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2023-12-31-accounts

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

(Company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)

Registered Company Number: 4500270 English and Welsh Registered Charity Number: 1094095 Scottish Registered Charity Number: SCO48838

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Contents Page
Legal and administrative information 1
Report of the Trustees 2 - 13
Statement of financial activities 14
Balance sheet 15
Statement of cashflows 16
Notes to the financial statements 17 - 22
Independent auditor's report 23 - 26

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

Registered office: The Rowan Centre, All Nations Christian College, Easneye, Ware, Herts SG12 8LX

Administrative details of the charity, the trustees and advisors

The Trustees present their report together with the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 December 2023. All of the trustees act in the role of directors.

The following trustees served from 1 January 2023 and up to the date of the approval of the accounts:-

Stroma Beattie (Chair) Naomi Dawson (resigned 5 December 2023) Henry Lu Robert Mallet (resigned 5 December 2023) Natasha Rayan Jonathan Salkeld (resigned 9 June 2023) Sara Slater Geoffrey Spence

The following trustees were appointed during the year:-

Ian Roberts (appointed 9 June 2023) Matthew East (appointed 5 December 2023)

The day to day operations of the charity are overseen by Alan Tower, the National Director

Key Management Personnel :

National Director: Alan Tower Regional Development Directors: Pete Edwards Iván Neira Sarah Dawkins (resigned 31 December 2023) Finance Manager: Lydia Evans Principal address: The Rowan Centre All Nations Christian College Easneye Ware Herts SG12 8LX Bankers: Bank of Scotland Auditor: Griffin Stone Moscrop & Co. 21-27 Lamb's Conduit Street London WC1N 3GS Solicitors: Ellis-Fermor & Negus 2 Devonshire Avenue Beeston Nottingham NG9 1BS

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

Chair ’ s Report

Friends International Ministries is an evangelical mission agency dedicated to encouraging and equipping churches to reach international students for Christ. International student numbers have continued to rise with more than 600,000 at UK universities, a further 500,000 in UK language schools and rising numbers of both categories in the Republic of Ireland.

Following the pandemic, a time of both disruption and learning for the organisation, the year 2023 brought a sense of being more fully back to work. Overall, 12,000 international students were in touch with Friends International run and supported events, mobilising 1,250 volunteers from 300 churches.

A renewed approach to our public profile has been achieved through enhanced social media presence, refreshed banners and leaflets, and ongoing presence at key events where we are increasingly recognised. Our UK Life App has been viewed 5,442 times in the last twelve months. We continue to seek to make the best and most effective use of our resources, mobilise and train a large group of volunteers, and work alongside local churches and educational establishments, through growing friendship and faith with international students in the UK and Ireland.

Recruitment has been encouraging, with 16 people lined up for the next New Staff Induction. Our Apprentice Programme has its largest intake of four, being supervised by experienced staff and being prepared for full staff roles over 2 years. Our Reach graduate training programme has again 12 participants receiving training for ministry over one or two years, back to the level prior to the pandemic. One Regional Development Director moved on to lead another Christian ministry and was successfully replaced with the recruitment of two part-time colleagues. Our partnership with Christian Unions Ireland continued with the successful running of both Belfast and Dublin International Outreaches, focussed periods during the summer to welcome international language and pre-university course students.

Our annual conference was a celebration of ministry and God’s provision, as well as an encouragement to those present. We look each time to be equipped through careful and detailed study of scripture and of applied ministry subjects. The National Director had a sabbatical and in his absence, the team of Regional Development Directors in partnership with the Board led the organisation well. During 2023, we started to work on plans to mark Friends International’s 40th anniversary in 2025, when the focus will be forward-looking at the same time celebrating the 40 years ministry.

A stable Support Centre Team has provided the base to address how best to serve staff in our 35 Centres, Branches, volunteer networks, and churches. Safeguarding policy and training have been extended to volunteers further to previous progress for staff. Staff contributions to wider networks in Europe and globally continue, including the part secondment of a staff member to lead the European International Student Ministry network. Cross-agency collaboration among student ministry agencies in Britain has been facilitated through leader consultations.

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

We continued to pursue our Growth Strategy Plan aiming to recruit staff in new Centres and reinforce existing Centre staff teams, in the places where most international students are studying – goals being 25 extra staff by 2025 and a total of 35 extra by 2030. Progress has been made during the year towards initial recruitment in Teesside and Hatfield, and achieved in recruitment for the strengthening of teams in Aberdeen, Durham, Loughborough and elsewhere. We have also appointed a London Development Project Team Leader.

Further fundraising to support the Growth Strategy Plan is being addressed. Decisions have been made to move away from investment property to a more liquid investment fund, to resource the General Fund.

