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2025-07-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1148622

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Official Name University of Bradford Union of Students

Working Name

UBU

Charitable Status: The University of Bradford Union of Students (UBU) is an unincorporated association which was registered with the Charity Commission on 17[th] August 2012 defined under the Education Act 1994.

Principal Address: Student Central, Richmond Road, Bradford, BD7 1DP
Current & Former Name Role
 Date Appointed Date Resigned
/Ceased*
Trustees:  Lloyd Russell-Moyle
External Trustee		 10/11/2020
Gwendolen Bradshaw External Trustee 1/12/2021
Hazmin Ahamed
External Trustee		 30/1/2024
Tony Curry External Trustee 27/6/2024
Sanskrity Baraili
Student Affairs Officer		 1/7/2024
President Campaigns & Welfare
Tilly Evans Sports & Wellbeing Officer 1/7/2024 30/6/2025
Raizana Razeen
Education Officer		 1/7/2024
President Education
Anas Iqbal Community & Activities Officer 1/7/2024
President Activities
Fatima Khan Student Trustee 1/7/2024 15/8/2025*
President Student & Union Affairs
*Ceased to be a trustee
Hashim Imran
Student Trustee		 1/7/2024 30/6/2025
Ranveer Bhosale
Student Trustee		 1/7/2024 30/6/2025
Seif Ilyas Student Trustee 12/8/2025
Sanwal Khan Student Trustee 12/8/2025
Abdul Wasay Student Trustee 12/8/2025
Auditors: SCC Chartered Accountants Ltd
1 The Square
Moy
Co. Tyrone
BT71 7SG
Bankers: Cooperative Banking
1 Balloon Street
Manchester
M4 4BE

The Trustees present their Annual Report for the year ended 31 July 2025, which includes the administrative information, together with the audited accounts for that year.

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 13
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 14
Independent auditor's report 15 - 17
Statement of financial activities 18
Balance sheet 19
Statement of cash flows 20
Notes to the financial statements 21 - 31

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Structure, Governance and Management

Constitution, Objects and Regulations

UBU is constituted under the Education Act 1994 as a charity with internal regulations and a constitution approved by the governing body of the University of Bradford and members of UBU. UBU’s charitable objects under the Act are the advancement of education of students at the University of Bradford for the public benefit by:

Senior Staff

UBU employs a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to work closely with the Trustees to ensure effective management of the charity assisted by a management team as follows:

Trustees

UBU is administered by its Board of Trustees made up of 4 Sabbatical Trustees elected by the membership of UBU, 4 external Trustees, and 3 Student Trustees. For the reporting year of 2024/2025 there were 4 Sabbatical Trustees, 4 External Trustees and 3 Student Trustees.

The flat structure for the period August 2024 to June 2025 consisted of the following Sabbatical Officers: Student Affairs Officer, Education Officer, Sports & Wellbeing Officer, and Community & Activities Officer. These posts are full time Sabbatical posts remunerated as authorised by the UBU Constitution. No individual may serve more than two years as a Sabbatical Officer. From 30[th] June 2025 the role descriptors were changed to President of Student & Union Affairs, President of Education, President of Activities and President of Campaigns & Welfare.

The full time Sabbatical Officers go through a three-week intensive training period in the month of July. This includes sessions on roles and responsibilities, organisational mission, and values, working in teams, strategic planning, personal development, and introductions to university partners. We also provide bespoke Trustee training days for the four Sabbatical officers and arrange continuous development opportunities throughout their term of office.

Committees and Delegation

The position of the Student Executive is at the heart of the Board of Trustees and all other key sub-committees ensures that the student voice is heard throughout UBU decision making structures and that our decision makers are accountable to the student body. In this reporting year all meetings have been conducted online. Student Officers have a majority on all sub-committees, in summary:

Committee/Delegation Period Responsibilities

Student Union Council

Monthly during term time

Responsible for holding Executive to account, reviewing Executive work, and informing the campaigning and representative work of UBU.

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Executive Committee Meets Weekly

Responsible for campaigning and representative functions of UBU. Responsible for the day-to-day student engagement

Board of Trustees

Meets Quarterly Responsible for overall strategic direction of UBU

Strategy Committee

Meets Monthly Reviews strategic direction of UBU, makes recommendations. Reports into Trustee Board

Finance, Audit and Risk Committee

Meets Monthly

Responsible for review and development of financial procedures, budgets, evaluating investment and general financial risks.

To consider the UBU’s risk register(s)

HR & Governance Advisory Committee

Meets Monthly Review HR areas of UBU. Reviews Constitution and Byelaws and other governance issues. Reports into Trustee Board

Engagement Board

Meets Quarterly

Operations Board

Meets Quarterly

Management Committee

Meets Weekly

Responsible for ensuring activity is in line with strategic, operational, and financial plans.

