Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] January 2023 To 31[st] December 2023
Charity name: British Society for Proteome Research
Charity registration number: 1121692
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The British Society for Proteome Research (BSPR) aims to advance the science of proteomics, to further public education therein and to promote study and research work in proteomics and related subjects for the public benefit. The objectives of the British Society for Proteome Research (BSPR) are to advance the science of proteomics and to promote the study and research work in this and related areas for the benefit of all. It enables scientists working in this field to keep up-to-date with current developments both nationally and internationally and to meet and exchange ideas with other workers. Unlike many learned societies we have members from a wide range of organisations including industry and the health service, as well as research and academic institutions. The British Society for Proteome Research performs an educational role by organising meetings and making contact with various educational organisations and providing support for young people to attend meeting and visit other laboratories to enhance their learning. The Society is also involved in the promotion of proteomics and protein research which will benefit biological and clinical research including human, animal and plant diseases and their understanding, as well as food production, and bring other benefits in terms of health, wealth generation and wellbeing to the population. The Society also provides a web site for its members to access information relating to knowledge transfer and education in the area of proteomics. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The BSPR promotes proteomic science, and its active research for public benefits in many areas including human health, manufacturing and environmental sustainability. One of the main activities of the society is to support young scientists gain knowledge and understanding. In 2023 the Society supported 7 bursaries to early career researchers to attend scientific meetings to advance their knowledge, present their research to benefit the community and broaden the network and reach for them and the society. We also supported a fellowship for a more senior researcher to attend a scientific meeting. The Society ran a meeting to promote proteomics through the presentation of cutting edge research, including international speakers to promote knowledge transfer which was attended by approximately 150 scientists. We also support the BSPR lecturer. Any appropriate institution or organization can request a lecture from the BSPR annual lecturer. The presentation is tailored for the audience, and can range from public engagement to detailed scientific material. The society covers the costs of the visit of the lecturer. The lecturer usually does around 6-10 lectures. We also provide prizes for early career researchers to raise their internationalprofile. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have had full regard for the guidance issued by the Charities Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | While we did not have volunteers involved in raising funds, all of our trustees are volunteers, and a number of students helped during the annual meeting to guide people and answer questions. This allowed them to engage with the senior scientists and attend the conference. |
Achievements and Performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The main activities of the society in 2023 were: The funding of 7 ECR bursaries and one M J Dunn bursary to allow early career researchers to attend scientific conferences to further their education and meet a broad community of scientists and make valuable connections. The maintenance of the society web site to provide a knowledge resource for the scientific community and general public A scientific meeting, which brought together approximately 150 members of the scientific and technical community to discuss proteomics and help to educate the early career researchers present. The meeting showcased the best of UK, Irish and International research. An active social media stream allowed interested members of the public to know what was being presented. Engagement with manufacturers provided opportunities to influence instrument development and discover the latest technologies to advanceresearch. |
|---|---|---|
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The Society maintained a good financial position that is needed to maintain its key activities in education and supporting the dissemination of research. We ended the year with funds of £137,493 which is sufficient to ensure a secure future and allow us to be able to undertake our activities. The main sources of income are subscriptions and a surplus that is generated from the annual meeting. This surplus comes from vendors and allows us to offer below cost registration for academic scientists and a very low registration for students. This ensures that the meeting is a widely accessible as possible. The reserves enable us to bid to bring International conferences to the UK to celebrate UK science and provide a key forum for UK scientists. It also allows us to underwire regional meetings around the UK and Ireland, and to help new groups of scientists establish a local group. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | An active current account is held with sufficient reserves to underwrite our annual activities. This was £84,126 at the end of 2023. Cash reserves are also held in an interest bearing separateReserve bank |
| account, which at the end of the year held £40,878. As interest rates are increasing we may move some reserves from the current to the savings account. |
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|---|---|---|
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £40,878is held in the Reserve Account |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Our main income was through support for our annual meeting, and a minor contribution from nominal subscriptions from members of the society. Membership isfree toregistered students. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The society maintains a bank account, where a proportion of our funds are held in an interest-bearing reserve account. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | There are only limited risks to the charity. The running of the annual meeting, or larger meetings of the relevant International societies, is our biggest risk, but we have the necessary funds to underwrite this and we also take out insurance to minimise the financial risk. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Trust deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Incorporated association |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are also Directors of the Company, and are elected by the membership of the society |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | BritishSocietyfor ProteomeResearch |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1121692 |
| Charity’s principal address | 167-169, Great Portland Street, London, England, W1W 5PF |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainer Cramer | President | |||
| Kathryn Lilley | ||||
| Andrew Pitt | Treasurer | |||
| Maike Langini | Secretary | |||
| James Waddington | ||||
| Harry Whitwell | ||||
| Roz Jenkins | ||||
| Sara Zanivan | ||||
| Karin Barnouin | ||||
| Gina Eagle | ||||
| Roman Fischer | ||||
| Sarah Hart | ||||
| Edward Emmott | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the None charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for None safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Andrew Pitt Position (eg Secretary, Assistant Treasurer Chair, etc) Date 09/10/2024
British Society for Proteome Research: Final accounts 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023
| Income account 1 | £ Expenditure account |
1 | £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions (88) | 1,320.00 EuPA fees |
576.55 | |
| BSPR 2022 Trade | 3050.00 RSB subscription |
315.00 | |
| BSPR2022 overpayment | 118.95 Registered address |
54.00 | |
| BSPR 2022 Surplus | 34104.12 Directors insurance |
467.60 | |
| BSPR/EuPA meeting Insurance | 400.33 | ||
| Companies House | 150.00 | ||
| Bursaries | 1,750.00 | ||
| Prizes and awards | 1,100.00 | ||
| Committee expenses | 89.40 | ||
| RSC membership | 350.00 | ||
| MJD Fellowship | 796.89 | ||
| Website maintenance | 288.00 | ||
| Total | 38,593.07 | Total | 6,337.77 |
| Income account 1 (Business reserve) | £ Expenditure account |
1 | £ |
| Interest | 441.15 | 0.00 | |
| Total | 441.15 | 0 | |
| Income account 2 | Expenditure account | 2 | |
| 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Total | 0.00 | 0 | |
| Surplus/loss for year to 21st December | 32,743.49 | ||
| Liabilities (uncashed cheques) | -250.00 | ||
| Summary | |||
| 1st January 2022 | Current account 1 | 51,870.97 | |
| Current account 2 (EMPW) | 12,738.00 | ||
| Reserve account | 40390.58 | ||
| Total assets | 104,999.55 | ||
| 20th December 2023 | Current account 1 | 84,126.27 | |
| Current account 2 (EMPW) | 12,738.00 | ||
| Reserve account | 40,878.77 | ||
| Liabilities | -250.00 | ||
| Total assets | 137,493.04 | ||
| BSPR Assets | 124,755.04 |
Andrew Pitt Honorary Treasurer, British Society for Proteome Research
NOTE: expected surplus from BSPR2023 of approximately £41,600
Registered UK Charity no. 1121692
Registered Company no. 06319769
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of British Society for Proteome
Research (‘the Company’)
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records.
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 accounts to be reached.
Signed: Name: Michael Marks-Waugh
Address: 25 Vicar Wood Way, Derby. DE22 2BF Date: 09/12/2025