THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 March 2025 . OXFORD 6) 4TrBoRET 'AEHJL810* 1611212025 COMPANIES HOUSE A20 Registered Charity No. 1111939 Reglstered Company No: 05547805
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & AR80RETUM . COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE Contents Page Directors, Report 2-11 Independent Examinerfs Report 12 Statement of Financial Activities 13 Balance Sheet 14 Notes to Accounts 15-20
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE DIRECTORS. ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE 13-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Directors have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum ('The Friends,), a company limited by guarantee and registered charily, for the 13-month period ended 3111 March 2025, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Registered charity name: The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum Charty number: 1111939 Patron.. His Royal Highness, King Charles111 President.. Lord Hague of Richmond Constitution: Memorandum and Articles of Association Company registration number: 05547805 Registered and administrative office.. Oxford Botanic Garden Rose Lane Oxford OX14AZ Telephone.. 01865 286690 Email.. friends.administrator@obg.ox.ac.uk Web.. www.botanic-garden.ox.a¢.uk Secretary: Professor Simon Hiscock Accountants.. Wenn Townsend, 30 St Giles.. Oxford OX13LE Bankers CAF Bank Ltd, West Malling, Kent HSBC, Oxford DIRECTORS The Directors who served on the Board of the company during the year were as follows (note that changes to the Board were made at the AGM on 24th Seplember 2024 - see below).. Professor Simon Hiscock, Director and Secretary {Appoinled 7 July 2023 - active) Professor John Geddes, Director and Acting Chair (Appointed 7 July 2023- active) Mr Marius Apetrei. Treasurer (Appointed 7 July 2023 - active) Dr Janita Clare Good, Director (Appointed 22 September 2024 - active) Mr John Percival Leighfield (Appointed 22 September 2024 - active) Professor Sally Shuttleworth (Appointed 22 September 2024 - active) Mr Richard George Deverell (Appointed 22 September 2024 - Resigned 8 October 2025) The administrators to the Directors of The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden & Harcourt Art)oretum were: Heidi El-megrisi and Matthew Gill (March 2024 - June 2024) Anne Marie Lo (June 2024- Feb 2025) BeGky Don (June 2024 - adive)
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT {continued> FOR THE 13-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Details of the Directors of The Friends are set oul below.. Simon Hiscock, appointed in 2018, is Director of the Oxlord Botanic Garden and Arboretum and since July 2023, has been serving as Company Secretary. Simon read Botany at Worcester College Oxford and gained his DPhil at Oxford in 1993. In 2000 he moved to the Universty of 8ristol as a lecturer in Plant Sciences. He was subsequently promoted to Reader (2003) and Professor of Botany in 2007 and senrfed as Director of the 8ristol Botanic Garden from 2000-2015. He returned to Oxford in July 2015 to take up his current post and a Fellowship at Christ Church. Simon is a trustee and Scientific Secretary of the Linnean Society of London and a trustee of the New Phytologist Trust. He is Editor in Chief of Plants, People, Planet, an open-access interdisciplinary plant science journal. John Geddes, appointed in July 2023 and served as Chairman until January 2025. He is WA Handley Professor of Psychiatry and a former Head of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, where his research focuses on the development and evaluation of Irealments for people with bipolar and mood disorders. He is Director of Research and Development lor Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. for which he has senior budgetary responsibility. provides strategic direction and is accountable to both University and Trust. He is Chair of the Visitors to Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum. Marius Apetrei, appointed in July 2023. is since July 2023 responsible for financial administralion as Treasurer. He is a Chartered Certified Accountanl and currently works as Divisional Financial Controller (UAS & GL4M) for the University of Oxford. Dr Janita Clare Good FRSB, appointed September 2024 is currently serving as a d1ctor,. in January 2025 became Chairman. She is cfrhead of Fieldfisher's Intemational Life Sciences and Healthcare Group, where she is a transactional lawyer advising on both corporate and IP deals, including.. venture investment, joint ventures, pharma asset divestment and in particular cross-border structured M8A deals. In the transactional intellectual property field deals include. structured licensing, strategic partnering. co-operative research and development and drug supply. Previously, she spent 14 years at the international law firm Osborne Clarke, where she was head of their UK life science and healthcare group. She was educated al the University of Durham and studied for a biochemistry DPhil in the Department of Botany, University of Oxford. She has been a Friend ofOBGA for many years and recently joined the Danby Group of patrons. John Percival Lelghfield C8E, appointed September 2024 is currently seNing as a director. He is a British IT industry businessman and was previously chaimian of RM plc from 1993 until 2011. Currently John Leighfield