The charity continues to fulfil its aims and greatly enriches the lives of many international students when they come to the UK or Ireland.

Our Objectives and Activities:

As stated above, Friends International Ministries is an evangelical mission agency dedicated to encouraging and equipping churches to reach international students for Christ. We seek to help international students, whatever their faith backgrounds, during their stay in the UK and elsewhere. Friends International's vision is to see international students transformed by the good news of Jesus so that they fully engage with the mission of the church in the world.

Public Benefit:

The trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular its supplementary public guidance on the advancement of religion for the public benefit. Friends International's purposes comply directly with three of the Charities Act's descriptions of "charitable purpose" namely:

· "the advancement of religion"; We aim to demonstrate to international students the relevance of Christian faith to personal life today, how Christian faith has developed and how it is variously expressed in the 21st century world. We partner with university chaplaincies in providing pastoral support for international students and some of our staff are also university chaplains.

· "the advancement of education"; We interact with international students in a range of different ways, helping them improve their English language, understand different cultures, and sometimes with more specific training such as leadership skills and preparation for their return home.

· "the advancement of citizenship or community development"; We produce resources in multiple formats for new international students to help them integrate into our countries, and we run orientation programmes mainly in the autumn term.

In partnership with local Christian communities, we arrange cultural trips and opportunities for international students to meet with a British or Irish family. We partner with universities to offer English language practice sessions, helping international

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

students to be effective for their time in the UK or Ireland and establishing friendships that will help them thrive on arrival.

The trustees seek to ensure that these purposes are met as the Charity works principally to support and enable Christian churches to outreach in their local communities with specific focus on international students furthering their education in the UK or Ireland.

Strategies:

Key strategies for 2020 – 2025 include:

· Growth initiatives aim to help us reach a tipping point of students aware of Friends International so that all international students can experience a welcome to the UK and Ireland, as well as an opportunity to investigate the Christian faith.

· Reaching out to students who have difficulty hearing the Christian message in their home country or who are not initially attracted to our activities is an emphasis for ministry development. We aim to identify them, identify fruitful practice, model best practice with local ownership, and raise profile.

· Returnee focus, for when students return to their home countries or move elsewhere, to be built in from the first contacts with students, through friendship, to continue moving staff, Branches and Development Groups, Churches and volunteers, from acknowledging the returnee focus to influencing how they conduct their ministry.

· Events speaking training helps to develop skills in public ministry to better achieve international student outreach, both to model contextualised Bible teaching and evangelism in a multicultural setting, and to equip others to do the same.

· Innovation in Student Engagement includes new approaches to reach out to and meet the needs of international students, as well as resources for leadership skills, international student wellbeing, discipleship and outreach.

· Ministry Partnership Development helps staff draw in a full schedule of financial and prayer supporters to allow their work to proceed fully resourced.

· Learning and Development are promoted as a whole life approach for staff, volunteers and partners, including training evaluation and the development of an essential skills framework.

· Member Care aims to embed good practice throughout the organisation through leadership engagement, training provision, healthy induction of new staff and academic research.

Activities :

We continue to have ten major areas of activity where we seek to implement our strategies. Regional Development Directors identify areas of concentration of

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

international students without focused international student ministry and seek to develop vision among local churches and other partner agencies through establishing new Centres. We then aim to build local ministry teams (‘Centres’) with sound funding and effective support groups, through the recruitment and appointment of staff (including Apprentices and Associates), the partnering with local churches and Affiliates, and through Development Groups that become Branches. We encourage, model and support welcome and cultural ministries through international student cafés and seek to engage international students with biblical truth, encouragement and challenges through group and individual Bible study. We encourage the setting up and running of local hospitality programmes to increase the volunteer provision of appropriate contact and support for international students. We also offer language practice-based activities, values-based leadership studies, intercultural training for future Bible teachers and other focused programmes offering relevant skills to international students through contact with Christians. We seek to engage with university chaplaincies and student welfare bodies to offer counselling, wellbeing and other services that help universities value, care for and add value to the student experience for international students.

Our Reach graduate trainee programme is used to envision and train recent graduate Christians from home and abroad. We develop appropriate regional and national supervisory structures to provide a unifying vision and direction which supports each locality appropriately and we build effective and accessible regional and national resources and events using relevant communication channels to our key stakeholders.

Review of Achievements and Performance:

1. Centres and Staff

· In 2023 Friends International continued to develop activities through staff in 35 centres and through affiliates in 10 more.

· Through our partnership with Christian Unions Ireland, we continue to assess best practice and deployment of resources to reach international students across Ireland. Through the moving on of the previous Project Leader a time of reassessment is being pursued.

