11 'Jl 2025 •* Trustees'_Report and Accounts SYLVA FOUNDATION
Sylva Foundation is a national charity working for a society that lives in harmony with nature, focusing on the stewardship of our forests and the utility of home-grown timber. It provides solutions to meet significant environmental challenges by innovating, collaborating, training, and advocating.
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Contents
| 2025-26 in numbers | 2 |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ Report | 3 |
| Reference and Administrative Details | 3 |
| Introduction from the Chair | 5 |
| Objectives, Activities and Public Benefit | 6 |
| Achievements, Performance and Impact | 7 |
| Volunteers and Wider Support | 9 |
| Financial Review | 10 |
| Principal Risks and Uncertainties | 12 |
| Structure, Governance and Management | 12 |
| Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance | 13 |
| Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities | 13 |
| Plans for Future Periods | 14 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 15 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 16 |
| Balance Sheet | 17 |
| Cash Flow Statement | 18 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 19 |
| Supporting Sylva Foundation | 30 |
| Acknowledgements | 31 |
Front cover: Students learning on the Woodworking and Gender Programme’s Summer School 2025 at the Sylva Wood Centre. The aim is to support and inspire women and non-binary people to find employment in the woodworking sector.
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Sylva Foundation Trustees, Report and Aeeounts 2025-26 Trustees, Report 2025-26 IN NUMBERS RESEARCH & EVIDENCE WOODLAND STEWARDSHIP WOOD EDUCATION WOOD CENTRE 536 woodland tnanagers sutveyed 11,000 rllana8in8 with myForest 16 attended professional training Courses 23 local wood businesses supported Small tsinesS fo%ii'red 43nd heritage crafrs promoted respolldenL% land nynagLrs students business0ver5 British Woodpands Survey2025 explorin8enwr(Kwnental Ihan8e People conduuingsus1aUe lorr managementsupwrted by too&arKI sepéices In the myForesi pktform $a Woorj khiK)I prof$1[ training 4¥hile also promoting horne-gro¥ timber 183,000 woodland area represenieé 220,000 woodlaTTd area registered in myForest Sum)ortin¥ $i&bleforSI manasem8nt at 5(ale &rOSS Bri 15 incluswe training and support small busine55 fostered dfnts tron5ènd tKm.birryrnèkÈlS compInAektrain8cDue + Suer hod waduatrsolSyfvaWoDd kh rse5WovrfhaffQr4b1e exDred a(a 75%0ll owmed wocKnèrldSin 81itain 33 historic data shared 50 gender seminar about equality in Ihe workplaie parTICipanis Ir0(TLe&sLdliiid Indusity dlawwd [emSeanr 467 woodland managefs surveyed 520245wyeKpYDriO(t1uts1O blicaCcSadL1L 12 public acce55 an environrnenièl education re5pondEnt5 htur(ArrAImen[SeTWles(IEfijl17s data lorNrforestuWS TheFre FwlarMJcmynItY th<r•rdrywded a5waccek%tts 90 conseNing threatened %ildlife 55 woodworking Educators consulted speL4eslacishwr4 edUcats scientific papers authored 11[arIonS reseèrchinltymi. nbiiondl leJrhef5 neNiJUI i (knymloadoble Te50ur[e5 lO.ar$(hAngeSIrenesS9fftO n5 re1aringToefftrorwl rV AS5e5s1WdLeco)8(0Ndffn 3,000+ 5urveyin8 ecological 30 profÈsslonal development usér5 condition VIooilJiid Asso5smért 100 monitorln8 forest StewdshIP 115 woodland management plans professional development SLJPpDrtlll8outstth8CrSalrnuS SYLVA FOUNDATION vohjniew pari<wNsw)FoieM L nurturing awood culture, growing a future www.sylva.org.uk
Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Trustees’ Report
Trustees’ Report
1. Reference and administrative details
Sylva Foundation is an environmental and forestry charity founded in 2009. The charity is active across Britain, with its headquarters in Oxfordshire.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2026.
The accompanying accounts are therefore prepared under Charities SORP (FRS 102), second edition, issued in October 2019. SORP 2026 applies to periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026. The trustees have nevertheless chosen voluntarily to structure this report with reference to the Tier 2 narrative reporting requirements in Module 1 of SORP 2026. This voluntary approach does not amount to adoption of SORP 2026 for the accompanying financial statements and should not be described as full compliance with SORP 2026.
Registration
Charity registered in England and Wales 1128516, and in Scotland SC041892.
Charitable Company 06589157.
Registered office
Sylva Wood Centre Little Wittenham Road Long Wittenham Oxfordshire OX14 4QT
Principal professional advisors
Banking
CAF Bank Ltd
25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ
Unity Bank Ltd 4 Brindley Place, Birmingham B1 2JB
The Charity Bank Ltd
Fosse House, 182 High Street, Tonbridge TN9 1BE
Insurance
NFU Mutual Views Farm Barns, Windmill Hill, Great Milton, Oxfordshire OX44 4NW
Independent Examiner
Wenn Townsend Chartered Accountants 30 St Giles', Oxford, OX1 3LE
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Trustees’ Report
Trustee Board and Staff
Patrons
Lady Audrey Wood OBE
Trustees
Sarah Taylor (Chair) Amanda Bryan FICFor Dr Mary Barkham (retired 11 November 2025) Dr Robin Buxton MBE Lucius Cary OBE Sebastian Cox (appointed 11 November 2025) Dr James Morison Phoebe Oldfield Dr Eleanor Tew MICFor Jim Waterson MICFor MRICS
Staff
Chief Executive
Dr Gabriel Hemery FICFor CEnv
Director of Operations Paul Orsi FICFor MRICS
Other Staff members
Andrew Clark Head of Forestry Dr Gwyneth Bradbury Web Developer Joseph Bray Head of Wood School Gabriella Fuer Delivery Manager Phillip Gullam Senior Tutor and Wood Centre Manager Lucie Henwood Finance Manager Christine Howard CMLI Operations Manager Richard Pigott Head of Web Development Cathrin Poppensieker Woodworking and Gender Project Coordinator Oliver Price Web Developer
Advisors and Associates
Shems Hadj-Nassar Communications Dr Philip Koomen Furniture & Wood Dr Gill Petrokofsky Science Alistair Yeomans Scotland Representative
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Trustees’ Report
2. Introduction from the Chair
The year to 31 March 2026 was one of continued progress and renewed ambition for Sylva Foundation. Alongside delivering our established programmes, we prepared a new five-year strategy that builds on Sylva’s distinctive strengths and looks confidently to the future. Throughout the year, our work remained centred on better stewardship of Britain’s forests and greater use and appreciation of home-grown timber. Through digital tools, applied research, education, collaboration and advocacy, we helped turn knowledge into practical action for woodland owners, professionals, makers, learners and communities.
