2025-03-31-accounts

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Supporting the Arts, Medical Welfare and the Environment since 1972

Report and Accounts 2025

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© Alexandra Park & Palace Charitable Trust
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Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales ~~Charity Registration No. 1112457~~

Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] March 2025

	Page
Trustees’ Report for Year Ended 31stMarch 2025
Historical Background	4
Governing Document	4
Measuring Impact and Public Benefit	5
Charitable Objective and Mission	5
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion	5
Governance	6
Financial Review	10
Grant-making	14
Trustees' Responsibilities	32
Accounts for Year Ended 31st March 2025
Auditor's Report	34
Statement of Financial Activities	39
Balance Sheet	40
Statement of Cash Flows	41
Notes to the Accounts	42
Appendix 1
Grants Paid in the Years Ended 31st March 2024 and 2025	47

Cover Photo: © Alexandra Park & Palace Charitable Trust

Funding for the Arts, sub category: Music & Drama projects for young people.

The Young Actors Company - established in 2021 as part of the Creative Learning programme at 'Ally Pally'. The Company offers free, on the job performance training to 30 18-24 year olds annually, learning in their restored Victorian theatre in Haringey, North London.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2025

Trustees Andrew Wimble Antonia Brooks Amelia Beringer Nina Camilleri Frances Flinter MD FRCP FRCPCH Henry Freeland RIBA Michael O’Brien MD FRCP Julia Sibley MBE (The Trustees are also Directors of the Charitable Company)

Clerk to Trustees Johanna Tompsett Auditor RSM UK Audit LLP Portland, 25 High Street Crawley, West Sussex RH10 1BG Bankers CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4TA

Investment Managers

Cazenove Capital Management Investec Wealth & Investment 1 London Wall Place 30 Gresham Street London EC2Y 5AU London EC2V 7QN

Solicitors

Greenwoods Legal LLP Queens House, 55-56 Lincoln’s Inn Fields London WC2A 3LJ

Registered Office and Administration

The Trust Partnership, 6 Trull Farm Buildings, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8SQ www.doylycartecharitabletrust.org Email : info@doylycartecharitabletrust.org

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Historical Background

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The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (‘the Charity’) was founded by Dame Bridget D'Oyly Carte as an endowed grant-making charity in 1972. Dame Bridget was the grand-daughter of Richard D'Oyly Carte, the theatrical impresario who built the Savoy Theatre in 1881 to house his musical entertainment and later the Savoy Hotel in 1889 to accommodate his out-of-town audiences visiting London to enjoy the famous Gilbert & Sullivan ‘Savoy Operas’.

A Director and Vice-Chair of The Savoy Group (which included the Savoy Hotel and the Savoy Theatre), and head of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company from 1948-82, Dame Bridget established The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust to support her personal charitable interests. Certain charities in which she took a special interest during her lifetime continue to be supported by the Trustees, including The D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust.

1998 marked a turning point in the history of the Charity when the Trustees, after taking legal and financial advice, and with the approval of the Charity Commission, agreed to sell the Charity's shares in The Savoy Hotel PLC (The Savoy Group) to Blackstone Hotel Acquisitions Company. This sum formed the capital assets of the Charity which have since been invested in a diversified portfolio of investments.

Over the years the Trustees have sought in their grant-making to uphold the aims, interests and values of Dame Bridget, whilst adapting to the changing needs of the modern charitable world. The Trustees continue to feel immensely privileged and proud to be able to support such a diverse range of charities seeking in some way to enhance and improve people's lives. Their objective is to achieve this by using the funds to create enrichment, impact and inspiration in the best possible way through the Charity’s mission and capital.

Governing Document

The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust became a Company Limited by Guarantee in 2005. In November that year a new company (No. 5638406 Registered in England) was formed and subsequently registered in December 2005 by the Charity Commission as The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust under Charity Registration No. 1112457.

The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust ‘the Company’ is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 14[th] September 2005 and the operations and assets transferred to ‘the Company’ as from 1[st] April 2006. The initial members of ‘the Company’ were the subscribers to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and, in relation to the Companies Act 2006, the Trustees are also Directors of ‘the Company’. The Governing document was reviewed and updated with our legal advisers. A final version will be recommended for adoption in 2025.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Measuring Impact and Public Benefit

As a grant-making trust, providing public benefit is at the heart of the Charity’s activity, as demonstrated in the pages that follow in this Report.

The Trustees consider that they have complied with their duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 and have due regard for the guidance of the Charity Commission on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting grant making policy.

Charitable Objective and Mission

The Charity’s objective is to make grants to registered charities concerned with the advancement of such exclusively charitable objects as the Trustees shall from time to time determine, in particular (but not limited to) the advancement of the arts, health and medical welfare and environmental protection or improvement, especially within the priorities of its grants policy.

The grant-making review on pages 14-31 and the full list of grants on pages 47-62 demonstrate that this objective continues to be achieved.

The majority of the Charity’s grant-making is reactive and is measured against what individual charities are seeking to achieve. In most cases The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is one of several funders and cannot therefore take sole credit for the outcomes achieved.

The Trustees aim to create impact and enrichment by supporting work that enhances people’s lives and life chances, well-being and the living environment, and this is where public benefit is most directly achieved.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Trustees value diversity in its widest sense and are committed to meeting the needs of all parts of society and to ensure inclusivity and equity in their approach.

As a charitable trust, the Trustees recognise their role and the potential impact their grants have within the sector, and, accordingly, in their grant-making, they seek to support charities working within diverse sectors of the population, as well as those run by diverse communities.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Governance

The Trustees of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust are committed to applying the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in the Charity’s business activities.

The Trustees, also being Directors of the Company, and the Trust’s Officers, recognise their duty to ensure that the Charity is compliant with the law and they are committed to good governance and to implementing and enforcing effective systems throughout the organisation to prevent any improper conduct arising in their business dealings. The Governing Document allows for up to a maximum of ten and a minimum of three Trustees (also Directors for the purpose of company law) and those Trustees who served during the year were Amelia Beringer, Antonia Brooks, Nina Camilleri, Frances Flinter, Henry Freeland, Michael O’Brien, Julia Sibley, and Andrew Wimble.

The Trustees regularly discuss succession planning and the balance of skills on the Board to make informed decisions, and, when required, new Trustees are selected based on the experience and knowledge they can contribute to the aims of the Charity. Potential Trustees are canvassed externally and suitable candidates are then interviewed by the Nominations Committee. A recommendation is then placed before the Board of Trustees. All Trustees are involved with other charities and give their time to the Charity voluntarily.

