
The Mills Williams Foundation Charity Registration No. 1129407 

Trustees' report and unaudited accounts 

For the year ended 5 April 2023 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Legal and administrative information 

|Settlor|Peter John Mills (Deceased)|
|---|---|
|Trustees|Nigel Woolner MBE|
||Alexander Woolner|
||Keith Pickering|
||Jeremy Pickering|
||Maksim Stsura|
|Date of settlement|5 May 2010|
|Charity number|1129407|
|Principal address|Bishop & Sewell LLP|
||59-60 Russell Square|
||London|
||WC1B 4HP|
|Accountants|Evelyn Partners LLP|
||45 Gresham Street|
||London|
||EC2V 7BG|
|Independent examiner|Susan Kumar ACA|
||Holden Granat LLP|
||Springfeld House|
||23 Oatlands Drive|
||Weybridge|
||Surrey|
||KT13 9LZ|
|Bankers and investment managers|Rathbone Investment Management Limited|
||159 New Bond Street|
||London|
||W1S 2UD|
||Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP|
||45 Gresham Street|
||London|
||EC2V 7BG|
|Solicitors|Bishop & Sewell LLP|
||59-60 Russell Square|
||London|
||WC1B 4HP|





## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Contents 

||Page|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|1 - 4|
|Statement of trustees' responsibilities|5|
|Independent examiner's report|6|
|Statement offnancial activities|7|
|Balance sheet|8|
|Notes to the accounts|9 - 14|





## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Trustees' report for the year ended 5 April 2023 

The trustees present their annual report and accounts of the Foundation for the year ended 5 April 2023. 

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 9 and 10 to the attached accounts and the recommendations of the 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) (e ff ective 1 January 2019). 

## Activities, speci fi c objectives and relevant policies 

## _Objectives and activities_ 

The trustees hold the income and such part of the capital as they determine for such of the charitable objects and to make donations to such charitable objects as they decide. 

The charitable objects shall mean: 

1) The provision of an annual prize to be known as the Mills Williams Junior Fellowship to be awarded to the most deserving student of the Royal College of Music for composition, instrumental prowess, conducting and vocal talent; 

2) The provision of an annual prize to be known as the Mills  Williams Scholarship to be awarded to a student at the Purcell School, currently £10,000 per annum from June 2023; 

3) The provision of an annual prize to  be known as  the Mills Williams  Scholarship  to  be awarded  to  a student of the Opera School at the Royal Academy of Music; 

4) Financial support for an annual concert to be known as The Rod Williams Memorial Concert to be held at and as a potential promotional initiative for The Royal College of Music in memory of Rod Williams; and 

5) Such other purposes, in any part of the world, being exclusively charitable according to  the laws  of England and Wales as the trustees may from time to time determine. 

The trustees con fi rm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance  on public bene fi t and, when reviewing the Foundation's aims and objectives, managing the Foundation's assets  and considering any applications for fi nancial assistance. 

## _Investment policy_ 

The trustees currently hold the Foundation's funds at Rathbone Investment Management Limited and Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP. The trustees have a  wide  power  of  investment  which work  to achieve the foundation's aims and objectives. 

The Foundation's Rathbone Investment Management Limited portfolio is invested to achieve a balanced return of income and capital growth. 

Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP's core investment objective in respect of the Foundation's portfolio is a balance between income and capital, taking a medium risk approach with the aim of seeking to increase the value of the portfolio over the longer term. 

The trustees regularly review the performance of all the Foundation's assets and the investment criteria will be regularly discussed by the trustees, with assistance from the investment advisors. 

- 1 - 



Trustees' report for the year ended 5 April 2023 

## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Achievements and performance 

## _Grants_ 

During the year ended 5 April 2023, the trustees committed to pay 7 grants totalling £88,250 (2022 - 6 grants totalling £58,300), which are detailed in note 4 to the accounts. In addition, the trustees paid one grant for £9,000 which was committed to be paid in a prior year (2022 - grants paid totalling £67,300). All grants were paid in accordance with the Foundation's charitable objects. 