is a Director of Getmapping, a UK supplier of aerial photography, mapping produds and data hosting solutions. He was educated at Magdalen College School and Exeter College Oxford. He holds Honorary Doctorates from the University of Central England, Birmingham, De Montfort University, Wolverhampton Universty and the University of Warwick. At the University of Warwick, he has been a member of council and chairman of the advisory board,. he was pro-chancellor and chairman of the council from 2002 to 2011. He is a member of the Danby Group of patrons of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum. Sally Shuttleworth CBE FBA, appointed September 2024 is currently serving as a director. She is a Senior Research Fellow at St Anne's College, Oxford. Recently retired, Sally was Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford specialising in Literature and Science. From 2006 to 2011, she was Head ofthe Humanities Division, University of Oxford. She has also held academic posts at the Universities of Princeton. Leeds and Sheffield, and fellowships at Harvard, Cornell, Otago, and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin. She is a Fellow of the British Academy, and has jusl stepped down from being Vice-President and Treasurer of the British Academy, and also as Chair of the Research Advisory Awards Committee of the Leverhulme Trust. From 2015-2021 Sally was Chair of the Board of Visitors of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum. She is currently on the Advisory Board of the Science Museum, London.
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT {continued) FOR THE 13-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Richard George Deverell CBE, appointed September 2024 served as a director until he resigned on 81h October 2025. He has been Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew since 2012. He was previously Controller of CB8C, the department within the BBC responsible for output aimed at children. which he revamped with a mission to raise the quality and impact of programming. He then became the BBC'S programme director for the W12 project, responsible for the sale of the BBC'S property in West London including Television Centre. Since joining Kew, he has led the refresh of Kew's strategy, bringing expertise from Ke$ global science into sharper focus and more aclively engaging the public with contemporary science and ¢onseDiation in Kew's beautiful historic gardens. Richard was a member of the Board ol Visitors of Oxford Bolanic Garden and Arboretum from 2014-2024, advising on all aspecls of the strategic development of the department. AIMS The aims of The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum are to support and assist the work of the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum (OBGA, sometimes 'The Garden,), OBGpifhe Garden, part of Oxford University. has objectives which benefit both the University, the wider academic community, intemational plant conservation and the general public. These are to make the plant collections.. a focus for research, teaching and collections-based scholarship within the University; a research resource for a wide range of external scholarly users, nationally and internationally., a facility for communication and interaction beeen the Universiiy and the public., an educational resource for schools and for tertiary educational inslitutions., a focus for plant conservation, both nationally and intemationally in accordance the Garden's commrtment to the Global Strategy for Plant Conser4ation', a catalyst for lifelong learning and cultural recreation in the immediate region, and for nalional and intemational visitors., and an active contributor to the cultural and economic development of the region. The Garden was formed as a 'Physic Garden. in 1621 and is the oldest botanic garden in the UK. It has a long history of serving both the University and the public with its research. teaching. plant conservation, educational and recreational themes. The Arboretum al Nuneham Courtenay became part of Oxford Botani¢ Garden in 1963, hence the department is known as Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum (OBGA). OBGA participates in a global strategy for plant conservation wilh other leading botanic gardens around the world, through a programme of propagation and distribution of rare plants. At the Arboretum, the woodlands and wild flower meadows are managed to ensure these habitats are conserved for future generations. Through its apprenticeship scheme OBGA makes a major contribution to the creation of the next generation of horticulturalists and arboriculturalists for the UK and overseas. In addition, both the Botanic Garden and the Arboretum provide recreational facilities for the public to enjoy throughout the year. During the period Mar-24 to Mar-25 Ihere were 241,402 visitors to the two facilities (2023124.. 231,774)- an increase of {40A) and above pre- pandemic highs. Since March, visitor numbers have continued to increase at both the Garden and Arboretum. The Directors (Trustees) have a duty to ensure that the charity's activities exist for the public benefrt. They have considered Charily Commission guidance in section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act, and are salisfied that the perfomiance and achievements of the charity during the year, as outlined below. are consistent with this duty.