A particular highlight was the 2025 British Woodlands Survey, which completed a valuable ten-year evidence series on environmental change and forest resilience. Its reach and practical findings, as detailed on page 7 of the report, demonstrate the importance of Sylva’s role as an independent bridge between land managers, researchers and public bodies. We also continued to develop myForest and Forest Lab, broadened access to woodworking skills and supported a more inclusive culture across wood-based professions.
balance sheet remains strong, although cash reduced during the year and trustees must continue to manage liquidity, unrestricted income and commitments carefully. The trustees concluded that there are no material uncertainties affecting the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
As our 2021–26 strategy drew to a close, the Board focused on retaining what makes Sylva distinctive while preparing the charity for its next stage of development. Our new strategy offers an exciting opportunity to connect our research, digital tools, education and Wood Centre activities more closely, provide increasingly targeted support to woodland managers, and strengthen the links between resilient forests, skilled people and thriving markets for homegrown timber.
We enter this next chapter with real optimism and a clear sense of purpose. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our staff, volunteers, partners, funders, donors, learners and everyone in the Wood Centre community. Their knowledge, enthusiasm and generosity made this year’s achievements possible and give us great confidence in what Sylva can accomplish in the years ahead.
Sarah Taylor
Chair of Trustees
Financially, the charity generated total income of £863,806 and recorded a surplus of £31,888. The
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Trustees’ Report
3. Objectives, Activities and Public benefit
3.1 Charitable purposes and strategic
aims
Sylva Foundation's objects are to promote conservation of the environment for the public benefit, consistent with sustainable development principles, by: • carrying out research into effective sustainable forest management and disseminating the useful results of that research;
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advancing education in the theory and practice of sustainable forest management;
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supporting the development and application of sustainable forest management; and
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advancing education and business enterprise in the design and production of products made from homegrown wood.
Our long-term vision is a society that cares for nature while living in harmony with it, supported by a wood culture in which people understand the creative and productive value of well-managed forests and their wider benefits for people, climate and nature. During 2025/26, the charity pursued this vision through four connected approaches: innovating, collaborating, training, and advocating.
3.2 Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and planning future activities.
Public benefit is delivered by making digital tools, knowledge and research available to improve woodland creation and management; by strengthening the evidence used in forestry policy and practice; by providing education and pathways into skilled work with home-grown timber; and by convening organisations and communities around environmental and social challenges. Beneficiaries include woodland owners and managers, forestry professionals, researchers and public bodies, learners and earlycareer makers, wood businesses, local communities and, ultimately, the wider public through healthier and more resilient forests.
3.3 Activities, resources and assessment of success
Innovating
Activities:
myForest, Forest Lab, UKFS Checker and the Woodland Condition Assessment app make sustainable woodland planning, monitoring and learning easier and more effective.
Resources and assessment:
Forestry, product and web-development staff, project funding and partnerships. Assessed through reach, use, data contributed, user feedback and resulting management action.
Collaborating
Activities:
Research and sector partnerships, including the
British Woodlands Survey, seek to improve evidence, policy and coordinated action for woodland resilience.
Resources and assessment:
Research expertise, commissioned income, partner networks and volunteer participants. Assessed through participation, publications, partner uptake and influence.
Training
Activities:
Wood School courses, bursaries and inclusive programmes seek to build practical skill, confidence and pathways into employment or enterprise using home-grown timber.
Resources and assessment:
Tutors, workshops, equipment, restricted grants and donor support. Assessed through enrolment, completion, learner feedback, progression and employer evidence.
Advocating
Activities:
Communications, events, demonstrations and the Wood Centre community seek to increase understanding of sustainable forestry, craft, inclusion and home-grown timber
Resources and assessment:
Staff, makers, volunteers, premises and communications channels. Assessed through attendance, engagement, partnerships and reported changes in awareness or practice.
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4. Achievements, Performance and Impact
The trustees have considered performance at three levels: the evidence for what was delivered, outcomes (the changes observed among users or partners) and longer-term impact (the contribution to people, society and the environment). Attribution becomes less certain at each level, so the report distinguishes direct evidence from reasonable contribution claims.
4.1 Impact Summary
British Woodlands Survey 2024
Evidence:
A report on public access in woodlands was published in May 2025. A total of 467 people responded, 87% of whom were woodland owners.
Outcome/Impact:
Sylva and Forest Research published findings from the British Woodlands Survey (BWS) 2024 concerning public access. The research identified broad recognition of the health and community benefits of access, alongside concerns about cost, biodiversity, littering and dog fouling. Publication of the freely accessible report is a direct research output. Its contribution to future policy, funding or access arrangements should be assessed separately.
British Woodlands Survey 2025
Evidence:
There were 536 respondents; 88% owned or managed woodland; respondents represented 183,000 hectares, around 7.5% of privately owned UK woodland.