· We continue to recruit new staff to the organisation both to establish new centres and to strengthen existing centres. We currently have 83 across full and part time patterns of work, including Associate staff who are either seconded to us from other charities or local churches. Staff are involved in a variety of activities shaped significantly by the centres in which they serve and by the locally agreed strategy. Since a key aim of the organisation is to resource local churches in their engagement with international students, staff invest considerable time in training church members to multiply effective ministry. In some centres there are established inter-church teams offering a programme of events, hospitality and Christian teaching. In other places the work is centred around one or two churches which provide local volunteers.

· Much ministry is based around term time and weekly events. Such events can be purely social, or an event with some Christian content to introduce the Christian faith,

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

or events of a discipleship nature for those openly professing a Christian faith or a desire to explore specifically the Christian faith.

Summer outreaches continue to play a key part in reaching particularly language students; while it was harder to recruit team members, there remained a large number of both language and university students who were keen to take part in activities and some were willing to investigate the Christian faith for themselves.

· Across our centres we aim to help international students settle into student life, provide care and support where it is appropriate, encourage them to consider the Christian faith, and prepare them for the challenges of the reverse-culture shock they may face on their return home.

2. Support Base

Of the £2,339,926 income from donations and gifts, roughly two-thirds (including related gift aid) was donated by individuals, the remainder coming from churches and trusts. The organisation has a core support base that has been committed to our work for a long time, whilst new staff broaden our donor base with their networks of contacts and supporters. We benefit from committed support from a Christian Trust.

3. Leadership and Support Centre

· We recruited a London Development Project Team Leader giving the post holder time to focus exclusively on the needs in London, and seeking to work in partnership with other agencies.

. Regional Development Directors and the National Director have continued to meet regularly to oversee strategy and current issues, with the RDDs also having regular supervision from the National Director.

· The Leadership Forum, which meets three times each year, resources a wider set of Cluster and specialist leaders. Strategy has been dually focused on future growth and specialist ministry areas.

· The Support Centre team has and has continued to seek to provide a high level of service to staff, affiliates, graduate trainees, supporters, partner churches and trustees.

In terms of our ongoing relationship with All Nations Christian College where the Support Centre is sited, we have continued to endeavour to develop this strategically and welcome students to the office, with more adequate meeting space. Trustee and Director meetings have also been able to take place there. We have considered the relevance of our location there to strategic recruitment as well as cost and ministry relations, and have looked at where else we might prefer to be based if that became necessary or advantageous.

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

4. Affiliate Network

We continue to develop the Affiliate Network, aiming to support, train, encourage and partner well with affiliates in their local church roles working amongst international students. Resources available to Affiliates include Cluster days and conferences, and resources including recordings online. We now have 80 affiliates as part of the network, some based internationally.

5. Training and Development

Training and developing our staff and affiliates team is important to the future of the organisation and our work. A key fixture is the annual conference where staff, affiliates, graduate trainees and others (such as Branch and Development Group members, Trustees, retired staff, international and key student visitors) meet to share experiences, best-practice, and learn from outside speakers about different aspects of inter-cultural ministry.

There are local and regional staff training days, and training events specifically aimed at equipping volunteers and local churches. We believe training is a core role for FI and one we are seeking to grow and develop. Processes have been developed so that staff can identify areas where further growth and development are needed, as well as where they might be able to access the appropriate training resources.

6. Reach Programme

The focus of this training year is to invest in the lives of young Christian graduates who show potential in Christian ministry. The new cohort of 13 trainees started in September. We have appointed a new Reach Programme coordinator this year, who brings new creativity and a vision to build on the strong foundation of the programme. We were also pleased to appoint internally to cover the coordinator’s maternity leave.

· Between 30-75% of each Reach trainee cohort are international, and we see this programme also as a means of discipling and training promising international students who will go on to be a blessing to churches around the world.

· Reach alumni include church leaders in the UK, Greece, France and China, crosscultural workers in Italy, the Philippines and the Middle East, and returnees who are thriving in their local churches and still involved in International Student Ministry/supporting returnees in Vietnam, China and Hungary.

· We currently have a number of staff workers and centre team leaders who were participants of the Reach programme in earlier years.

7. Branches and Development Groups

Branches and Development Groups exist to implement national strategy locally alongside staff.

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

Their ethos is to be forward-looking and seeking to develop best practice. Key roles in which members contribute include strategic thinking; networking across different Christian communities in a town or city; and encouraging partnership development. Key relationships are those of the Chair, local Centre Team Leader and Regional Development Director working well together. Branch training has moved online leading to a greater uptake and wider insights into best practice.

8. Communications

Communications have been reassessed, and refreshed during 2023, and we aim to be making the most of our resources to serve those involved in international student ministry, and to draw new potential staff, volunteers and supporters in.