The grants paid during the year included the third tranche of £9,000 included in the accounts as a commitment for the last three years as part of a three year commitment beginning June 2020 to the Purcell School. This £9,000 is therefore not included within the £88,250 but does reduce the grant commitments at the year end as shown in note 4. During the year, the trustees also committed to pay £10,000 per year for the next three years to the Purcell School. The fi rst payment is due to be paid in 2024 and the full £30,000 has been included in the grants payable fi gure for this year. 

## _Investments_ 

During the year the main source of funding was investment income,  arising  from  the  portfolios  of investments held at Rathbone Investment Management Limited and Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP. 

The trustees are satis fi ed with the performance of the Foundation's investments. 

## Financial review 

## _Results for the year_ 

The fi nancial activities are summarised on page 7 of the accounts. During the year, the trustees had net outgoing resources, before realised and unrealised losses on investments, of £78,490 having paid and committed to make future grants totalling £88,250 during the year (2022 - net outgoing £49,176, grants £58,300). 

The trustees have carefully reviewed the future prospects of the Foundation and its future cash fl ows. Overall, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Foundation continues to have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being at least the next 12 months from signing of these accounts. 

## _Reserves policy_ 

The trustees have reviewed the reserves of  the  Foundation  and forecast levels of  free reserves (those that are not restricted or designated) that will provide the Foundation with fi nancial fl exibility and provide a cushion against shortfalls in income, either planned or unanticipated. The level of free reserves at 5 April 2023 was £1,625,164 (2022 - £1,803,195). The trustees consider this level of free reserves satisfactory to meet annual grants and donations. 

## _Plans for future periods_ 

The trustees continue to support the maintenance of annual prizes for the Mills Williams Junior Fellowship, the Mills Williams Scholarship at the Purcell School, the Mills Williams Scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music and the annual Rod Williams Memorial Concert. 

Against this background of anticipated application of funds, the trustees are working with their investment advisors on an ongoing basis and monitor continually the investment policy. 

- 2 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Trustees' report for the year ended 5 April 2023 

## Governance, structure and management 

## _Governance_ 

The Foundation was established by a will dated 10 February 2002 and was registered with the  Charity Commission on 6 May 2009, Charity Registration number 1129407. 

## _Trustees_ 

The trustees who served during the year were: 

Nigel Woolner MBE Alexander Woolner Keith Pickering Jeremy Pickering Maksim Stsura 

There must be at least three trustees. 

All decisions a ff ecting the management of  the  Foundation  and its  assets are  taken  by the  trustees, who meet on a formal basis annually. 

The power of appointing new trustees is vested in the remaining trustees jointly. 

When appointing new trustees, the existing trustees will give full consideration to the Foundation's purpose and aims to ensure that they appoint individuals who understand the duties and responsibilities expected of them, and who will act in the best interests of the Foundation. 

All of the current trustees have received a copy of the Foundation’s governing documents,  and  have reviewed the Charity Commission's guidance, the 'Responsibilities of Charity Trustees'. It is expected that all trustees appointed in the future will be provided with a similar induction 'pack' to also include accounting records and meeting minutes. 

The trustees consider that their combined skill set is su ffi cient to ensure the e ffi cient performance of the Foundation at this time and feel that, given the size and nature of the Foundation, a formal programme of training is not currently necessary, but they will continue to monitor the situation and will provide suitable training where circumstances require. 

## _Structure and management reporting_ 

The trustees are ultimately responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the Foundation. They are in regular and frequent contact to review the developments with regard to the charity and meet formally once a year to review its activities and to make important decisions. The trustees review the proposals for grants to be made and approve such grants as appropriate. When necessary, the trustees seek advice and support from the charity's professional advisors including investment managers and accountants. 

## _Related parties_ 

Nigel Woolner MBE was a trustee and Council member of The Royal College of Music until July 2014 and was made a fellow of the institution in March 2015. The Mills Williams Junior Fellowship is awarded each year to a student of The Royal College of Music (2023 - £19,350 and 2022 - £19,350). The College also hosts the annual Rod Williams Memorial Concert, which is funded by the Foundation (2023 - £6,400 and 2022 - £6,450). 

