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2025-08-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07501756 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1145331

Report of the Trustees and

F inancial Statements for the year ended 31st August 2025 for THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION

DJH Walsall Ltd Unit 4, Rossway Business Park Wharf Approach Walsall West Midlands WS9 8BX

THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st August 2025

Page
Charity Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees Annual Report 2
Independent Examiner’s Report 11
Statement of Financial Activities 12
Balance Sheet 13
Notes to the Financial Statements 14

THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Trustees’ Annual Report

Year ended 31st August 2025

Incorporation 21stJanuary 2011
Name change 14thJune 2019
Charity registration number 1145331
Company registration number 07501756
Directors K.R. Davis DL
E. Stride
Registered Office 33 Lower Hall Lane
Walsall
West Midlands
WS1 1RR
Independent Examiners David Wright FCA
DJH Walsall Ltd
Unit 4 Rossway Business Park
Wharf Approach
Walsall
West Midlands
WS9 8BX

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31st August 2025

The Trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their report and the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

Trustees of the charity

The directors of the charitable company are its trustees for the purposes of charity law. The trustees who have served during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Kevin Davis (Chair) Eddie Stride

Reference and administrative details

Official name: The Ladder Apprenticeship Foundation (trading as Ladder Foundation) Legal form: Company limited by guarantee and registered charity Registered office: 33 Lower Hall Lane, Walsall, WS1 1RR

Trustees / Directors during the year:

Corporate member: The Vine Trust (Walsall)

Senior leadership / management: Justine Johnson, Ladder Foundation Manager (employed by Performance Through People (PTP))

Professional adviser / key partner: Robert Colborne OBE, Managing Director, Performance Through People (PTP)

Structure, governance and management

The Ladder Apprenticeship Foundation is governed by its Board of Trustees (who are also the Directors of the Company). The Trustees meet regularly to provide strategic oversight, approve the annual plan and budget, monitor performance against agreed objectives, and ensure good governance, safeguarding and compliance.

Operational delivery is led day-to-day by the Ladder Foundation Manager, working closely with delivery partners and local stakeholders. The Trustees receive regular reporting on programme activity, outcomes, partnerships, risks, and the forward pipeline.

A defining feature of Ladder’s operating model is partnership delivery. In particular, the Foundation works in close strategic partnership with Performance Through People (PTP), which acts as Ladder’s clearinghouse partner and delivery vehicle in Birmingham, the Black Country and Staffordshire—brokering relationships, supporting apprenticeship progression, and convening employers, training partners and stakeholders around shared outcomes.

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Trustees’ Annual Report

Year ended 31st August 2025

Objectives and activities

Our purpose

The Ladder Apprenticeship Foundation exists to create and expand pathways into apprenticeships and sustainable employment, particularly for young people and adults who face barriers to opportunity. We do this by convening employers, education, training providers and civic partners to generate employer-led apprenticeship opportunities and to help learners develop confidence, work readiness and progression routes.

Our model

Our approach combines:

Our Birmingham base: Millennium Point and the Ladder Skills Academy

Ladder’s base at Millennium Point, Birmingham, through the Ladder Skills Academy, provides a practical “front door” for employer engagement, learner support and partnership working. The Academy supports sector-based “Have-a-Go” activity, employability programmes and progression-focused interventions, as well as convening employers and education partners.

The Trustees also recognise the wider Ladder “family” of assets and partnerships, including the Ladder School (part of The Mercian Trust and named after the campaign), which has been able to participate in and utilise the Skills Academy offer at Millennium Point in support of aspiration, employability and progression.

Public benefit

In setting objectives and planning activities, the Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The Trustees believe Ladder’s work delivers public benefit by improving employability, increasing access to apprenticeships, strengthening employer engagement with local talent, and supporting progression into work, training and sustained learning.

Achievements and performance (year under review)

During the year ended 31 August 2025, Ladder focused on delivery programmes and place-based partnership development, working through a changing apprenticeships and skills landscape. Outcomes are achieved through Ladder’s own activity and the contribution of partners—most notably PTP, providing the clearinghouse function supporting employer engagement and apprenticeship progression in Birmingham, the Black Country and Staffordshire.

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Trustees’ Annual Report

Year ended 31st August 2025

Operating context

The year was characterised by cost pressures for employers and a shifting policy and funding environment. Employer caution about apprenticeship recruitment affected the overall market. In parallel, changes in regional commissioning created uncertainty locally, with funding responsibilities and delivery models evolving across different areas.

Against this backdrop, Ladder sustained momentum through targeted programmes, structured employer engagement, and partnership-led interventions that strengthened employability and progression outcomes.

