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2025-03-31-accounts

Report and Financial Statements

Contents

Contents
Page
Trustees, Officers and Professional Advisors 2
Annual Report of the Trustees 3 to 14
Directors’ Report 3
Reference and Administrative Details 3
Objectives and Public Benefit 3
Public Benefit 3
Structure, Governance and Management 4
Trustees 4
Responsibilities of the Trustees 5
Going Concern 6
Strategic Report 8
Mission 8
Achievements and Performance 8
Organisational Development 11
Fundraising Approach and Performance 11
Plans for the Future 12
Financial Review 13
Risk Management 14
Principal Risks and Uncertainties 14
Independent Auditors’ Report 15 to 18
Statement of Financial Activities 19
Balance Sheet 20
Statement of Cash Flows 21
Notes to the Financial Statements 22 to 31

Front Cover: Babylon Gamelan by Dave Young of Rag & Bone, Bedworth, September 2024. Photo by Andrew Moore Rear Cover: The Gallery Season 4 “A Real Woman”. “Five Years On, Self, 2014-2022” by Georgie Wileman.

Photo by Yves Salmon

1

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Trustees, Officers and Professional Advisors

As at 30 September 2025

Trustees

Stephanie Flanders (Chair) Dal Babu OBE Jan Boud Desirée Clarke-Noble Laia Gasch

Tony Heaton OBE Richard Kitson OBE Helen Marriage MBE Shirley Rodrigues Nephertiti Schandorf

Company Secretary

Neil Goulder FCA DChA

Finance Committee

Neil Goulder FCA DChA Desirée Clarke-Noble Stephanie Flanders Richard Kitson OBE Helen Marriage MBE

Remuneration Committee

Stephanie Flanders Richard Kitson OBE Nephertiti Schandorf

Nominations Committee

Stephanie Flanders Laia Gasch Nephertiti Schandorf

Ethics Committee

Stephanie Flanders Shirley Rodrigues Tim Marlow

Senior Management Team

CEO/Artistic Director Communications Director Director of Finance Director of Projects Director of Operations Development Director

Helen Marriage MBE Anna Vinegrad Neil Goulder FCA DChA Kate Harvey Emily Lake Ma’ayan Plane

Registered Office and Operating Office

Toynbee Studios 28 Commercial Street London E1 6AB

Auditors

HaysMac LLP 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1AG

Bankers

Santander 100 Ludgate Hill London EC4M 7RE

2

Annual Report of the Trustees

The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS102.

Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report for the year ended 31 March 2025, which should be read in conjunction with the Strategic Report.

Reference and Administrative Details

The registered name of the charity, the charity number and the company number are shown on the front cover of this report.

The registered office, current Trustees, executive Directors and advisers are show in the Trustees, Officers and Professional Advisors section of this report on page 2. The Trustees who served during the year are listed in the Trustees section on page 4.

Objectives and Public Benefit

Objectives

Artichoke is a creative company producing extraordinary events in public spaces. Artichoke's mission is to conceive and produce events which set new benchmarks for the way in which the imagination of the artist can transform lives. Our events inspire, challenge and delight, giving pleasure to the widest possible audience. In nineteen years, the charity has raised over £51m to fund 37 projects and 13 conferences, and is one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations.

Artichoke is unique: it does not duplicate the activity of other organisations and inhabits a territory outside the mainstream, working beyond the theatre, concert hall and gallery. It aims to put on shows which, whilst every bit as ambitious and technically complex as those of the major institutions, are popular, if not populist, in nature.

Public Benefit

We take full account of the guidance in the Charity Commission's general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how activities will contribute to the aims and objectives set.

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in determining the activities undertaken by the charity.

Artichoke Trust has fulfilled its remit to put on extraordinary events that can change the way people look at the world. In 2024/25 Artichoke delivered two projects: Babylon Gamelan and The Gallery.

3

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Structure, Governance and Management

The financial statements which follow later in this report comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, and the Statement of Cash Flows and related notes.

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 19 April 2005 and registered as a charity on 13 January 2006.

The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. The Directors of the company are also charity Trustees for the purposes of charity law. In addition to the Annual General Meeting, decisions are taken at regular meetings of the Trustees.

Staff and Volunteers

The Trustees wish to record their thanks to the Artichoke staff who have risen to the challenge of delivering two projects during the year, and preparing for four more in 2025/26 and 2026/27.

Artichoke champions volunteering at our events, bringing valuable local insight and play a vital role in deepening community connections.

Our strong relationships in the Bedworth and Nuneaton communities, established through our work on Sanctuary in 2022, laid the foundation for continued collaboration on Babylon Gamelan.

Pay Policy

Artichoke seeks to recruit high performing individuals, and sets remuneration levels which consider a range of factors including:

When possible, an appropriate annual cost of living increase is considered.