The Trustees are also the Members of ‘the Company’ and, under the terms of its Articles, every Member promises, if the Charity is dissolved while he or she remains a member, or within 12 months afterwards, to pay up to £10 towards the costs of dissolution and the liabilities incurred by the Charity while they were a member.

Register of Trustees’ Interests

In accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance that charity trustees who may have a personal interest in any matter before the trustees should declare that interest and refrain from taking part in any discussion relating to it, a Register of Trustees’ interests is maintained and updated annually. Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests and register them with the Clerk to Trustees, and, in accordance with the Charity’s policy, withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises.

Charity Governance Code

Trustees regularly review Charity Commission guidance and publications in order to ensure that the principles and recommended best practice for good governance are observed.

During the year, the Trustees reviewed the Charity Governance Code recommended by the Charity Commission and agreed that they would continue to observe its principles and to use the Code as a tool for continuous improvement towards the highest standards. A Charity Governance Code Compliance Record is updated annually.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Statement from the Chair

It is the 60th anniversary since the first ever white paper relating to the arts was published and it is worth reflecting upon the vital role that arts and culture play within the UK economy. The creative industries are worth £124 billion to our economy, creating jobs (the cultural sector supports 666,000 jobs*), opportunities and showcasing the best of British to the World. The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust continues with the focus to support the performing arts, wellbeing and environment and help those least able to gain access to the amazing opportunities therein.

The context for the bigger picture is that the past year has seen a continuation of geopolitical risks, market volatility and the risk of a global economic slowdown. The impact of inflation has remained of concern, along with the cost-of-living crisis, which, together with the increasing evidence of nature in crisis, leads to an awareness of the fragility of our planet and its peoples, both physically and mentally. We are all too conscious that demand for support from grantmaking charities such as the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust has increased as we continue to see a rise in grant applications, and endeavour to make each pound go further so that we can make a greater impact. We are also painfully aware that however hard we try, our funding resources are limited and that they will never be enough.

The new Labour Government has voiced more support of the arts, which we hope will assist our grantees. Some of the announcements from the DCMS have been encouraging, including the Arts Everywhere Fund to assist hundreds of arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings, which will receive a share of more than £270 million from the Fund. The Arts Council of England’s (ACE) focus has shifted and thus been subject to much public criticism, especially following the move to broaden the distribution of funds outside of London. London is presently receiving 33% of ACE’s funding, down from 41% in 2023, whilst even “national portfolio” organisations, such as Wigmore Hall, have declined funds from ACE due to red tape and artistic restrictions.

The Charity’s asset base is directly affected by the returns and volatility in financial markets, which has a bearing on the amount we award in grants. We smooth our grant distributions through fixing the amounts based on our fund managers investing on a total return basis. We continue to make satisfactory progress in embedding environmental, social and governance considerations in every stage of our investment decision making and, longer-term, investigating whether to apply ‘impact’ or other investment criteria.

During the year we received 1,216 applications, an increase of 18% from the previous year, split between arts 49%, medical and welfare 30% and environment 21%. Of the applicants 518 were first-time compared to 380 last year (arts 51%, welfare 27%, environment 22%) and of these first-time applicants 22% were successful. The overall success ratio for applicants was 1 in 3 for the year, and, whilst considerably better than the sector average, is reduced from 1 in 2 last year. The reduced success rate is largely due to a move to funding more applicants at the

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

amount they have requested, as opposed to spreading funds more thinly. The ratio may be affected again by the implementation of a new three-year strategy, which will be published in November 2025.

Over recent years we have seen a drift in the focus in grant applications, the most notable being that which is also reflected in broader society; an increase in awareness of issues surrounding mental health and well-being. We have increased our support for charities helping the most vulnerable and susceptible to mental challenges. We are also delighted to have received an ever-increasing number of applications from charities supporting the environment, including craft skill development, an increase from 10% five years ago to 21% today. We will continue to explore long-term opportunities where we can make the greatest lasting impact through the distribution of mission driven grants to our applicants. Our other area of focus has continued to be access to the arts, music, and drama for young people, including performance development, choirs and dance. Our term grant relationships (eight) have continued, and we are pleased to have added two new grantees: D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and Genetic Alliance.

As mentioned above a new strategy will be delivered from the end of 2025, which will include an increase in the cap on grant amounts and, where successful, the majority of applicants will be awarded at the level requested. Categories of outcomes and sectors of the community that the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust serve are to be revised and focused with a strong preference for the smaller organisation from 2026. The focus of the three-year strategy will be to ensure it meets the needs of our applicants, and we will reflect on the impact of our grants.

We continue to be delighted with the achievements of our D'Oyly Carte Senior Lecturer in Arts and Health, Dr. Alexandra Mermikides, within the School of Medical Education at King’s College London. The success of the relationship may lead us to consider other collaborations to create innovative practices which combine differing strands of the Charity’s remits with more traditional areas of academia to drive forward pedagogy, and we are tendering for a new partnership in 2025/26.

It is an honour to be the Chair of a charity with such an illustrious history, and the ability to effect change for so many. New articles and board succession plans have been implemented to ensure new skills and diversity of experience are encompassed within the board to reflect societal challenges.

I owe a debt of gratitude to the commitment of the Board of Trustees and look forward to working with them as the Charity develops its mission in the years ahead.

*Source: DCMS

Andrew Wimble July 2025

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Key Management Personnel

The Trustees and the Clerk to Trustees comprised the key management personnel of the Charity during the year, in charge of directing, controlling and operating the Charity.

All Trustees give their time freely and no member of the Board of Trustees received remuneration in the year. Details of Trustees’ expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in note 6 in the accounts (nil in the year under review).

The fees for the Clerk to the Trustees are invoiced to the Charity by The Trust Partnership.

Appointment of Auditor

At the Annual General Meeting of the Charity held in July 2024, RSM Audit UK LLP was reappointed as the Auditor until the next AGM in July 2025. In line with good practice, the Trustees will be reviewing the appointment of the Auditor in 2025/26.

Fundraising

In accordance with section 162a of the Charities Act 2011 the Charity is required to make a statement regarding fundraising activities. The legislation defines fundraising as ‘soliciting or otherwise procuring money or other property for charitable purposes’. The Charity does not undertake fundraising from the general public; therefore the Trustees do not consider it necessary to design specific procedures to monitor such activities.

