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2022-03-31-accounts

Company number: 5224240 Charity Number: 1105918

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Report and financial statements For the year ended 31[st] March 2022

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Reference and administrative information

for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

Company number

5224240

Charity number 1105918

Registered office and operational address

Bridge 5 Mill 22A Beswick Street Ancoats Manchester M4 7HR

Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:

Michael Reed Chair Steven Lindsay Treasurer Rick Seccombe Natalie Wilkins Emilia McElvenney (resigned 13[th] March 2022) Josephine Dresner Ian Bell Jevon Clayton Company Secretary Fiona Gorton Bankers The Co-operative Bank plc 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP The Charity Bank Limited Fosse House 182 High Street Tonbridge TN9 1BE Nationwide Building Society Kings Park Road Moulton Park Northampton NN3 6NW Auditors Slade & Cooper Limited Beehive Lofts Jersey Street Manchester M4 6JG

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

The trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2022. Included within the trustees’ report is the directors’ report as required by company law.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Objectives and activities

The objects of the Omega Research Foundation are:

Omega works to:

So that:

So that:

So that:

Human rights and international humanitarian law violations are not committed or facilitated by people using military, security, and policing weapons, equipment, and techniques.

In setting our objectives and planning our activities the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing education and on promotion of human rights. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set. All activities are undertaken to further the organisation's charitable objectives for the public benefit.

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

The charity’s main objectives for the financial year 2021-22 were:

The aims, objectives and activities of the charity are kept under ongoing review by the trustees to ensure they remain focused on the charity’s stated purposes.

This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits arising from the charity’s work.

Achievements and performance

International controls on the trade in law enforcement equipment used in torture and other ill-treatment

United Nations

In December 2021, Omega and Amnesty provided a joint written submission to the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Torture Free Trade. In January 2022, Omega, Amnesty and the Harvard Law School International Human Rights Clinic gave coordinated presentations to the UN GGE during a formal stakeholders consultation. The three presentations collectively addressed the requirement for an international legally binding Torture Free Trade Treaty and examined the scope of equipment and activities that should be covered by such an instrument.

Council of Europe (CoE)

Following the adoption of Recommendation CM/Rec(2021)2 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on measures against the trade in goods used for the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 31st March 2021, Omega undertook measures to promote awareness of this new instrument and its effective implementation by CoE Member States.

In May 2021, Omega, Amnesty, and the CoE Human Rights Subcommittee Secretariat organised a highlevel meeting for CoE Member States, on Implementation of the CoE Recommendation CM/Rec(2021)2 . The event included keynote presentations by the Chair of the CoE Committee of Ministers, CoE Secretary General, and Amnesty’s Secretary General. Expert presentations were delivered by Omega, Amnesty, the European Commission, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Omega and Amnesty produced a web video for CoE States and civil society detailing the CoE torture trade and CoE Recommendation.

European Union (EU)

Following a recommendation by Omega in its November 2020 Review of EU Anti-Torture Regulation and its implementation, the European Commission subsequently established an Informal Expert Group to

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

facilitate strengthening and implementation of the EU Anti Torture Regulation and also to explore how the EU could promote regional and international regulation of the trade. Omega was invited to join this expert group which held its first quarterly meeting in May 2021. In October 2021 at the invitation of the organisers, Omega and Amnesty researchers officially monitored the 2021 Milipol Arms and Security Trade Fair in Paris, France. The promotion of certain inherently abusive equipment (notably canine worn electric muzzles designed to shock protesters) was identified and halted.

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

Omega worked closely with the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to organise an OSCE Workshop on the torture trade, held in Vienna on 20[th] October 2021. In addition to Omega and ODIHR staff, speakers included representatives of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Amnesty International Netherlands, the European Commission – Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, and the Mongolian Government. As well as the European Commission, official representatives from a further 19 OSCE participating States attended the event in person or remotely.

Prior to the workshop, Omega prepared a report entitled OSCE participating States and the production, trade and use of law enforcement equipment that has no practical use or that can be readily misused for the purpose of torture or other ill-treatment , which was circulated to all participants. Omega is producing an expanded version of this report, to be used in Omega’s ongoing advocacy to promote OSCE standards, as well for advocacy with other regional organisations, such as the EU and CoE, and in the ongoing UN process.