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT (contlnued) FOR THE 13 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT The Friends of the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum is a registered charity and a company limited (by guarantee. The Friends are governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association and managed by a Board of Directors. The Directors are charity trustees as defined by Section 177 of the Charities Act 2011. The Directors are elected for three years by members of The Friends at the Annual General Meeting. A third of the Directors must retire each year, but may stand for re-eleclion. Separately, the University of Oxford is entitled to appoint an additional Director for a three-year term of office. Since September 2018, this post is held by Professor Simon Hiscock.. Director of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum. Under the Articles of Association, other Directors shall indude the officers of The Friends, namely Professor John Geddes (Chairman until January 2025) and Mr Marius Apetrei (Treasurer). At the September 2024 AGM new Directors Dr Janita Good, John Leighfield, Professor Sally Shuttleworth, and Richard Deverell were elected. The Directors have the power to co-opt members during the year. Board meetings are held at least three times each year. Management of membership recruitment and publicity, special events and visits to private gardens is delegated to small groups of volunteers. During the year all the members of these small groups met three times with the Directors as the Forum of The Friends. An administrator who is a University employee supports The Friends on a full time or part time basis. The accounts are examined each year by an independent firm of chartered accountants. The major risks to which the charity is exposed have been reviewed. The Directors are satisfied that procedures are in place to mitigate the risks so far as is possible.
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT (continued) FOR THE 13 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 202S ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE It has been a successful year for the Friends 4wth preparation and planning for the merger of the Charity's operations with those of OBGAJOxford University proceeding smoothly. At the EGM held March on 24th 2025 (see Future Plans below) members voted unanimously for the merger and subsequent transfer of the Charity, assets to OBGAIOxford University. The Friends continued to provide financial and volunteer support to the Botanic Garden and Arboretum during the year and benefit from close relationships with OBGA staff and from enthusiastic help from many members. Friends funding has supported the development and enhancement of the collections of both the Botanic Garden and the Arboretum. Friends funding has also supported the educational activities of the Education Officers in their work with schools (both primary and secondary) and wrth the Public Education Programme (PEP). Friends membership has remained stable at approx. 3000 members. The decision to appoint a new Friends and Patrons Manager as part of post-merger operations was taken with a view to developing a new strategic approach to grow the membership, especially by attracting younger members and diversifying the membership. Programme and events Friends of OBGA receive membership benefits unrivalled by other UK botanic gardens. Over the past years all of the normal activities, including events for the Friends and Palrons, groups, garden visrts and fund-raising activities and events such as May Morning, an opera, and seasonal parties. as well as drinks receptions linked to botanical highlights were well-supported by the members. Adinlnistration Since the Friends of OBGA charity merged with the University, all active memberships have been translerred lo the University CRM, where membership communications and sales are now managed to ensure GDPR and financial compliance. The former Raiser's Edge database is maintained solely as an archive and will be phased out over time.