Hospitality Register

A Hospitality Register is maintained to record visits made by Trustees and staff to grant beneficiaries or charities requesting grants, so as to monitor performance and standards in relation to grants made or applications received.

Against the background of the Charity’s work as defined in its objects, the Trustees consider the risk of the Charity contravening The Bribery Act 2010 to be very small. For the avoidance of doubt, however, the Trustees expressly prohibit anyone associated with the Charity from offering, giving, soliciting or accepting any bribe (of whatever nature) in order to advantage the Charity, applicant charities, themselves or persons/businesses connected with either.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Financial Review 2024/25

Investment Management

The Trustees have the authority to delegate discretionary powers of investment and all investments held by the Charity are managed in accordance with these powers.

The Trustees continue to keep the management of their investments under regular review and, subject to satisfactory service and performance, the Charity’s Investment Managers are reappointed on an annual basis.

In line with good governance, an independent review of the performance of the Charity’s Investment Managers last took place in January 2020, since when the Charity’s portfolio has been managed by Cazenove Capital Management (CCM) and Investec Wealth & Investment Ltd (IW&I). The Trustees will consider another independent review in due course.

During the year, the Investment Committee continued to keep in close contact with the Investment Managers who presented overviews of the portfolios under their management to the full Board of Trustees in July 2024.

Quarterly valuations and minutes of meetings are circulated to all Trustees, and the Chair of the Investment Committee reports on the Charity’s investments to the Board of Trustees at their meetings throughout the year.

Investment Policy and Objectives

The financial objective of the Charity is to maintain the real value of the capital assets whilst generating a stable and sustainable return to fund grant-making.

The assets are invested for Total Return and the Trustees aim to maximise Total Return while mitigating risk to the real value of the grants it distributes at a rate the Trustees believe, in consultation with their Investment Managers, is consistent over the medium term whilst at least maintaining the real value of the fund, net of fees.

Investment Policy Statement

The Trustees have an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) in place with their Investment Managers that takes into consideration the Charity’s mission and Charity Commission guidance, and sets out the long-term investment objective, risk profile, strategic asset allocation and investment restrictions. It is reviewed and updated annually, firstly by the Investment Committee and then approved by the Board of Trustees.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Investments

A record number of elections took place across the world in 2024, including in the US, UK, India and Mexico, heightening political uncertainty, shifting global alliances and adding to volatility in financial markets. The Republican victory in the November US Presidential elections and the return of Donald Trump, boosted US equity markets and, lead once again by the artificial intelligence stocks dubbed the ‘Magnificent 7’, the US stock market powered to new highs, contributing to the majority of the +20% return posted by global equites in 2024. Central banks, including the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, maintained a hawkish stance through the year, delaying the anticipated easing until the fourth quarter 2024 when economic data showed an easing of inflationary pressures, resulting in a relatively flat performance for bond markets over the period.

However, the first quarter of 2025 saw an end to the US equity market euphoria. A weakening in US economic data, the scale and impact of President Trump’s tariff policies and the launch of DeepSeek, a Chinese generative AI model, prompted a sharp and sustained sell off in US equities – particularly technology stocks. Bond yields fell reflecting a larger number of expected interest rate cuts and the gold price reached new highs. Despite a challenging economic outlook, and tariff uncertainties, UK equities outperformed and European equities began to close the valuation gap with the rest of the world.

At the end of an extremely volatile 12 months for global financial markets global equities (MSCI all-country world) returned +5.3% (US equities +5.9%, UK equities +10.9%, Japanese equities - 3.8%), US bond +4.5%, UK bonds -1.8% and gold, the investor choice in times of uncertainty, was the standout performer, returning +41%

Against this backdrop, the Charity, which has a long-term performance target of CPI+4% over a rolling 5 year period, alongside composite benchmarks for short-term performance monitoring for each Investment Manager, saw its assets fall over the period by 1.69%, resulting in a yearend value of £67,251,847 (2024: £68,407,822).

Antonia Brooks, Chair of The Joint Investment Committee

Income and Expenditure

Over the period the Charity’s total income amounted to £1,481,493 compared to £1,476,401 in the previous year, an increase of 0.34%. Grants agreed amounted to £2,062,963 which was an increase of 22.35% compared to the previous year when grants totaling £1,686,113 were agreed.

The Charity’s total return strategy was revised to increase the distribution policy from a flat amount of £1,800,000 to £2,000,000 per annum divided between the two Investment Managers in proportion to the value of each respective portfolio. There was a decrease in support costs during the year from £177,657 to £113,544, a decrease of -36.09% (see Accounts note 5 on page 44). The costs of raising funds (Investment Management fees) increased by 7.10% from £240,423 to £257,501.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Reserves Policy

The Trust Fund represents an amount allocated by the Trustees to secure the long-term future of the Charity by ensuring there are adequate resources to meet anticipated charitable obligations. The Charity distributes in excess of its income every year so therefore has no income retained as unrestricted funds. The reserve balance at the end of the year decreased from £68,426,825 in 2024 to £67,154,670 (a decrease of -1.86%).

The Trustees monitor investment performance and continue to set the Investment Managers the task of producing the best financial return with an acceptable level of risk. It is the policy of the Trustees to protect a core of investments and cash assets to generate income for future years' grant awards.

Going Concern

As a result of the strong reserves position the Trustees remain confident that the Charity will remain a going concern. The Trustees consider the value of the investment portfolio and the forecast investment income will be sufficient to sustain the Charity in the next twelve months and the longer term.

Internal Controls

The Trustees have a duty to ensure that adequate systems and procedures are in place to safeguard the Charity's assets. The Investment Committee is empowered by the Trustees to ensure that appropriate internal controls are implemented and monitored and that the risks are managed and controlled.

Risk Management

The Trustees are satisfied that appropriate policies, protection, systems and checks are in place in order to mitigate exposure to major risks. The Trustees review the Risks Register at their regular meetings during the year.

The principal risks relate to investment performance and operational risks in terms of grantmaking arising from system malfunctions or fraudulent applications.

Investments and Grant-making capacity: The Trustees regularly review the performance of the Charity’s investment portfolios in accordance with the Charity’s investment policy which balances risk with investment returns.
Operational processes: Internal procedures and computer systems are regularly reviewed and updated and all grant applications are screened by the grants administration team. The ability of computer systems to allow for remote working, and for Trustees to meet online, as permitted in the Charity’s Governing Document, is effective and robust.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Status and Reputation: The Trustees regularly discuss reputational risk and a clear framework for assessment and decision making on grant applications is in place.
Conflicts of Interest: The Charity has a Conflicts of Interest policy which is reviewed and signed annually by the Trustees.
Investment Policy: The Trustees review and agree the Charity’s Investment Policy Statement and Social Investment Policy annually.