Outcome/Impact:
Created a substantial evidence base for policy and practice and extended a ten-year time series on environmental change. A free accessible report published is a direct output. A peer-reviewed scientific article has been submitted exploring ten-year trends based on this and previous BWS surveys in 2015 and 2020. The findings identify barriers and priorities for future tools, incentives and collaboration.
Forest Lab
Evidence:
Several scientific projects continued to be delivered on the platform, aiming to encourage stewardship science among private land managers.
Outcome/Impact:
The programme connects practitioners and researchers and strengthens monitoring. There were more than 100 participants with independent woodland sites; 49 of which are taking part in a national effort to monitor the spruce beetle pest Ips typographus through a GB-wide network of pheromone traps. Data collated are shared with government scientists.
Woodland Stewardship
Evidence:
The myForest platform supported 11,000 land managers responsible for 220,000 hectares of woodland across
the UK. The Woodland Condition Assessment app encouraged users to survey their woodlands for ecological condition and for biodiversity net gain assessments. The Woodland Wildlife Toolkit supported land managers in assessing rare and declining wildlife in a woodland, and provided targeted resources promoting appropriate management practices.
Outcome/Impact:
myForest supports users in managing woodlands in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard, with 115 management plans produced. Evidence from BWS2025 indicated that those managers who had conducted a Woodland Condition Assessment (3,000 have undertaken an assessment) were more likely to report management intended to promote environmental resilience. A review of the Woodland Wildlife Toolkit revealed strong support among users, with the tool used in a variety of ways from targeting acquisition of properties to guiding appropriate management.
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Wood Education
Evidence:
Our professional courses were attended by 16 students during the year: 9 on the
professional course, 7 on the introductory course. Fifteen students were supported by inclusive training delivered under the Woodworking and Gender Project, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Seven women and non-binary makers completed a six-week course.
Outcome/Impact:
We supported the establishment of a new national woodworkers teaching network. Fifty-five educators helped develop the national woodworkers teaching network, which now has an active forum. Thirty educators attended our Crafting Connections seminar. As a result of the six-week course, two students progressed into bespoke furniture-making employment. Three entered further training or higher education. One returned to the final year of a furnituredesign degree with increased clarity and confidence. One was developing a freelance practice.
The sustainable use of home-grown timber was promoted throughout all courses and activities. Collaborations with major furniture manufacturers promoted sustainable sourcing and education. A collaboration with the National Trust promoted homegrown timber.
Evidence from the Woodworking and Gender Project is a positive external signal of progression and industry change.
Sylva Wood Centre
Evidence:
We continued to support incubation and growth of 23 small businesses working in wood.
Outcome/Impact:
Supported business development and growth. Two graduates of our Professional Course took up workbenches. One Fellowship was awarded to support an outstanding graduate of our Professional Course.
4.2 Innovating
myForest remained a principal route through which the charity applied forestry knowledge and information technology. During the year, the UKFS Checker was launched to help owners and managers undertake an accessible self-assessment of woodland stewardship against the UK Forestry Standard. Educational guidance on forest inventory also supported users to understand and record the condition and structure of their woodlands.
myForest was also expanded to bring together historicenvironment information relevant to woodland creation. By March 2026, the platform provided access to (Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England) SHINE data from 33 local historic-environment services covering almost half of England, alongside designated heritage information and the Historic Environment Opportunity Map for New Woodland. This gives land managers earlier and more integrated access to information required when designing UK Forestry Standard-compliant woodlands. Reduced planning delays and more robust plans are intended
benefits; usage, plan-completion and user-outcome data are required to demonstrate whether these benefits have been achieved.
Forest Lab continued to connect woodland managers with researchers through projects addressing pest surveillance, oak health and the relationship between woodland structure, biodiversity and resilience. The Ips typographus monitoring network generated data for government scientists. Oak Health and Living Layers extended the range of opportunities available to stewardship scientists, although participant, completion and data-use evidence for these newer projects was not available from the published news reviewed.
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4.3 Collaborating and research
In addition to the two instances of the British Woodlands Survey reported above, Sylva also supported collaborative research into attitudes towards wild-deer management. The resulting peerreviewed, open-access paper reported that 85% of respondents supported or strongly supported lethal control as part of deer management. This represents a further research output addressing a significant constraint on woodland regeneration and resilience. Any subsequent influence on policy or management practice should be reported only when there is evidence of use.
Two scientific/technical papers were authored. The first was a paper exploring ten-years of awareness and actions to environmental change among private land managers. The second explored the assessment of woodland ecological condition.
4.4 Training, access and enterprise
The Wood School continued to provide practical education in furniture making and the use of homegrown timber, while the Wood Centre supported a community of makers and wood-based enterprises. The Woodworking and Gender project sought to reduce barriers faced by women, trans and non-binary people through training, workshops, sector engagement and progression opportunities. The
project received external recognition during the year and generated evidence of graduates progressing into employment. This is encouraging, but the trustees recognise that a fuller impact account requires consistent data on applications, participation, completion, confidence, skills, employment or enterprise progression, and longer-term retention.
Sylva and the Furniture Makers’ Company launched the National Woodworking Teachers Network in response to research involving 55 teachers, tutors and technicians, 73% of whom strongly supported the creation of a national network. More than 30 educators also participated in the Crafting Connections seminar at the Wood Centre. The network is intended to provide peer support, subject-specific professional development, shared resources and a stronger collective voice for woodworking education. The survey, seminar and network launch are direct outputs; membership, participation in professional development and changes in teaching practice will be monitored as outcome measures.
4.5 Balanced assessment and learning
The year produced strong research outputs and credible examples of practical and social change. At the same time, the evidence base is uneven across programmes. Reach and delivery are more consistently measured than behaviour change or
longer-term outcomes. The trustees therefore intend to strengthen the connection between annual objectives, programme measures, financial allocation and outcome reporting.