Health & Safety, Events (including Risk)

Meets fortnightly with the University Health & Safety representative.

Responsible for ensuring events from across all areas of UBU are carried out in line with Health and Safety, due diligence, financial constraints.

Sports Assembly

Meets Monthly

To consider matters affecting student sports groups and consider their funding bids and activity plans.

Activities Assembly

Meets Monthly

To consider matters affecting student society groups and consider their funding bids and activity plans.

Academic Representation Assembly

Meets Monthly

To consider matters affecting Academic Representative areas.

Annual budgets and accounts

These are considered on a quarterly basis by the Board of Trustees

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

UBU operates on democratic principles and the UBU Executive is responsible for the day-to-day development of representation and campaigning policy that affects students. The work of the UBU Executive is supervised by the Student Union Council, which can hold the UBU Executive to account and recall decisions made by the UBU Executive Committee. The Student Union Council makes and approves representational and campaigning policy.

UBU also employs around 15 staff (including Sabbatical Officers) for the sake of continuity in the management and delivery of its many activities. A clear staff structure is in place and staff members are ultimately accountable to the CEO for the performance of their duties. The CEO is accountable to the Board of Trustees and is formally line managed by the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Relationships with and support of the University of Bradford

The relationship between the University and UBU is based on an equal partnership across strategic functions such as commercial services, sport, representation, and learning and teaching, the aim of which is to provide the best student experience whilst being a student at the University of Bradford.

UBU received a block grant from the University of £1,454,768. UBU occupies a space in Student Central owned by the University of Bradford and pays rent of £553,869 per annum which includes utility and maintenance costs. The University provides support and other services such as IT support and access to facilities (e.g. sports, rooms) which support student activities and volunteering.

There is no reason to believe that financial support from the University will not continue for the foreseeable future, as the Education Act 1994 imposes a duty on the University to ensure the financial viability of its student representative body.

Risk Management

Budgetary and financial risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for the authorisation of all transactions and projects.

Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations for staff, volunteers and participants in all activities organised by UBU, including transport provision.

A risk register is in place which is regularly reviewed by the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

Aims, Objectives and Activities

The UBU Strategy Plan sets out our Vision, Mission, Values and Strategic Objectives. It does not detail the specific tasks that will be completed in a particular period but sets objectives and describes how we will evidence our success. In this way it provides a plan for UBU to navigate flexibly through the future years.

Operating departments which support UBU’s charitable objectives include:

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Grant Making Policy

Sports Clubs – Since the financial split from the Unique membership last year, UBU now collects money from students direct and then allocates a budget across the clubs on a case-by-case basis. The University still supports through a grant of £90k to be used for those clubs representing the University in sport competition.

Activity groups – An agreed amount from the University Subvention is allocated to societies and media groups at the start of the year depending upon the plans and needs.

In all the relevant Sabbatical Officer and staff members oversee the budgets to ensure sports, societies and media are in line with their forecast. The relevant Sabbatical Officer and staff members report regularly to the Trustee Board on budgets.

Long Term Objectives

Trustee Board

UBU and the University Senior Management team have agreed to pursue the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding to clarify the relationship between the two organisations, particularly in relation to Finance, HR, and Space. A new financial model has been approved, and discussions have taken place regarding a potential HR agreement. However, the agreement concerning the allocation of UBU space is yet to be finalised. The main aim remains to have a signed agreement covering all areas.

Student Voice

The focus of this area remains on serving as the democratic voice of our students through the student council, academic representation, and General Meetings. Our use of social media to engage with students is continually evolving and has demonstrated effectiveness, although we still face challenges in obtaining quality feedback. The main source of student opinions and insights is derived from our social learning activities and democratic forums. Moving forward, we intend to conduct a comprehensive review of how we capture the student voice to ensure that the union is well-equipped for future initiatives.

Student Engagement

UBU has continued to foster student engagement by removing barriers to participation and creating opportunities for students to rebuild their social skills and confidence. However, student engagement in certain areas has been inconsistent and unpredictable, largely influenced by the University’s recruitment strategy. Additionally, the increase in student placement programmes has affected student availability, and changes in the cost of living have altered behavioural patterns.

Social/Training Space

Our long-term objective remains for UBU to continue to increase its social learning offer within student central and around campus.

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Summary Strategy Plan

Vision

Mission Statement

Values

Public Benefit

The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The ways in which UBU demonstrates how it provides public benefit are included in its review of achievements and performance as follows.