The Charity requires its Investment Managers to take a carbon aware approach to investments in fossil fuel companies and to consider absence of harm when making investments.

The Trustees are satisfied that their investment managers have suitable policies in place regarding their stock selection to evaluate their corporate behaviour and ensure that this complies with the latest Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) practices.

Safeguarding: The Trustees recognise that Safeguarding is a key priority for all charities, and for projects working with children and young people, or vulnerable adults, the Charity requires that all applicant charities confirm during the application process that up-to-date Safeguarding Policies and Procedures are in place in line with Charity Commission regulatory expectations.

The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on reporting serious incidents and have appropriate procedures in place to identify and manage such incidents. The Trustees confirm that no serious incidents or reportable matters occurred during the reporting period which required notification to the Charity Commission.

At the time of the last Risk Review in March 2025 the Trustees considered that effective risk mitigation was in place.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

The Charity’s Grant-making

The Trustees make grants for charitable activity which they hope will enhance and improve the quality of life for people in the United Kingdom, especially those who are disadvantaged in some way. The Trustees concentrate this activity by supporting charities in specific areas of interest connected with the arts, medical welfare and the environment, as reflected in their Grant-making Priorities (see page 15).

The Charity invites applications from registered charities whose operational area is within the United Kingdom, for the benefit of residents of the United Kingdom. Applications from individuals are not considered.

Registered charities wishing to apply for a grant are requested to do so online via the Charity’s website www.doylycartecharitabletrust.org.

Applicants are required to study the Charity’s Application Guidelines, which are available online, before submitting an application to ensure full compliance, and an eligibility portal indicates whether an application can proceed to the online application form.

Once an application has been submitted via the website an automatically generated response confirms receipt to the applicant, with a copy of the application form attached. Full application guidance is available on the website, and, if needed, additional help can be obtained by telephoning the Charity’s Grants Administrators on 0203 637 3003 or by emailing info@doylycartecharitabletrust.org.

The Trustees consider applications three times a year at their Board meetings which are usually held in March, July and November, and the majority of grants awarded are on a one-off basis. Term grants are very occasionally agreed to charities whose work the Trustees know well, for a maximum period of three years. The Charity is always oversubscribed with applications and inevitably has to make difficult decisions.

Trustees do not consider requests from charities that have had an application turned down until two years have elapsed after the date of rejection.
Charities in receipt of three years of consecutive funding or three grants in the previous five years are required to wait three years before re-applying.

During the year under review the Charity has continued to support a wide range of charitable activity within its stated priorities, seeking to enrich lives and wellbeing, and to help support the vital services charities provide to the people and communities that need them most. In January 2025 the Trustees began a strategic review in preparation for the end of their current strategy, which concludes in 2026. A final revision will be available for applicants in November 2025 ready for the March 2026 funding round. Alongside areas of funding priority, the Trustees are reviewing grant size in light of the financial climate and rising costs, and organisational size of recipient charities to ensure their funding achieves impact within the charities it benefits.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Grant-making Priorities

Notwithstanding the Charity’s overall charitable objectives for the public benefit, the Trustees regularly review their policies, objectives and guidelines, and, following a full review in November 2022, determined that their grant-making priorities for the three years from February 2023 would focus on:-

The Arts

Access and participation in the arts for those who have least access to them with emphasis on choirs and singing to build community and bring people together
Support for charities seeking to engage with, and inspire, young people on the fringes of society through music and drama projects to improve their employability and diminish the risk of social exclusion
Performance development opportunities in the performing arts for those in the early stages of their careers

Medical Welfare

Music and art therapy and non-clinical interventions that use singing, drama and musical techniques to aid recovery from illness and improve quality of life and mental wellbeing
Support for charities concerned with alleviating the suffering of adults and children with medical conditions who have difficulty finding support through traditional sources The welfare of those who care for others through the provision of breaks for carers, with an emphasis on projects and schemes assisting young carers

The Environment

Social and therapeutic horticulture projects that embrace nature as a tool for mental wellbeing by using gardening or other environmental activities to bring about positive changes in the lives of those who are living with disabilities or ill-health
Active involvement in hands-on conservation activities, particularly those that bring about positive changes in the lives of young people living at the margins of society to improve their skills, build their confidence and break down barriers to their employment
Rural crafts and skills in heritage conservation, with emphasis on increasingly rare skills that would otherwise be lost

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Grant-making Restrictions/Exclusions

The Charity is unlikely to support/respond to applications relating to the following:

Capital projects and routine maintenance
Community transport organisations or services, air ambulances, requests for vehicles
Conferences, Exhibitions, Seminars, Expeditions
Counselling and psychotherapy services
Drug abuse or alcoholism rehabilitation
Feasibility studies
General and round-robin appeals
Hospitals and individual hospices
Individuals
Large well-funded national charities
Mainstream schools (and projects linked to the national curriculum) Medical Research
Nurseries and Playgroups (other than those for SEND children)
Organisations that are not Registered Charities (or accepted as Exempt Charities)
Projects taking place or providing benefit outside the UK
Recordings and commissioning of new works
Retrospective funding
Religious causes and activities
Sport
Universities

Grant Monitoring and Evaluation

The public benefit of funding by the Charity is measured against the achievements of the charities funded by the Charity. Grant recipients are required to meet the Charity’s reporting requirements which are communicated when a grant is awarded. The Charity’s grant monitoring and reporting process aims to be ‘light touch’ and is intended to give Trustees an idea of what each grant has achieved as well as the challenges individual charities face.

The Charity seeks to avoid a disproportionate reliance on complex procedures both in the application process and in systematic attempts to evaluate the benefit achieved by its grants. The benefit of understanding the impact of a small grant that has made a huge difference to someone’s quality of life is often outweighed by the effort in attempting to prove it.

The Trustees endorse the belief that a good relationship between the funder and the funded should be based on trust and mutual respect on both sides.