5. Volunteers and wider support
The charity benefited from the unpaid contribution of trustees, specialist advisers, research and monitoring participants, project steering groups, community volunteers and supporters of the Wood Centre estate. Volunteers contributed governance, professional advice, communications, conservation and orchard work, research observations and sector insight. Six volunteers took part in a documented communityorchard pruning session in February 2026; this example is not presented as the total volunteer contribution for the year.
Volunteer time is not assigned a monetary value in the accounts because a reliable basis of measurement is not available. Its contribution is nevertheless material to the quality, reach and legitimacy of the charity's work.
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Trustees’ Report
6. Financial Review
This section is prepared by trustees to offer a summary of the charity’s finances. The accounts comply with the requirements of FRS102 – The Financial Reporting Standard, applicable in the UK. The finances of the charity are overseen by the trustees, together with senior staff.
6.1 Overview
Sylva Foundation continues to operate as a transactional business. Total income was £863,806 (2025: £910,310), a reduction of £46,504 (5.1%) from 2024-25. Total expenditure was £831,918 (2025: £838,523), a reduction of £6,605 (0.8%) from 2024-25. The resulting surplus was £31,888 (2025: £71,787). Total funds increased from £1,724,326 to £1,756,214.
6.2 Income
The principal sources of income were charitable activities of £405,820 (47.0% of income), donations and legacies of £286,219 (33.1%), other trading activities of £164,794 (19.1%) and investment income of £6,973 (0.8%). Compared with 2025, income from charitable activities reduced, while donations and trading income increased. The prior year's charitableactivity income included a higher level of performancerelated grant income.
6.3 Expenditure
All expenditure related to charitable activity. Total expenditure was £831,918 (2025: £838,523). Of this, £825,697 (99.3%) was spent directly on the Environment, Wood School and Wood Centre programmes, while £6,221 (0.7%) related to governance. Staff costs were £567,201 (68.2% of total expenditure; 2025: £506,126), with an average employee headcount of 12.
6.4 Funds, assets and liquidity
At 31 March 2026, unrestricted funds were £207,787, designated funds were £1,493,520 and restricted funds were £54,907. Designated funds consisted principally of operational fixed assets of £1,348,666. Restricted balances related to operational fixed assets (£19,814) and Wood School activity (£35,093).
were £396,941 and creditors due within one year were £75,870, leaving net current assets of £321,071. Cash reduced by £119,078, largely reflecting a £97,367 net cash outflow from operating activities and £21,711 net investing outflow. Deferred income reduced from £146,718 at the start of the year to nil at 31 March 2026 as the relevant recognition conditions were met.
Tangible fixed assets were £1,435,143. Current assets
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6.5 Going concern and investments
The trustees considered the level of funds held and forecast income and expenditure for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the accounts. They concluded that budgeted income and expenditure, together with reserves held, are sufficient for the charity to continue as a going concern and that no material uncertainty exists.
The charity did not hold material financial investments requiring a separate investment-performance review. Bank deposits generated £6,973 of interest during the year.
6.6 Reserves
Under SORP, reserves are the part of unrestricted funds freely available to spend on the charity's purposes. On the usual basis of unrestricted funds less unrestricted tangible fixed assets, provisional free reserves for Sylva Foundation at 31 March 2026 were £141,124, reconciled as follows:
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Unrestricted funds £207,787
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Less: unrestricted tangible fixed assets (£66,663)
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• Provisional free reserves £141,124
During the year the trustees amended the charity’s reserves policy and reviewed the allocation of funds between designated and restricted. Core funding which was previously treated as restricted has been
reallocated as designated funding in the current year. This includes funding allocated to Environment projects where the income is deemed core funding and the charity has some degree of influence over expenditure allocation.
Sylva Foundation holds funds to be applied to support future activities in the form of a ‘Critical Fund’, and a proportion of Unrestricted funds:
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Employer Liability Fund (formerly Critical Fund) is held to help manage risks arising from severe financial setbacks, aiming to provide a buffer to help deal with critical cash flow issues. Salaries typically constitute the majority of annual expenditure, and the levels of this fund are therefore calculated specifically to support costs of redundancy and severance associated with the loss of a proportion (25%) of staff. This fund was £25,000 at the end of FY 2025-26 [Note 20].
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The Reserves Policy was reviewed by trustees in January 2026. It was agreed that the charity’s finances will be managed prudently to maintain 3-6 months’ worth of Free Reserves. Free Reserves will be calculated against budgeted monthly expenditure including salaries, intended to assist with cash flow.
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
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7. Principal risks and uncertainties
The trustees regularly review the principal risks facing the charity, while the Executive is responsible for ongoing monitoring and maintaining the risk register. The principal risks identified during 2025/26 related to financial sustainability and fraud; the retention and availability of key staff; IT and data security; fire, theft and extreme weather; and the health, safety and safeguarding of staff, volunteers, students, tenants and visitors.
8. Structure, governance and management
8.1 Legal form and governing document
Sylva Foundation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, without share capital. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Each member's liability is limited to £1 in the event of the company being wound up. The Trustee Board is the charity's governing body and its trustees are also directors for company law purposes. Up to ten trustees may be appointed.
8.3 Decision-making and delegation
The board sets strategy, approves the annual plan and budget, oversees risk and financial performance, safeguards assets, reviews major policies and retains responsibility for significant commitments and matters reserved to trustees. Day-to-day management is delegated to the Chief Executive, supported by the Director of Operations and staff, within approved budgets and delegated authorities. Management reports to the board on delivery, finance, risk, people and compliance.
8.4 Key management remuneration
• Controls include regular budget, fundraising, cashflow and reserves monitoring; financial authorisation procedures and diversification of banking arrangements; staff development, succession and absence cover; oversight of IT and data-security risks; appropriate insurance, alarms, fire procedures and estate management; and regular review of health and safety, safeguarding and whistleblowing arrangements.
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After applying these controls, the register assessed all risks as either medium or low, with none remaining high. Risks requiring continuing attention include income and cash-flow pressures, cyber and data security, staff resilience, wildfire and climate-related disruption, and the skills and composition of the Board.