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) & Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa (CPTA)

At the request of the CPTA, Omega drafted a report, Production, Trade, and Use of Tools of Torture in Africa , which was circulated to African States by the CPTA at the 69[th] Session of the ACHPR in November 2021. An Omega researcher presented the report at the Session, and the ACHPR developed a plan for further work on the report. Omega are currently working with CPTA staff to further develop the report, which is due to be launched in 2023.

Investigating and strengthening oversight of the use of force and torture prevention

General

COVID-19-related restrictions remained in place for much of the period and new work practices allowed Omega to continue to support civil society and human rights monitors remotely. Holding webinars, workshops and meetings online enabled Omega to interact with more people with diverse experiences than would ever have been able to attend in-person events, as well as reducing the need to travel.

Training and technical assistance

Mexico: Between August and December 2021, Omega, in collaboration with the Anti-Torture Initiative, ran a multidisciplinary training programme on the Istanbul Protocol and its Interaction with the Mexican Federal Judiciary . Around 180 judges from the federal criminal justice system took part in the course, which was developed in close cooperation with the Federal School for Judicial Training (Escuela Federal de Formación Judicial) and the General Directorate for Human Rights of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation.

Between November 2021 and April 2022, Omega provided technical support and training to the Specialised Unit for the Investigation and Litigation of the Ayotzinapa Case, involving the disappearance of a group of students. This support was provided through the Inter-American Commission of Human

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

Rights and concerned the use of international human rights standards, particularly the Istanbul Protocol and standards on the use of force.

Brazil: In September 2021, Omega and local partners Justiça Global held an online workshop on torture and the structural problems underlying the systematic unlawful use of force in Brazil. Attendees included experts from the Rio de Janeiro State Mechanism for the Prevention and Combat of Torture (RJ State Mechanism) and the National Preventive Mechanism, psychosocial support professionals, grassroots lawyers’ groups and organisations that work from a gender and racial equality perspective.

In August 2021, the Rio de Janeiro State Mechanism asked Omega to produce a technical report concerning an incident involving the use by a special intervention unit of stun grenades and kinetic impact projectiles against prisoners in their cells. The Mechanism cited Omega’s report extensively and annexed it to its own report, which it continues to use to advocate for policy changes.

In October and November 2021, Omega provided a multi-disciplinary training course to prosecutors from the State of Bahia tasked with police oversight. This followed Omega’s participation in online training organised by the National Council of Prosecutors on less lethal weapons and use of force standards, attended by prosecutors from across Brazil.

In February 2022, Omega, the Brazilian National Justice Council, UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UN Development Programme, and the Association for the Prevention of Torture co-organised an online event on the combat of torture during custody hearings in the State of Bahia. The event was attended by members of the judiciary, the prosecutorial service, the public defender’s office, forensic experts and police officials working in internal affairs units.

Catalonia: Omega provided technical expertise to lawyers from human rights organisation Irídia, who provide legal representation to the victims of state violence.

Tunisia : In November 2021, at the request of OMCT (World Organisation Against Torture) Tunisia, Omega ran a one-and-a-half-day training session for human rights defenders (HRDs) in Tunisia on monitoring protests. The session was run three times over the course of a week to enable approximately 60 HRDs to attend. The workshop covered human rights-compliant policing, identifying policing weapons and equipment, and documenting instances of excessive use of force.

UK: In October 2021 Omega ran a one-day workshop for UK-based Iranian researchers on monitoring protests in Iran and documenting the weapons and equipment used in the policing of protests.

On-line events have made it easier to share our expertise with others and to host discussions with particular experts who would generally not be able to participate. Attendance at panel discussions that would have been limited to people at a particular conference, such as the UN Human Rights Council, have been available to all, worldwide (although some participants have required funds to access web services). Omega has participated in panel discussions and provided online training, including: a UN side event on the use of security-related measures in response to COVID-19, a webinar on less lethal weapons and grave human rights violations in Chile, and webinars on monitoring the use of force and documenting torture in places of detention in Colombia.