Grant recipients are sent an online link in order to submit their monitoring report on the benefit achieved by the Charity’s grant within twelve months of receiving it; and, as many of the Charity’s grants contribute to projects also supported by one or several other donors, we are happy to accept information that has been prepared for another funder if appropriate.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Above all, it is the guiding policy of the Trustees to make the best possible use of the Charity’s resources in supporting a wide cross-section of charitable activities within the Charity’s stated remit and grant-making priorities. The Trustees hope that they achieve this successfully by making carefully considered grant decisions and by seeking to ensure that their grants are used effectively without imposing disproportionate reporting conditions on grantees.

Small Grant Applications 2024/25

In the year under review 1,216 applications were made to the Charity and 1,161 were eligible for consideration under the Charity’s Guidelines. The Trustees have continued their commitment to make grants in the range of £500 to £6,000 to smaller charities that do not enjoy a high profile in order to create significant impact on the work of the charity concerned; and, recognising the day-to-day funding needs of charities, the Trustees continue to consider applications for core costs, in particular to enable charities to reach more participants through paid volunteer co-ordination.

During the year, 518 first-time applications were received compared to 380 last year: 262 new Arts applications, 141 new Medical Welfare applications and 115 new Environmental applications. Of these first-time applications, 116 were successful and 49 new Arts grants, 32 new Medical Welfare grants and 35 new Environmental grants were awarded.

Grant Awards 2024/25

The Trustees paid a grand total of £1,986,963 in grants to 462 charities, including exceptional grants, during the year under review. This was an increase in value compared to the previous year when 477 grants totaling £1,766,113 were paid. Grants agreed during the year but not yet paid at the end of the year amounted to £216,000 (2024: £140,000).

The Trustees’ decision-making on grants in the period continued to follow the procedures laid down and applied in past years. The distribution of grants between the sectors Arts, Medical Welfare and the Environment continues to be flexible, allowing Trustees to respond to the number and quality of applications.

Charitable Trusts and Foundations, as independent grant-makers, exist to create a better society - and have the distinctive opportunity to determine their own agenda. Whatever the cause, the Trustees seek to direct their funds to where they can make a major difference, and this aim steers them away from large national charities and significant appeals.

The Trustees recognise the vital impact their funding can make, and the encouragement it can give, particularly to smaller charities seeking to deliver projects that influence with positivity, and provide desperately needed services in the community for people, both young and old, who face significant challenges and difficulties in life.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Comparison of Annual Small Grants Paid from 2020/21 to 2024/25

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The Arts

207 small grants were paid to Arts charities, involving a total distribution of £835,127 – an increase in amount but decrease in number on the previous year, when a total of £833,389 was distributed to 228 charities in 2023/24.

Medical Welfare

£604,379 was distributed to 143 Medical/Welfare charities through small grants, compared to £555,999 in the previous year distributed among 146 charities.

The Environment

103 grants were paid through small grants to Environmental charities during the year amounting to £457,457 compared to £376,725 distributed in the previous year to 103 charities.

Small Grant Distribution 2023/24 and 2024/25

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The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Number of Small Grants Paid by Sector 2023/24 and 2024/25

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250 228
207
200
146 143
150
103 103
100
50
0
Arts Medical/Welfare Environment
| Number of Grants 2023/24 | Number of Grants 2024/25
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Small Grants Paid by Sector 2021-2025

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1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
| Arts a Medical / Welfare Environment
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The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Small Grants Paid by Subcategory 2024/25

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Young Carers' Welfare a 18
Music Therapy ee 31
Medical Support ee 50
Carers' Welfare Po 13
Art Therapy ee 30
Social & Therapeutic Horticulture / Environmental Activities [ITT 71
Rural Crafts & Heritage Skills |SY 9
Conservation Activities for Young People [I, 17
Conservation Activities [I 6
Choirs and Singing eC 37
Performance Development in the Performing Arts a 43
Music & Drama projects for Young People eC 28
Access to the Arts for Young People Oe 67
Access to the Arts eC 33
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
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Distribution of Small Grants Paid by Area Served 2024/25

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UK Wide EE 70 80
England Ee 27 33
Scotland ee ES 32 42
Wales oT 12 14
Northern Ireland oT 11 13
London EEO] 68 74
South East England EE 58 66
South West England EE 47 53
Midlands Fe 29 39
Eastern England ee 16 18
North East England ee 30 32
North West England a 3333
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Number of Grants
a 2023/24 a 2024/25
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Note: In 2023-2024 Grants to UK national charities were updated to the UK region supported by the Grant

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Sector Split of Number of Small Grants Paid by Region 2024/25

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UK Wide a 29 40 1
England es 13 7 7
Scotland es 23 10 9
Wales a 6 3 5
Northern Ireland | 10 2 1
London 46 12 16
South East England SO —SC“‘SSC 17 22 19
South West England | 11 16 20
Midlands | 17 2 10
Eastern England as 6 8 2
North East England _ 16 6 8
North West England | 13 15 5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Number of Grants
Arts Medical/Welfare Environment
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Success Rate of Small Grant Applications in 2024/25

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257
361
142
205
103
598 143
356
207
Received Applications Declined Grants Awarded
| Arts | Medical/Welfare Environment
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A selection of small grants awarded during the year, under each of the Charity’s priority areas, are featured on pages 25-31 and all grants paid during the year are included in the full list of grants in the Appendix on pages 47-62.

The Trustees have increased their grant expenditure during the year to up to £2m from 2025/26.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Exceptional Grant Awards

________________

The D’Oyly Carte Chair in Medicine and the Arts

The Trustees established The D’Oyly Carte Chair in Medicine and the Arts at King’s College London (KCL) in 2001 with a £2 million endowment to stimulate high quality teaching, research and public debate in the field of medicine and its relationship to literature, philosophy and other arts, including those of performance. Professor Brian Hurwitz undertook these responsibilities from 2002 to 2020.

In 2021 the Trustees agreed with KCL that their endowment would in future fund a Senior Lecturer in Arts and Health (the D’Oyly Carte Academic Appointment), to be based in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, to develop and deliver teaching and research in medicine and the humanities, creating connections, external interfaces and partnerships between the performing arts and medicine and health related disciplines for MBBS students.

Dr. Alex Mermikides was appointed to this role in March 2022 and reports regularly to the Charity, and annually to a KCL D’Oyly Carte Academic Appointment Advisory Board as a source of guidance and advice for the Chair, and as a financial audit and review body.