- 3 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Trustees' report for the year ended 5 April 2023 

## _Risk factors_ 

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Foundation is exposed and therefore the major risk is considered to be the ability to hold adequate funds to meet the charitable funding commitmen ts. A formal review of the Foundation's risk management process is undertaken on an annual basis. 

## Principal address 

Bishop & Sewell LLP, 59-60 Russell Square, London, WC1B 4HP 

## Accountants 

Evelyn Partners LLP, 45 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BG 

## Bankers and investment advisors 

Rathbone Investment Management Limited, 159 New Bond Street, London, W1S 2UD Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP, 45 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BG 

## Independent examiner 

Susan Kumar ACA, Holden Granat LLP, Spring fi eld House, 23 Oatlands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 9LZ 

## Solicitors 

Bishop & Sewell LLP, 59-60 Russell Square, London, WC1B 4HP 

Approved on behalf of the Board of Trustees: 

## Nigel Woolner 

## Nigel Woolner MBE 

Trustee 

Date: 27 November 2023 

- 4 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Statement of trustees' responsibilities 

The trustees are responsible for preparing the  Trustees'  Report  and  the  accounts  in  accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. 

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the  trustees to prepare accounts for each fi nancial  year which give a true and fair view of the Foundation's fi nancial activities during the year and of its fi nancial position at the end of the year. 

In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and 

- prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that  disclose  with  reasonable  accuracy the fi nancial position of the Foundation and which enable them  to ascertain  the fi nancial  position  of the  charity and which enable them  to ensure that the accounts comply with  the  Charities Act 2011 and the  provisions of  the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence  for  taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

- 5 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Mills Williams Foundation 

I report on the accounts of the Foundation for the year ended 5 April 2023 which are set out on pages 7 to 14. 

## Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner 

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that the audit requirements of section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) does not apply and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures speci fi ed in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. 

## Basis of independent examiner's report 

My examination was carried out in accordance with  the  General  Directions  given  by  the  Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the  charity  and a comparison of the accounts presented  with  those records.  It  also includes  consideration  of  any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as  trustees  concerning any  such matters.  The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be  required  in an  audit,  and  consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and  fa ir'  view and  the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. 

## Independent examiner's statement 

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 

- (a) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements: 

   - (i) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and 

   - (ii) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act; 

have not been met; or 

- (b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

## Susan Kumar 

## Susan Kumar ACA 

Holden Granat LLP Spring fi eld House 23 Oatlands Drive 

Weybridge Surrey KT13 9LZ 

Date: 27 November 2023 

- 6 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Statement of fi nancial activities for the year ended 5 April 2023 

|Notes<br>Income<br>Investment income<br>3<br>Deposit interest<br>Donations<br>Total income<br>Expenditure<br>Cost of raising funds<br>Investment management fees and LEI fees<br>Expenditure on charitable activities<br>Grants and support costs<br>4 & 5<br>Total expenditure<br>Net expenditure before losses and gains in investments<br>Realised and unrealised (losses)/ gains on investment assets<br>Net movement in funds<br>Fund balances brought forward at 6 April 2022<br>Fund balances carried forward at 5 April 2023|2023<br>£<br>34,618<br>543<br>300<br>35,461<br>11,670<br>102,281<br>113,951<br>(78,490)<br>(99,541)<br>(178,031)<br>1,803,195<br>1,625,164|2022<br>£<br>29,156<br>4<br>1,739|
|---|---|---|
|||30,899|
|||12,954<br>67,121|
|||80,075|
|||(49,176)<br>81,974|
|||32,798<br>1,770,397|
|||1,803,195|



The notes on pages 9 to 14 form part of these accounts. 