Contributions to other reports

We continued to work with NGOs, journalists and others to identify arms, ammunition and other equipment used in repression around the world. Some examples include:

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

Omega continued to play an active role on the UK National Taser Strategic Advisory Group (NTSAG), which provides oversight and advises police in England and Wales on the use of the Taser weapon. Omega has been Chair of the NTSAG since late 2019 and as such also attended the UK’s Less Lethal Weapons Working Group. These groups give Omega access to key decision makers in UK policing, the College of Policing and the Home Office, where we are able to raise concerns and influence policy and practice.

Omega submitted papers and briefings to various international organisations and meetings, and responded to a large number of requests from researchers and journalists.

Strategy

Following an earlier review of the organisation’s Information Technology and data systems, Omega staff have been working on an IT and database upgrade. This upgrade, completed during the year, will increase Omega’s capacity to collect and record data and will make our information more easily accessible both internally and for selected external partners.

Omega undertook a major strategic planning exercise in 2020/21. This led to the development of a Theory of Change for the organisation, as detailed in the Objectives and Activities section of this report above and available on the Omega website. This organisational Theory of Change informs Omega’s work, and is kept under regular review.

Financial review

At the end of the financial year, Omega was in a reasonable financial position, with total Reserves of £338,499. Of this, £8,574 was held in restricted reserves to be spent on ongoing projects, £192,500 in designated reserves to be released over the following three financial years, and £137,425 in general reserves.

Fundraising

The long-term financial viability of Omega depends on continual fundraising, in a climate of shrinking donor funding for human rights work. Omega raises most of its income through grant funding, and in previous years has used professional support from Wootton George Consulting in reviewing some grant applications. Wootton George Consulting are NCVO members and are committed to upholding the standards of the Institute of Fundraising. Omega conducted a crowdfunding campaign through Global Giving in the financial year, the first instance of active fundraising from individuals, and has received no complaints relating to fundraising activity.

In April 2018, Omega started a three-year project, grant funded by the European Commission through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, which was extended to finish in September 2021. Omega hopes that further European Commission funding will resume during 2023, and a grant from the Oak Foundation was renewed for a further three years in May 2021. We understand that this will be the final grant from the Oak Foundation as they are prioritising other areas of funding. In

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

January 2022 Omega started a further three-year grant from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Omega has worked hard through the financial year and beyond to try to diversify our funding base and find new sources of funds, including in 2022-23 securing a first grant from the Open Society Foundations.

Reserves policy

Omega holds Restricted Reserves , being unspent funding provided for specific projects, and Unrestricted Reserves which can be subdivided into Designated Reserves , being the proportion of multiyear core grant funding relating to future years as stated in the grant agreement, and the General Fund .

The trustees have reviewed Omega’s Reserves Policy and have concluded that an upper and lower limit of reserves held in the General Fund should be set bearing in mind the objective of holding such reserves. That is, reserves in the General Fund are intended to underpin the organisation’s solvency and the continuity of its operations. However, the size of these reserves should not be excessive. Excessive reserves would lead to resources being idle and unused for long periods.

In relation to the upper limit the trustees have taken into consideration the experience of the last ten years. In that period Omega has received three grants from the European Commission via the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, each lasting around three years, with fifteen months between the first two, and ten months between the second and third. These grants have typically provided around 70% of the organisation’s income. In order to underpin the organisation‘s solvency during the periods waiting for the next grant receipt or between grants, the trustees consider holding a maximum reserves in the General Fund of a year of basic operating costs to be reasonable. Basic operating costs in 2020/21 are around £300,000 per annum - £25,000 per month.

In relation to the lower limit should it become apparent that no further major grant is to be expected from the European Commission or from an alternative grant provider, Omega would need to drastically restructure and reduce its size and scope of operations. The trustees estimate that the costs associated with such a restructuring and reduction would amount to five months of basic operating costs which currently would be around £125,000.

Reserves in the General Fund at the end of 2021-22 stood at £137,425 which is between the target limits of £125,000 to £300,000.

Plans for the future

We will continue to offer research support to the UN, human rights bodies, NGOs, researchers and journalists working in our areas of interest; develop new partnerships with NGOs and funders to strengthen the organisation for the future; and share our knowledge and skills with likeminded organisations.