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT (continued) FOR THE 13 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Fund-ralslng The Friends raise funds from membership subscriptions, special events, visits to third party gardens. legacy donations and from occasional appeals for specific OBGA projects for which alternative funding is not available. During 2019 the Friends launched an appeal to improve the paths at the Arboretum to make this more accessible for all. This appeal was launched to mark the 4001h anniversary of the Botanic Garden. which was celebrated under pandemic restrictions in 2021 {including a visit from the Patron, HRH Prince Charles, now King Charles 111) and celebrated fully in 2022. The appeal also supports the Garden and Arboretum's wider strategy for visitor centre at the Arboretum. To date the appeal has raised £610,424 (including £87.205 raised through the University of Oxford's Development Office) towards its target of £750.000. As well as asking Friends for donations, applications have been and are being made to grant making trusts for funds. The Directors continue to make increasing subscription income a priority. Efforts to recruit al Garden events and to encourage Friends to introduce new members. either directly or by gift subscriptions, are being increased. Visits to other gardens by members of The Friends and by the Bobarts Patrons, Group are very popular with many being fully booked and there is often a waiting list. May Morning and New College Opera are also well supported. Grant maklng Funds generated, net of costs, are transferred to OBGA to support the strategies and priorities of the Director and the Board of Visitors. The exact purpose and timing of the transfer of funds is agreed beeen the Director$ of The Friends and the OBGA Senior Team from time to time. Subscription income, net of administration costs, is allocated to minor projects and funding needs of the Botanic Garden and Arboretum. During the year 202412025. new grants were awarded to OBGA in the amount of £55,000 (202312024.. £0) and awards made in previous years are still active and used to support collections development althe Botanic Garden and Arboretum and in support of education. Volunteers In addition to the considerable voluntary input to the work of The Friends, volunteers play an increasingly large role al both the Botanic Garden and Arboretum in gardening and other tssks. Adminlstratlon and Communlcatlon: The Friends Charity has a very happy and fruitful working relationship with the Director of OBGA, Professor Simon Hiscock and has been pleased and excited to support his ambitious plans for both the Botanic Garden and Arboretum. To help reduce costs, Friends are encouraged to pay by Direct Debit and lo receive communications. including the Newsletters, by email rather than post. Over 740/0 of Friends now pay by Direct Debit and 90°/0 have authorised comrnunication by email, including the e-bulletin. The FrndS continue to benefit from the very considerable work of its volunteers.
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE DIRECTORS. ANNUAL REPORT (continued) FOR THE 13 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Benefits to Friends: Friends benefit from unlimited access to the Botanic Garden and Arboretum as well as the opportunity to join specially organised visits. Three high quality, 16-page A4 Newsletters are sent to the Friends each year, electronically andlor in hardcopy. Whilst these Newsletters are produced primarily for the Friends, they are also available to the public in hard copy at the Garden shop and through The Friends, websrte. Those Friends who have regislered their email address with the Garden office receive e-bulletins three times a year beeen issues of the Newsletters. The Friends. website is part of the Garden websrte and continues to be enhanced. The Friends also have reciprocal visiting rights at certain other UK gardens. The monthly Coffee Mornings incorporats'ng tours of ihe Garden or Arboretum led by OBGA staff are very popular and attract 60-80 people per session depending on the weather. FINANCIAL REVIEW Income.. Subscription incorne. excluding Grft Aid tax refunds, amounted to £143,117 {2023-24'. £122,386). Revenue from garden visits and special events, excluding running costs, was £47,919 (2023-24.. £54,158). Other income, including donations and claimable GiftAid, totalled £27,130 (2023-24.. £28,702). Addrtionally, investment income was £24.052 (2023-24.. £20,800). Expendlture.. Governance and communication costs were £92,892 {2023-24.. £66,183) for the year. Material items include £63,998 relating to administrative support services provided by OBGA for the Friends, of which £25,055 represents professional fees to provide counsel on the merger beeen the Friends Charity and the University, £10,900 in independent examinerfs fees, while £12,178 supported the IT functs'ons and £3.070 to produce and circulate the Friends Newsletters to its members three times a year. Grants.. £55,000 of new pledged funds Vre agreed to the Oxford Botanical Garden and Arboretum during the course of the financial period. £20,000 was awarded to each curator along with £15,000 to the Educats'on team. Cash: The tolal cash held at the time of the merger (31 March 2025) was £938.004 (2023-24.. £849,087) of which £523.219 continues to be ringfenced to fund the Arboretum Paths vAiile a further £119,366 is expected to match- fund costs incurred by OBGA that is associated wth various OBGA activities. As agreed, The Friends maintain a minirnum of £30,000 under the reserves policy as set out in the next paragraph. Reserves pollcy: It is the policy of The Friends to maintain unrestricted general funds, which are the free reserves of the company, in excess of £30,000 at all times. The minimum level of these reserves should be available as accessible cash deposrts. This allows The Friends to be able to respond immediately to requests by OBGA for grants in order that the it may secure third party matching funds. This minimum level of unreslricted funds should also allow all commilments lo be mel in the unlikely event of The Friends ceasing to exist. Unrestricted funds were maintained above this level throughout the year.
