
Other
Balance at Recognised Balance at
1 April Incoming Resources Gains/ 31 March
2022 Resources Expended Transfers (Losses) 2023
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General
Unrestricted Funds – General 4,025 2,513 (2,090) (1,225) (175) 3,049
Designated
Research Fellows 118 - (14) - - 103
Lecture Theatre 277 - (20) - - 257
Head Lease 337 - (24) - - 313
Leasehold Buildings 1,407 - (100) - - 1,307
Oceansgate Facility 129 - (10) - - 119
Development Ofcer 40 - (40) - - -
New Business System 355 - (60) - - 295
Educational Support Fund 416 - (76) 175 - 515
Research Leader AI/ML 200 - - - - 200
Marine Research Plymouth 100 - - - - 100
Scientifc Equipment 600 - - - - 600
Fundraising 147 - (32) - - 115
Generator 80 - - - - 80
Computing Infrastructure 410 - (80) - - 330
External Board Evaluation 15 - (4) - - 11
Science Pay Review - - - 400 - 400
Advanced Research Fund - - - 650 - 650
4,629 - (459) 1,225 - 5,395
Total Unrestricted 8,654 2,513 (2,549) - (175) 8,444
Restricted
Restricted Funds - 11,486 (11,486) - - -
Total Funds 8,654 13,999 (14,035) - (175) 8,444

62 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

21. Funds continued

Group 2021/22 for comparison purposes:

----- Start of picture text -----
Other
Balance at Recognised Balance at
1 April Incoming Resources Gains/ 31 March
2021 Resources Expended Transfers (Losses) 2022
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General
Unrestricted Funds – General 4,095 2,505 (3,323) 582 165 4,025
Designated
Research Fellows 207 - (89) - - 118
Lecture Theatre 297 - (20) - - 277
Head Lease 361 - (24) - - 337
Leasehold Buildings 1,909 - (100) (402) - 1,407
Oceansgate Facility 139 - (10) - - 129
Development Ofcer 85 - (45) - - 40
New Business System 415 - (60) - - 355
Education Support Fund 338 100 (22) - - 416
MMC AV Equipment 100 - - (100) - -
New Vessel Design/Virtualisation 80 - - (80) - -
Research Leader AI/ML - 200 - - - 200
Marine Research Plymouth - 100 - - - 100
Scientifc Equipment - 600 - - - 600
Fundraising - 147 - - - 147
Generator - 80 - - - 80
Computing Infrastructure - 410 - - - 410
External Board Evaluation - 15 - - - 15
3,930 1,652 (371) (582) - 4,629
Total Unrestricted 8,024 4,157 (3,693) - 165 8,654
Restricted
Restricted Funds - 10,864 (10,864) - - -
Total Funds 8,024 15,021 (14,557) - 165 8,654

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21. Funds continued

Charity 2022/23

----- Start of picture text -----
Other
Balance at Recognised Balance at
1 April Incoming Resources Gains/ 31 March
2022 Resources Expended Transfers (Losses) 2023
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General
Unrestricted Funds 3,455 1,806 (937) (1,225) (175) 2,925
Designated
Research Fellows 118 - (14) - - 103
Lecture Theatre 276 - (20) - - 256
Head Lease 336 - (24) - - 312
Leasehold Buildings 1,407 - (100) - - 1,307
Oceansgate Facility 128 - (10) - - 118
Development Ofcer 40 - (40) - - -
New Business System 355 - (60) - - 295
Education Support Fund 416 - (76) 175 - 515
Research Leader AI/ML 200 - - - - 200
Marine Research Plymouth 100 - - - - 100
Scientifc Equipment 600 - - - - 600
Fundraising 147 - (32) - - 115
Generator 80 - - - - 80
Computing Infrastructure 410 - (80) - - 330
External Board Evaluation 15 - (4) - - 11
Science Pay Review - - - 400 - 400
Advanced Research Fund - - - 650 - 650
4,627 - (459) 1,225 - 5,393
Total Unrestricted 8,082 1,806 (1,396) - (175) 8,317
Restricted
Restricted Funds - 11,486 (11,486) - - -
Total Funds 8,082 13,293 (12,882) - (175) 8,317

64 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

21. Funds continued

Charity 2021/22 for comparison purposes:

----- Start of picture text -----
Other
Balance at Recognised Balance at
1 April Incoming Resources Gains/ 31 March
2021 Resources Expended Transfers (Losses) 2022
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General		 Unrestricted
General
Unrestricted Funds 3,827 1,461 (2,580) 582 165 3,455
Designated
Research Fellows 207 - (89) - - 118
Lecture Theatre 296 - (20) - - 276
Head Lease 360 - (24) - - 336
Leasehold Buildings 1,909 - (100) (402) - 1,407
Oceansgate Facility 138 - (10) - - 128
Development Ofcer 85 - (45) - - 40
New Business System 415 - (60) - - 355
Education Support Fund 338 100 (22) - - 416
MMC AV Equipment 100 - - (100) - -
New
Vessel Design/Virtualisation		 80 - - (80) - -
Research Leader AI/ML - 200 - - - 200
Marine Research Plymouth - 100 - - - 100
Scientifc Equipment - 600 - - - 600
Fundraising - 147 - - - 147
Generator - 80 - - - 80
Computing infrastructure - 410 - - - 410
External Board Evaluation - 15 - - - 15
3,928 1,652 (370) (582) - 4,627
Total Unrestricted 7,754 3,113 (2,950) - 165 8,082
Restricted
Restricted Funds - 10,864 (10,864) - - -
Total Funds 7,754 13,977 (13,814) - 165 8,082

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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

21. Funds continued

The specific purposes for which the designated funds are to be applied are as follows:

66 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

22. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds

Group 2022/23

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds Funds at 31 March
– General – Designated 2023
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Unrestricted
Funds
– General
£ 000		 Unrestricted
Funds
– Designated
£ 000		 Total Funds
at 31 March
2023
£ 000
Intangible Fixed Assets 432 - 432
Tangible Fixed Assets 5,560 2,968 8,527
Fixed Asset Investments 1,284 2,427 3,711
Current Assets 8,779 - 8,779
Current Liabilities (6,157) - (6,157)
Creditors Over 1 Year (6,849) - (6,849)
Total Net Assets 3,049 5,395 8,444

Group 2021/22 for comparison purposes:

Unrestricted
Funds
– General
£ 000		 Unrestricted
Funds
– Designated
£ 000		 Total Funds
at 31 March
2022
£ 000
Intangible Fixed Assets 426 - 426
Tangible Fixed Assets 6,030 3,182 9,212
Fixed Asset Investments 2,386 1,447 3,833
Current Assets 9,094 - 9,094
Current Liabilities (7,399) - (7,399)
Creditors Over 1 Year (6,511) - (6,511)
Total Net Assets 4,025 4,629 8,654

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22. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds continued

Charity 2022/23

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds Funds at 31 March
– General – Designated 2023
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Unrestricted
Funds
– General
£ 000		 Unrestricted
Funds
– Designated
£ 000		 Total Funds
at 31 March
2023
£ 000
Intangible Fixed Assets 432 - 432
Tangible Fixed Assets 5,559 2,968 8,527
Fixed Asset Investments 1,386 2,425 3,811
Current Assets 8,240 - 8,240
Current Liabilities (5,844) - (5,844)
Creditors Over 1 Year (6,849) - (6,849)
Total Net Assets 2,925 5,393 8,317

Charity 2021/22

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds Funds at 31 March
– General – Designated 2022
£ 000 £ 000 £ 000
----- End of picture text -----

Unrestricted
Funds
– General
£ 000		 Unrestricted
Funds
– Designated
£ 000		 Total Funds
at 31 March
2022
£ 000
Intangible Fixed Assets 426 - 426
Tangible Fixed Assets 6,030 3,182 9,212
Fixed Asset Investments 2,488 1,445 3,933
Current Assets 7,616 - 7,616
Current Liabilities (6,593) - (6,593)
Creditors Over 1 Year (6,511) - (6,511)
Total Net Assets 3,455 4,627 8,082

68 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

23. Analysis of Net Debt

Group 2022/23

At
1 April 2022
£ 000		 Financing
cash fows
£ 000		 At
31 March 2023
£ 000
Cash at bank and in hand 6,237 (1,320) 4,917
Net Debt 6,237 (1,320) 4,917

Group 2021/22 for comparison purposes:

At
1 April 2021
£ 000		 Financing
cash fows
£ 000		 At
31 March 2022
£ 000
Cash at bank and in hand 4,934 1,303 6,237
Debt due within one year (49) 49 -
Net Debt 4,885 1,352 6,237

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24. Related Party Transactions

Group

During the year the Group made the following related party transactions:

Blue Marine Foundation

(A Trustee of Plymouth Marine Laboratory is a Director of Blue Marine Foundation.)

The charity provided services totalling £76,856 (2022 – £nil) to Blue Marine Foundation during the year. At the balance sheet date the amount due to/from Blue Marine Foundation was £Nil (2022 – £Nil).

PML Applications Ltd

(PML Applications Ltd is the wholly owned subsidiary of Plymouth Marine Laboratory.)

In the year, Plymouth Marine Laboratory sold services and recharges of £457,681 to PML Applications Ltd, and received services and recharges of £125,096. Additionally, Plymouth Marine Laboratory have a loan of £100,000 outstanding from PML Applications Ltd. At the balance sheet date the amount due from PML Applications Ltd was £256,503 (2022 – £122,871).

70 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Charity registration number 1091222 (England & Wales)

Company registration number 4178503

Registered office Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH

pml.ac.uk

Company registration number: 4178503

Charity registration number: 1091222