Structure, governance and management

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 7[th] September 2004 and registered as a charity on 16[th] September 2004.

The company was established under a memorandum of association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its articles of association.

The Omega Research Foundation may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing to act as a trustee and determine the rotation in which any additional trustees are to retire. The Trustees are also directors and members of the company. Trustees are recruited following the Trustee Recruitment Policy, which states that vacancies should be advertised and applications invited.

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 11 to the accounts.

New trustees go through an induction process and are given the option of training in any aspect of directorship that they feel is necessary.

Trustees meet 4-5 times per year and make decisions on the medium and long term aims and activities of the organisation, including: funding strategies; methods of attaining the organisation’s objectives; organisational policies; and staffing levels. The Board of Trustees also monitors the overall performance and achievements of the organisation. The Omega Research Foundation has a principal staff of seven to whom the day to day management of the organisation is delegated. This includes project management and financial administration.

The trustees regularly review the risks to which the Omega Research Foundation is exposed and ensure that adequate systems and processes are in place to manage those risks.

The trustees reviewed their application of the Charity Governance Code’s principles and recommended practice during the year to ensure Omega’s governance standards remain high. Trustees and staff are alert to the need to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion in all their policies and operations. All trustees have undertaken training in diversity and recently agreed to update the diversity policy. Recruitment of new trustees is planned in 2023 and steps will be taken to make the role open to a diverse range of candidates.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31[st] March 2022 was 7 (2021: 8). The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

At 31 March 2022 Omega employed four full-time and two part-time research staff, and a part-time administrative & finance officer. Omega also had nine volunteers during the year; recruited through the University of Manchester, volunteers can submit their time with Omega towards an application for the Stellify Award. Omega operates a flat management structure, with decisions being taken collectively by staff. After two years’ service, all staff are paid at the same rate (pro-rata), which is set periodically by the trustees, taking account of inflation and the charity’s available resources.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of Omega Research Foundation for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ annual 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 that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

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.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

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

Auditors

Slade & Cooper Ltd were re-appointed as the charitable company's auditors during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees’ annual report has been approved by the trustees on 6[th] December 2022 and signed on their behalf by

Steven Lindsay

Treasurer

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Independent auditors’ report

to the members of

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Omega Research Foundation Limited (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2022, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities (including the income and expenditure account), the Balance Sheet and the related notes. 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 trustees are responsible for the 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. 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

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Independent auditors’ report

to the members of

Omega Research Foundation

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.

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 trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires 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 8, 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

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

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Independent auditors’ report

to the members of

Omega Research Foundation

aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

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 for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is 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.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/Our-Work/Audit/Audit-and-assurance/Standards-and-guidance/Standards-andguidance-for-auditors/Auditors-responsibilities-for-audit/Description-of-auditors-responsibilities-foraudit.aspx. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’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 company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Christy Yun Hing Lau FCCA CTA DChA Senior Statutory Auditor

for and on behalf of Slade & Cooper Limited Statutory Auditors Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Manchester, M4 6JG

23[rd] December 2022

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Statement of Financial Activities

(including Income and Expenditure account)

for the year ended 31 March 2022

Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
532
Charitable activities
4
293,492
Investments
5
310
Total income
294,334
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
36,725
Charitable activities
7
222,845
Total expenditure
259,570
34,764
9
34,764
Transfer between funds
(4,920)
Net movement in funds for the year
29,844
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
300,081
Total funds carried forward
329,925
Net income/(expenditure) before
net gains/(losses) on investments
Net income/(expenditure) for the
year		 Restricted
funds
£
4,371
146,529
-
150,900
-
162,088
162,088
(11,188)
(11,188)
4,920
(6,268)
14,842
8,574		 Total funds
2022
£
4,903
440,021
310
445,234
36,725
384,933
421,658
23,576
23,576
-
23,576
314,923
338,499		 Total funds
2021
£
86
244,296
479
244,861
32,167
355,547
387,714
(142,853)
(142,853)
-
(142,853)
457,776
314,923

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

A full comparative SOFA is available on the last page of the financial statements.