Trustees

Trustees, who are also the Directors for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report are as follows:

Stephanie Flanders Richard Kitson OBE Dal Babu Ben Lee (resigned 13 December 2024) Jan Boud Medea Manaz (resigned 13 December 2024) Desirée Clarke-Noble Helen Marriage MBE Laia Gasch Shirley Rodrigues Tony Heaton OBE Nephertiti Schandorf

4

Trustee Induction and Training

The induction process varies for each Trustee to ensure that every new member of the Board has the support they need to deepen their understanding of the organisation and their role as a Trustee. Elements of the induction include meeting the Chief Executive and Executive Directors, meeting other Board members, information packs and film footage about Artichoke's work and attendance at events.

Governance Methods

The Board of Trustees meets at least four times each year. Day to day management is delegated to senior staff. The CEO/Artistic Director is a Trustee and permission was given by the Charity Commission to appoint her to the Trustee Board.

The Board has set up four Committees to focus on key policy areas affecting the Charity, and is responsible for all appointments to these Committees:

Finance Committee

Members of the Finance Committee consist of Board members plus the Director of Finance. Key responsibilities are for Finance and Control, Audit and Risk.

Remuneration Committee

The committee is responsible for setting the remuneration of key management personnel and may carry out benchmarking exercises to ensure levels of pay are comparative to similar roles in the charitable and cultural sector.

Nominations Committee

The committee monitors the mix of skills on the Board, which shapes the manner in which it recruits new Trustees.

Ethics Committee

The committee is responsible for setting policy on potential funders, and reviewing specific prospective funders where necessary.

The Finance Committee meets at least four times a year, and reports back to each Trustee Meeting.

The Remuneration Committee meets in the first quarter of each calendar year, with further meetings as necessary.

The Nominations and Ethics Committees meet as necessary.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

The Trustees, who are also Directors of Artichoke Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

5

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year and not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the year then ended.

In preparing these financial statements which give a true and fair view, the Trustees have followed best practice and:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees 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.

In accordance with §418 of the Companies Act 2006, as the charity’s Directors, the Trustees certify that:

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with s418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Going concern

The Trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. The review of our financial position, reserves levels and future plans gives Trustees confidence that Artichoke remains a going concern for the foreseeable future. More details on the General Reserve can be found in the Financial Review on page 13.

6

The Directors’ Report was approved by the Trustees on 30 September , and is signed as authorised on its behalf by:

Lg Stephanie Flanders be

Stephanie Flanders Chair of Trustees and Director Artichoke Trust

30 September 2025

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Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Strategic Report

The Directors present their Strategic Report for the year ended 31 March 2025, which should be read in conjunction with the Directors’ Report, which contains further strategic information.

The Charity’s Mission

Artichoke’s mission is to conceive and produce events which set new benchmarks for the way in which the imagination of the artist can transform lives. It achieves this by producing events which inspire, challenge and delight, giving pleasure to the widest possible audience.

Achievements and Performance

Babylon Gamelan

Babylon Gamelan invited audiences to immerse themselves in joyful sound sculptures and percussive installations. Created by Rag & Bone artist Dave Young, it was a series of mechanical sound sculptures and noise-making machines designed for hands-on exploration: visitors were encouraged to pull, push, strum, and drum their way through a series of playful installations in the Miners’ Park in Bedworth. Sensors reacted to touch, creating vibrant soundscapes that echoed the town’s industrial past.

At the heart of the event was the four-meter high Babylon Gamelan, a monumental sculpture made from recycled materials and found objects. Its whimsical design, inspired by the Tower of Babel, combined rough music and random engineering to produce sonic chaos.

The Gallery

The Gallery calls for submissions by contemporary international artists responding to a set theme. Some artists are directly commissioned by Artichoke’s retained curator and Creative Director, others are drawn from an Open Call. Now in its fifth season, The Gallery attracts in the region of 800 submissions from the Open Call process. A selection panel made up of Artichoke key personnel together with independent representatives with lived experience of any theme come together to choose from the Open Call submissions.

The Gallery Season 4 exhibition A Real Woman took place on billboards & digital screens across the UK between 15 July-12 August 2024 with eleven artworks, two direct commissions and nine chosen through the Open Call.

The call out produced 864 submissions, which were longlisted down to a group of 173 artworks for review by panel members, who shortlisted 34 for discussion in the panel meeting. An updated Gallery educational resource pack went out to schools across England producing 280 hits on the page since it went live. The live element of the exhibition was at the Alba Caffé at Toynbee Studios.

Audience reach for Season 4 was slightly lower than previous seasons, primarily because the exhibition was placed between the major sporting events of the Euros and the Olympic Games. Voidage (empty screens not booked for advertising) was therefore less than on previous occasions, resulting in fewer sites for us across the country. Out-of-Home partners for Season 4 were Clear Channel, JC Decaux, Alight Media, BuildHollywood, KBH Media, Mass Media and Outsmart.