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT {continued) FOR THE 13 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 FUTURE PLANS At the July 2023 AGM members voted that it would be in the best interests of the Friends (and OBGA) for the Friends Charity to merge its operations with oBGAhe University of Oxford. It was considered that this move, in line with previous decisions taken by the Friends of the Ashmolean Museum and Bodleian Library. would improve the efficiency and effective operations of the Friends for the benefit of the membership and its core objectives in support of OBGA. At that meeting new University Directors Professor John Geddes and Marius Apetrei were elected to join Professor Simon Hiscock. Since then, and through 2024, the Directors have overseen preparations for the merger and eventual transfer of the assets of the Friends Charity to oBGhe University of Oxford taking legal advice on behalf of the Friends Charity from BDB Pitmans LLP to ensure that the merger proceeds in line wrth Charity Commission and Companies House rules and in the interests of the membership. At the same time OBGPJthe University of Oxlord took legal advice from University Legal Services to ensure the merger proceeds in the interests of the University. Based on this legal advice new 'independent' Directors {i.e. non-university employees) Dr Janita Good, Professor Sally Shuttleworth, John Leighfield and Richard Deverell were elected at the AGM in September 2024. In the months that followed both legal teams agreed on a process for the merger and on that basis the Directors called for an EGM to be held in early 2025 to vote on the transfer of Friends assets to OBGAJthe University of Oxford. The EGM was held on March 241h 2025 and members of the Friends ol OBGA voted in favour ol entering into the agreement to transfer ils assels to OBGAlthe University of Oxford {"Asset Transfer Agreement"). The transaction was completed on 31st March 2025 and the membership scheme transferred to OBGAlthe University of Oxford who now fully administer the Friends of OBGA membership scheme. As a consequence, the Friends Charity became a 'shell company, but its constitution (Memorandum and Articles of Association ("Articles") remained unchanged. The Articles require that an AGM is held this year <2025). This AGM Is scheduled to take place on December 111 2025 at which under the terms of the Asset Transfer Agreement the Friends Charity will vote to adopt new Articles in line with it being a'shell company,. The new articles are in very similar format to those adopted by the Friends of the Bodleian in March 2018 and remove the requirement for holding AGMS going fopward and that the only members are the Directorsrrrustees. Like the Friends of the Bodleian shell company OBGA will continue to receive legacies in the name of the Friends charity. Instead of a formal AGM in subsequent years the members of the Friends {now administered by OBGAJthe Universily of Oxford> will be invited to an informal meeting to share feedback and ideas to develop the membership and the patron groups. The Directors continue to be pleased with the fundraising campaign to raise £750k towards improvements to the paths (see above) at the Arboretum and former Director and Chair of the Board, Sarah Taylor, will continue to lead the campaign to its completion. Vigorous efforts continue to be made to increase membership income. The realisation of present plans and a higher public profile wll provide opportunities to increase membership and income. Directors are working very closely with OBGA staff on ideas to increase income from all sources and to give cost effective support to the evolving strategies for the Botanic Garden and Arboretum.
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD 80TANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT (continued) FOR THE 13 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 GOING CONCERN The Directors of The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum transferred the operational activities of the charty to the Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the Universty of Oxford ('the University.) on 31 March 2025. The Directors expect to transfer the charity's remaining assets and liabilities to the Universty within the ne>A 12 months. After this transfer, the charity will be dormant, without ongoing activities, save for potentially receiving future legacies. As the charity has ceased its operations and will not continue as a going concern, the Directors consider that the going-concern basis of preparation is not appropriate. However, no adjustments have been made to the carrying values of assets and liabilities, as these are expected to be transferred at their existing book values, with no fair value adjustmenls required, Details of the transfer. which will take place for £nil consideration, are provided in Note 20. STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS. RESPONSIBILITIES The Directors are responsible for preparing the Directors, Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law they have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice applicable to Smaller Entities). Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. rnake judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy al any time the financial posrtion of the 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 company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and deteclion of fraud and other irregularits'es. 10
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT (continued) FOR THE 13 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS At the Annual General Meeting held on 241h September 2024, Wenn Townsend were appointed to act as reporting accountants for the accounts to 31 March 2025. SMALL COMPANY PROVISIONS This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006. Registered office.. Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum Rose Lane Oxford OX14AZ Signed by order of the Directors Professor Simon Hiscock Director and Secretary Date.. 12 D6cember 2025 11
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDENS & ARBORETUM INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANICAL GARDEN & ARBORETUM I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the period ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 13 to 20. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act,). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your cornpany's accounts as carried oul under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act.). In carrying out my examinalion I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under sKtion 145{5)(b) oflhe 2011 Act. Independent examlnerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confim that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe Ihat in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act., or the accounts do not accord with those records; or the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view. which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination., or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland <FRS 102). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in conneclion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. other than the disclosures within note 20. Andrew Rodzynskl ACA Wenn Townsend Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales 30 St Giles Oxford OX13LE 15 December 2025 12
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the 13.month period ended 31 March 2025 Includln In¢omo •nd Ex endltur• Accounl Unrestrlcted Fund• Restrlcled Fund• Tolal 2025 Totsl 2024 Note Income and endowments from: Ck)nations and subscriptions Charitable aclimties Inlment income 167,660 13.126 20.401 16.978 24.052 188,062 30,104 24.062 151,088 54,168 20,800 Total Incom• 180.786 61.432 242 218 Exp¢ndlture on: Raising fijnds Chanlable acliiili88 Other (14,633) 155.CDJ) (92,8921 16.8771 121,5101 166,0001 192,8921 127,670) {68,1831 Total 162,525 6,877 169 403 N•t Income I (expend1re) beforn tr•n8fer• 18,261 54.555 72,816 132,293 Tranafer8 betrlèen funda {10,8IXI) 10,800 Transfer of net as8etsto: The Chancellor Magt•r4 and Scholar4 of the Unlvernlty of Oxford 1291,C641 1223,2191 1614,2831 Net Income I lexpendltyre) for the p¢rlod 1283,602) (157,865) 1441.467) 132,293 N•t mo¥•m•nt In fund* 1283.8021 1157.865) 1441,467 132,293 Recon¢lllallon of Fund8 Funds broughl fowdrd al 1 March 2024 283,602 157.865 441,467 309.173 Funds carrled forward at 31 March 2025 The statement of financial a¢ti%ities in¢ludes all gains and losses recognised in the period. All inc¢>ne and expenditu deri$ from continuing a¢tiMties. 13
THE FRIENDS OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN & ARBORETUM COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION For the 13-month period ended 31 March 2025 The Frfends of Oxford eolanlc Gardens & Arbor•tum Balan¢¢ •heet As at 31 March 2025 2025 2026 2024 2024 Note$ Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and In hand 10 66,883 906,960 Ll•bllltl•s Creditors". Amounts Fdlling due within one year 11 435 210 Not currnnl 470 741 Total 488ets les8 current Ilabllltla• 470,741 Creditm.. Amounts fdlling due after more than one year 12 129,274) Net •wts 441,467 Totsl nel astets Fund8: Restricted fvndj Unrestncted fiJnd$ 13 167,866 283,602 Totsl funds For the 13 month period erth 31 Mah 2025, the company was entllled to exemption under $eclion 477 of Companie$ Act 20( relating to small Cornpanies. No members hake required the company to obtain an audit of its account$ for the period in question in accordance Voith section 476 ofihe Companies A¢1 2006. The direc10 aCkne65e their responsibilrfty Ibr complying lth the wtsirèmenl$ of the Act with respect lo accounliNJ records and )r the preparation of ihe accounls. These accounts ha been prePad in accordance bMlh the prthision5 applicable to companies subject to the small companies. regime. The financial statements were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on 12 December 2025 and are signed on their behalf by.. Dr Janits Clare Good Director Professor Stmon Hlscock Director and Secretary 14
The Friends of Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum Notes to the accounts For the 13-month period ended 31 March 2025 1 Statement of Accountlng Pollcles Basls of accounting The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, in particular 'FRS 102: The Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, (FRS 102). The Friends are a public benefit entity for the purposes of FRS 102 and a registered charity and have therefore also prepared the financial statements in accordance with 'The Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with FRS 102, (The Charty SORP (FRS 102)). The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and on the historical cost basi5,' the principal accounting policies adopted are set out below and have been applied consistently throughout the year. Cash Flow Statement The Trustees are exempt from producing a cash flow statement under section 7 of FRS 102. Incomlng resources Incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified within reasonable accuracy. No amounts are induded in the financial staternenls for services donated by volunteers or donated facilities. Fees received for life membership are released in equal amounts to incoming resources over 20 years, commencing in the year of receipt of the subscription. Olhef membership fees are recognised in the year of receipt. Income and expenditure related to fund raising activities are recognised in the year that the activity occurred. Interest receivable for the year on bank deposits is based on accrued interest during the financial year. Tax refunds are included on the basis of the gift aid claim submitted to HMRC after the end of the year for which the accounts are being prepared. Resources expended All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relaled to the category. Flxed assets and depreciation The Charity has no fixed assets. Taxatlon The Friends is a registered charity and is exempt from tax on Income and gains. It is not registered for Value Added Tax (VAT). Funds accountlng General funds are classed as unrestricted which are available for use at the discretion of the Directors in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and have not been designated for other purposes. Designated funds comprise of unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Directors for particular purposes. The aim and use of any designated fund is set out in the notes lo the financial statements. Restricted funds are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. 15
The Friends of Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum Notes to the accounts (continued) For the 13-month period ended 31 March 2025 In¢on from doD•tioD$ andlogacios Unre8trlct•d 2025 Re•tri¢t•d 2025 Total 2025 ToLg1 2024 Donab'¢)ns Legacies Membership subscriplions le>rl gift aid) Gift aid 627 18.260 18.887 2,000 143,117 24.058 143,117 21,917 122.386 23.649 2.141 167,660 188.062 181,088 The membership $ul)scriptions include an addibty)al month's subscripb'on to the ejtsnded financial period. Restrictsd dona'ons inctsjde £14.815 recei from Ihe Horticulturg and HaMitY thenl and £3,1))J donation towards Opora. Mgmb•rnhlp Total 2025 nurnbgr Tot•1 2024 numbor SlThJl? Joint Sir¥Jle + 1 Bobart Singl• Bobart Jnt Life Single Life JnI Danby SirwJ Danby Joint 1,023 1,536 1,093 1.518 42 30 48 100 96 io io Charltablè •¢tlvlli•8 Unr¢$trlct•d 2025 Restrkted 2025 Total 2026 Totsl 2024 Visits to gardens Concerts, opera C¥hor actbNib'e$ 12,Y20 12.920 8,214 8,970 30,983 13,320 9.855 8,214 8.784 16,978 30.104 54,158 In¢omg from invesln*nts Unrestricted 2025 Rostrictod 2025 Total 2025 Total 2024 Bank interest 24.052 24,052 20,800 16
The Friends of Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum Notes to the accounts (continued) For the 13-month period ended 31 March 2025 Rasing funds Unre8tricted 2025 Restricted 2025 Total 2025 Total 2024 Visits to gardens Concerts, opera 0r acb'mlies Plant sale Danby &oup Palhs appeal 14,633 14.633 5,2S7 1,620 16.908 5,618 5.003 41 5,257 1,620 14.633 6,877 Oth•v expendlturo Unrgstrktgd 2025 Rgstrlcted 2025 Total 2025 Total 2024 Grants to Oxford Bolanlc Garden & Arboratum Curator of lh8 Garden Curalor of the Arboretum Ed'on team 20,C¥JO 20,CrfJO 15,CQO 20,000 20.OIY) 16,OIX) 55,000 Other costs Unrestricted 2025 Restricled 2025 Total 2025 Total 2024 3,070 141 2,605 12,178 63,998 10,gJO 3.070 141 2,605 12.178 83,998 10.900 4,385 C*neral postage PrinbrvJ and stabonery Softsyare fees and IT support Administration & other costs Go4trnance - indepethnt e¥amlnabon fe8 3,723 7.016 49,177 1.880 92,892 92,892 66.183 Staff Cw¢8 2025 2024 Stsff ¢osts during tho pgriod wgre: Wages and salaries Social security costs Defined Contribution pension costs The trustee5 neither recei1 nor any remunerab'cffl during Ihe year {2024.' £0). 17
The Friends of Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum Notes to the accounts {continued For the 13-month period ended 31 March 2025 10 D•btorn 2025 2024 Gift aid debtor Other debtors Other Prepayments and a¢cw¢d income 23,411 432 33,040 56.883 11 Cr•dltorn amounts f•lllng due wlthln one ye•r 2025 2024 Grants payable A¢¢nwl8 •ftd defvrred incom• 410,686 24,523 435.210 12 Cr•dltorn amounts falllng du• In gr••t•r than on• y•ar 2026 2024 Lile mLYnbership Subscriptior 29,274 13 Fundi Balane¢ •¢ 31 Mr Fund• trnthff•d to Expendlknr• and tranthrn 2026 Oxford Unl¥•ty before merger) 8•l•n¢g •t 31 Mr 2026 {•fter mer9er) 1 Mlrch 2024 In¢om• Relcle¢ fvftd$ ArfoorFtum Paths 147.865 10.0 61.432 (6.8771 223,219 (223,2191 110,0001 157.165 6.871 10.100 123 21• 223 219 Unre¥Jl¢fed fvnd$ Unre$trKted fvnds Tran$W t¢hveen fvnd$ 283,603 180,786 11fj2,5251 281.064 1281.Cfj41 28 162 S26 Total funds 242 218 614 283 514 283 18
The Frlends of Oxford Botanic Gardens & Artjoretum Notes to the accounts (continuedl For the 13-month period ended 31 March 2025 Comparative funds Balance at 1Mar 2023 Balance at 28 Feb 2024 Gains losses Exp•nditure and tran*rs Incom• Restricted funds Arboretum Paths Rock Garden 131,166 10,000 23,622 {6,923) 147,865 10,000 141,166 23.622 6,923 157,865 Unre&ri¢ted funds Unrestricted fijnds 168,lJ)7 202,424 (86,830) 283,602 202 424 86.830 283 602 Total funds 309.173 226 046 93.753 Art)oretum tsnd Includes specific dongtions reCeId to support the work of the AOretUrn. None of the unrestricted funds hale been designated for specific projects. 14 Analy81s of net assets between funds Fund balances al 31 March 2025 are repsented by.. Unrestrlcted funds Restricted fund8 Total lunds Current assets CUrn1 liabilities Non-current liabilities Total net assets 16 Capilal commiljnents The Charily has no capital commitments contracted for but nol probided in the financial statements {2024'. £nil). 16 Commitments undèr operatlng leases The Charity has no lease payments due under non<ancellable operating leases (2024.. £nil). 19
The Frlends of Oxford Botanlc Gardens & Arboretum Notes to the accounts {continued) For the 13-month period ended 31 March 2025 17 Contingent li•bilities There are no contingent Ilabllllles that requlre disclosurn. 18 Membors Ilablllty Each member of Ihe chartlable COMnY undertake$ to ¢onldbule to th¢ •ss•l$ of th• ¢omp•ny In th• •wnl of It b•ir4J wound up Ile helshe Is a memb8r, or wthin ono year After helshe ceases to a member. such amount as may bo rnquifed, nol exwdlng £1 for the debts and llabilrt¥ ¢ontracted belore he13P ceases to be a rneMr. 19 R•l•t•d p•ty tr•n••¢tlon• Thern arn no related party transactions dudng the period12024- £ nil). The Charity receid £0 donations from trusteeg duriNJ the yeaf12024.. E nill. 20 Tr•nthr ol Artl¥lll•• Value reported by tranthrrln9 company Trnnsfvr out r•coqnid Currnnt ats Oebto Cash al bank and in hand 48,213 938,004 48,213 938,004 Llabllltlè$ Crtdilors-. AM01$ tslling due within one year ClI0r5.. Amounts falling due after more than one year Net ass•ts (445,278} 26 656 514 283 (445.278) 514 283 Net Awts Analysi$ Reslricled funds Unreslricled fvnds 223,219 291 064 514 283 223,219 514 283 On 31 March 2025, the Friends of the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum charity transferred its assets and liabililies to the Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford. The assets and liabilities were transferred with no fair value adjustments. as shown in the table above, for £nil consideration. 20