- 7 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Balance sheet as at 5 April 2023 

|Notes<br>Fixed asset investments<br>Quoted investments<br>7<br>Current assets<br>Debtors<br>8<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>Current liabilities<br>Creditors: amounts falling due within<br>one year<br>9<br>Net current assets<br>Total assets less current liabilities<br>Creditors: amounts falling due after<br>more then one year<br>10<br>Net assets<br>Income funds<br>Unrestricted income funds|£<br>-<br>91,178<br>91,178<br>(27,276)|2023<br>£<br>1,581,262<br>63,902<br>1,645,164<br>(20,000)<br>1,625,164<br>1,625,164<br>1,625,164|£<br>46<br>131,503<br>131,549<br>(28,869)|2022<br>£<br>1,700,515<br>102,680|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||1,803,195<br>-|
|||||1,803,195|
|||||1,803,195|
|||||1,803,195|



27 November 2023 

Approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on: ............................................................ 

and signed on its behalf by: 

## Nigel Woolner 

.................................................................... Nigel Woolner MBE Trustee 

The notes on pages 9 to 14 form part of these accounts. 

- 8 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2023 

## 1 Accounting policies 

The key accounting policies are summarised below: 

## 1.1 Basis of preparation 

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102") and with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102 (e ff ective 1 January 2019). The accounts are also prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. 

The charity is a public bene fi t entity as de fi ned by FRS 102. 

The trust only has fi nancial assets and fi nancial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic fi nancial instruments. Basic fi nancial  instruments are recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. 

## 1.2 Exemption 

The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these accounts, as permitted by FRS 102: 

- the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows. 

## 1.3 Fund accounting 

The funds held are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the trust and which have not been designated for any other purposes. 

## 1.4 Going concern 

The trustees are con fi dent that the charity will continue to be a going concern and the accounts have been prepared on that basis. 

## 1.5 Functional currency 

The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these accounts are rounded to the nearest £. 

## 1.6 Incoming resources 

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 income receivable can be measured reliably. 

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the  time  the  investment income is receivable. 

## 1.7 Resources expended 

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources. 

- 9 - 



The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2023 

## 1 Accounting policies 

## (Continued) 

## 1.8 Investments 

Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments, calculated on the di ff erence between the sale proceeds and their cost, are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year of gain or loss. 

Unrealised gains and losses representing the movement in the market values during the year are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year of gain or loss. 

## 1.9 Grants paid 

Donations granted are recognised in the year in which the award is formally approved, irrespective of the period covered by the donation. 

## 1.10 Liabilities 

Liabilities are recognised on the balance sheet as soon as a constructive obligation resulting from a past event can be reliably measured. Current liabilities represent those liabilities which are expected to be settled within the next 12 months from the balance sheet date. 

## 2 Legal status of the trust 

The charity is governed by the Will of Peter John Mills Deceased, dated 10 February 2002 and is constituted as a charitable trust. 

## 3 Investment income 

|Investment income|||
|---|---|---|
|Rathbone Investment Management Limited<br>UK investments<br>Non-UK investments<br>Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP<br>UK investments<br>Non-UK investments|2023<br>£<br>14,881<br>5,518<br>13,194<br>1,025<br>34,618|2022<br>£<br>14,098<br>3,354<br>11,009<br>695|
|||29,156|



- 10 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2023 

|4<br>Grants<br>To institutions<br>RCM - Rod Williams Memorial Concert<br>RNCM endowment fund contribution<br>Royal Academy of Music scholarship fund<br>Purcell School<br>Total grants to institutions<br>To individuals<br>Royal College of Music:<br>- Gabrielle Sutkute<br>- M Krstevska<br>Royal Northern College of Music:<br>- Agata Zając<br>- Robin Haydn Wallington<br>Royal Academy of Music:<br>- Rebecca Hart<br>- William Pate<br>Total grants to individuals<br>Total grants|2023<br>£<br>6,400<br>4,500<br>14,000<br>30,000<br>54,900<br>19,350<br>-<br>10,500<br>-<br>3,500<br>-<br>33,350<br>88,250|2022<br>£<br>6,450<br>4,500<br>14,000<br>-|
|---|---|---|
|||24,950|
|||-<br>19,350<br>-<br>10,500<br>-<br>3,500|
|||33,350|
||||
|||58,300|