8

The positive sentiment of key media coverage focused on the mission of The Gallery, making art accessible to all and topics featured included trans- and women’s rights. We placed stories with broadcasters and art publications including BBC R4’s Front Row, BBC Radio 5, Aesthetica, Marie Claire, STIR World and FAD Magazine. There was good engagement on social media, which included short interview videos of each artist and voxpops filmed with passersby in Bristol & London. The newsletter performed particularly well this season, with not only more people opening the newsletter, but more actively engaging with its content.

Arts Council England and Let’s Create

Artichoke was successful in its bid to Arts Council England under its 10-year Let’s Create strategy. Much of our work is concentrated in areas defined by ACE as ‘priority places’, particularly County Durham, Nuneaton & Bedworth and Kirklees. We have built long-term partnerships with local authorities in each of these areas and plan to continue to develop deep roots in communities in each place.

We continue to work in our idiosyncratic way, meshing the needs of great artists with those of the communities in which we work. Over the 19 years of the company’s existence we have always worked to develop creativity, while having a deep and lasting effect on places and the people who live in them, investing in individuals, groups and institutions to build capacity in diverse talent.

We see our role

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Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

As with all our projects, each new challenge will require new partnerships and fresh ways of working. We will continue to be fleet of foot as we tackle the biggest obstacles and seize the tiniest opportunities that will enable ideas to come to fruition. Whether with funding, logistics, communications or partnership building, we recognise the need to adapt our perspectives and learn new skills and new ways of thinking as we bring together public, private and voluntary sectors as we always have. Artichoke has always responded quickly to address the challenges and opportunities of our time. We are confident that our bold and ambitious ideas will continue to redefine relationships between artists and audiences, practitioners and participants and help develop an understanding of the infinite possibilities that exist in the creative imagination.

Inclusivity and Diversity

The mission of Artichoke’s Inclusivity Working Group (IWG) is to ensure that diversity, equality and inclusivity are embedded throughout Artichoke’s mission and values, and across all aspects of the organisation.

The IWG is made up of staff and Board members and is a forum for discussion, action and accountability. The IWG drives representation, belonging and diversity in Artichoke. The IWG work focuses on staff training, provides an informal space for conversation, reviews policies and assesses processes.

Artichoke’s Sustainability Strategy

Artichoke is committed to addressing climate injustice, reducing the environmental impact of our own activities, and to influence our artists and suppliers through our sustainability commitments to do the same.

We are committed to building on our sustainability policy and to contribute to the UN sustainability goals for People, Planet and Prosperity through working with local communities in our project locations. We aim to have established a clear path to be carbon net-zero by 2030.

Artichoke continues to develop its sustainability strategy with guidance by industry experts A Greener Future. The Director of Operations and Director of Projects lead on the strategy with support from the Green Team, which integrate staff from across different departments. The sustainability policy is supported by an action plan, which lays out objectives and targets specifying how the policy will be implemented and monitored. A Supplier Memorandum of Understanding issued to contractors, complemented by an Artist Pledge, ensures that we extend the responsibility to those we work with and make organisations and individuals accountable and consider the environment at all stages of the process.

Over 100,000 people have taken part in our community engagement programmes, from workshops, creating artworks and performance opportunities, to education indicatives, training and professional development schemes. Artichoke considers the local environment in our project locations to ensure that we respect the flora and fauna.

Artichoke is committed to addressing climate injustice and reducing the environmental impact of our activities. Our activities are guided by our sustainability policy and action plan. Artichoke will continue to measure the carbon impact of our events, and ensure key suppliers, contractors and artists support our sustainability pledges.

10

We will work with industry experts, A Greener Future to plan and deliver our events in as sustainable a way as possible, and we aim to reduce our event CO2 emissions. Where it is not possible to further reduce the impact of our work, Artichoke aims to invest in a carbon removal portfolio.

Organisational Development

Staff Development

The company is committed to training and development for both core and temporary staff. Annual review meetings are held with core staff and training and development plans revised for the coming year. Staff are supported in membership of professional bodies and to take an active role within their field, learning from others and sharing their own knowledge. Several members of staff benefitted from bespoke mentoring programmes. The company continues to monitor and review the implementation and development of its diversity action plan.

Staff are encouraged to engage widely with external agencies and organisations and company members have spoken at conferences, events and forums during the year. Artichoke hosts training placements, including paid opportunities, to support the development of those working in and entering the sector.

The company is a member of the Living Wage Foundation.

Digital Development

During 2024-2025, the Communications Team developed a number of corporate key assets including a new showreel and brochure to incorporate projects undertaken since 2020. Following the implementation of a company-wide CRM in 2022, we completed the migration of our data to a new CRM with improved performance and functionality in September 2024.