Dr. Mermikides’ newly developed workshops on navigating emotion in medical encounters have been delivered to 4th and 5th year students during the year, receiving a very positive response. The workshops used play reading and acting techniques to help participants consider emotions for patients and themselves in clinical encounters and sat alongside the clinical ‘breaking bad news’ module and on the edge of student support and learning. One

student remarked on how it had helped them develop their own professional ‘style’ by drawing on their own personal experiences and personality. Demand for the workshops is growing and Dr. Mermikides is training colleagues to help with delivery and keep up with demand.

Recruitment for a PhD student to supplement and enhance the project began in January for appointment in the new 2025/26 academic year. Funding for the role has been achieved following previous periods of underspend from the endowment income. To expand her work, Dr. Mermikides has been successful in attracting Wellcome Trust and British Academy funding for the student-facing aspects of the Drama of Dissection project. Future ambitions are to build a Doctorial network of PhD studentships across Europe (partners in Greece, Denmark, Ireland and Germany), subject to funding.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Excellence in The Arts, Crafts and Horticulture

The Trustees have continued their practice of making a few regular exceptional term grants outside their general grant-giving range to outstanding arts conservatoires and centres of excellence to help exceptionally talented students from the United Kingdom to realise their full potential and give themselves wholly to the training on offer. The distribution of this bursary funding is assessed and awarded by each institution, not by the Charity.

Five annual bursary grants of £10,000 continue to be awarded as follows: City & Guilds of London Art School (Heritage Conservation) 2023 - 2025 Guildhall School Trust (Acting/Singing) 2023 - 2025 Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Acting/Technical Theatre Stage Management) 2023 - 2025 Royal Academy of Music (The D’Oyly Carte Memorial Award/Singing) 2024 - 2026 Royal Northern College of Music (Singing/Instrumental) 2023 - 2025 Note: From 2025 new and renewed exceptional grants will be awarded at least £12,000 p.a. to reflect inflationary increases and rising costs.

In addition, the Trustees continue to support The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust’s excellence in British craftsmanship scholarships and The Royal Horticultural Society’s horticultural apprenticeships with grants to each of £10,000 per annum. The Trustees continue their annual grant towards Hospice UK in support of their work on behalf of all their members, with an grant of £20,000 per annum.

The D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust and The Savoy Operas

In July 2024 the Trustees approved an award of £20,000 per annum for three years to support the educational outreach work of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust. The Trustees were also delighted to join other supporters of the charity at a very special celebration event on D’Oyly Carte Island in March 2025, to celebrate the rich legacy of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Savoy Operas. The event was held 150 years to the day the very first Gilbert & Sullivan Opera, Trial by Jury, was performed at the Savoy Theatre. The event was held at Eyot House, built by Richard and Helen D’Oyly Carte.

150th anniversary celebration event, D’Oyly Carte Island, Weybridge © The D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust

Andrew Wimble, Chair of The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, made a toast to D'Oyly Carte and there followed a brief musical entertainment involving Richard Suart, Ellie Laugharne and John Savournin, accompanied on the piano by Bryan Evans. The event also hoped to attract further financial support to the Charity and its outreach work. The Trustees’ ongoing support of The D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust acknowledges their shared heritage and the operas’ national importance and resurgence in popularity.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Supporting patients and families affected by rare diseases

The Charity has been a long-term funder of organisations supporting those seeking care and support for rare diseases in the UK. As part of an ongoing strategy review for the next three years, the Trustees agreed to support Genetic Alliance UK with an exceptional annual grant of £12,000 per annum. The grant will support their work to improve the lives of the 3.5 million people in the UK living with lifelong and complex genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions. Specifically; better care for genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions; boosting awareness of genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions; and improved information and support for people living with a genetic, rare and undiagnosed condition.

Genetic Alliance UK has a community of member organisations (who all have voting rights) and they use their platform to amplify the voices of their members and represent them with Government and NHS decision makers. They also offer members the opportunity to work together and share ideas and knowledge through regular member meetings, among many other benefits.

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© Genetic Alliance UK
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The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

A selection of charities supported during the year by priority area

Arts Priority: Performance development opportunities for those in the early stages of their careers

NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

The Emerging Professional Artists programme is a yearlong initiative that offers an unrivaled

creative development opportunity for eight exceptionally talented choral artists from a diverse range of backgrounds. The programme consists of a Fellowship Scheme aimed at emerging young leaders, educators and performers, a Young Composers Scheme aimed at talented young writers and a Young Conductors Scheme aimed at those underrepresented in the sector (2025 focus: disabled artists). These three intertwining schemes provide an extensive yearlong music education and residency for ten emerging artists to develop their creative practice,

business and marketing skills, professional networks and career opportunities. This will include participating in online and residential professional development training, performance and recording opportunities, work placements on NYC residential courses and masterclasses designed to enhance their pedagogical, leadership, musical, communication, business and performance skills, which are essential for a portfolio choral career.

Arts Priority: Access and participation in the arts for those who have least access to them with emphasis on choirs and singing to build community and bring people together

NORTH BELFAST CHOIR

North Belfast Youth Choir (NYBC) is a non-audition choir which engages over 70 young people from across religious, cultural and Hees Oe social divides in North Belfast. The choir’s main purpose is to remove the barriers to musical participation often experienced in this area of the city and improve the lives of young people who live in an area of multiple deprivation which was one of the most affected by ‘The Troubles’.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

NBYC provides a unique platform for singers to nurture and showcase their talents through regular rehearsals and performances with acclaimed choral director Dónal Doherty, who is supported by a network of music teachers from each of the participating schools. We strive to raise the standards of musical performance and as a result, raise aspirations and see high levels of school attendance and progression to further education among its members.

A key objective of the organisation is to create ongoing opportunities for the members to learn from each other and develop life skills beyond the classroom. By taking part in choir festivals and travelling outside of Belfast, throughout Ireland and beyond, the choir aims to strengthen feelings of togetherness and promote emotional wellbeing while broadening horizons.

Arts priority: Support for charities seeking to engage with, and inspire, young people on the fringes of society through music and drama projects

BRIGHTER SOUND LTD

________________ Brighter Sound LTD acts as a resource for young people living in challenging circumstances to:

Help develop social skills and participate independently in society, improve employability, advance musical education, and provide opportunities to use music as a recreational activity to improve quality of life.

The grant supported ‘Young Creatives’, an inspirational programme of support for young

people aged 13-18 with specific needs including care experienced, complex mental health & young carers. The project, delivered in Rochdale, in partnership with Rochdale Youth & Music Services, Rochdale Connections Trust, consisted of creative music activity, mentoring & employability skills with session content developed & led by the interests & aims of the participants.

