Registered Charity Number: l 107149 The Friends of the RWA Trustees Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024 Royal West of England Academy Queen's Road, BRISTOL BS8 IPX page lof6
THE FRIENDS OF THE RWA Registered Charity NO 1107149 Royal West of England Academy, Queen's Road, BRISTOL BS8 IPX TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 2024 The Friends exist, as explained below, to support the Royal West of England Academy. M'ith origins in the Subscribing Members at the Academy's foundation in 1844, they became an independent unincorporated charitable association governed by a constitution adopted in February 1999, modified on l November 2004 (prior to registration as a charity), and again on 20 November 2020. The Friends, affairs are run by a committee of Trustees, elected annually by the membership. The Trustees acting during 2024 were: Jane Boot (appointed April 2015) Catherine Frances Davey (appointed October 2023) Anne Christine Jewell (retired August 2024) Gordon Lewis (appointed June 2021) Andrew Nixon (appointed July 2018) Stephen Noreiko (appointed October 2021) Ionica Cuellar Parreno (appointed October 2023) Sue Quirk (appointed February 2021) Laurel Smart (appointedApril 2019) Patricia Triggs (appointed December 2020) No Trustee has received ally remuneration or other benefits, nor any Trustee's expenses. The Charity's bankers are: HSBC-UK 62 George 1111ite Street BRISTOL BSI 3BA The Accounts show total net receipts of £51,307, and payments of £50,240, which include donations to the Ros'al West of Englalld Academy of £46,000. The Friends of the Royal West of England Academy is a charity which exists, as the name implies, to support the Royal West of England Academy. Our primary, and most obvious, support is financial. Regular monthly reports on the state of our finances are the basis on which the amounts of our continuing donations are decided b}, the Trustees. Growth in membership, to currently more than 1300 individuals, has brought increased receipts, and we end 2024 with a small surplus. In prewious years we have undertaken targeted fund-raising for specific ends, but this year all donations hawe been given as unrestricted funds for page 2 of6
the RWA to use as it sees fit. In total during 2024 we donated £46,000, a significant increase on the £33,600 we donated in 2023. The Friends, as a community of established or aspiring artists and aTt- lovers, support the presence and further the purposes of the RWA with a range of activities. li Regular monthly talks are delivered by RWA Academicians and artists who are experts in their field, either in the galleries when the speaker is talking about a current exhibition, or as illustrated talks in a meeting room. Through these popular Talks, Friends have valuable opportunities to meet th and talk to a wide range of artists, and gain an understanding of their practices. A highly successful progratt)me of Trips and Visits takes groups of Friends further afield, to a variety of destinations of cultural or artistic interest. This year we have organised fiiie day trips - to Coventry, Swansea, Kelmscott Manor, Worcester. and London - as well as a very successful three-night residential visit to Cornwall. These trips are profitable and make a significant contribution to our funds. The Friends, Exhibition gives artist Friends an opportuniti to show their work in the prestigious surroundings of the RWA. Five exhibitions have been held in the past ten years, and the next is planned for 2026. Bringing joy and purpose to artists and the public alike, the Friends, Exhibition is more than just an exhibition, it creates an opportunity for artists to get involved, to build networks, to maJ(e friends, and of course contribute to fund raising." We publicise our work, keep Friends updated, and help promote the Royal Miest of EnEland Academy generally through our communication channels: a monthly email newsletter, a quarterl}, printed neivsletter sent to all Friends, an Instagram account, and the Floating Circle blog. Signed on behalf of the Trustees, Mr Alldrew Nixoffj Chair page 3 of6
FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL WEST OF ENGLAND ACADEMY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL A1vinEs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3 1 DECEMBER 2024 RECEiirrs AND PAYME5 AccouNT Uwestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds 2024 2023 Receipts Subscriptions & Donations Grft Aid return Net Contribution from Trips & Visits Net Contribution from Exhibitions, 39,450 3,329 3,801 4,727 34,347 2,330 3,246 1,717 TOTAL NEr RECEllyrs 51,307 41,640 Payments Administrative Support Printing, postage, publicity Insurance including BAFM Membersbip (547) (2,768) (925) (774) (5,523) (808) RUNNING Cosr OF FRWA Net Running Supplus Donations to R WA TOTAL PAYMENrs {4,240) 47,067 (46,000) (50,240) 67 17.105) 34,535 (33,600) (40,705) EIP PA Total Funds at start of year Total Funds at end of year 4.784 5.851 3.849 4.784 Exhibition expenses in 2023 included venue hire for the Friends, Exhibition in 2022 (£1056) as well as for 2023 (£1086). page 4of6
FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL WEST OF ENGLAND ACADEMY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL A]vITIEs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3 1 DECEMBER 2024 BALANCE SHE AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Unrestricted Funds 2024 UestrICted Funds 2023 AssErs Cash at bank 5.851 4,784 Unpresented Cheques Total Net set Funds B ance 851 784 These accounts are prepared on a receipts and paTrments basis for presentation and approval at the next General Meeting of the Friends of the RWA drew Nixon Chair Stephen F. Noreiko Treasurer page 5of6
THE FRIENDS OF THE RWA INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FRIENDS OF THE RWA I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 4 and 5. Respective rasponsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for tllls year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 201 l Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under charity law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: • e.xamine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid do1 in the General Directions given by the Charity Collllnission under Section 14 )(5)(b) of the 201 l Act; and to state V¥hether parttcular matters have come to my attention. Basis of the Independent E¥aMineS report My Lxamination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. .An e.Namination includes a reiiew of the accounting records kept by the charit5, and a comparison of the accounts presented with those iecords. It also includes consideratioll of an)1 unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement li In connection with my exatnination, no matter has come to my attention: ( l) which giTres me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting Tecords, comply with the accounting requirements of Section 132 of the charities Act 2011 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of recommended Practice: .4ccounting and Reporting b}. Charities have not been met," or (2) to Mibich, in my opinion. attention should be draTr in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. J.D. Wells FCA 34 c£ge Square Clifton Bristol, BS8 3LB S Ic>32215. page 6of6