Charity registration number 1118470
AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Trustees | Mr R E L Smith |
|---|---|
| Miss S F Smith | |
| Lord Flight of Worcester | |
| Charity number | 1118470 |
| Principal address | Street Court |
| Kingsland | |
| Leominster | |
| Herefordshire | |
| United Kingdom | |
| HR6 9SG | |
| Independent examiner | Katherine Parkin FCA |
| Azets Audit Services | |
| Epsilon House | |
| Gloucester | |
| United Kingdom | |
| GL3 4AD | |
| Bankers | Lloyds TSB Bank Plc |
| 49-51 Dean Street | |
| Marlow | |
| Buckinghamshire | |
| United Kingdom | |
| SL7 3BP | |
| Solicitors | Harrison Clark Rickerbys LLP |
| c/o Harrison Clark Rickerbys Limited | |
| Ellenborough House | |
| Wellington Street | |
| Cheltenham | |
| Gloucestershire | |
| United Kingdom | |
| GL50 1YD |
AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 1 - 2 |
| Independent examiner's report | 3 |
| Statement of financial activities | 4 |
| Balance sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 6 - 11 |
AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
Objectives and activities
Objects
The objects of the charity are to advance the education of the general public in the UK, Africa and elsewhere in the subjects of good governance, health, gender issues, trade, rural development, international aid, human welfare and poverty relief relating to countries and societies in Africa and to educate the public about Africa generally and the challenges it faces; and to promote research into the above subject areas for the benefit of the public and to disseminate the useful results of such research.
Activities
The objectives of the charity are to encourage debate, question orthodoxy and challenge "received wisdom" in and about Africa. The charity seeks to promote an informed, nuanced and representative understanding of the continent.
The work of the charity draws attention to good practice and innovation, while also identifying where new approaches might be needed. Examples of practical achievement are of particular interest to us.
The charity's research is distributed widely within Africa and elsewhere to decision-makers, institutions and individuals with a keen interest in the continent's future. The charity also holds regular interactive events with expert speakers in London and Africa.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Achievements and performance
Charitable activities
There have been no significant developments or changes to the activities of the charity during the last year however an employed director has remained in post to further progress its aims and objectives.
Financial review
Financial position
At the balance sheet date, "free reserves", being unrestricted funds other than fixed assets, amounted to £108,567 (2023: £68,129).
Reserves policy
The charity aims to retain free reserves sufficient to provide adequate working capital to fund its charitable activities.
Cash reserves at the year end (including amounts held on short term deposit) were £112,639 (2023: £72,134).
Risk
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
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AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Structure, governance and management
Governing document
The charity is governed by its Trust Deed dated 26 February 2007. It is independently funded and strictly nonpartisan.
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Mr R E L Smith
Miss S F Smith Lord Flight of Worcester
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
The power of appointing new trustees is vested in the trustees.
Organisational structure
The trustees are responsible for formulating the strategies and policies of the charity including the exercising of financial controls.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Mr R E L Smith
Trustee Dated: 9 January 2025
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AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Africa Research Institute (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Katherine Parkin FCA Azets Audit Services Epsilon House The Square Gloucester Business Park Gloucester GL3 4AD United Kingdom
Dated: 16 January 2025
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AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| **Unrestricted ** | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 130,000 | 105,000 |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Charitable activities | 3 | 89,562 | 89,367 |
| Net income for the year/ | |||
| Net movement in funds | 40,438 | 15,633 | |
| Fund balances at 1 April 2023 | 68,129 | 52,496 | |
| Fund balances at 31 March 2024 | 108,567 | 68,129 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
| Notes Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 8 Net current assets Income funds Unrestricted funds |
2024 £ 112,639 (4,072) |
£ 108,567 108,567 108,567 |
2023 £ 72,134 (4,005) |
£ 68,129 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68,129 | ||||
| 68,129 |
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 9 January 2025
Mr R E L Smith Trustee
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AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
Africa Research Institute is an unincorporated charity and is registered with the Charity Commission under number 1118470. The address of the principal office can be found on the legal and administrative information page.
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for smaller charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
1.4 Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable & the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
The charity receives donated resources from the HR Smith Group of companies in the form of provision of office space but as the value of these resources cannot be quantified the income and expenditure has not been recognised in the statement of financial activities.
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AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.5 Expenditure
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 a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it is incurred.
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity's programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Grants are recognised in full in the year in which they are approved with future payments being included as liabilities. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.
1.6 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.7 Financial instruments
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Derecognition of financial assets
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the charity transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
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AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
1.8 Employee benefits
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
1.9 Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to the charitable objects.
1.10 Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the charity has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the charity will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision is measured at present value, the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in net income/(expenditure) in the period in which it arises.
2 Donations and legacies
| **Unrestricted ** | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations and gifts | 130,000 | 105,000 |
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AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
3 Charitable activities
| **Direct costs ** | Direct costs | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Staff costs | 84,912 | 85,207 |
| Share of support costs (see note 4) | 2,908 | 2,717 |
| Share of governance costs (see note 4) | 1,742 | 1,443 |
| 89,562 | 89,367 |
4 Support costs
| Support costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Support costs Governance costs £ £ Bank charges 214 - Other support costs 1,375 - Rates 1,319 - Independent Examiners fee - 871 Accountancy - 871 2,908 1,742 Analysed between Charitable activities 2,908 1,742 |
2024 Support costs Governance costs £ £ £ 214 215 - 1,375 1,367 - 1,319 1,135 - 871 - 721 871 - 722 4,650 2,717 1,443 4,650 2,717 1,443 |
2023 £ 215 1,367 1,135 721 722 |
| 4,160 | ||
| 4,160 |
Governance costs include amounts payable to the independent examiner of £871 (2023: £721) for Independent Examination and £871 (2023: £722) payable to the Independent Examiner for other accountancy services provided.
5 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration, benefits or reimbursed expenses from the charity during the year (2023: Nil).
6 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Number | Number |
| 1 | 1 |
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AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 6 Employees Employment costs Wages and salaries Social security costs The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000 is as follows: £70,000 - £80,000 £80.000 - £90,000 |
(Continued) 2024 2023 £ £ 80,112 79,909 4,800 5,298 84,912 85,207 2024 2023 Number Number - 1 1 - |
(Continued) 2024 2023 £ £ 80,112 79,909 4,800 5,298 84,912 85,207 2024 2023 Number Number - 1 1 - |
|---|---|---|
| 85,207 | ||
| 2023 Number 1 - |
7 Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
8 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Other taxation and social security Accruals and deferred income |
2024 £ 2,680 1,392 4,072 |
2023 £ 2,753 1,252 |
| 4,005 |
9 Unrestricted funds
These are unrestricted funds which are material to the charity's activities made up as follows:
| Movement in funds | Movement in funds | Movement in funds | Movement in funds | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Incoming | Resources | Balance at | Incoming | Resources | Balance at | |||
| 1 | April 2022 | resources | expended | 1 April 2023 | resources | expended | 31 | March 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted | |||||||||
| funds | 52,496 | 105,000 | (89,367) | 68,129 | 130,000 | (89,562) | 108,567 |
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AFRICA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
10 Related party transactions
Transactions with related parties
During the year the charity entered into the following transactions with related parties:
| Donations | received | Recharge of costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| HR Smith (Technical Developments) Limited | - | - | 195 | 192 | |
| Techtest Limited | - | - | - | 108 | |
| HR Smith Group Limited | 130,000 | 105,000 | - | - | |
| Specmat Limited | - | - | 148 | - | |
| 130,000 | 105,000 | 343 | 300 |
Mr R E L Smith and Miss S F Smith are Trustees of the charity and also directors of HR Smith Group Limited, HR Smith (Technical Developments) Limited, Specmat Limited and Techtest Limited. The charity received donations without conditions and was recharged for IT and life insurance related costs as detailed above.
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