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© Brighter Sound LTD
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Activity included:

18 sessions exploring music, creativity, wellbeing & employability
Recording & performance opportunities
Mentoring in navigating education, employment & creative activity

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Medical Welfare priority: Support for charities concerned with alleviating the suffering of adults and children with medical conditions who have difficulty finding support through traditional sources HEALTH BUS TRUST

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© Health Bus Trust
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The HealthBus is an awardwinning charity delivering specialist healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in Bournemouth and surrounding areas. Through a mobile GP-led service, they : work alongside a multidisciplinary team, local authorities, and third-sector partners to provide care directly to individuals sleeping rough or in emergency

accommodation. They address significant barriers faced by homeless individuals in accessing mainstream healthcare, tackling health inequalities and improving outcomes. Their mission is to offer accessible, high-quality healthcare to reduce the pressure on NHS services. Their services include GP and nursing care, wound care, blood tests (for Hepatitis C/B, HIV, and syphilis), support with medical appointments, medication management, and sexual health advice, including contraception and STI checks.

Medical Welfare priority: Music and Art therapy to improve quality of life and mental wellbeing

MENTAL FIGHT CLUB

Mental Fight Club’s focus is addressing | the marginalising effects of poor mental health through the provision of i) accessible creative, wellbeing events and activities. Funding was provided to develop and deepen their inclusive community group “Sounds for All”. The group meet twice a month to © Mental Fight Club © Mental Fight Club develop their singing knowledge and widen their experience including opera, classical music and ancient chant. Their aims continues to be: to decrease loneliness and isolation; increase confidence; and improve attendees mental ill health.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

During 2024 they collaborated with other inclusive community singing groups/choirs in London that do not audition participants and holds space for disabled people and those consistently experiencing structural inequalities. Together they are planning an event in Lambeth for 8 inclusive choirs to celebrate and share the songs sung –“Big Song Share 2025”.

Medical Welfare priority: The welfare of those who care for others through the provision of breaks for carers

RIDE HIGH LIMITED

Ride High works with Milton Keynes' most vulnerable and disadvantaged children. Using horses and an associated educational arts and crafts programme, their team supports 120 children every week for a period of 12-36 weeks. Therapeutic equine-assisted, nature- and clubroombased interventions to support disadvantaged and vulnerable young carers. Funding would allow Ride High to provide timely places on a 12-week programme to benefit 20 young carers. The majority of the young carers we help have complex needs and are often living in chaotic family households with few positive role models and little stability. Our equine-assisted therapy and art activities have both been shown to provide multiple benefits to their mental health and overall wellbeing.

In the words of one young carer: "I get to be away from home and to have some time to have fun. I love the horses and have become more involved with my friends. I also can use it for my art and DT GCSEs too."

From a professional referrer: "Child A told me that he thoroughly enjoyed the sessions but perhaps most important of all, they really helped him not to think or worry so much about his dad being poorly. There has definitely been an improvement in his mental health overall and in his confidence”.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Environment priority: Social and therapeutic horticulture projects that embrace nature as a tool for mental wellbeing by using gardening or other environmental activities to bring about positive changes in the lives of those who are living with disabilities or ill-health

CORE ARTS

Core Arts exists to enrich the lives of socially excluded people with mental health issues. Through professional educational input they are able to develop and promote the individuals artistic and creative ability. Their aim is to empower their members to achieve their personal goals and aspirations. The grant supported bi-weekly horticultural classes to people experiencing severe and enduring mental ill health, referred by mental health care professionals.

The workshops have supported clients to become confident gardeners and build on existing skills; for mental health support and recovery, and to increase vocational opportunities. The sessions have been delivered by experienced tutors passionate about the impact gardening has mental health and on the quality of life. They are a structured and supported programme of practical horticultural sessions with clearly identified aims and objectives and progression routes. The programme explored key gardening topics each term, rolling throughout the year. Beginner gardeners have been able to continue learning at their own pace in the Progression Gardening sessions across Core Landscapes’ 6 green spaces. Focused classes have expanded practical and technical gardening skills, and shared existing ones, with experienced staff and peers in friendly, informal and beautiful spaces. Gardeners can progress into the Community Volunteering sessions with independent working and links to community networks and opportunities.

Participant Feedback: “I like that my ideas have been put into the garden”

“...the time spent here is so valuable to me and gives me a sense of purpose.”

“I’m learning lots of things about gardening that I didn’t know I could do.”

“I’m now thinking I could get a job in landscaping”

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© Core Arts
© Core Arts
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2024/2025 Awards include: London in Bloom: GOLD + OVERALL WINNER 'Biodiversity Award' 2024, Trustee’s Award “London in Bloom”, Green Flag Award ‘24/5 and Love Hackney’s “Greener Hackney” award in February 2025.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Environment priority: Active involvement in hands-on conservation activities, particularlythose that bring about positive changes in the lives of young people living at the margins of society to improve their skills, build their confidence and break down barriers to their employment

KNEPP WILDLAND FOUNDATION

The Knepp Wildland Foundation catalyses nature recovery across Sussex and contributes to the reversal of the biodiversity crisis. They work with land managers, conversation partners, government and communities to support the recovery of the Sussex landscape and species, with a particular focus on the next generation.

Our grant supported a comprehensive and impactful programme of youth engagement – Wild Futures initiative – focused on nature recovery and environmental education within the Sussex region. The work included hands-on educational visits, innovative work experience initiatives, and development of their "100 Mile Classroom" concept along the Weald to Waves corridor.

Their season of residential courses exceeded expectations, providing transformative experiences. The launch of the Young Guides scheme provided valuable paid work and training for young people.

The school bursary programme enabled over 150 students from various backgrounds to experience Knepp's rewilded landscape firsthand, fostering ecological literacy and a love for nature. Furthermore, Operation Wallacea bursaries provided transformative immersive learning opportunities for young nature leaders. Their youth-led rewilding summit, Overgrowth, empowered young people to actively engage with and lead nature recovery initiatives. Collectively, these efforts are cultivating a knowledgeable and engaged generation committed to the future of Sussex's biodiversity.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Environment priority: Rural crafts and skills in heritage conservation, with emphasis on increasingly rare skills that would otherwise be lost

SYLVA FOUNDATION

Sylva Foundation is a national charity working for a society that lives in harmony with nature, focusing on the stewardship of our forests and the utility of home-grown timber. It provides solutions to meet significant environmental challenges by innovating, collaborating, training, and advocating.

