Islington Gospel Trust
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 July 2025
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
ISLINGTON GOSPEL TRUST
COMPANY INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
Trustees Benjamin Fidler James Main William Adams Karen Moody Company Secretary Rachel Baughen Governing Document Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 2010 Company Registration Number 07318703 Charity Registration Number 1137906 Principal Address & Flat 11 Acton Apartments Registered Office 13 Branch Place London N1 5PH Independent Examiner Nick Spear ACCA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB Bankers Barclays Bank Plc
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Company Information | 1 |
| Trustees' Annual Report | 2-3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 7-9 |
Page 1
ISLINGTON GOSPEL TRUST
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
(INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
The trustees, who are the charity's directors for the purposes of company law, have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity is a private company limited by guarantee. It was incorporated on 19 July 2010 and is governed by its memorandum and articles of association. The charity registered with the Charity Commission on 8 September 2010.
Trustees
The trustees (who are also the charitable company's members) are responsible for the overall management of the charity. The trustees during the year and to the date of the approval of these accounts are shown on page 1. New trustees are appointed by a majority of existing trustees; they are inducted into the practical work of the charity when they are appointed and are kept informed about their duties and responsibilities as appropriate.
Risk assessment
The trustees have a duty to identify major risks and to take reasonable steps to mitigate those risks. The trustees have reviewed these risks and are satisfied that appropriate measures have been taken to minimise those risks. This included ensuring that internal processes and procedures are in place to manage financial risks and to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including safeguarding (although the charity does not have any direct contact with vulnerable adults or children).
OBJECTIVES
The charity's objects, as set out in its governing document, are the advancement of the Christian Faith including:
(1) the advancement of Christ's Kingdom by the faithful teaching of the Scriptures at Trinity Church Islington and by the recruitment, education, training and sending of gospel ministers and others around the United Kingdom and abroad to establish and renew Christian churches and ministries.
(2) the relief of need hardship physical or mental distress among any persons in the scope of the work of Trinity Church Islington.
(3) the support of Christians who are persecuted by reason of their faith provided always that such support shall be non-political in nature.
(4) The support of Christians who are engaged full-time in the missionary work of proclaiming the Gospel and in bringing others to believe in Jesus Christ and to live in accordance with his teaching.
ACTIVITIES
When planning the charity's activities, the trustees have applied the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
The charity has gratefully received donations from those wanting to support the work the charity's work.
Page 2
ISLINGTON GOSPEL TRUST
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The trustees of Islington Gospel Trust have plans to broaden their remit to include the support of any ministries which are consistent with the trust's Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements. In addition the trustees are planning to review their Memorandum of Association and corporate structure.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
During the year the charity's income reduced by £21,000 to £240,000, and expenditure reduced by £2,000 to £248,000. As a result the charity has reported a deficit this year of £8,000 (2024: £11,000 surplus) and the charity's net assets reduced by this amount to £161,000. Net assets included cash of £158,000 (2024: £159,000), all of which was unrestricted.
RESERVES POLICY
The trustees have established a policy whereby the charity aims to hold free reserves (which the trustees define as being unrestricted cash) of no less than £40,000. This would allow the charity to continue to support grant funded projects for a period of time should income fall unexpectedly. The charity ended the year with free reserves of £161,000; this is above the amount required by the policy.
RESPONSIBLITIES OF TRUSTEES UNDER COMPANY LAW
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the
charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approval
This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Ben Fidler
_______Ben Fidler (Feb 16, 2026 11:15:24 GMT) Benjamin Fidler (trustee)
Date: Feb 16, 2026
Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
ISLINGTON GOSPEL TRUST
('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 July 2025 on pages 5 to 9 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on page 7.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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.
Nick Spear Nick Spear (Feb 17, 2026 10:16:55 GMT)
Nick Spear ACCA Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: Feb 17, 2026
Page 4
ISLINGTON GOSPEL TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
| Note INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities Investments Total income and endowments EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities 4 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 9 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 9 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 239,805 1 - 239,806 247,969 247,969 (8,163) - (8,163) 169,457 161,294 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 239,805 1 - 239,806 247,969 247,969 (8,163) - (8,163) 169,457 161,294 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 260,625 121 157 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 260,902 | ||||
| 250,103 | ||||
| 250,103 | ||||
| 10,799 - |
||||
| 10,799 158,658 |
||||
| 169,457 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account required by the Companies Act 2006.
The notes on pages 7 to 9 form part of these accounts.
Page 5
ISLINGTON GOSPEL TRUST
BALANCE SHEET
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
| Note CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 6 Cash at bank and in hand 7 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 8 Net current assets / (liabilities) TOTAL NET ASSETS FUND BALANCES 9 Unrestricted general funds Restricted Funds |
Unrestricted Funds £ 7,630 158,256 165,886 (4,592) 161,294 161,294 161,294 - 161,294 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 7,630 158,256 165,886 (4,592) 161,294 161,294 161,294 - 161,294 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 12,013 159,484 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 171,497 (2,040) |
||||
| 169,457 | ||||
| 169,457 | ||||
| 169,457 - |
||||
| 169,457 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 July 2025.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 however, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011, the accounts have been examined by an independent examiner and their report has been included in these financial statements.