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The trustees recognise that risk-management arrangements are designed to manage, rather than eliminate, risk. They are satisfied that appropriate systems and controls are in place and will continue to review their effectiveness.
8.2 Trustee recruitment, appointment and development
Trustee recruitment is intended to maintain an appropriate balance of skills, experience, independence and perspectives relevant to forestry, environmental science, education, craft, enterprise, finance, governance and organisational development. Candidates are considered against identified board needs and appointed in accordance with the Articles of Association. Sebastian Cox joined the board during the year, bringing experience in furniture design, making, business and regenerative materials.
New trustees receive an induction covering the charity's purposes, governing document, strategy, finances, risk register, key policies, programmes and the legal duties of charity trustees and company directors. Ongoing development is provided through board briefings, papers, external guidance and relevant training.
The remuneration of key management personnel is reviewed by trustees and is intended to be proportionate to the responsibilities of each role, the charity's size and complexity, affordability, internal consistency and relevant external market information. No trustee takes part in a decision in which they have a conflict of interest.
8.5 Relationships, conflicts and related
parties
The charity works with public bodies, research organisations, professional institutes, sector charities, businesses, funders and community groups to pursue its purposes. Collaboration does not transfer control of the charity's policies or decisions. Trustees and staff are required to declare interests, and conflicts are managed through declarations, withdrawal from discussion or decision where appropriate, and recording in the minutes.
One trustee received remuneration of £875 for work as
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
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an external tutor during the year (2025: £773). Two trustees were reimbursed £420 in total for travel expenses (2025: £297). These transactions are disclosed in note 15 to the accounts.
8.6 Policies and fundraising
The charity maintains policies covering financial management, risk, health and safety, safeguarding, data protection and privacy, information security, equality, diversity and inclusion, environmental sustainability, complaints, anti-bribery, whistleblowing, staff wellbeing and employment matters, travel and volunteering. Policies are reviewed on a planned cycle and sooner when law, risk or practice changes.
Sylva Foundation is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and seeks to follow the Code of Fundraising Practice. The charity does not use methods intended to place unreasonable pressure on donors.
9. Sustainability and environmental, social and governance matters
Environmental
Through woodland-management tools, research and training, Sylva seeks to improve forest condition, resilience and sustainable use. At its own estate and workshops, the charity aims to use resources responsibly, maintain the land and buildings for charitable use, promote home-grown timber and manage environmental and safety risks.
Social
The charity supports learning, skilled employment and enterprise, community participation and a more inclusive wood sector. The Woodworking and Gender programme is a significant example of action to address unequal access and representation. Staff wellbeing, safe learning and working environments, and equality of opportunity remain important to delivery.
Governance
Governance priorities include effective board oversight, reliable financial and impact information, data protection and cyber security, ethical fundraising, transparent partnerships, safeguarding, management of conflicts and continued development of trustees and staff. Establishing a proportionate baseline and a small number of decision-useful measures is therefore a priority for the next reporting cycle.
10. Statement of trustees' responsibilities
The trustees, who are also directors of Sylva Foundation for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102, The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. 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 applicable Charities SORP;
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make judgements and accounting 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 goingconcern 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, disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position, 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 charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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11. Plans for future periods
Trustees and staff members have worked together to develop a new five-year strategy for the charity. Strategy 2026–2031 focusses on the full home-grown woodchain, connecting sustainable woodland management and creation with the responsible use and value of home-grown timber. Delivery will be organised around three strategic pillars:
Environment: strengthen myForest and associated digital tools; increase woodland management aligned with the UK Forestry Standard; support resilient woodland creation; and develop applied research through Forest Lab, National Resilience Reporting and the British Woodlands Survey.
Wood Education: develop a coherent learning pathway through the Wood School; widen participation and progression; strengthen links with educators, designers, makers and industry; and encourage greater use of home-grown and underutilised timber.
Wood Centre: develop the site as a flagship hub for education, collaboration and practical demonstration of the woodchain; enhance timber-processing and drying facilities; progress the Machinery Barn redevelopment; and support the community of woodbased businesses.
Across these pillars, the Foundation will connect its existing activities more deliberately, embed research and evidence within delivery, strengthen partnerships, improve communication and advocacy, and make its impact more visible and measurable. It will also seek
to increase earned income from digital services, education and Wood Centre facilities, while maintaining a diversified funding model and strengthening financial and organisational resilience.
Implementation will be phased, beginning with strengthening the Foundation’s operational, financial and delivery foundations before scaling and connecting its activities more widely. Annual delivery plans will translate the strategy into priorities, budgets, responsibilities, milestones and indicators. Progress will be reviewed regularly by the Executive and trustees using financial monitoring, impact reporting, risk review and a RAGrated delivery framework.
When allocating resources, the trustees will consider strategic fit, public benefit, evidence of need, likely impact, partnership potential, affordability and organisational capacity. Existing and proposed activities will be reviewed against the strategy. Activities that do not demonstrate sufficient alignment, impact or deliverability may be adapted, paused or concluded.
The trustees' annual report was approved on 28[th] August 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
Sarah Taylor Chair of Trustees
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Independent Examiner's Report
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Sylva Foundation
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31st March 2026 which are set out on pages 19 to 33.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity 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’).
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 company’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 report
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
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
-
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).
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.