We have continued to enhance accessibility across our websites, including initiating audio versions of blogs and job posts, and continued to develop content plans for our social media channels.

Key projects for the team during 2024 were The Gallery Season 4 and Babylon Gamelan as well as supporting the Artichoke Summer School. We also coordinated a major R&D report for Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council for which Babylon Gamelan was a pilot project. During the final quarter we began work on two flagship projects taking place later in 2025, Lumiere 2025 and The Gallery Season 5, both of which involved open calls to artists and creatives.

Fundraising approach and performance

Each project is supported by a Development Board, which includes key stakeholders and advises the Development team.

Artichoke received £476,748 core funding from Arts Council England as part of its National Portfolio Agreement. Total fundraising amounted to £1,034,914 including Deferred Income.

The Arts Council has indicated that it intends to extended its NPOs’ funding through until 2027.

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Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Data Protection

The charity’s main fundraising activity involves communications with statutory bodies, corporates, trusts and foundations via telephone, fundraising events, sponsored events, gala dinners and email in line with best fundraising practice. We have a number of members of our Hearts supporters’ scheme, and communicate with them in line with the terms of that scheme.

Where members of the public have joined our mailing list, or have signed up to take part in a specific event, we adhere to tight guidelines informed by the GDPR legislation. Our privacy policy can be found at - - https://www.artichoke.uk.com/privacy policy 2/

Our fundraising activities with the public follow the following principles:

No complaints about fundraising activity were received in the year or prior year.

Plans for the Future

Key projects planned in the next fifteen months include:

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Financial Review

The detailed figures for the year ended 31 March 2025 are set out in the financial statements that follow this Trustees’ Report.

Activities were principally supported by Durham County Council; our Arts Council NPO Grant; Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council; Clear Channel UK; J C Decaux and our Designated Reserve.

At 31 March 2025 the general unrestricted fund is £831,298, which equates to approximately six months’ operating expenditure (31 March 2024: £838,580). The opening Designated Reserve of £900,000 supported the development of new projects during the year. The Designated Reserve at 31 March 2025 of £530,000 will support Lumiere 2025.

Balance Sheet

Total net assets at 31 March 2025 are £1,504,593. Further details of the funds analysis can be found in notes 11 and 12 of the financial statements.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have examined the charity's requirements for reserves in the light of the main risks to the organisation. The Trustees are committed to maintaining sufficient reserves to support current organisational activities and to:

Artichoke’s strategic priority is to run a sustainable business that focusses on its unique output, and its position in the cultural fabric of the nation. To support sustainability, and in line with its duties as a charity, the organisation needs to maintain reserves. The target for general unrestricted reserves, excluding those tied up in tangible fixed assets and designated reserves, is to hold six months’ operating costs. On current expenditure, this amount is equivalent to £830,000.

The general reserve at the year-end was £831,298, which represents approximately six months’ operating costs.

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Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Risk Management

Artichoke has a formal risk management process through which the Board identifies the major risks to which the organisation may be exposed and has ranked these by likelihood and impact. Project Risk Registers are maintained on an ongoing basis, and the charity’s overall Risk Register is updated for, and approved by, the Trustees at each quarterly Trustee Meeting. All significant risks, together with current mitigation actions, are reviewed by the Trustees. The Trustees are satisfied that systems have been developed and are in place to mitigate identified risks to an acceptable level.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The principal risks and uncertainties identified by the charity are as follows:

Risk Identified Action taken to mitigate the risk Fundraising lower than forecast Targets being interrogated, scenario planning in operation Key personnel risk Insurance, Succession Planning Project operational and funding Risks identified in Project Risk Register and risks addressed and mitigated through assiduous monitoring and planning Pandemic Offices expanded/refurbished to allow distancing; ensure plans for future projects are sufficiently flexible to incorporate Government guidelines as they evolve.

The Strategic Report was approved by the Trustees on 30 September 2025, and is signed as authorised on its behalf by: Stephanie Flanders Ly Ze Chair of Trustees and Director Artichoke Trust

30 September 2025

14

Independent Auditors' Report to the Members and Trustees of Artichoke Trust

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Artichoke Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise: the Statement of Financial Activities including the Income and Expenditure account; the Balance Sheet; the Statement of Cash Flows; and notes to the financial statements including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity 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.

15

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Other information

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

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of 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 Annual Report of the Trustees (which incorporates the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report).

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

16

Responsibilities of Trustees for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 5-6, 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.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the environment in which it operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to charity and company law applicable in England and Wales, health and safety regulations and employment law, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011, and consider other factors such as income tax, payroll tax and VAT.