9. Special Student Events

The international student track at the national “Word Alive” conference, held onsite in North Wales, with an online option for returnee students, again drew large numbers of International Students with its focus on preparing Christian students to return home. Over 120 students participated through the week. This was organised in partnership with other charities.

The Philip Project trains future Bible teachers planning to return to their own countries for a day a month through the academic year and additionally runs a training weekend. Through substantial work by the Project Coordinator the format has been adapted to a more flexible on-line delivery. There is also an online portal allowing students a more flexible approach to learning. Philip Project has also produced a resource to help international students read the Bible.

Friends International staff regularly spoke at Christian Union events weeks in 2023, helping international students to understand the good news of Jesus.

Financial Review:

The statement of financial activities (SOFA) for the year is set out on page 14 together with an analysis of funds on page 21. Our regular gift income has increased by 15.8% with an increase in our expenditure of 8.4%.

Overall, there is a deficit in 2023 of £ 115,031; this includes legacy income of £9,781. After transfers between funds to ensure that the General Fund meets all under-funded staff there is a net decrease in the General Fund in 2023 of £64,848.

Each year we seek to achieve a balanced budget, for both ministry staff workers and their related Centres Designated Funds, as well as seeking a balancing of General Fund Income to meet Central costs (which are primarily the Support Centre and majority funding of the senior management team).

The financial policy of Friends International is to match and monitor funding with expenditure requirements for each area of ministry activity, mostly focused on

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

Centres. A designated fund is therefore maintained for each venture which requires ongoing expenditure. It is acceptable to run with a current year deficit for a specific designated fund, provided there are sufficient brought forward reserves for that particular Centre to offset the loss. In 2023 designated funds fell by £ 32,495. Much of this deficit arises from the spending of designated reserves that have been carried forward from the previous year.

Each designated fund is subject to monthly monitoring and appropriate discussion where required with the relevant staff member and, if necessary, their Supervisory Manager.

Before work is started in a new location, or a new member of staff is employed, it is the policy of Friends International to ensure that there is an appropriate level of pledged donor support. We continue to maintain a Strategic Growth Fund which has been resourced from the allocation of a portion of the substantial legacies received in recent years as well as the generosity of some specific supporters keen to support this venture. The Trustees continue to seek to extend this Fund as part of achieving new Strategic Ministry Centres as well as extending training opportunities for a new generation of ISM workers. However, some of the planned fundraising activities have been hindered by the pandemic.

Investment Policy:

Fixed Asset Investments: The charity has freehold title to their previous Support Centre office in Putney, a small but prime location in Southwest London. For a number of years after ceasing to be used as the Support Centre, this property was commercially let, however it has remained empty since partway through 2021. In December 2023 the trustees took the decision to sell this property, along with the second property owned by the charity, which is in Plymouth. They have both now been moved from Investment property to Current assets in the Balance Sheet on page 15.

Liquid Investments: The investment policy is to maintain a low-risk liquid position. The aim in 2023 was to maintain balances in accounts that attract market competitive deposit account bank interest but with low-risk institutions. With the sale of the properties, our intention is to establish an endowment fund, with the income generated from these investments being utilised to underpin the unrestricted expenditure the charity incurs.

Reserves Policy:

Our policy remains to hold sufficient unrestricted reserves (defined as all unrestricted funds including designated funds but excluding fixed asset related reserves) in order to protect the charity against a sudden and catastrophic fall in donations and any related gift aid for a period long enough to ensure a managed plan for survival, merger or cessation.

Unrestricted reserves are held in both the general fund (which bears all central costs) as well as designated staff support funds (comprising funds designated on an ongoing

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

basis for both specific ministry centres as well as for individual staff workers working in a ministry centre).

Whilst the trustees are aware that all unrestricted reserves are available to use at their discretion in the event of a crisis, it is considered appropriate that for practical management purposes the Trustees will undertake two levels of monitoring:

Such central reserve levels are calculated in order to provide a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 9 months of reserves to cover projected support centre and national leadership costs.

As at 31 December 2023 unrestricted general funds stood at £ 716,265 (2022: £ 781,112) compared to a central reserve minimum at 31 December 2023 of £106,000 and a planned maximum of £ 317,000. This includes Properties held for resale of £700,000, being carried within Current assets. Removing the tangible fixed assets from general funds brings the balance on free reserves down to £ 713,179.

As at 31 December 2023 designated staff support funds stood at £ 714,992 (2022: £ 747,487) which was spread across both ministry centres and individual staff members.

Having previously anticipated the General Fund (excluding the Putney and Plymouth properties) falling below zero, the Trustees and senior management team have been reviewing where costs can be saved and are proactively seeking to increase giving to the General Fund. There is now a structure in place that can support the continuing expansion of the charity’s activities.

As at 31 December 2023 the charity’s assets were available and adequate to fulfil the obligations to the charity and the trustees considered the financial state of affairs of the charity at that time to be satisfactory and in accordance with our budgetary expectations.