Mr Ajay Bahl BA BFP FCA Wenn Townsend Chartered Accountants Oxford 13[th] July 2026
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Statement of Financial Activities
Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended 31[st] March 2026
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2026 | Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income and endowments: | |||||||||
| Donations and legacies | 5 | 48,847 | 216,875 | 20,497 | 286,219 | 42,497 | 40,156 | 104,908 | 187,561 |
| Charitable activities | 6 | 261,777 | 22,112 | 121,931 | 405,820 | 571,171 | - | 34,137 | 605,308 |
| Other trading activities | 7 | 164,794 | - | - | 164,794 | 110,728 | - | - | 110,728 |
| Investment income | 8 | 6,266 | 707 | - | 6,973 | 6,713 | - | - | 6,713 |
| Total income | 481,684 | 239,694 | 142,428 | 863,806 | 731,109 | 40,156 | 139,045 | 910,310 | |
| Expenditure: | |||||||||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 9, 10 | 582,591 | 153,193 | 96,134 | 831,918 | 622,831 | 46,395 | 169,297 | 838,523 |
| Total expenditure | 582,591 | 153,193 | 96,134 | 831,918 | 622,831 | 46,395 | 169,297 | 838,523 | |
| Net (expenditure) / income | (100,907) | 86,501 | 46,294 | 31,888 | 108,278 | (6,239) | (30,252) | 71,787 | |
| Transfer between funds | 95,592 | (95,592) | - | - | (2,336) | 2,239 | 97 | - | |
| Net movement in funds | (5,315) | (9,091) | 46,294 | 31,888 | 105,942 | (4,000) | (30,155) | 71,787 | |
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 213,102 | 1,502,611 | 8,613 | 1,724,326 | 107,160 | 1,506,611 | 38,768 | 1,652,539 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 21 | 207,787 | 1,493,520 | 54,907 | 1,756,214 | 213,102 | 1,502,611 | 8,613 | 1,724,326 |
There are no other gains or losses recognised during the year. The prior year’s results include performance-related grants whose conditions have not been fully met at the year end hence the charity deferred £146,718 to be recognised in future periods. If the policy had not been adopted the surplus (Net (expenditure) / income) for 2025 would have been £218,505. There was no deferred income for 2026.
The notes on pages 19 to 29 form part of these financial statements.
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Balance Sheet
Balance Sheet for the year ended 31[st] March 2026
| Note Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 16 Current assets Debtors 17 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 18 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets Funds of the charity Unrestricted funds 20 Designated Funds 20 Restricted Funds 20 Total charity funds 21 |
2026 £ £ 1,435,143 105,647 291,294 396,941 (75,870) 321,071 1,756,214 1,756,214 207,787 1,493,520 54,907 1,756,214 |
2025 £ £ 1,465,427 110,408 410,372 520,780 (261,881) 258,899 1,724,326 1,724,326 213,102 1,502,611 8,613 1,724,326 |
2025 £ £ 1,465,427 110,408 410,372 520,780 (261,881) 258,899 1,724,326 1,724,326 213,102 1,502,611 8,613 1,724,326 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,724,326 | ||||
| 1,724,326 | ||||
| 213,102 1,502,611 8,613 |
||||
| 1,724,326 |
For the year ending 31[st] March 2026 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
companies subject to the small companies' regime. These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 28th August 2026 and are signed on behalf of the board by:
Trustees' responsibilities:
-
The trustees have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
-
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
Sarah Taylor, Chair of Trustees
The notes on pages 19 to 29 form part of these financial statements.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Cash Flow
Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31[st] March 2026
| Net cash flow from operating activities: (Deficit)/surplus Depreciation Interest income receivable Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Investing activities: Interest income receivable Expenditure on tangible assets Increase/(decrease) in cash balances Cash at bank and in hand: Brought forward balance Increase/(decrease) in cash balances Carried forward |
2026 £ 31,888 58,968 (6,973) 4,761 (186,011) (97,367) 6,973 (28,684) (119,078) 410,372 (119,078) 291,294 |
2025 £ 71,787 57,330 (6,713) (22,310) 165,503 |
|---|---|---|
| 265,597 6,713 (1,764) |
||
| 270,546 | ||
| 139,826 270,546 |
||
| 410,372 |
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Notes to the Financial Statements
Notes to the Financial Statements
1. General information
Sylva Foundation is a charitable company registered in England and Wales (06589157), and a charity registered in England and Wales (1128516), and in Scotland (SC041892). The address of the registered office is Sylva Wood Centre, Little Wittenham Road, Long Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QT.
2. Statement of compliance
These accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis and include income and expenditure as they are earned or incurred, rather than as cash is received or paid. The financial statements have been prepared 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 issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for a particular future project or commitment.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.
Income
3. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. They have concluded that the budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves held for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make
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All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
-
income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable, and its amount can be measured reliably.
-
legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
-
income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.
-
income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Notes to the Financial Statements
Where income does not meet the above criteria for recognition it is held as deferred income on the balance sheet until such time as it can be released.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
Freehold property 4% straight line Equipment 25% straight line
Impairment of fixed assets
-
expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.
-
expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
-
other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
Impairment of fixed assets
For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
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Notes to the Financial Statements
Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.
Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.
Defined contribution plans
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
4. Limited by guarantee
The company is limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital. The trustees undertake to contribute a sum, not exceeding £1 each, to the assets of the company in the event of it being wound up.
For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.
Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Notes to the Financial Statements
5. Donations and Legacies
| Donations and Legacies | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations – other | Unrestricted Funds £ 48,847 48,847 |
Designated Funds £ 216,875 216,875 |
Restricted Funds £ 20,497 20,497 |
Total 2026 £ 286,219 286,219 |
Total 2025 £ 187,561 |
| 187,561 |
6. Charitable activities
| Sale of goods/services as part of direct charitable activities Performance-related grants Other income from charitable activities - contractual payments |
Unrestricted Funds £ 92,583 - 169,194 261,777 |
Designated Funds £ 3,000 - 19,112 22,112 |
Restricted Funds £ - 121,931 - 121,931 |
Total 2026 £ 95,583 121,931 188,306 405,820 |
Total 2025 £ 76,041 355,990 173,277 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 605,308 |
The 2025 comparatives include performance-related grant restricted income of £25,524 and unrestricted income of £330,466.