We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to revenue recognition and management override of controls. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

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Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

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

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

, Jane Askew (Senior Statutory Auditor) 10 Queen Street Place For and on behalf of HaysMac LLP, Statutory Auditor London Date: 1 October 2025 EC4R 1AG

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Statement of Financial Activities (including Income & Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Notes £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 3 552,330 32,020 584,350 603,427
Charitable Activities 4 325,939 196,000 521,939 2,737,163
Investments
Interest receivable 42,745 - 42,745 77,341
Total Income 921,014 228,020 1,149,034 3,417,931
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 6 390,100 - 390,100 504,279
Charitable Activities 6 1,308,196 152,260 1,460,456 4,495,991
Total Expenditure 1,698,296 152,260 1,850,556 5,000,270
Net income (expenditure) for the year
before taxation (777,282) 75,760 (701,522) (1,582,339)
Taxation 8 400,000 - 400,000 1,256,566
Net income (expenditure) for the year
after taxation (377,282) 75,760 (301,522) (325,773)
Funds brought forward 1 April 2024 1,738,580 67,535 1,806,115 2,131,888
Funds at 31 March 2025 12 1,361,298 143,295 1,504,593 1,806,115

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

All transactions during the year are derived from continuing activities.

Full comparative figures for the year ended 31 March 2024 are shown in note 16.

The notes on pages 22 to 31 form part of these financial statements.

19

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Artichoke Trust Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Company Number: 5429030

2025 2024
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Investments 2 2
Current Assets
Debtors 9 463,082 1,526,216
Cash at bank and in hand 1,236,686 640,948
1,699,768 2,167,164
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 (195,177) (361,051)
Net current assets 1,504,591 1,806,113
Net assets 11 1,504,593 1,806,115
Funds
Unrestricted funds
General reserve 12 831,298 838,580
Designated reserve 12 530,000 900,000
Restricted funds 12 143,295 67,535
TOTAL FUNDS 12 1,504,593 1,806,115

The financial statements on pages 19 to 31 were approved by the Trustees on 30 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Ket Stephanie Flanders Flanders Chair

30 September 2025

20

Statement of Cash Flows and Net Debt for the year ended 31 March 2025

2025 2024
£ £
Reconciliation of net (expenditure) / income to net cash
flow from operating activities
Net (expenditure) income for the year before tax (701,522) (1,582,339)
Investment income (42,745) (77,341)
Tax 1,290,744 1,256,812
Decrease (increase) in debtors 172,390 207,645
Increase in creditors (165,874) (662,507)
Net cash generated by (used in) operating activities 552,993 (857,730)
Returns on investment and servicing of finance
Bank interest received 42,745 77,341
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the 595,738 (780,389)
year
Cash at 1 April 640,948 1,421,337
Cash at 31 March 1,236,686 640,948

21

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes to the Accounts

1. Accounting Policies

These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). The charitable company is a public benefit company for the purposes of FRS 102, and has prepared its financial statements in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102 (Charities SORP, second edition effective 1 January 2019), the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.

Going concern

As explored in the Directors’ Report on page 6, the Trustees have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern including the impact of a pandemic. The Trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular, the Trustees have considered the charity’s forecasts and projections and have taken account of pressures on grants, sponsorship, donations and investment income. The Trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

Significant judgments and estimates

In preparing financial statements, it has been necessary to make certain judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. In the view of the Trustees in applying the accounting policies adopted, no judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements and no estimates or assumptions made carry a significant risk of material adjustment in the next financial year.

Title

The charitable company has an exemption under Paragraph 60 of the Companies Act 2006 from using “Limited” in the title.

Income and expenditure

Income and expenditure items have been credited or charged in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis. All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to income, it is probable that income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

22

Grants, donations and sponsorship income

Unrestricted income relating to future accounting periods is taken to the balance sheet as deferred income for recognition in those future accounting periods.

Donations in kind

Where the charity receives donated services or facilities for which it would otherwise have paid, these are valued at the estimated amount that the charity would have paid to acquire the service or facility.

Restricted funds

Income is recorded on a receivable basis and allocated to a Restricted Fund if a limitation on their use is specified by the donors and providers. Funds received for the direct operation of the charity are treated as unrestricted funds. Other income received without external restriction is designated by the Trustees for particular purposes as deemed appropriate.

Direct charitable expenditure

Overheads are allocated to direct charitable expenditure on the basis of the time spent by staff on activities which directly serve objectives of the Board.

Expenditure on Raising Funds

All expenses incurred with the intention of raising funds for the charity are allocated to Raising Funds.

Museums & Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief

There are substantial uncertainties over the mechanisms and eligibility of this relief. MGETR is only recognised on new and one-off projects once HMRC has confirmed that the claim basis is valid and the included costs are eligible.

Debtors

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

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments.