- 11 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2023 

## (Continued) 

||||
|---|---|---|
|4<br>Grants<br>Reconciliation of grants payable<br>Grants payable for the year<br>Grants paid during the year<br>Commitments at 6 April 2022<br>Commitments at 5 April 2023<br>Commitments at 5 April 2023 are payable as follows:<br>Within one year (note 9)<br>Rod Williams Memorial Concert - Royal College of Music<br>Purcell School<br>After more than one year (note 10)<br>Purcell School<br>Grants payable to institutions<br>Grants payable to individuals|(Co<br>2023<br>£<br>88,250<br>(60,850)<br>9,000<br>36,400<br>6,400<br>10,000<br>20,000<br>36,400<br>54,900<br>33,350<br>88,250|ntinued)<br>2022<br>£<br>58,300<br>(67,300)<br>18,000|
|||9,000|
|||-<br>9,000<br>-|
|||9,000|
|||24,950<br>33,350|
|||58,300|



## 5 Support costs 

|Support costs|||
|---|---|---|
|Accountancy fees<br>Independent examiner's fees<br>Legal fees<br>Trustees' expenses<br>Sundry expenses|2023<br>£<br>5,589<br>1,200<br>3,657<br>2,019<br>1,566<br>14,031|2022<br>£<br>4,950<br>1,200<br>776<br>1,895<br>-|
|||8,821|



All support costs are considered to be costs of governance. 

- 12 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2023 

## 6 Trustees' remuneration 

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year ended 5 April 2023 or 2022. During the year ended 5 April 2023, 3 trustees were reimbursed a total of £2,019 (2022 - £1,895) for travel costs and subsistence expenses incurred in relation to trustees' meetings. 

|7<br>Fixed asset investments<br>7.1<br>Rathbone Investment Management Limited<br>Market value at 6 April 2022<br>Acquisitions at cost<br>Disposal proceeds and equalisations<br>Change in value in year<br>Market value at 5 April 2023<br>Realised/ unrealised investment (losses)/ gains:<br>Realised investment gains<br>Unrealised investment (losses)/ gains<br>7.2<br>Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP<br>Market value at 6 April 2022<br>Acquisitions at cost<br>Disposal proceeds and equalisations<br>Change in value in year<br>Market value at 5 April 2023<br>Realised/ unrealised investment (losses)/ gains:<br>Realised investment gains<br>Unrealised investment (losses)/ gains<br>Investments at market value comprised:<br>UK investments<br>Non-UK investments|2023<br>£<br>882,585<br>202,441<br>(190,987)<br>(56,819)<br>837,220<br>30,279<br>(87,098)<br>(56,819)<br>817,930<br>211,128<br>(242,294)<br>(42,722)<br>744,042<br>33,980<br>(76,702)<br>(42,722)<br>1,211,854<br>369,408<br>1,581,262|2022<br>£<br>887,796<br>56,947<br>(114,180)<br>52,022<br>882,585<br>30,325<br>21,697<br>52,022<br>792,418<br>53,111<br>(57,551)<br>29,952<br>817,930<br>17,807<br>12,145<br>29,952<br>1,186,950<br>513,565<br>1,700,515|
|---|---|---|



- 13 - 



## The Mills Williams Foundation 

## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2023 

|8<br>Debtors<br>Dividends received post year end<br>9<br>Creditors: amounts falling due within one year<br>Accountancy fees<br>Independent examiner's fees<br>Investment management fees<br>Grants payable<br>Legal fees<br>10<br>Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year<br>Grants payable|2023<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>2023<br>£<br>5,589<br>2,400<br>2,887<br>16,400<br>-<br>27,276<br>2023<br>£<br>20,000<br>20,000|2022<br>£<br>46|
|---|---|---|
|||46|
|||2022<br>£<br>4,950<br>1,200<br>3,102<br>9,000<br>10,617|
|||28,869|
|||2022<br>£<br>-|
|||-|



## 11 Related party transactions 

Nigel Woolner MBE was a trustee and Council member of The Royal College of Music until July 2014 and was made a fellow of the institution in March 2015. The Mills Williams Junior Fellowship is awarded each year to a student of The Royal College of Music (2023 - £19,350 and 2022 - £19,350). The College also hosts the annual Rod Williams Memorial Concert, which is funded by the Foundation (2023 - £6,400, 2022 - £6,450). 

- 14 - 