7. Other trading activities
| Shop income Rental income Other activities for generating funds |
Unrestricted Funds £ 11,617 80,530 72,647 164,794 |
Designated Funds £ - - - - |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - |
Total 2026 £ 11,617 80,530 72,647 164,794 |
Total 2025 £ 10,201 74,631 25,896 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110,728 |
The 2025 comparatives are all unrestricted income.
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Notes to the Financial Statements
8. Investment income
| Bank interest receivable | Unrestricted Funds £ 6,266 6,266 |
Designated Funds £ 707 707 |
Restricted Funds £ - - |
Total 2026 £ 6,973 6,973 |
Total 2025 £ 6,713 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6,713 |
9. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type
| Environment, Wood School and Wood Centre Support costs |
Unrestricted Funds £ 576,370 6,221 582,591 |
Designated Funds £ 153,193 - 153,193 |
Restricted Funds £ 96,134 - 96,134 |
Total 2026 £ 825,697 6,221 831,918 |
Total 2025 £ 832,912 5,611 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 838,523 |
The 2025 comparatives include environment, wood school and wood centre programmes designated costs of £46,395, restricted costs of £169,297 and unrestricted costs of £622,831.
10. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
| Environment, Wood School and Wood Centre Governance costs Analysis of support costs Finance costs |
Activities undertaken directly £ 825,697 - 825,697 Support costs £ 6,221 6,221 |
Support costs £ - 6,221 6,221 Total 2026 £ 6,221 6,221 |
Total 2026 £ 825,697 6,221 831,918 Total 2025 £ 5,611 5,611 |
Total 2025 £ 832,912 5,611 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 838,523 | ||||||
11. Analysis of support costs
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Notes to the Financial Statements
12. Net income
Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):
| Depreciation of tangible fixed assets | 2026 £ 58,968 |
2025 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 58,160 |
13. Independent examination fees
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
| Independent examination of the financial statements Other financial services |
2026 £ 811 5,410 6,221 |
2025 £ 772 4,839 |
|---|---|---|
| 5,611 |
14. Staff costs
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Employer contributions to pension plans |
2026 £ 489,252 54,191 23,758 567,201 |
2025 £ 442,067 41,955 22,104 |
|---|---|---|
| 506,126 |
The average head count of employees during the year was 12 (2025: 11). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
| All staff | 2026 No. 12 |
2025 No. |
|---|---|---|
| 11 |
Two employees received employee benefits of between £60,000 and £70,000 during the year (2025: 2).
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Notes to the Financial Statements
15. Trustee remuneration and expenses
One trustee received remuneration of £875 during the year for work as an external tutor (2025: £773).
During the year two trustees received reimbursement for travel expenses totalling £420 (2025: £297).
16. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1stApril 2025 Additions Disposals At 31stMarch 2026 Depreciation At 1stApril 2025 Charge for the year Depreciation on disposals At 31stMarch 2026 Carrying amount At 31stMarch 2026 At 31stMarch 2025 |
Land and buildings £ 1,695,497 - - 1,695,497 311,123 42,314 - 353,437 1,342,060 1,384,374 |
Equipment £ 158,316 28,684 - 187,000 77,263 16,654 - 93,917 93,083 81,053 |
Total £ 1,853,813 28,684 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,882,497 | |||
| 388,386 58,968 - |
|||
| 447,354 | |||
| 1,435,143 | |||
| 1,465,427 |
17. Debtors
| Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income |
2026 £ 103,866 1,781 105,647 |
2025 £ 108,645 1,763 |
| 110,408 |
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Notes to the Financial Statements
18. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income Social security and other taxes Other creditors – pension VAT payable |
2026 £ 13,497 13,050 9,440 5,707 34,176 75,870 |
2025 £ 61,664 151,667 12,498 6,275 29,777 |
|---|---|---|
| 261,881 |
Deferred income represents income received in advance for which the charity has not yet met the conditions of recognition. There was a deferred income balance of £146,718 at the beginning of the year and the amount deferred at the year-end was £nil.
19. Pensions and other post-retirement benefits
Defined contribution plans
The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £23,758 (2025: £22,104).
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Notes to the Financial Statements
20. Analysis of charitable funds
At 1[st] April 2025
| Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds Operational fixed assets Environment Wood School Employee liability fund Critical reserve fund Capital maintenance fund Core Restricted funds Operational fixed assets Environment Wood School Core |
At 1stApril 2025 £ 213,102 213,102 1,384,374 1,163 - - 99,710 17,364 - 1,502,611 - 8,613 - - 8,613 |
Income £ 481,684 481,684 - 105,415 23,004 - 20,882 - 90,393 242,449 20,497 - 121,931 - 142,428 |
Expenditure £ (582,591) (582,591) (42,542) (36,054) (20,004) - - - (54,593) (153,193) (683) (8,613) (86,838) - (96,134) |
Transfer £ 95,592 95,592 6,834 - - 25,000 (120,592) (6,834) - (95,592) - - - - - |
At 31stMarch 2026 £ 207,787 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 207,787 | |||||
| 1,348,666 70,524 3,000 25,000 - 10,530 35,800 |
|||||
| 1,493,520 | |||||
| 19,814 - 35,093 - |
|||||
| 54,907 |
During the year the charity amended its reserves policy and reviewed the allocation of funds between designated and restricted. Core funding which was previously treated as restricted has been reallocated as designated funding in the current year. This includes funding allocated to Environment projects where the income is deemed core funding and the charity has some degree of influence over expenditure allocation.