Creditors and provisions

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

23

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Pensions

Existing employees with service of over three months may opt to contribute to the group stakeholder pension or to a personal pension scheme, funded by contributions from employer and employee salary sacrifice. The charity operates a defined contribution scheme and pension costs charged in the financial statements equal the contributions payable during the year.

2. Company Structure

The charity is a company limited by guarantee registered in England. The members of the company are the Trustees named on page 2. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. At 31st March 2025 the number of members was 10 (2024: 13).

3. Income from Donations

Unrestricted
£
Donations for core activities:
Arts Council England
476,748
Fidelity UK Foundation
-
Core grants
476,748
Hearts memberships and donations
75,582
552,330
Donations for projects:
Lumiere Durham
-
Herd
-
-
Total donations
552,330
Unrestricted
£
Donations for core activities:
Arts Council England
476,748
Fidelity UK Foundation
-
Core grants
476,748
Hearts memberships and donations
75,582
552,330
Donations for projects:
Lumiere Durham
-
Herd
-
-
Total donations
552,330
Restricted
2025
2024
£
£
£
-
476,748
476,748
30,500
30,500
56,400
Restricted
2025
2024
£
£
£
-
476,748
476,748
30,500
30,500
56,400
476,748
75,582
30,500
1,520
507,248
533,148
77,102
57,782
552,330 32,020 584,350
590,930
-
-
-
-
-
10,725
-
1,772
- - -
12,497
552,330 32,020 584,350
603,427

In 2023/24, £56,400 of Fidelity UK Foundation income was restricted.

4. Income from Charitable Activities

ncome from Charitable Activities ncome from Charitable Activities
Unrestricted
Notes
£
Grants
4a
-
Earned income
4b
322,939
Sponsorship
4c
3,000
Total income from charitable activities
325,939
Restricted
2025
2024
£
£
£
196,000
196,000
183,602
-
322,939
2,153,380
-
3,000
400,181
325,939 196,000 521,939
2,737,163

In 2023/24, £183,602 of grant income was restricted.

24

4a Income from Charitable Activities – Grants

Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Lumiere Durham
Trusts and Foundations
Point North Community Foundation - 15,000 15,000 70,656
Gillian Dickinson Trust - 15,000 15,000 10,000
The Sir James Knott Trust - 8,000 8,000 -
Durham AAP - - - 6,700
The Ogden Trust - 5,000 5,000 -
Barbour Foundation - 4,000 4,000 2,000
Darlington Building Society - 4,500 4,500 -
Hays Travel Foundation - 4,000 4,000 -
Savoy Educational Trust - 4,000 4,000 -
William Leech Charity - 2,500 2,500 -
The Hadrian Trust - 2,000 2,000 -
The Henry Smith Charity - 2,000 2,000 -
Trusts and Foundations - 66,000 66,000 89,356
Statutory/International
Canada Council for the Arts - - - 25,553
Quebec Ministry of Culture - - - 5,000
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands - - - 2,667
Italian Cultural Institute - - - 2,500
Statutory/International - - - 35,720
Corporates
Theakston Land - - - 5,000
Croft Travel / Parkers Executive Chauffeurs - - - 2,000
Corporates - - - 7,000
Total Lumiere Durham - 66,000 66,000 132,076
Combustion R&D
Trusts & Foundations
29th May 1961 Charitable Trust - 25,000 25,000 25,000
National Lottery Community Fund - 19,500 19,500 -
Philip Bates Trust - 500 500 -
Alan Edward Higgs Charity - - - 10,000
Total Sanctuary - 45,000 45,000 35,000
Herd
Trusts & Foundations
One Community Foundation - - - 1,000
Total Herd - - - 1,000
The Gallery
Statutory Funding
The British Council - 85,000 85,000 -
Trusts & Foundations
Fresh Leaf Charitable Foundation - - - 9,845
Total The Gallery - 85,000 85,000 9,845

25

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Bloomberg Connects / Digital Accelerator

Trusts and Foundations

Bloomberg Connects / Digital Accelerator
Trusts and Foundations
Deferred Income
Total Bloomberg
Total grants
- - -
5,681
- - -
5,681
- 196,000 196,000
183,602

In 2023/24, all grant income was restricted.

4b Income from Charitable Activities – Earned Income

Unrestricted
£
Commissions/Fees:
Lumiere Durham
12,781
Herd
-
Combustion R&D
202,339
Other
107,819
322,939
Ticket sales, auctions and programmes
Lumiere Durham
-
Other
-
Total earned income
322,939
Unrestricted
£
Commissions/Fees:
Lumiere Durham
12,781
Herd
-
Combustion R&D
202,339
Other
107,819
322,939
Ticket sales, auctions and programmes
Lumiere Durham
-
Other
-
Total earned income
322,939
Restricted
2025
2024
£
£
£
-
12,781
1,337,244
-
-
687,764
-
202,339
77,136
-
107,819
14,736
Restricted
2025
2024
£
£
£
-
12,781
1,337,244
-
-
687,764
-
202,339
77,136
-
107,819
14,736
322,939
-
-
-
-
-
322,939
2,116,880
-
35,387
-
1,113
322,939 - 322,939
2,153,380

In 2023/24, all earned income was unrestricted.