Delivery highlights and impact

1) Compass Foundation – Xcelerate Your Future (flagship contract)

A major focus during the year was delivery of Xcelerate Your Future, funded through the Compass Foundation, as a hospitality-focused initiative designed to inspire, engage and equip individuals from Birmingham’s most disadvantaged wards with skills, confidence and routes into work and apprenticeships.

Scale and outcomes achieved within the programme delivery reported this year included:

Alongside employment outcomes, Ladder provided wraparound support where needed, including intensive support for a vulnerable participant, demonstrating the value of Ladder’s learner-centred model when aligned with strong partners.

2) Alternative Provision Schools – Step on Step Up (WMCA Careers Hub)

Ladder was commissioned by the West Midlands Careers Hub to develop and deliver the AP Schools Step on Step Up programme, designed to provide practical, inclusive careers education through interactive “Have-a-Go” sessions and sector-based activity.

Scale and delivery highlights included:

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31st August 2025

3) Find Your Future – Birmingham Virtual School (Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund)

Ladder delivered the Find Your Future Career Activity Programme, supporting Birmingham Virtual School students aged 14–19 through interactive workshops, “Have-a-Go” activity, assessment centre scenarios and direct employer engagement.

Scale and outcomes included:

4) Teacher Encounters – strengthening careers influence

Ladder delivered Teacher Encounter engagement sessions to build teacher understanding of apprenticeships and employer expectations and to support more informed guidance for learners.

Scale and outcomes included:

5) Staffordshire – campaign outcomes and employer convening (with PTP clearinghouse support)

In Staffordshire, Ladder continued its place-based campaign model in collaboration with partners, strengthening a joined-up service for employers and learners.

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Trustees’ Annual Report

Year ended 31st August 2025

Cumulative apprenticeship outcomes reported through the Staffordshire initiative include:

6) Birmingham and the Black Country – sustaining the Ladder campaign and progression routes (with PTP)

In Birmingham and the Black Country, Ladder maintained visibility, employer engagement and progression support through its place-based approach and the PTP clearinghouse partnership. In the Black Country, where dedicated funding has been limited at points, the Trustees recognise the value of maintaining presence and credibility while developing a more sustainable commissioning pathway over the medium term.

Destination and progression highlights

Across the year, Ladder’s delivery continued to demonstrate progression into employment, training and sustainable next steps. Examples evidenced within programme reporting include:

Celebration, recognition and profile

Black Country Apprenticeship Awards – Express & Star partnership

Ladder continued to strengthen the apprenticeship narrative through celebration and recognition, notably through the Black Country Apprenticeship Awards, delivered with Express & Star and hosted at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich Albion.

A highlight for the Trustees is being able to point to apprenticeship excellence: Abbie Farr-Smith (Walsall Council) was named Overall Apprentice of the Year 2024, reflecting the talent and commitment of apprentices and employers across the region.

The awards also recognise excellence across categories that reflect the regional economy and apprenticeship routes, including:

Nachural Summer Business Awards – recognition for promoting apprenticeships

During the year, The Ladder Apprenticeship Foundation was recognised at the Nachural Summer Business Awards 2025, receiving its first award for promoting apprenticeships—an external marker of the value of Ladder’s employer-led, partnership-based model.

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31st August 2025

Financial review (

The financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 are presented separately within this accounts pack. The Trustees have monitored the organisation’s financial position throughout the year and have managed resources carefully in a changing funding landscape.

Reserves policy

The Trustees keep reserves under regular review. The reserves position at the year end is shown in the financial statements. The Trustees’ intention is to maintain reserves at a level that supports prudent risk management and operational continuity, having regard to the scale and volatility of commissioned income and any commitments linked to delivery infrastructure and partnership arrangements.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Trustees regularly review the principal risks facing the charity and the mitigations in place. Key risks during the year, and looking forward, include:

Plans for the future

The Trustees’ priorities for 2025/26 focus on sustainability, scalable impact and strengthening the employer-led apprenticeship pipeline. Building on delivery and learning to date, the organisation intends to:

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31st August 2025

Recent operational reporting post year-end provides encouraging visibility of activity being scaled during the current financial year, subject to commissioning and resource availability.

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also Directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

On behalf of the board

……………………………………………………………… Kevin Davis Chair of Trustees

Date…24 April 2026…………………………………………………

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Independent Examiner’s Report Year ended 31st August 2025

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31[st] August 2025, which are set out on pages 10 to 16.

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 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 that in any material respect:

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.