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Notes to the Financial Statements
20. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)
At 1[st] April 2024
| Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds Operational fixed assets Environment Wood School Wood Centre Critical reserve fund Capital maintenance fund Restricted funds Environment Wood School Core |
At 1stApril 2024 £ 107,160 107,160 1,426,818 19,698 - 2,951 39,780 17,364 1,506,611 4,752 3,345 30,671 38,768 |
Income £ 731,109 731,109 - 465 1,000 - 38,691 - 40,156 81,610 46,667 10,768 139,045 |
Expenditure £ (622,831) (622,831) (42,444) - (1,000) (2,951) - - (46,395) (77,749) (70,012) (21,536) (169,297) |
Transfer £ (2,336) (2,336) - (19,000) - - 21,239 - 2,239 - 20,000 (19,903) 97 |
At 31stMarch 2025 £ 213,102 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 213,102 | |||||
| 1,384,374 1,163 - - 99,710 17,364 |
|||||
| 1,502,611 | |||||
| 8,613 - - |
|||||
| 8,613 |
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Notes to the Financial Statements
21. Analysis of net assets between funds
| 2026 Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors less than 1 year Net assets 2025 Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors less than 1 year Net assets |
Unrestricted Funds £ 66,663 216,994 (75,870) 207,787 Unrestricted Funds £ 81,053 247,212 (115,163) 213,102 |
Designated Funds £ 1,348,666 144,854 - 1,493,520 Designated Funds £ 1,384,374 118,237 - 1,502,611 |
Restricted Funds £ 19,814 35,093 - 54,907 Restricted Funds £ - 155,331 (146,718) 8,613 |
Total Funds £ 1,435,143 396,941 (75,870) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,756,214 | ||||
| Total Funds £ 1,465,427 520,780 (261,881) |
||||
| 1,724,326 |
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Support for Sylva Foundation
How you can support Sylva Foundation
Support Sylva
Sylva Foundation’s work is made possible by the generosity of individuals, businesses, funders, volunteers and partner organisations. Whether you give money, time, skills or practical support, your contribution helps us promote sustainable woodland stewardship, increase the use of home-grown timber and widen access to wood education.
Donate
One-off and regular donations provide vital support for our charitable work. You can also join Sylva Friends, support a specific appeal or discuss opportunities for major giving and corporate partnership. Find out more at sylva.org.uk/take-part/support-us
designers and makers. Find out more at woodschool.sylva.org.uk
Shop with us
Every purchase from our online shop helps support Sylva’s charitable work. The shop offers course gift vouchers and selected publications. Visit sylva.org.uk/shop
Volunteer and get involved
Volunteers support Sylva in many different ways, including helping with educational visits, events, research, data, estate management, tree planting, visitor welcome and business mentoring. You do not need previous knowledge of trees, forestry or woodworking. We welcome people who can contribute their time, experience or practical skills.
Leave a gift in your will
A gift in your will is a lasting way to support Sylva’s work for trees, woodlands and a sustainable wood culture. Gifts of every size can help future generations care for woodlands and make responsible use of home-grown timber.
For further information, visit sylva.org.uk/take-part/support-us/, telephone 01865 408018 or email legacy@sylva.org.uk.
Support our campaigns
By supporting and sharing our campaigns and appeals, you can help us reach new audiences and raise funds for specific areas of work. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive news and opportunities to get involved. Subscribe at sylva.org.uk/latest/subscribe
At the Sylva Wood Centre in Oxfordshire, local volunteers also help care for the Future Forest and Community Orchard and support public and arts events. Find out more at sylva.org.uk/take-part/support-us/volunteer
Fundraise for Sylva
You can also make a difference by fundraising for Sylva or helping us promote our campaigns and appeals. Unrestricted donations are particularly valuable because they help meet essential core costs and enable us to respond to new opportunities. Please contact us if you would like to discuss an idea or organise fundraising in support of our work.
Learn with us
The Sylva Wood School offers practical courses in furniture making and related skills, with home-grown timber at the heart of its teaching. Income from course fees supports our work to address gaps in wood education and develop the next generation of
nurturing a wood culture, growing a future
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Sylva Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts 2025-26
Support for Sylva Foundation
Acknowledgements 2025-26
We are very grateful for all the support offered this year by so many individuals and organisations.
Volunteers and community groups
Donors and Funders
Alys Bryan Aspen Trust Andew Lea Benchmark Furniture David and Karon Whenmouth Conran Foundation Fiona Davidson D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Inge Hill Dulverton Trust Katy Thompson Garfield Weston Foundation
Lynn Jones
Gunter Charitable Trust Heritage Crafts Horlock Educational Trust National Heritage Lottery Peter Michaelis Charitable Trust Richard Paice Charitable Trust Scottish Forestry Trust South Oxfordshire District Council The Mila Charitable Trust Woven Foundation
Natalie Cole Phil Horton Philip Koomen Phoebe Oldfield
Rae Sellen
Sam Aston
Steve Ash
Sylva Foundation Friends Sylva Wood Centre Community
Tess Osman
Business supporters
3Keel Ashurst Perkins Coie Axminster Tools Benchmark Furniture Blenheim Palace Blum Crown Estate Doig Furniture Makers ercol Evolving Forests Festool Gaze Burvill Grown in Britain Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP Lamello Landscape Enterprise Networks National Trust Odies Oil Vastern Timber
NGO and Non-Profit Partners
Community Forest Trusts Cranfield Trust Earth Trust Field Studies Council Forest Canopy Foundation Future Trees Trust Grown in Britain Institute of Chartered Foresters National Farmers Union National Forest National Trust Oxford Trust Reach Volunteering Royal Forestry Society Royal Scottish Forestry Society RSPB Small Woods Association Trust Law Wessex Silviculltural Group Western Forest Woodland Heritage Woodland Trust Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
Statutory sector and other public bodies
Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers Defra Environment Agency Forest Research Forestry Commission Natural England Scottish Forestry
Education/Academic Partners
Aberystwyth University Harper Adams University Liverpool John Moores University Rycotewood Furniture (Activate Learning) Southampton University SRUC (Scotland's Rural College)
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Contact us:
Sylva Foundation Sylva Wood Centre Little Wittenham Road Long Wittenham Oxfordshire OX14 4QT
Tel: 01865 408018 email: info@sylva.org.uk
www.sylva.org.uk