4c Income from Charitable Activities – Sponsorship

Unrestricted
£
Sponsorship:
Lumiere Durham
-
Herd
-
Combustion
3,000
Total sponsorship
3,000
Unrestricted
£
Sponsorship:
Lumiere Durham
-
Herd
-
Combustion
3,000
Total sponsorship
3,000
Restricted
2025
2024
£
£
£
-
-
399,181
-
-
1,000
-
3,000
-
Restricted
2025
2024
£
£
£
-
-
399,181
-
-
1,000
-
3,000
-
3,000 - 3,000
400,181

In 2023/24, all sponsorship income was unrestricted.

5. Net (Expenditure) / Income for the Year

This is stated after charging:

is is stated after charging: 2025 2024
£ £
ditor's remuneration:
Audit of the annual accounts 16,600 16,000
Operating lease payments 37,272 32,929

Auditor's remuneration:

26

6. Total Expenditure

Total Expenditure
Charitable activities Charitable activities
**Raising ** Performance Governance Total Total
Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Costs directly allocated to
activities
Consultants, Producers, Artists 82,525 61,737 - 144,262 247,252
Production costs - 141,722 - 141,722 1,424,909
Staff costs 260,399 1,031,197 - 1,291,596 2,613,706
Audit & financial services - - 16,600 16,600 16,000
Marketing - 73,673 - 73,673 225,567
Travel & Accommodation 7,647 43,943 - 51,590 315,350
Other Development 16,634 - - 16,634 45,411
Support costs allocated to
activities (on a time basis)
Office costs 12,255 49,022 - 61,277 59,902
Premises 10,426 41,706 - 52,132 51,886
Bank charges 214 856 - 1,070 287
Professional fees - - - -
390,100 1,443,856 16,600 1,850,556 5,000,270

For full comparatives, see note 16.

7. Staff Costs and Numbers

Staff Costs and Numbers
2025 2024
£ £
Salaries and other staff costs 818,764 947,907
Social security costs 84,991 99,862
Pension costs 252,600 234,972
1,156,355 1,282,741
The average number of employees during the year
Charitable activities - project staff 11 14
Full-time equivalent - core 6 7
17 21
The emoluments of higher-paid employees fell within the following range: 2025 2024
£60,001 - £70,000 2 -
£70,001 - £80,000 - 2
£100,001 - £110,000 1 -
£120,001 - £130,000 - 1

Pension contributions (including salary sacrifice contributions) in the year for the provision of defined contribution schemes for higher paid employees were £77,599 (2023/24: £80,816). As at 31 March 2025, March contributions of £19,872 were outstanding (2023/24: £19,347).

Out of pocket expenses, most significantly travel and subsistence, of £884 (2023/24: £4,097) were reimbursed to one Trustee (2023/24: one Trustee) in their capacity as executive director of the charity.

27

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Trustees receive no remuneration as Trustees. On 1 September 2024, Helen Marriage reduced to three days per week. During the year Helen Marriage received remuneration as a member of staff: the total cost including National Insurance and pension contributions totalled £159,416 (2023/24: £197,554). This is considered to be the key management remuneration paid by the charity. The Charity Commission has approved the arrangement for Helen being paid for her position.

8. Taxation

The company is a registered charity and is therefore not liable to income tax or corporation tax on funds received and expended on activities covered by its charitable status.

The company is, however, eligible for Museums & Galleries Tax Relief. An accrual has been made in these accounts for the MGETR receivable in respect of Herd in 2023/24 insofar as it had been agreed with HMRC prior to the signing of these accounts.

9. Debtors

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade debtors
Other debtors and prepayments
Taxation
Trade creditors
Other taxes and social security costs
Other creditors
Accruals
Deferred income
2025
2024
£
£
56,577
224,939
5,315
9,343
401,190
1,291,934
463,082
1,526,216
2025
2024
£
£
41,726
49,285
24,261
23,862
19,972
19,297
23,218
68,487
86,000
200,120
195,177
361,051

10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

The deferred income was received in the year and related to Lumiere. The 2023/24 deferred income related to Combustion and Lumiere, and was released in the year.

11. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds

alysis of Net Assets Between Funds alysis of Net Assets Between Funds
Unrestricted
£
Fixed assets
2
Current assets
1,556,473
Current liabilities
(195,177)
1,361,298
Restricted
£
-
143,295
-
Total
Total
2025
2024
£
£
2
2
1,699,768
2,167,164
(195,177)
(361,051)
1,361,298 143,295 1,504,593
1,806,115

For full comparatives, see note 16.

28

12. Funds

Funds
Balance at **Income ** Expenditure Taxation Balance at
1 April 2024 31 March 2025 31 March 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted funds:
Lumiere - 66,000 (27,953) - 38,047
Combustion - 46,210 (46,210) - -
The Gallery - 85,310 (14,125) - 71,185
Fidelty Digital 67,535 30,500 (63,972) - 34,063
67,535 228,020 (152,260) - 143,295
Unrestricted funds:
General Reserve 838,580 921,014 (928,296) - 831,298
Designated Reserve 900,000 - (770,000) 400,000 530,000
1,806,115 1,149,034 (1,850,556) 400,000 1,504,593

For full comparatives, see note 16.

Grant income and donations received specifically for projects, as outlined in the Trustees' report, are treated as restricted.

The Designated Reserve brought forward supported Babylon Gamelan and development work on new projects during the year. The Designated Reserve carried forward will support Lumiere Durham 2025 and the development of new projects.

13. Related party transactions

During the year nine Trustees (2023/24: nine) donated a total amount of £5,740 (2023/24: £4,726).

Further information about the Trustees who are remunerated by the Trust is provided in note 7.

14. Operating leases

At the year end, the charity was committed to the total future annual minimum lease payments in respect of operating leases:

2025 2024
£ £
In less than one year 37,272 37,272
In two to five years 147,648 148,128
In more than five years 22,982 59,774
207,902 245,174

Of the above, £206,942 relates to office premises and £960 to other assets.

15. Subsidiary undertaking

Artichoke Trust owns 100% of the £2 issued share capital of Artichoke Productions Limited. Artichoke Productions Limited is dormant and did not trade during the year or subsequent to the year end. The Companies House annual filing fee was paid on behalf of the subsidiary by Artichoke Trust.

The subsidiary had a net asset value at 31 March 2025 of £2 (2024: £2).

29

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

16. Comparative statements for 2023/24

Statement of Financial Activities 2023/24

Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total
£ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 547,027 56,400 603,427
Charitable Activities 2,553,561 183,602 2,737,163
Investments
Interest receivable 77,341 - 77,341
Total Income 3,177,929 240,002 3,417,931
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 504,279 - 504,279
Charitable Activities 4,253,737 242,254 4,495,991
Total Expenditure 4,758,016 242,254 5,000,270
Net income (expenditure) for the year
before taxation (1,580,087) (2,252) (1,582,339)
Taxation 1,256,566 - 1,256,566
Net income (expenditure) for the year
after taxation (323,521) (2,252) (325,773)
Funds brought forward 1 April 2023 2,062,101 69,787 2,131,888
Funds at 31 March 2024 1,738,580 67,535 1,806,115
Total Expenditure 2023/24
Charitable activities
**Raising ** Performance Governance Total
Funds
£ £ £ £
Costs directly allocated to
activities
Consultants, Producers, Artists 123,775 123,477 - 247,252
Production costs - 1,424,909 - 1,424,909
Staff costs 296,132 2,317,574 - 2,613,706
Audit & financial services - - 16,000 16,000
Marketing - 225,567 - 225,567
Travel & Accommodation 16,547 298,803 - 315,350
Other Development 45,411 - - 45,411
Support costs allocated to
activities (on a time basis)
Office costs 11,980 47,922 - 59,902
Premises 10,377 41,509 - 51,886
Bank charges 57 230 - 287
504,279 4,479,991 16,000 5,000,270

30

Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds 2024

Unrestricted Restricted Total
£ £ £
Fixed assets 2 - 2
Current assets 2,099,629 67,535 2,167,164
Current liabilities (361,051) - (361,051)
1,738,580 67,535 1,806,115

Funds 2024

Funds 2024
Balance at **Income ** Expenditure Taxation Balance at
1 April 2023 31 March 2024 31 March 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted funds:
Lumiere - 132,076 (132,076) -
Sanctuary - 35,000 (35,000) -
The Gallery - 9,845 (9,845) -
Herd - 1,000 (1,000) -
Bloomberg/Fidelty Digital 69,787 62,081 (64,333) 67,535
Other - - - -
69,787 240,002 (242,254) - 67,535
Unrestricted funds:
General fund 805,289 3,177,929 (3,501,204) 356,566 838,580
Designated Reserve 1,256,812 - (1,256,812) 900,000 900,000
2,131,888 3,417,931 (5,000,270) 1,256,566 1,806,115

17. Contingent Asset

The company is still negotiating a small balance on its 2023/24 MGETR claim with HMRC, and intends to submit an MGETR claim for the year ended 31 March 2025 covering Babylon Gamelan and The Gallery. Owing to the inherent uncertainties in connection with MGETR claims, no accrual for either sum has been made in these accounts.

31

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

32

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