Student Engagement Area Report 2024/2025

Major Milestones and Events in the 2024.25 year: -

Culture Fest (26/02/2025)

Culture Fest was a fun and lively event that celebrated different cultures at the University. It included a fashion show, dance performances, poetry, singing and cultural food. Alot of students attended and participated. The overall event ran smoothly. There was a lively atmosphere due to good student engagement and the event showcased the University of Bradfords international students and their cultures.

Varsity (02/04/2025)

Varsity was a one-day sports event between Bradford and Huddersfield. This year it was hosted by Huddersfield. The event was radically restructured by Huddersfield, mainly not finishing with the Rugby games, but finishing on campus with Basketball. Also, doing it all in one day has not been attempted before. It worked pretty well and gives us lots to consider for next year when we will be hosts. Our facilities are different however so we will not be able to replicate the Huddersfield format.

UBIES (04/04/2025)

UBIES was a big awards night to celebrate student volunteers, societies, and reps. It was attended by 350 students and included food, performances, and 21 different awards. The awards were given as below: -

Sports Awards:

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Society & Event Awards:

Representation & Leadership Awards:

Faculty Representative Awards:

Intramural Weekend (10–11 May 2025)

This was a weekend of sports and fun games. Activities included:

CAMPAIGNS

There were successful campaigns run by our Campaigning Officers, particularly Black History Month, Women’s events, LGBTQ and Disability awareness campaigns, Reclaim the Night and activism around Sustainability and Social Justice.

SOCIETIES

The quality mark has worked well and the UBIES awards perfectly reflect the Quality mark results. This coming year we would like to extend the quality mark to Sports clubs, but we will need to reassure them that it will not be extra work for them.

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

We intended in this year to focus less on encouraging new societies which do little activity, and to better support societies to do more activities and provide better value for their members. This resulted in more societies doing events.

SPORTS

Our new membership model – with Clubs keeping their memberships which had been their budget previously – whilst initially controversial - has worked reasonably well with clubs successfully staying within their budgets and managing to function as normal.

We used some of the Competitions Budget to buy playing kit for competing teams this year. We feel that we now have a clearer view of which clubs are excelling, and which are not. For example, Boxing have grown and grown in recent years and are looking to enter BUCS. We should assess how viable this is.

Next year we are due to be hosts of two Varsities – Huddersfield and Leeds Trinity. This will have serious considerations for staffing.

UBU VOLUNTEERING

2025 - Union Cloud stats:

As we move into 2025.26 the Key Challenges for Engagement Team are

Marketing

A Graduate Intern and the Marketing team have conducted a survey of all elements of UBU provision. This survey had 1,000 responses and the Intern has almost finished an impact report and analysis of the results. Workshops were also conducted as part of the survey, which are incorporated into the report. This will be reported on in future Trustee reports.

Weekly Email - The UBU Weekly email has emerged as the best way to get information to all students on campus.

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Emails opened statistics are high considering student numbers are around 12,000. However, there are 29,000 registered individuals on the mailing list which reflects graduated students. We’re currently working with the University IT department to remove graduates and non-students from the mailing list.

In addition to the mail out, the email goes is sent to contacts across the university, i.e., UBIC staff, Erasmus staff, and other key staff who forward the email onto different student groups.

Semester1 Society spotlight email dates and number opened

The content of the email provides content for our student social media support to share across social media through the week.

Social media - Posting strategy our student social media support is posting content around the clock daily to Instagram (and automatically to Facebook). The sabbaticals have also been taking a lead in posting content and have been working with our student social media support to produce creative content and in replying to messages.

Tik Tok has the biggest reach in terms of virality and our student social media support is developing ideas and producing videos that have the potential to go viral.

WhatsApp - The UBU WhatsApp community has seen many societies and sports teams linking their groups to the community. There are issues around possible size of group and spamming but we are trying to address these.

Student Voice Report 2024/2025

Student Representation

As of October 2024, 366 programme and 24 faculty representatives have been recruited so far for the 2024/2025 academic year. Despite the decline in student numbers, representation recruitment is continuing to steadily increase with good representation in most areas.

9

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Academic Year 24-25 22-23 21-22 20-21 19-20 18-19 Number of Student Reps 369 421 333 324 350 311

Over 80% of these programme reps have been trained. All Faculty reps have been trained. The training sessions have an average rating of 4.4 out of 5, a slight improvement on last year's rating, with open feedback stating the content was comprehensive and explained the rep role well. UBU had good a very good engagement with attendance.

Training can be improved further by scheduling more online sessions. Students also raised that they would like additional “refresher” training session to check their progress as a representative and would like a simulation of an SSLC meeting built into the training session. Primarily training occurs in 5 x in person training and 3 x online training sessions via teams - however feedback from previous years suggested that there is an appetite for an online training module.