Plans for Future Periods:

We intend to continue and grow our activities in future years, particularly with a concerted effort to research ministry opportunities alongside churches and Christian student groups through further staff worker posts so that new and better resourced centres with the most international university students are helped towards thriving

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

International Student Ministry. We trust that the appointment of the London Development Project Team Leader will build on previous initiatives to continue to seek ways of further developing the work in London in partnership with local churches and similarly minded charities. We aim to continue to develop our work in partnership with Christian Unions Ireland. As mentioned above, this is under review given the change of personnel. Through seven Heads of Ministry we are developing our approaches to Learning and Development, Hard to Reach students, Returnees, Events Speaking, Innovation in Student Engagement, Ministry Partnership Development, and Member Care.

Structure, Governance and Management:

Governing Document:

Friends International Ministries was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital (number 4500270) on 31 July 2002 and is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (number 1094095). It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Under UK company law, all the trustees are directors of the company. The liability of the company's members in the event of the charity being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £10. Friends International Ministries is also registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Appointment of Trustees:

Potential trustees are identified from academia, business and Christian ministry backgrounds. The trustees are appointed by the board of Trustees through an invitation, application and interview process. New Trustees are given key Charity Commission information on their responsibilities and are encouraged to attend appropriate external training where this will facilitate the undertaking of their role. They undergo some induction and are linked to more experienced trustees as needed to enhance their swift integration.

Organisation :

The board of trustees meet at least three times a year to review all aspects of the charity's activities. The board has established two sub-committees to assist with the running of the charity, namely the Executive Committee, responsible for meeting with senior staff between trustee meetings, and the Finance Committee, tasked with specifically monitoring and managing the charity's finances.

Stroma Beattie, Geoffrey Spence, Sara Slater and Ian Roberts are members of the Executive and Finance Committee.

Trustee Remuneration and Related Parties:

None of the trustees receive remuneration or other benefit for their work for the charity. There were no related party transactions reported in the year between the charity and any trustee, senior manager or any of the third parties with contractual relationships with the charity.

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

Pay Policy for Senior Staff:

No trustees received remuneration during 2023. Details of trustee expenses are disclosed in note 7 to the financial statements.

The pay of senior management is reviewed annually using a standard formula benchmarked against published pay increases awarded to Classroom Teachers.

Risk Management:

The trustees review risks on a regular ongoing basis and use a risk matrix to define key risks, assess them by probability and impact before and after mitigating action is taken.

Such reviews take place within the two board sub-committees and in periodic review by the whole Board of key risks.

The following are considered to be important Risks requiring Board and Senior Management focus during 2024:

· Risk of inadequate reserves: There was a fall in general funds during 2023 which has been addressed in a part by a review of how to increase income and reduce general fund expenditure. During 2023 legacy income of £ 4,781 has been recognised within the general fund.

· Risk of failing to facilitate ISM in those areas of the UK where there is a large international student population. This requires identification of those locations where current ISM is deficient relative to the numbers of students and then focusing new ministry investment in such areas in order to build effective church partnerships supported by our staff. Plans and strategies have been formulated to enable this to happen.

· We continue to review prevailing pressures in wider society to comply with social trends and to assess how to remain true to our Christian convictions in the light of these.

Board Governance:

The board continues to be committed to good governance. In the past it has worked through aspects of the Charity Governance Code as a means of evaluating practice and promoting high standards. A new working group, specifically addressing ‘Decision-making, risk and control’ was set up at the end of 2023 to report back to the board in 2024. Following each board meeting, a questionnaire is circulated to evaluate the meeting as a whole and the board’s function.

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023

Trustees' Responsibilities:

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

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

· State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures · disclosed and explained in the financial statements

· Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation

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

Auditors:

A resolution to re-appoint Griffin Stone Moscrop & Co., Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors, will be proposed at a meeting of the trustees.

Statement of Disclosure of Information to Auditors:

We, the directors of the company who held office at the date of approval of these financial statements, as set out above, each confirm so far as we are aware, that:

· There is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditors are unaware; and

The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 15 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

STROMA BEATTIE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(INCLUDING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note
Income from:
Donations and gifts
Legacies
Charitable activities:
Training events and literature sales
Investment income
2
Total income
Expenditure on:
Fundraising costs
3
Charitable activities
3
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income before revaluation
of investments
Net (expenditure)/income
5
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2023
Total funds carried forward at 31 December 2023		 Restricted
Fund
-
-
-
-
-
-
17,687
17,687
(17,687)
(17,687)
-
(17,687)
31,530
£
13,843
£		 General
104,476
2,235,450
4,781
5,000
37,783
34,146
8,472
-
155,512
2,274,596
23,620
35,108
193,645
2,275,080
217,265
2,310,187
(61,753)
(35,591)
(61,753)
(35,591)
(3,095)
3,095
(64,848)
(32,496)
781,112
747,487
716,265
714,992
Designated
Staff
Support
Unrestricted Funds		 Total
2023
2,339,926
9,781
71,929
8,472
2,430,108
58,728
2,486,412
2,545,139
(115,031)
(115,031)
-
(115,031)
1,560,129
1,445,100		 Total
2022
2,020,138
462,708
64,792
4,511
2,552,149
58,029
2,290,835
2,348,864
203,285
203,285
-
203,285
1,356,844
1,560,129

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the above periods.