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Omega Research Foundation Limited Company number 5224240

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2022

Note
£
£
Current assets
Debtors
14
282,230
Cash at bank and in hand
107,438
Total current assets
389,668
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due in less than one year
16
(51,169)
Net current assets
338,499
Total assets less current liabilities
338,499
Net assets
338,499
The funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
17
8,574
Unrestricted income funds:
Designated fund: Long term grants
18
192,500
General funds
18
137,425
Total charity funds
338,499
2022		 £
£
53,947
296,915
350,862
(35,939)
314,923
314,923
314,923
14,842
45,000
255,081
314,923
2021		 £
£
53,947
296,915
350,862
(35,939)
314,923
314,923
314,923
14,842
45,000
255,081
314,923
2021
314,923
314,923
14,842
45,000
255,081
314,923

These accounts are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the company.

The notes on pages 15 to 29 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the trustees on 06/12/2022 and signed on their behalf by:

Steven Lindsay (Treasurer)

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022

1 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

a Basis of preparation

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), second edition - October 2019 (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The charity has applied the exemption available to small charities in the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and does not include a Statement of Cash Flows in these Financial Statements.

Omega Research Foundation Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern.

No key judgments which the trustees have made which have a significant effect on the accounts.

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

c Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred

Income received in advance of a provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

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Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

d Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised; refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

e Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

f Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. The charity has one designated fund, the long term grants fund, which holds grant income awarded under multi-year grants. This is transferred to the general fund over the life of the grant.

The remaining unrestricted funds are the general funds of the charity.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity. Some grants which fall into this category are paid in arrears, after expenditure has already occured, which can leave restricted funds in deficit for short periods of time.

g Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

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

16

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

h Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity's programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 8.

i Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £5,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives. There are currently no fixed assets.

j Debtors

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

k Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

17

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

l Creditors and provisions

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 trade discounts due

m Financial instruments

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.

n Foreign currencies

Transactions entered into in currencies other than sterling are included in the accounts after conversion at the bank rate in force on the date.

o Pensions

Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution ‘money purchase’ scheme. The charity’s contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 10. The costs of the defined contribution scheme are included within staff costs in note 10, and are allocated between funds in proportion to the allocation of staff time

The money purchase plan is managed by TPT Retirement Solutions (previously The Pensions Trust) and the plan invests the contributions made by the employee and employer in an investment fund to build up over the term of the plan a pension fund which is then converted into a pension upon the employee’s normal retirement year age when eligible for a state pension. The total expense ratio of the plan is 0.69% and this is deducted from the investment fund annually. The charity has no liability beyond making its contributions and paying across the deductions for the employee’s contributions. The contributions outstanding at the year-end were £1,766.

2 Legal status of the charity

The charity is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The registered office address is disclosed on page 1.

18

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

3 Income from donations and legacies

Current reporting period
Unrestricted
£
Donations
532
Total
532
Previous reporting period
Unrestricted
£
Donations
86
Total
86
4
Income from charitable activities
Current reporting period
Unrestricted
£
European Commission grant
-
Oak Foundation grant
-
239,000
54,492
Total
293,492
Previous reporting period
Unrestricted
£
European Commission grant
-
Oak Foundation grant
-
Open Society Foundation
-
7,091
Total
7,091
Joseph Rowntree Charitable
Trust grant
Other income from charitable
activity
Other income from charitable
activity		 Restricted
£
4,371
4,371
Restricted
£
-
-
Restricted
£
83,929
62,600
-
-
146,529
Restricted
£
176,320
60,000
885
-
237,205		 Total 2022
£
4,903
4,903
Total 2021
£
86
86
Total 2022
£
83,929
62,600
239,000
54,492
440,021
Total 2021
£
176,320
60,000
885
7,091
244,296

19

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

5 Investment income

Current reporting period
Income from bank deposits
Previous reporting period
Income from bank deposits
6
Cost of raising funds
Staff costs
Accommodation
Governance costs (see note 8)
Support costs (see note 8)		 Unrestricted
£
310
310
Unrestricted
£
479
479		 Restricted
£
-
-
Restricted
£
-
-
Total 2022
£
29,032
836
809
6,048
36,725		 Total 2022
£
310
310
Total 2021
£
479
479
Total 2021
£
25,905
788
263
5,211
32,167

All expenditure on cost of raising funds is unrestricted.