David Wright (Independent Examiner) For and on behalf of DJH Walsall Ltd Unit 4, Rossway Business Park Wharf Approach Walsall WS9 8BX

20 February 2026

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOPUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) Year ended 31st August 2025

Note
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
2
-
Charitable activities
3
49,120
_
Total income and endowments
49,120
_
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
48,942
_
Total expenditure
48,942
_
Net (expenditure)/income
178
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
(73,999)
_
Total funds carried forward
(73,821)
~~_~~		 2025
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
_
-
_
-
_
-
_
-
-
_
-
~~_~~		 Total Funds
£
-
49,120
_
49,120
_
48,942
_
48,942
_
178
(73,999)
_
(73,821)
~~_~~		 2024
Total Funds
£
-
60
_
60
_
998
_
998
_
(938)
(73,062)
____
(73,999)
~~____~~

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Balance Sheet

Year ended 31st August 2025

Note
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year
9
Net (liabilities) / assets
Charity Funds
Unrestricted funds
10		 2025
£
433
_
433
(74,254)
_
(73,821)
~~_~~
(73,821)
_
(73,821)
~~____~~		 2024
£
5
_
5
(74,004)
_
(73,999)
~~_~~
(73,999)
_
(73,999)
~~____~~

For the financial year in question, the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

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.....................................................
K R Davis Trustee
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The notes form part of these financial statements

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Notes to the Financial Statements Year ended 31st August 2025

1. Accounting Policies

General information and basis of preparation

The Ladder Apprenticeship Foundation is a charitable company incorporated in England. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are to develop exemplar educational programmes where young people outside traditional school can reach their full academic and vocational potential.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 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 (FRS 102) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £1.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

Funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Income recognition

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Notes to the Financial Statements Year ended 31st August 2025

Expenditure recognition

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.

Support costs allocation

Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at Headquarters. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

Fund-raising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities.

The analysis of these costs is included in note 4.

Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

Taxation

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.

Going Concern

At 31 August 2025 the company had net liabilities of £73,821. On the basis of the continuing support of the group the Trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Notes to the Financial Statements Year ended 31st August 2025

2. Income from donations and legacies
Donations
All of the above income was attributable to unrestricted funds.
3.
Income from charitable activities
Contributions
All of the above income was attributable to unrestricted funds.
4. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
Direct
Costs
£
Educational activities
100%
48,008
~~____~~
All of the above costs were attributable to unrestricted funds.
5. Charitable activities costs
Direct costs:
Training
Service charge
Total direct costs
Support costs:
Governance costs
Total support costs		 2025
£
-
~~_~~
2025
£
49,120
~~_~~
Support
Costs
£
934
~~_~~
2025
£
48,008
-
_
48,008
~~_~~
934
_
934
~~____~~		 2024
£
-
~~_~~
2024
£
60
~~_~~
Total
£
49,942
~~_~~
2024
£
-
-
_
-
~~_~~
998
_
998
~~____~~

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Notes to the Financial Statements Year ended 31st August 2025

6. Governance costs

Interest and charges
Independent examiners remuneration (inc
irrecoverable VAT)
Total		 2025
£
34
900
_
934
~~_~~		 2024
£
98
900
____
998
~~____~~

7. Independent examiners remuneration

The independent examiners remuneration amounts to an independent examination fee of £900 (2024: £900) including irrecoverable VAT.

8. Trustees’ and key management personnel remuneration and expenses

The trustees neither received nor waived any remuneration during the year (2024: £Nil).

The trustees did not have any expenses reimbursed during the year (2024: £Nil).

9. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Amounts owed to group companies
Accruals and deferred income
Total		 2025
£
70,654
3,600
_
74,254
~~_~~		 2024
£
70,404
3,600
____
73,104
~~____~~

10. Fund Reconciliation

Unrestricted Funds
General funds		 Balance at
1stSept
2024
£
(73,999)
~~____~~		 Income
£
49,120
~~____~~		 Expenditure
£
(48,942)
~~____~~		 Transfers
between
funds
£
-
~~____~~		 Balance at
31stAugust
2025
£
(73,821)
~~____~~

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THE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER 7501756)

Notes to the Financial Statements Year ended 31st August 2025

11. Analysis of net assets between funds

nalysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Current assets
433
Current liabilities
(74,254)
_
Total
(73,821)
~~_~~		 Total
Funds
£
433
(74,254)
____
(73,821)
~~____~~

12. Ultimate controlling party

During the year, the Charity was under the control of The Vine Trust Walsall, Charity No. 1093838, Company No 4370289.

13. Related party transactions

At the end of the year the Charity owed the following to other group companies:

The Vine Trust Walsall 2025
£
70,654
~~____~~		 2024
£
70,404
~~____~~

During the year the Charity paid service charges of £Nil (2024: £Nil) to The Vine Trust Walsall.

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