The attached notes form part of these financial statements.

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Page 15.

FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES BALANCE SHEET

Company registration number 04500270

Fixed assets 31 DECEMBER 2023 31 DECEMBER 2023 2022
Tangible fixed assets 10 3,086 6,637
Investment property 11 - 500,000
Current assets 3,086 506,637
Debtors 12 80,905 275,684
Properties held for resale 700,000 -
Cash at bank and in hand 720,993 837,151
Creditors: amounts falling due 1,501,898 1,112,835
within one year 13 59,884 59,343
Net current assets 1,442,015 1,053,492
Net assets 1,445,100
£		 1,560,129
Charity Funds:
Unrestricted funds:
General funds 325,647 390,494
Revaluation reserve relating to former investment property 390,618 390,618
Designated funds 714,992 747,487
Restricted fund 1,431,257
13,843		 1,528,599
31,530
Total funds 14 1,445,100
£		 1,560,129

Approved by the board of Trustees on 15 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

STROMA BEATTIE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

The attached notes form part of these financial statements.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 36F3AFB6-666D-4826-940E-9DCB950A909D

Page 16.

FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Cash used in operating activities
(see below)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment income
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds on sale of assets
Cash provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Cash divestment from short-term deposit
Cash used in financing activities
Increase/(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Total cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating
Net income/(expenditure)
Add back depreciation charge
Deduct interest income shown in investment activities
Decrease in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash used in operating activities
Analysis of net funds
Cash at bank and in hand (see note 1k)
Cash on deposit for more than three months (see note 1k)		 2023
76,155
7,268
(200,000)
416
(192,316)
82,577
82,577
(33,584)
403,259
369,675
£
activities
(115,031)
3,135
(7,268)
194,779
541
76,155
£
Balance
1 January 2023
403,259
433,892
837,151
£		 Movements
(33,584)
(82,577)
(116,161)
£		 2022
(25,512)
4,511
(2,128)
-
2,383
82,471
82,471
59,342
343,917
403,259
203,285
3,977
(4,511)
(228,571)
308
(25,512)
Balance
31 December 2023
369,675
351,318
720,993
£

DocuSign Envelope ID: 36F3AFB6-666D-4826-940E-9DCB950A909D

Page 17.

FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation of financial statements

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.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are intially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

b) Fund Accounting

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.

The designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for specific purposes, as set out in the notes to the accounts.

The restricted fund finances the support of international students from a sensitive and challenging context during their studies here in the UK.

c) Income

Donations and gifts are reflected in the financial statements in the period in which they are received.

Income tax recoverable in respect of gift aid donations is brought into account in the same period as the relevant donation.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate.

d) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is charged to the statement of financial activities on the accruals basis and is mainly allocated across activities based on staff time.

Fundraising costs include all costs involved in raising income and in raising the profile of the charity. Charitable activities are further analysed in note 4 and are split between direct charitable expenditure, support, management and administration costs and governance costs. Support costs are those costs incurred indirectly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity or in connection with the management and administration of the charity. Governance costs reflect the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

e) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised.

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets at the following rates per annum so as to write off each asset over its estimated useful working life:

Furniture and equipment - 20% straight line Computers and peripherals - 33% straight line

f) Investment property

Investment properties are stated at their market value. In order to present a true and fair view, and to comply with FRS 102, the company's investment properties are not being depreciated as required by the Companies Act 2006.

g) Operating leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the lease term.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 36F3AFB6-666D-4826-940E-9DCB950A909D

Page 18.

FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 31 DECEMBER 2023 (Continued)

1 Accounting policies (continued)

h) Pensions

The charity makes payments to defined contribution pension schemes for the benefit of its employees. Contributions charged during the year are written off as incurred.

i) Expenses of trustees

Trustees are reimbursed necessarily-incurred expenses. These are included in the appropriate category of resources expended.

j) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount repaid net of any discounts due.

k) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and fixed term deposits of varying lengths. The statement of cash flows only reflects movements within bank accounts held where the money can be accessed within three months of the date of opening the deposit. An analysis of cash at bank at the balance sheet date, differentiating between deposits which mature 3 months after the date of opening and cash accessible within three months is provided as a note to the statement of cash flows.

l) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any discounts due.

m) Taxation

Friends International Ministries is a registered charity and no tax is payable on its net income.

n) Financial Instruments

With the exception of an investment property the charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Investment income
Bank deposit interest
Investment property income		 2023
7,268
1,204
8,472
£		 2022
4,511
-
4,511

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Page 19.

FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 31 DECEMBER 2023 (Continued)

3 Total expenditure

Fundraising costs
Staff costs
Direct PR costs
Allocation of support & admin costs
Charitable activities
Staff costs - direct charitable expenditure
Staff costs in a supporting/admin role
Conference & resource costs
Travel, training & other costs related to staff
Grants payable
Support, management & admin costs
Governance costs		 Restricted
fund
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
17,687
-
-
17,687
17,687
£		 General
fund
-
21,151
2,469
23,620
-
-
59,682
37,390
-
87,401
9,172
193,645
217,265
£		 29,742
-
5,365
35,108
1,889,911
112,605
52,768
195,837
-
23,958
-
2,275,080
2,310,187
£
Designated
staff support
funds		 Total 2023
29,742
21,151
7,834
58,728
1,889,911
112,605
112,450
233,227
17,687
111,359
9,172
2,486,412
2,545,139
£		 Total 2022
27,073
23,684
7,272
58,029
1,745,277
104,019
117,011
209,397
17,029
90,904
7,198
2,290,835
2,348,864
£

During the year the charity's head office was based at All Nations Christian College, Hertfordshire. Here a number of staff operated, spending approximately 60 - 80% of their time in a support and administration role. Accordingly their salary costs are split between support/administration and direct charitable expenditure. The support, management and administration costs and governance costs do not relate directly to charitable expenditure and are further analysed in note 4 below.

4 Analysis of governance and support costs

Rent
21,372
-
21,372
Investment property repairs, rates and utility costs
3,094
-
3,094
Office costs
66,460
-
66,460
Legal and professional costs
5,103
-
5,103
Consultancy fees
15,330
-
15,330
Auditor's remuneration
-
7,054
7,054
Costs relating to trustees' meetings
-
2,118
2,118
£ 111,359
£ 9,172
£ 120,531
Net expenditure
The total for net expenditure of £115,031 (2022: net income £203,285 ) is stated after charging:
Auditor's remuneration - in relation to audit and financial statements disclosures
7,054
£
Depreciation
3,135
£
Operating lease rentals - land and buildings
21,372
£
Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel
Salaries
1,702,560
National insurance
140,943
Pension costs
188,341
2,031,844
£
Average number of employees, analysed by function, was as follows:-
Charitable activities
77
Fundraising
1
Administration
2
80
General
Support
Governance
costs
Total 2023		 22,695
2,314
63,493
2,402
-
6,161
1,037
£ 98,102
6,161
3,977
21,372
1,569,830
132,507
174,032
1,876,369
76
1
2
79
Total 2022

5 Net expenditure

6 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

No employee earned more than £60,000 (2022 : same).

The trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2022 : same).

The key management of the charity comprises the national director, 3 regional development directors (2022 : 4) and the finance manager. The total employee benefits of key management personnel for the charity were £222,562 (2022 : £249,345).

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Page 20.

FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 31 DECEMBER 2023 (Continued)

7 Trustees' expenses

Travel and subsistence expenses of £846 were paid to trustees to enable them to attend meetings and generally carry out their governance responsibilities (2022: £342).

8 Pension costs

The charity operates defined contribution schemes and contributions of £188,341 were paid in the year (2022: £174,032).

9 Branches

The charity has 20 (2022: 18) branches throughout the UK which generate income and carry out activities on behalf of the charity. The accounts of the branches are maintained at a local level and are then incorporated into the charity's financial statements. In 2023 the branches contributed net outgoing resources of £1,821 (2022: net outgoing resources of £4,922).

10 Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 January 2023
Additions in the year
Disposals in the year
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
Depreciation elimination on disposal
At 31 December 2023
Net book value
At 31 December 2023
Net book value
At 31 December 2022
11 Investment Property
Cost
At 1 January 2023
Additions
Transfer to current assets
At 31 December 2023
Net book value
At 31 December 2023
Net book value
At 31 December 2022		 Furniture &
Computers &
equipment
Peripherals
Total
12,943
21,925
34,868
-
-
-
(1,182)
(416)
(1,598)
11,761
21,509
33,270
10,336
17,895
28,231
1,056
2,079
3,135
(1,182)
-
(1,182)
10,210
19,974
30,184
1,551
£
1,535
3,086
2,607
£
4,030
6,637
Crescent Stables Mount Gould Road Total
500,000
-
500,000
-
200,000
200,000
(500,000)
(200,000)
(700,000)
-
£
-
-
-
£
-
-
500,000
£
-
500,000
Freehold investment property