The directors (who are the charitable company's trustees for the purposes of charity law) acknowledge their responsibilities for:
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(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
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(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its net income or expenditure for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:
Feb 16, 2026
Ben Fidler
---------------------------------------Ben Fidler (Feb 16, 2026 11:15:24 GMT) --------------------------------------Benjamin Fidler (trustee) Date Company number: 07318703 Charity number: 1137906
The notes on pages 7 to 9 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
ISLINGTON GOSPEL TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
1 Statutory Information
The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company's registered number and registered office address can be found on the Company Information page.
2 Accounting Policies
These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the "Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102"), with the Companies Act 2006 and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.
The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
a) Going concern
The trustees (who are the charitable company's directors for the purposes of company law) have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
b) Income Income including investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part, income is generally recognised when it is received. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.
Income from donations and legacies includes recoverable gift aid, which is recognised when the related donation is received. Gift aid that has not been recovered by the balance sheet date is included as a debtor.
c) Expenditure Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured The charity makes grants to Trinity Church Islington to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity.
Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.
d) Fund accounting General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
e) Taxation The company is a registered charity; it has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's income.
f) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement The trustees do not consider that there are any material sources of estimation or uncertainty at the balance sheet date that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the next reporting period.
3 Donations and legacies
| Donations of cash and similar Gift aid recoverable |
2025 £ 206,434 33,370 239,805 |
2024 £ 217,436 43,189 |
|---|---|---|
| 260,625 |
Page 7
ISLINGTON GOSPEL TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
4 Charitable expenditure
| a Costs incurred directly on specific activities Grants payable b Costs incurred on support & administration Independent examiner's fee for preparing and examining the accounts Professional services Insurance Other expenses Total expenditure |
2025 £ 238,336 238,336 2,130 6,580 769 153 9,632 247,969 |
2024 £ 247,668 |
|---|---|---|
| 247,668 | ||
| 2,040 - 261 134 |
||
| 2,435 | ||
| 250,103 |
The fee payable to the independent examiner for preparing and examining the accounts was £2,130 (2024: £2,040). No other payments were made to Stewardship for any other services.
c Grants payable
| Grants for UK and overseas mission The comparatives for the previous year are as follows: Grants for UK and overseas mission The charity's principal grants to institutions comprised: Trinity Church Islington Crosslinks The Crossteach Trust Longheath Baptist Church |
Individuals £ 667 667 Individuals £ - |
Institutions £ 237,670 237,670 Institutions £ 242,876 2025 £ 229,003 2,000 5,000 1,667 237,670 |
2025 £ 238,336 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 238,336 | |||
| 2024 £ 242,876 |
|||
| 2024 £ 242,876 - - - |
|||
| 242,876 |
5 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration and expenses The charity employs no staff. No trustees or other members of key management received employment benefits in either the current or preceding year.
6 Debtors
| Gift aid recoverable h at Bank and in Hand Cash at bank with immediate access itors: liabilities falling due within one year Accruals |
2025 £ 7,630 2025 £ 158,256 2025 £ 4,592 |
2024 £ 12,013 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 £ 159,484 |
||
| 2024 £ 2,040 |
-
7 Cash at Bank and in Hand
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8 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year
Page 8
ISLINGTON GOSPEL TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
9 Funds
During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
| General Unrestricted Funds Aggregate of funds In the previous year the movements in the charity's funds General Unrestricted Funds Aggregate of funds |
Opening Incoming balance resources 2025 2025 £ £ 169,457 239,806 169,457 239,806 were as follows: Opening Incoming balance resources 2024 2024 £ £ 158,658 260,902 158,658 260,902 |
Outgoing resources 2025 £ (247,969) (247,969) Outgoing resources 2024 £ (250,103) (250,103) |
Transfers in the year 2025 £ - - Transfers in the year 2024 £ - - |
Closing balance 2025 £ 161,294 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 161,294 | ||||
| Closing balance 2024 £ 169,457 |
||||
| 169,457 |
On 31 July 2025 and 31 July 2024 the charity's assets and liabilities were entirely in respect of unrestricted general funds.
10 Transactions with related parties
During the year the charity received donations totalling £83,202 (2024: £105,347) from related parties (which includes trustees, other key management and anyone closely connected to them).
No expenses (2024: £nil) were paid to, or for, the trustees.
The charity has historically worked closely with Trinity Church Islington (registered charity no. 1137910) and several trustees have served on the Boards of both charities. The trustees are now completely independent and there is no crossover on the respective boards. Islington Gospel Trust continues to support Trinity Church Islington and during the year the charity made grants totalling £229,003 (2024: £247,668) to Trinity Church Islington (see note 4 'Charitable Expenditure'). No amounts were owed to, or by, Trinity Church Islington at the balance sheet date (2024: £nil).
11 Members
Each member of the company commits to contribute if the charity is wound up an amount of £1.
Page 9