Part of Sylva’s mission is to deliver the training 5 : — ‘Sie fl r a ; and education necessary to support the i= 4 > mi Ng transformation of society, focusing on the stewardship of our forests and the utility of home-grown timber. Their Wood School offers a range of courses to support this, including our © Sylva Foundation Professional Course which sensitively combines education and business to create a sheltered workshop experience. Participants learn in a professionally-equipped workshop by producing commercial projects for businesses and collaborators including Soundabout (a local charity), Gaze Burvill and National Trust. They also run a Summer School with a focus on diversity and equality, which recently involved us partnering with the V&A Museum.

Our grant provided a bursary for a student on the Professional Furniture Making Course which was aimed at female and non-binary makers. Our student had previously studied 3D design at Brighton University and says of her time on the course: "The Sylva Summer School experience is a transformative journey where craftsmanship meets creativity, empowering women and non-binary individuals to shape not only wood but also their skills and confidence in a supportive environment. Over a short period, we learned a vast array of techniques and gained invaluable knowledge on forestry. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of this wonderful project and profoundly recommend it to others!"

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also directors of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Limited for the purposes of Company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report (incorporating the strategic report and directors’ report) and the financial statements in accordance with 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).

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 income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which 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.

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.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Trustees’ Responsibilities (continued)

In so far as the Trustees are aware at the time of approving our Trustees’ Annual Report:

there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditor is unaware; and
the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

This report is prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.

Auditor: The auditor, RSM UK Audit LLP, Chartered Accountants, has indicated its willingness to continue in office.

Approved by the Trustees on 8[th] July 2025 and signed by:

Andrew Wimble Chair

Johanna Tompsett Clerk to Trustees

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Limited (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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:

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (continued)

________________

Other information

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

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

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

the information given in the Trustees’ Report, which includes the Directors’ Report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the Directors’ Report included within the Trustees’ Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the 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 Directors’ Report included within the Trustees’ Report.

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

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (continued)

________________

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the Trustees’ Report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities set out on pages 32 and 33 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 aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. The objectives of our audit are to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding compliance with laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, to perform audit procedures to help identify instances of non-compliance with other laws and regulations that may have a material effect on the financial statements, and to respond appropriately to identified or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations identified during the audit.

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (continued)

________________

In relation to fraud, the objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud through designing and implementing appropriate responses and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit.

However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to ensure that the entity's operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud.

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, the audit engagement team:

obtained an understanding of the nature of the sector, including the legal and regulatory framework that the charitable company operates in and how the charitable company is complying with the legal and regulatory framework;
inquired of management, and those charged with governance, about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, including any known actual, suspected or alleged instances of fraud;
discussed matters about non-compliance with laws and regulations and how fraud might occur including assessment of how and where the financial statements may be susceptible to fraud

As a result of these procedures we consider the most significant laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements are FRS 102, Charities SORP (FRS 102), Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011 and the charitable company’s governing document. We performed audit procedures to detect non-compliances which may have a material impact on the financial statements which included reviewing the financial statements including the Trustees’ Report, remaining alert to new or unusual transactions which may not be in accordance with the governing documents.

The audit engagement team identified the risk of management override of controls as the area where the financial statements were most susceptible to material misstatement due to fraud. Audit procedures performed included but were not limited to testing manual journal entries and other adjustments, evaluating the business rationale in relation to significant, unusual transactions and transactions entered into outside the normal course of business and challenging judgments and estimates.

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

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (continued)

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.

Zoe Longstaff-Tyrrell (Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of RSM UK AUDIT LLP, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants Portland 25 High Street Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1BG

Date: 13.08.25

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (Incorporating the income and expenditure account)

The notes on pages 42-46 form part of these accounts .

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Balance Sheet as at 31[st] March 2025

Company No. 5638406

The notes on pages 42-46 form part of these accounts .

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31[st] March 2025

The notes on pages 42-46 form part of these accounts .

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2025

________________

The notes on pages 42-46 form part of these accounts .

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales

Charity Registration No. 1112457

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (cont’d)

The notes on pages 42-46 form part of these accounts .

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (cont’d)

The notes on pages 42-46 form part of these accounts .

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (cont’d)

The notes on pages 42-46 form part of these accounts .

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (cont’d)

The notes on pages 42-46 form part of these accounts .

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales

Charity Registration No. 1112457

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales

Charity Registration No. 1112457

The D‘Oyly Carte Charitable Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5638406 Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No. 1112457

Report and Accounts 2025

Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] March 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Photo: © Alexandra Park & Palace Charitable Trust

Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2025

Investment Managers

Solicitors

Registered Office and Administration

Historical Background

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Governing Document

Measuring Impact and Public Benefit

Charitable Objective and Mission

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Governance

Register of Trustees’ Interests

Charity Governance Code

Statement from the Chair

Key Management Personnel

Appointment of Auditor

Fundraising

Hospitality Register

Financial Review 2024/25

Investment Management

Investment Policy and Objectives

Investment Policy Statement

Investments

Income and Expenditure

Reserves Policy

Going Concern

Internal Controls

Risk Management

The Charity’s Grant-making

Grant-making Priorities

The Arts

Medical Welfare

The Environment

Grant-making Restrictions/Exclusions

Grant Monitoring and Evaluation

Small Grant Applications 2024/25

Grant Awards 2024/25

Comparison of Annual Small Grants Paid from 2020/21 to 2024/25

The Arts

Medical Welfare

The Environment

Small Grant Distribution 2023/24 and 2024/25

Number of Small Grants Paid by Sector 2023/24 and 2024/25

Small Grants Paid by Sector 2021-2025

Small Grants Paid by Subcategory 2024/25

Distribution of Small Grants Paid by Area Served 2024/25

Sector Split of Number of Small Grants Paid by Region 2024/25

Exceptional Grant Awards

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The D’Oyly Carte Chair in Medicine and the Arts

Excellence in The Arts, Crafts and Horticulture

The D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust and The Savoy Operas

Supporting patients and families affected by rare diseases

NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

NORTH BELFAST CHOIR

BRIGHTER SOUND LTD

Activity included:

MENTAL FIGHT CLUB

RIDE HIGH LIMITED

CORE ARTS

KNEPP WILDLAND FOUNDATION

SYLVA FOUNDATION

Trustees’ Responsibilities

Trustees’ Responsibilities (continued)

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust

Opinion

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

Conclusions relating to going concern

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (continued)

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Other information

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (continued)