The Crescent Stables investment property has a historical cost of £109,382. In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102, the investment property was being carried at its market value. An informal independent valuation was undertaken by a qualified local estate agent as at 31 December 2015 which resulted in a revised valuation of £500,000. Having made enquiries of a local estate agent in November 2023 with regards to the current market value of the property, the trustees believe that they would achieve a selling price at least equal to, but not materially different from, its carrying value and do not consider it necessary to bring a revaluation into the 2022 accounts. The property was put up for sale in December 2023 and therefore has been transferred to current assets : property held for resale.

The Mound Gould Road property was left to Friends International in a legacy in 2022. At that point, the valuation was £200,000. Ownership was taken of the property on 1 December 2023 and the value given by a local estate agent in February 2024 was £225,000. The decision was taken to sell the property in December 2023 and therefore it has been transferred to current assets : property held for resale.

12 Debtors
Tax recoverable
Legacy debtor
Prepayments and other debtors		 2023
14,653
-
66,252
80,905
£		 2022
16,986
200,000
58,698
275,684

DocuSign Envelope ID: 36F3AFB6-666D-4826-940E-9DCB950A909D

Page 21.

FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 31 DECEMBER 2023 (Continued)

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security costs
Pension creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2023
1,329
31,661
16,076
10,818
59,884
£		 2022
6,239
28,076
13,903
11,125
59,343
14 Analysis of net assets
Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities		 Restricted
fund
-
13,843
-
13,843
£		 £ Designated staff
General
support funds
3,085
-
741,403
746,653
(28,223)
(31,661)
716,265

714,992
£
Unrestricted Funds		 Total
3,085
1,501,898
(59,884)
1,445,100
£

Designated staff support funds

These funds consist of donations and gift income received plus funds set aside out of unrestricted funds for staff support.

The balances on individually designated funds are reviewed regularly. On an annual basis the Finance Committee will determine the extent to which transfers from the general fund should be made to ensure that the carrying value of individual staff support fund balances are recoverable. Following this year's review an aggregate transfer of £3,095 was made from the general fund to designated funds as reflected in the SOFA.

Restricted fund

The charity has one restricted fund, and the movements on this for 2023 are shown on the face of the SOFA. This restricted fund finances the support of international students from a sensitive and challenging context during their studies here in the UK.

15 Operating lease commitments

At 31 December 2023 the charity had the following commitment to make the minimum lease payments under a noncancellable lease:

Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years		 Property
21,372
44,525
65,897
£		 Franking machine
665
2,660
3,325
£
2023		 2022
Property
21,372
12,467
33,839
£

16 Related party transactions

Gifts from trustees of the charity totalled £1,350 (2022 : £1,920).

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Page 22.

FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 31 DECEMBER 2023 (Continued)

17 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2022

Income:
Donations and gifts
Legacy
Charitable activities:
Training events and literature sales
Investment income
Total income
Expenditure:
Fundraising costs
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income before revaluation
of investments
Net (expenditure)/income
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2022
Total funds carried forward at 31 December 2022		 Restricted
Fund
11,989
-
-
-
11,989
-
17,389
17,389
(5,400)
(5,400)
-
(5,400)
36,930
£
31,530
£		 General
116,738
1,891,411
400,278
62,430
31,207
33,585
4,511
-
552,734
1,987,426
25,919
32,110
166,563
2,106,883
192,482
2,138,993
360,252
(151,567)
360,252
(151,567)
(45,361)
45,361
314,891
(106,206)
466,221
853,693
781,112
747,487
Unrestricted Funds
Designated
Staff Support
Funds		 Total
2022
2,020,138
462,708
64,792
4,511
2,552,149
58,029
2,290,835
2,348,864
203,285
203,285
-
203,285
1,356,844
1,560,129

DocuSign Envelope ID: 36F3AFB6-666D-4826-940E-9DCB950A909D

Page 23.

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees of Friends International Ministries

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Friends International Ministries (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cashflow 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 applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

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

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

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

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

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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. 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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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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Page 24.

Opinions 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 charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 9, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) 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 charitable company’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 charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with regulations made under those Acts.

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.

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Page 25.

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 specific procedures designed and implemented to detect irregularities, including fraud, are detailed below:

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 or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

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Page 26.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006, and to the charitable company’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members and trustees 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 company, the charitable company’s members as a body and the charitable company’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Richard Hill

(Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Griffin Stone Moscrop & Co. Statutory Auditor 21-27 Lamb's Conduit Street London WC1N 3GS

21/3/2024 Date: