Registered No 1113279
The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Report of the Trustees | 2 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities incorporating | 5 |
| the Income and Expenditure Account | |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 - 11 |
The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust
TRUSTEES AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
Trustees Robert Barnes Paul Aplin Sue Woodman Registered Charity Number 1113279 Principal Office Flat 7 Macartney House Chesterfield Walk London SE10 8HJ Bankers Coutts & Co 440 Strand London WC2R 0QS Investment Advisers Plurimi Wealth LLP 30 St James’sSquare London SW1Y 4AL Independent Examiner Helen Neilly, FCMA, CGMA 5 King William Walk London SE10 9JH
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The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Financial Statements
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)(effective 1 January 2015).
Structure, Governance and Management
The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust is an unincorporated trust, constituted under a trust deed dated 17[th] October 2005 and is a registered charity, number 1113279. Its objects and powers and other constitutional matters are set out in the trust deed.
An initial gift of shares by Robert Bruce Barnes was effected on 3 February 2006. Registration by the Charity Commission was completed on 15 March 2006.
At present the Trust has no operational activities on its own account. The Trustees named on page 1 have been Trustees throughout the period covered by these financial statements and there have been no other Trustees for any part of the period. The three Trustees are jointly fully responsible for the management of the Trust assets and the disbursement of funds. The Trustees maintain regular contact with each other and are fully aware of their responsibilities as Trustees. The power to appoint new Trustees is exercisable by Robert Bruce Barnes as Settlor or by his will. In the event that new Trustees were to be appointed, appropriate induction processes would be implemented.
Objectives and Activity
The objects of the Trust are very broad. The Trustees recognise that any expenditure on charitable activities must meet the public benefit test as set out in guidance provided by the Charity Commission.
The initial gift was made without restriction but with the medium-term plan that most of the funds should be treated as endowment funds to provide recurring income to meet charitable expenditure each year. Accordingly, the Trustees invested most of the initial donation - c£270,000 - in a managed cautious income fund with the intention that the annual income be applied to charitable causes benefiting young people in the UK. The value of this portfolio is now just over £183,000, having marked time over the past year.
The Trust has received further donations from Mr and Mrs Robert Barnes over the past sixteen years totaling £1,115,786 before Gift Aid. With Gift Aid, the total incoming resources has amounted to £1,403,473. These donations have been made without restriction, but in keeping with the wishes of the donors the medium-term plan is to invest these funds and apply the investment income in pursuit of charitable objectives.
The Trustees have focused on the plight of disadvantaged youth in their considerations and to date nearly all grants have been made to support this cause, particularly in the area of education.
The Trust continues its support for disadvantaged students at Leeds University providing three-year scholarship grants. In aggregate, £340,000 has been pledged, since 2014 with payments terminating in September 2027. Likewise, £230,000 has been pledged to the development of IntoUniversity centres in and around Leeds over the past 9 years. IntoUniversity is a charity specialising in providing academic support to underprivileged children across the country (Charity No. 1118525).
Investment Policy
The Trust’s activities are essentially reliant on investment returns from its endowment and subsequent donations. These are invested on a total return basis with a view to providing a return over the longer term that is sufficient to maintain the real (inflation adjusted) value of the capital of the fund whilst delivering a cash flow to meet annual grants. The Trustees resolved to change their Investment Adviser this year. The Trustees wish to thank Coutts & Co for their support in this function and they continue as main bankers to the Trust. The Investment Policy previously agreed upon by the Trustees will also govern the investment approach adopted by Plurimi. Combining the independent investment advice with careful control over grant pledges by the Trustees, the risk exposure to poor investment returns is prudently managed.
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The Robert Bruce Bames Charitable Trust REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Results, Review of the Year and Future Developments The results for the year are set out in the Statement of Financial Activities on page 6.The year ended with an increase in total funds of £127,323. Investment gains were marginal this year. Also, no new pledges wer8 entered into with Leeds Universty. Discussion are being held with the University to make further pledges in the new financial year. As noted abov&. the Trustees continue to monitor the progress of students at Leeds University and will work with Leeds University to idantify further opFortuntlies to help disadvantaged youth as well as exploring other meaningful causes. Risk Management Apart from exposure to financial risk in its investrnent approach as referred to above, the Trustees believe there are no major operational risks facing the charity as it has no such commitments or obligations at th8 present time. Reserves Pollcy It is the present policy of the Trustees to maintain as far as possible the initial funds donated as capital to generate income for charitable purposes. It is the intention of the Trustees to distrFbute all investment income generated each year. In general, the Trustees have resolved to retain cash in hand at each balance sheet date that is sufficient to meet all pledges falling due in the forlhcoming year. At 31st March 2025. the cash balance was £86,067, more than sufficient to meet the £50.000 pledge payments Committed. No commitments will be made that exceed the net assets of the TrusL Trustees, Responsibilities in Relation to the Financial Statements The Trustees are resFX)nsible for pr8paring a Trustees. annual report and financial statements in aGGordanGe with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally A¢pted Accounting Practi) The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair wew of tha state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of reSoUS of the charwty for that period. In preparing the financial statements. the trustees a reqUId to: select suitable acu)unting poliaes and then apply them consistenuy. obs8rv8 the methods and prinaples in the applif2ble Charities SORP make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and pwdent" state whether applicable UK AcUnting Standards have been followed. subject to any material departures that must be disclosed and explained in the financial statements. and; prepare the finanGial ststements on Ihe going 0)nM basis unless il is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and which enable them to argin the financial posttion of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply bmth the Charitie5 Act 2011. the Charity (Accounts and Reports) regulations and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Independent Examlner The Trustees intend to ask the independent examiner, Helen Neilly to undertake the independent examination of the Trust for the next ffinan¢ial year. Approved by th8 Trustees on 29 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Robert Barnes Trust88 Paul Aplln Trustee
Th• Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025. which are set out on pages 6 to 12. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. Tha Charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent exatnination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine Ihe accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act: to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act: and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent examiner's report My examination was carried out in accordance with the geneRI Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a omparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disGlosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention= {1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordanc8 with section 130 of the 2011 Act" and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act and with the Charities SORP (FRS102) have not been met- or {2) to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. H N•illy Name: Helen Neilly FCMA, CGMA Address: 5 King William Walk, London. SE10 9JH Date.. 29 July 2025
The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Note Income from: Donations and gifts Investment income Total Income 2 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 3 Raising funds 4 Total Expenditure Net gains/(losses) on investments 6 Net Income Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Funds £ 58,825 64,792 123,617 - 6,715 6,715 8,224 125,126 9,174 134,300 1,408,862 1,542,982 |
Endowment Funds £ - 9,978 9,978 - 804 804 (6,977) (2,197) (9,174) (6,977) 187,522 180,575 |
Total Funds 2025 £ 58,825 74,770 133,595 - 7,519 7,519 1,247 127,323 - 127,323 1,596,234 1,723,557 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 73,575 70,421 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 73,575 70,421 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 143,996 | |||||||
| 120,000 6,585 |
|||||||
| 126,585 | |||||||
| 64,059 | |||||||
| 81,470 - |
|||||||
| 81,470 1,514,764 |
|||||||
| 1,596,234 |
.
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The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 Unrestricted Endowment Funds Funds Totsl Funds Prior Year FIXED ASSETS Investments 1.552,207 183.519 1,735.726 1,732,112 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 11,765 11.765 Cash at bank in haThl 84,769 86,067 97,832 34.123 34,123 LIABILITIES Creditors fallirvJ due within one year 50,IK)O 60,000 NET CURRENT ASSErs 1.298 47,832 (25,877) TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABIUTIES 1,798.741 184.87 1.783.558 1.706.234 Creditors fallirKJ due after rrM)re than one year 60.000 110,000 NET ASSETS 1.538,741 184.17 1,723,558 1,596,234 FUNDS Endowment 184,817 187,522 1.408.682 187,522 Unrestricted Income 1.538,741 1.408,682 TOTAL FUNDS 1.538.741 184.817 1.723,558 1,596.234 Approved by the Trustees on 29 July 2025 and signed on their beha by: Robert Bames - Trustse Paul Aplln- rustee
The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Note Cash flows from operating activities Amounts paid in support of pledges Other cash movements, mainly investment management fees Net cash used in operating activities 10 Cash flows from investing activities Interest and dividends received Sales of investments Purchases of investments Decrease/(Increase) in cash held by investment manager Net cash provided by investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Receipt of donations Net cash provided by financing activities Change in cash in the year Cash brought forward Cash carried forward |
2025 £ (60,000) (7,520) (67,520) 72,054 35,845 (45,040) 9,544 72,404 47,060 47,060 51,944 34,123 86,067 |
2024 £ (56,667) (6,585) (63,252 71,737 32,629 (122,428) 4,959 |
|---|---|---|
| 13,123 73,575 |
||
| 73,575 | ||
| (2,799) 36,922 |
||
| 34,123 |
All cash is held on current account and immediately available for use.
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The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting Convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Charities Act 2011.
The Trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, the Trustees having taken into account the matters referred to in the Trustees’ Annual report.
Fund Accounting
Funding of the charity comprises only Unrestricted General and Endowment Funds . These are funds that can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees. Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
Income Recognition
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resource, it is certain that the resources will be received and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Interest and dividend income is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest and dividend paid or payable by the Bank.
Expenditure Recognition
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for gross when incurred on an accruals basis.
Fixed Asset Investments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Gains and Losses on Investments
All gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated at the difference between the fair value as at the year-end using the closing quoted mid-market price and their carrying value. Realised and unrealised investment gains and losses are combined in the Statement of Financial activities.
Debtors
Amounts owing to the Charity at 31[st] March in respect of loans are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove non-collectible. Trade and other debtors are recognised in the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Cash at bank an in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a maturity of three month or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
Cash held with the investment manager is included in investments.
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The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES – cont.
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.
2 INCOME
The incoming resource for the period comprises unrestricted donations and interest and dividend income on investments and cash balances all of which are held by the Charity’s banker (and investment adviser as at the year end), Coutts & Co. In 2025 all donations were unrestricted and investment income attributable to the endowment was £9,183 that, net of management fees, was transferred to net income.
3 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
A pledge of £60,000 was made in June 2022 to support 6 scholarships phased over the four years. At 31 March 2025, included in current liabilities, is the last instalment of £10,000.
A further pledge of £120,000 was made in 2024 for 12 scholarships phased over four years. At 31 March 2025, included in current liabilities is the 2[nd] instalment of £40,000. The remaining £60,000 is included in creditors, amounts falling due after more than one year.
All charitable activity expenditure in both 2025 and 2024 is from unrestricted funds.
4 TOTAL EXPENDITURE
| Expenditure incurred on raising funds in the year is as follows:- Investment Management Fees Independent examination of the accounts of the Charity. Total The allocation of the expenditure to unrestricted and endowment funds is as follows:- Unrestricted Endowment |
2025 £ 7,519 - 7,519 6,715 804 |
2024 £ 6,585 - |
|---|---|---|
| 6,585 | ||
| 5,863 722 |
5 TAXATION
The charity is not liable for UK corporation tax.
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The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
6 INVESTMENTS
The investments are held under a Coutts & Co managed umbrella portfolio and comprise a variety of UK listed managed income funds and some individual listed shares.
| Movements in investments were:- Carrying value (market value) at beginning of year Proceeds on Disposals of Investments Additions to Investments at cost (Decrease)/Increase in cash held for investment Realised Gain/(Loss) on Disposal Unrealised Gain/(Loss) on Revaluation Carrying value (market value) at end of year |
2025 £ 1,732,112 (35,845) 45,040 ~~(~~9,544) (5,717) 1,247 1,735,726 |
2024 £ 1,584,509 (32,629) 122,448 (6,275) (2,738) 66,798 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,732,112 |
Included in investments is cash held by the investment manager under the portfolio umbrella for investment or distribution of £ (2024 - £12,716).
7 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted Funds Endowment Fund Total Funds |
Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 1,408,682 187,522 1,596,234 |
Income £ 123,617 9,978 133,595 |
Expenditure £ (6,715) (804) (7,519) |
Transfer and Other Movement £ 13,157 (11,910) 1,247 |
Balance at 31 March 2025 £ 1,538,741 184,817 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,723,558 |
The comparative movement in funds for the previous financial year is set out below.
| Unrestricted Funds Endowment Fund Total Funds |
Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 1,329,750 185,014 1,514,764 |
Income £ 134,739 9,617 143,996 |
Expenditure £ (125,863) (722) (126,585) |
Transfer and other Movement £ 70,416 (6,357) (64,059) |
Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 1,408,682 187,522 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,596,234 |
8 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION
The charity received donations from Robert Barnes and Christine Barnes, his wife, in the amount of £47,060 in the year which with Gift Aid amounted to £58,825. Trustees received neither emoluments nor reimbursement of expenses of any kind.
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The Robert Bruce Barnes Charitable Trust
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
9. FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
As at 31 March 2025 the Trust had remaining commitments under its grant obligations, described in Note 3, of £50,000 due within one year and £60,000 due more than one year after the year end, namely by 30 September 2027. These commitments relate to University of Leeds projects. At the beginning of the year the aggregate commitment was £170,000 of which £60,000 was duly paid.
10 RECONCILIATION OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
| RECONCILIATION OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||
|---|---|---|
| Net movement in funds Deduct donations received Deduct interest and dividends Deduct gains/add back losses (Increase)/decrease in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Net cash used in operating activities |
2025 £ 127,322 (47,060) (74,770) (1,247) (11,765) 60,000 (67,520) |
2024 £ 81,470 (73,575) (70,421) 64,059 - 63,333 |
| (63,252) |
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