20

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

7 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Staff costs
Accommodation
Publishing (including websites)
Evaluation
Share of grant relating to partner organisations
Governance costs (see note 8)
Support costs (see note 8)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure
Travel
Training provision
Research		 Total 2022
£
224,258
6,458
20,910
6,710
15,292
7,057
2,207
44,159
6,352
51,530
384,933
2022
£
162,088
222,845
384,933		 Total 2021
£
244,722
7,444
18,478
-
1,403
-
5,957
23,467
4,852
49,224
355,547
2021
£
313,449
42,098
355,547

21

8 Analysis of governance and support costs

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

Current reporting period
Staff costs
Office costs
Audit fees
Allocated as follows:
Cost of raising funds
Charitable activities
Previous reporting period
Staff costs
Office costs
Audit fees
Allocated as follows:
Cost of raising funds
Charitable activities		 Support
£
40,497
13,553
3,528
57,578
6,048
51,530
57,578
Support
£
36,926
17,509
-
54,435
5,211
49,224
54,435		 Governance
£
3,279
1,110
2,772
7,161
809
6,352
7,161
Governance
£
2,597
166
2,352
5,115
263
4,852
5,115		 Total 2022
£
43,776
14,663
6,300
64,739
Total 2021
£
39,523
17,675
2,352
59,550

The charity has one activity and therefore support costs are not apportioned.

22

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

9 Net income/(expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging/(crediting):

Auditor's remuneration - audit fees
Auditor's remuneration - other
Staff costs
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Allocated as follows:
Cost of raising funds
Charitable activities
Support costs
Governance costs		 2022
£
5,190
60
2022
£
260,483
23,736
12,847
297,066
29,032
224,258
40,497
3,279
297,066		 2021
£
1,900
60
2021
£
272,131
24,412
13,607
310,150
25,905
244,722
36,926
2,597
310,150

10 Staff costs

No employee has employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2021: Nil).

The average number of staff employed during the period was 6 (2021: 6).

Omega operates a flat management structure, with decisions being taken collectively by staff. The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the staff team. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £301,066 (2021: £314,150).

11 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions

Neither the management committee nor any persons connected with them received any remuneration during the year (2021: Nil).

No (2021: One) members of the management committee received travel and subsistence expenses during the year (2021: £5).

Aggregate donations from related parties, were £220 plus Gift Aid (2021: Nil).

There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no conditions were attached to donations from related parties.

No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year (2021: Nil).

23

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

12 Government grants

The government grants recognised in the accounts were as follows:

2022 2021
£ £
European Commission 83,929 176,320

The European Commission grant was the final payment to cover 79% of costs on the project "Establishing effective controls on the use of and trade in torture technologies, as a tool to fight torture and support remedy and reparation" which ran from 1st April 2018 to 30th September 2021. This was outstanding at the year end, and received in May 2022.

13 Corporation tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Chapter 3 of Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

14 Debtors

Grants receivable
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2022
£
276,429
3,130
2,671
282,230		 2021
£
45,000
6,635
2,312
53,947

Grants receivable consists of all but 3 months of a 3 year grant from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. This is held in the Long term grants designated fund (see note 18). Also, the final payment on the European Commission grant, detailed at note 12. The amounts recoverable in more than one year is £122,500 (2021: £nil)

15 Cash at bank and in hand

sh at bank and in hand
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and on hand		 2022
£
93,413
14,025
107,438		 2021
£
232,085
64,830
296,915

24

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Short term compensated absences (holiday pay)
Other creditors and accruals
Taxation and social security costs
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
Balance at
1 April
2021
Income
£
£
5,615
83,929
3,500
6,930
1,050
55,670
4,677
-
4,371
Total
14,842
150,900
Balance at
1 April
2020
Income
£
£
50,995
176,320
3,500
38,540
Oak Foundation 2
-
21,460
-
885
20,000
-
5,000
-
Total
79,495
237,205
Joffe Charitable
Trust
Global Giving
European
Commission
Institute of
International
Education
European
Commission
Oak Foundation 1
Joffe Charitable
Trust
Trust for Research
and Education on
the Arms Trade
Current reporting
period
Previous reporting
period
Oak Foundation 1
Oak Foundation 2		 2022
£
19,043
25,199
6,927
51,169
Expenditure
£
(94,464)
(10,430)
(51,382)
(4,677)
(1,135)
(162,088)
Expenditure
£
(234,176)
(38,540)
(20,410)
-
(15,323)
(5,000)
(313,449)		 2021
£
21,377
7,520
7,042
35,939
Transfers
£
4,920
-
-
-
-
4,920
Transfers
£
12,476
-
-
(885)
-
-
11,591		 Balance at
31 March
2022
£
-
-
5,338
-
3,236
8,574
Balance at
31 March
2021
£
5,615
3,500
1,050
-
4,677
-
14,842

17 Analysis of movements in restricted funds

25

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

Name of Description, nature and purposes of the fund
restricted fund
European Funding for the project "Establishing effective controls on the use of and
Commission trade in torture technologies, as a tool to fight torture and support
remedy and reparation". Completed in September 2021.
Oak Foundation 1 Matched funding to cover up to 20.65% of the project "Establishing
effective controls on the use of and trade in torture technologies, as a tool
to fight torture and support remedy and reparation". Completed in
September 2021.
Oak Foundation 2 Funding to continue work on the European "Anti Torture" Regulation, and
work on the Alliance for Torture Free Trade, and on torture prevention
work in Brazil.
Institute of Funding for two way interpretation during a National Justice Council
International symposium in Brazil and online.
Education
Joffe Charitable Funding for development of a new research database. Completed in 2021-
Trust; Trust for 22.
Research and
Education on the
Arms Trade
Global Giving Funding for fourther development of the database, including providing
access to external individuals and organisations.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity. Some grants which fall into this category are paid in arrears, after expenditure has already occured, which can leave restricted funds in deficit for short periods of time.

26

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

Omega Research Foundation Limited

18 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds

General fund
Designated fund:
Long term grants
Current reporting
period
General fund
Designated fund:
Long term grants
Previous reporting
period		 Balance
at 1 April
2021
£
255,081
45,000
300,081
Balance
at 1 April
2020
£
273,281
105,000
378,281
 Income
£
84,334
210,000
294,334
Income
£
7,656
-
7,656		 Expenditure
£
(259,570)
-
(259,570)
Expenditure
£
(74,265)
-
(74,265)		 Transfers
£
57,580
(62,500)
(4,920)
Transfers
£
48,409
(60,000)
(11,591)		 As at 31
March 2022
£
137,425
192,500
329,925
As at 31
March
2021
£
255,081
45,000
300,081

Name of Description, nature and purposes of the fund unrestricted fund

General fund The free reserves after allowing for all designated funds Long term grants Income from multi-year core grants, currently from the Joseph Rowntree fund Charitable Trust (3 year grant starting in January 2022), to be transferred to the general fund over the life of the grant, following the grant agreement.

27

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)

19 Analysis of net assets between funds

Current reporting period
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Total
Previous reporting period
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Total		 General
fund
£
137,425
137,425
General
fund
£
255,081
255,081		 Long term
grants fund
£
192,500
192,500
Long term
grants fund
£
45,000
45,000		 Restricted
funds
£
8,574
8,574
Restricted
funds
£
14,842
14,842		 Total
£
338,499
338,499
Total
£
314,923
314,923

28

Omega Research Foundation Limited

Statement of Financial Activities

(including Income and Expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2021

Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Investments
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds for the year
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Net income/(expenditure) for the
year
Net income/(expenditure) before
net gains/(losses) on investments		 Unrestricted
funds
£
86
7,091
479
-
7,656
32,167
42,098
74,265
(66,609)
(66,609)
(11,591)
(78,200)
378,281
300,081		 Restricted
funds
£
-
237,205
-
-
237,205
-
313,449
313,449
(76,244)
(76,244)
11,591
(64,653)
79,495
14,842		 Total funds
2021
£
86
244,296
479
-
244,861
32,167
355,547
387,714
(142,853)
(142,853)
-
(142,853)
457,776
314,923		 Total funds
2020
£
-
417,769
818
150
418,737
25,309
399,131
424,440
(5,703)
(5,703)
-
(5,703)
463,479
457,776

29