Company registration number: 06087344 Charity registration number: 1122701
Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
(A company limited by guarantee)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Contents
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 2 to 3 |
| Statement of Responsibilities | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 to 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 to 17 |
Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees and officers
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Trustees: Dame Mary Marsh (Chair) Sir Ghillean Prance FRS VMH Dame Julia Cleverdon DBE Ms Sue Lyons Mr Andy Matthews Mr Matthew Moore Mr Michael Murphy Sir Tim Smit KBE Ms Raina Summerson
Charity Registration Number: 1122701 Company Registration Number: 06087344 Registered Office: Towngate House 2-8 Parkstone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2PW Independent Examiner: PKF Francis Clark Chartered Accountants Towngate House 2-8 Parkstone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2PW
Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Trustees' Report
The Trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 January 2025.
Legal status & Objects
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee. The governing document is the Charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 6 February 2007, as amended 7 February 2008. The Charity’s objectives are to advance the education of the public, including the promotion of study and research for the public benefit into the extinction of animals, flora and fauna and to promote the preservation and protection of the environment and of endangered species by the construction and operation of a new public education centre, with a specific focus upon biodiversity.
Vision
A future in which the sixth mass extinction - the first human-induced extinction - has been stopped and large-scale regeneration of biodiversity is delivered as a fundamental responsibility of society.
Mission
• Fostering public understanding of the global crisis of species extinction and biodiversity loss - ‘the Sixth Extinction.’
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Catalysing a sense of agency, choice, and action - inspiring positive change for humanity.
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Contributing to the social, environmental and economic regeneration of Portland.
Review of Main Activities and Achievements
The Trustees support the project to achieve scaleable solutions.
During the calenar year 2024
The trustees continued to progress of the Business Case document funded by Dorset Council and Higher Education Establishments. This was submitted to Dorset Council for consideration for further development support. In November 2024 Trustees received confirmation of support in a phased approach subject to conditions which were accepted. Funds were received and have allowed progression of relevant activities in 2025.
In parallel with this further positive approaches were developed with National Government in regard to the project’s significance to local economic regeneration.
Financial review and going concern
The financial results for the period and the position at the period end are shown in the attached financial statements.
The Charity’s unrestricted funds were in surplus by £33,667 (2024: £68,156), and in addition, held restricted funds of £134,872 (2024: £nil) at the balance sheet date. We are being supported by private donors and further future grant funding is being negotiated. In the longer term, the Trustees are confident that our fund-raising focus to achieve local and national recognition which will then activate both philanthropic and ongoing business revenue will be successful. On this basis the Trustees are satisfied that the Charity will be able to meet its liabilities and so continue to adopt the going-concern basis of preparation in these Accounts.
Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Trustees' Report
Reserves policy
The Trustees have not yet developed a reserves policy and cannot reasonably do so until the Project envisaged in the Memorandum of Understanding between MEMO and the Eden Project International Limited has been achieved.
Methods for the appointment of Trustees
The Board of Trustees includes a balance of commercial, scientific and educational expertise, along with a representative of MEMO’s partner organisation, The Eden Project. As the Charity’s operations develop and expand, the Trustees continue to monitor the skills required on the Board and will consider recruiting additional expertise as the need arises. In the longer run, close regard will be paid to the composition of both this Board and that of Eden Portland.
Small companies provision statement
This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.
The annual report was approved by the Trustees of the Charity on 19 November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Mr Andy Matthews Trustee
Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Statement of Responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities' SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approved by the Trustees of the Charity on 19 November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Mr Andy Matthews Trustee
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Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 January 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees (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’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be 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
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
At the year-end there is a degree of uncertainty regarding the financial outcome of future years. As stated in the Trustee Report and going concern accounting policy, financial support is provided from private donors and future grant funding is being negotiated. We understand from the Trustees that they have every reason to believe that this support will continue.
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.
...................................... Adrian Way FCA FCCA (a director of PKF Francis Clark) Chartered Accountants Towngate House 2-8 Parkstone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2PW
20 November 2025
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Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Statement of Financial Activities
Year Ended 31 January 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account)
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Total Income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4 Total Expenditure Net (expenditure)/income Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 17 |
Unrestricted £ 49,009 49,009 (83,498) (83,498) (34,489) (34,489) 68,156 33,667 |
Restricted £ 150,000 150,000 (15,128) (15,128) 134,872 134,872 - 134,872 |
Total 2025 £ 199,009 199,009 (98,626) (98,626) 100,383 100,383 68,156 168,539 |
Total Unrestricted 2024 £ 124,620 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 124,620 | ||||
| (25,431) | ||||
| (25,431) | ||||
| 99,189 | ||||
| 99,189 (31,033) |
||||
| 68,156 |
All of the Charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 17.
The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
(Registration number: 06087344) Balance Sheet as at 31 January 2025
| Note Fixed assets Intangible assets 9 Tangible assets 10 Heritage assets 11 Current assets Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 13 Net current assets/(liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 14 Provisions 15 Net assets Funds of the Charity: Restricted Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted Total funds 17 |
2025 £ - 269 59,493 59,762 2,249 135,399 137,648 (22,215) 115,433 175,195 (6,656) - 168,539 134,872 33,667 168,539 |
2024 £ 60,001 404 59,493 |
|---|---|---|
| 119,898 | ||
| 29,395 32,117 |
||
| 61,512 (106,597) |
||
| (45,085) | ||
| 74,813 (6,656) (1) |
||
| 68,156 | ||
| - 68,156 |
||
| 68,156 |
The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7
Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
(Registration number: 06087344) Balance Sheet as at 31 January 2025
For the financial year ending 31 January 2025 the Charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
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The members have not required the Charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
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The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements on pages 6 to 17 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 19 November 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... Mr Andy Matthews Trustee
The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 8
Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
1 Charity status
The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in , and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
The address of its registered office is: Towngate House 2-8 Parkstone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2PW
2 Accounting policies
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis and in accordance with 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 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of preparation
Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Going concern
These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which is dependant upon the continued support of the Directors, plus the Directors' reasonable expectation of future funding from third parties.
Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement
As the charity is small it has taken advantage of the exemption from preparation of a cash flow statement and has therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.
Income and endowments
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.
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Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
Donations and legacies
Donations are recognised when the Charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the Charity before the Charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the Charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Grants receivable
Grants are recognised when the Charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where unconditional entitlement has been met but funds have not yet been received, the balance is recognised as accrued income. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the Charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and Trustees’ meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Taxation
The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets (intellectual property rights) are stated in the Balance Sheet at cost less impairmant. Amortisation is deemed to be non-chargeable until the corresponding asset is generating income for the charity.
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Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
Tangible fixed assets
Individual fixed assets costing £100 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
Depreciation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class
Fixtures and Fittings
Depreciation method and rate 33% Reducing balance
Heritage assets
Heritage assets are held at cost. The assets are deemed to have an indefinite life and are therefore not depreciated. Impairment is considered when there are signs of physical deterioration. The assets are maintained and are intended to be preserved to the standard at which they were acquired.
Heritage assets held are a permanent collection of carvings and bells, which will form part of the Charity's display collection.
These assets are significant to the Charity because the Charity's objects are to advance the education of the public, including the promotion of study and research for the public benefit into the extinction of animals, flora and fauna and to promote the preservation and protection of the environment and of endangered species by the provision and maintenance of the Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory. The assets are used by the Charity for these purposes.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Trade creditors
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Concessionary loans
Concessionary loans are recognised at the amount received, adjusted to reflect interest payable where applicable, and are not discounted.
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Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the Trustees' discretion in furtherance of the Objects of the Charity.
Restricted income funds are those received for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
3 Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted
| Unrestricted | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations and legacies; Donations from individuals Grants, including capital grants; Local authority and university grants |
General £ 8,634 40,375 49,009 |
Restricted £ - 150,000 150,000 |
Total 2025 £ 8,634 190,375 199,009 |
Total 2024 £ 68,146 56,474 |
| 124,620 |
4 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Governance costs (see separate note) Consultancy fees Insurance Bank charges Depreciation of office equipment Impairment of IPR Sundry Travel expenses Website development |
Total 2025 £ 2,100 31,197 2,388 89 135 60,000 518 - 2,199 98,626 |
Total 2024 £ 2,288 20,066 2,140 98 202 - 428 209 - |
|---|---|---|
| 25,431 |
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Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
5 Analysis of governance and support costs
Governance costs
| Governance costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Independent examiners fee Accountancy fees |
Total 2025 £ 2,100 - 2,100 |
Total 2024 £ 1,855 433 |
| 2,288 |
6 Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net incoming resources for the year include:
| Net incoming resources for the year include: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Depreciation and impairment of fixed assets | 60,135 | 202 |
| Examiner's fee | 2,100 | 1,855 |
7 Trustees' remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No other Trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the Charity during the year.
8 Taxation
The Company is a registered charity and its activities are exempt from taxation.
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Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
9 Intangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 February 2023 At 31 January 2025 Amortisation Writedown/(back) to recoverable amount At 31 January 2025 Net book value At 31 January 2025 At 31 January 2024 10 Tangible fixed assets Cost At 1 February 2023 At 31 January 2025 Depreciation At 1 February 2024 Charge for the year At 31 January 2025 Net book value At 31 January 2025 At 31 January 2024 |
Intellectual property rights £ 60,001 60,001 60,001 60,001 - 60,001 Furniture and equipment £ 5,178 5,178 4,774 135 4,909 269 404 |
Total £ 60,001 60,001 60,001 60,001 - 60,001 Total £ 5,178 5,178 4,774 135 4,909 269 404 |
|---|---|---|
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Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
11 Heritage assets
| 11 Heritage assets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost At 1 February 2024 At 31 January 2025 Depreciation At 31 January 2025 Net book value At 31 January 2025 12 Debtors Trade debtors Prepayments VAT recoverable 13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Accruals 14 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year Other creditors |
Carvings and bells £ 59,493 59,493 - 59,493 2025 £ - 2,249 - 2,249 2025 £ - 15,955 6,260 22,215 2025 £ 6,656 |
Total £ 59,493 59,493 - 59,493 2024 £ 15,000 1,912 12,483 |
||
| 2025 £ - 2,249 - 2,249 2025 £ - 15,955 6,260 22,215 2025 £ 6,656 |
||||
| 29,395 | ||||
| 2024 £ 101,742 - 4,855 |
||||
| 106,597 | ||||
| 2024 £ 6,656 |
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Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
15 Provisions
| 15 Provisions | |
|---|---|
| At 1 February 2024 Provisions write off At 31 January 2025 |
Intellectual property provision £ 1 (1) |
| - |
16 Related party transactions
Sue Lyons
(Sue Lyons is a trustee)
In the prior the year (2024), Sue Lyons donated (by way of loan conversion) £58,883 to the charity. The amount due to Sue Lyons related to an interest free loan which is included in other creditors. At the balance sheet date, the amount due to Sue Lyons was £nil (2024 - £nil).
17 Funds
| Unrestricted funds General Unrestricted general fund Restricted funds Eden Portland Project Total funds Unrestricted funds General Unrestricted general fund |
Balance at 1 February 2024 £ 68,156 - 68,156 Balance at 1 February 2023 £ (31,033) |
Incoming resources £ 49,009 150,000 199,009 Incoming resources £ 124,620 |
Resources expended £ (83,498) (15,128) (98,626) Resources expended £ (25,431) |
Balance at 31 January 2025 £ 33,667 134,872 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 168,539 | ||||
| Balance at 31 January 2024 £ 68,156 |
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Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:
Eden Portland Project - funds received to advance the project business case and planning procedures.
Page 17