In addition to this UBU have worked with the BRDF team to create representative training tailored towards the Post Graduate Research students so that we are able to relate the experiences directly towards the experience of our research students. This training was specifically delivered within the PGR lounge and the team with the support of Education Officer. Also, end of year award ceremony took place in Norcroft Building for both student representative and Faculty Representative in attendance with UBU Staff and University Staff.

A breakdown of representative cover is as follows:

Number of Student Representatives
Total 393
Without Faculty Representatives 369
Faculty Representatives 24
PGR Reps 22
Number of Student Representatives including Faculty
Representative
Faculty of Engineering & Digital Technologies 59
Faculty of Health studies 104
Faculty of Life Sciences 56
Faculty of Management, Law and Social
Sciences		 152
UBIC 22

Advice and Support

Due to staff leaving the advice centre and a member of the advice team being on maternity leave, we were supported by Alchemy. The Alchemy support ended in April 2025 and the advisor on maternity also returned to work. This means that there are now two members of staff in Advice with support from the Student Engagement Manager and student staff. The Alchemy input worked quite well in the end.

Total no. of cases to May 2025: 1177

Accommodation 11
Admissions 1
Appeals 439
Complaints 179
Disability 9
Disciplinary 26
EC’s 66
Extension 4
Finance 64

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Fitness toPractice 34
Graduation 6
Misconduct 159
OIA 11
Other 72
Pregnancy 3
Registry 7
Visa appeal 6
Visareferral 30
Wellbeing 27
Not specified 4

UBU Democracy

UBU council has met 6 times during the 2024/2025 academic year. This has been a very active council, with 33 members.

Oct 24 Nov 24 Dec 24 Jan 25 Feb 25 Mar 25 22 29 17 14 20 20

The UBU Council has passed three motions during 2024/2025, with these three motions passing over to policy. The policy being passed are:

The UBU in accordance with our constitution hosted a General Meeting in November 2024 with approximately 150 students in attendance during the event. UBU then hosted our AGM in April 2025 with approximately 112 students attending the event.

The Student Union elections for Sabbatical, Executive and Lay members occurred in April 2025 with the voting taking place on the 8[th] April 2025 and results being announced on the 9[th] April 2025.

Over 80 nominations were received at the conclusion of the nomination period. Initially, every role within the elections was contested for, however due to student status for the academic year 2024/25 not all students were eligible to continue to run in the elections. 2773 students voted in the elections. 18 complaints were received with 2 requiring consultation with NUS, 1 appeal. To support the elections UBU hosted a husting at the AGM.

Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others

UBU acts as custodian for funds raised by the students' many clubs and societies and these funds are separately shown in the accounts. At the year end the balances due to these clubs and societies was £98,121 (2024: £76,312).

Reserves Policy

In accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance on best practice we have targeted our level of reserves as that of 2 months wages costs of £110,000 (previously 4 years and in 2023 it was 3 years).

The amount of the total funds held is £461,331 (2024: £357,327), the amount of restricted funds is £14,340 (2024: £5,074).

The amount of fund that can only be realised by disposing of tangible fixed assets is £0 (2024: £414) The number of reserves after making allowance for the above is £461,331 (2024: £356,913)

The amount of 2 months wages is £120,000 (2024: £120,000 for 2 months) and is greater than our targeted level of reserves.

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Full Financial Review

As in previous years the subvention for the year was agreed at a level to allow UBU to meet agreed levels of service provision to students.

UBU presented a budget to its members and the University which showed a £40,482 deficit as can been seen from accounts there is a surplus of £104,004. The aim of such plan was to have the flexibility in the budget and to use our reserves to improve student engagement and consequently reduce the level of reserves back to the agreed amount

The flexibility allows UBU to invest in a wider range of student opportunities as the impact of the pandemic on the student experience is still unfolding.

As is illustrated in the report our levels of student engagement declined in sports and societies they increased slightly in volunteering and remained the same in representation. This influenced the end year financial position as the number of students joining or taking part in our opportunities reduced which then reduced the predicted spend.

These are areas that we will have to continue to scrutinise in the coming year as we will be subject to inflationary pressures, especially in wages costs.

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.

The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, The trustees 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.

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Approved by the trustees of the Charity on 5 May 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf by:

External Trustee Tony Curry

External Trustee Raizana Razeen

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UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the are required to:

The are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the are required to:

The are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of University of Bradford Union of Students (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 July 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of responsibilities, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We designed procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the charity, we identified the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to general data protection regulations, employment law, health and safety and safeguarding of students. We also considered those laws that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements - the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

We evaluated trustees incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements and determined that the principal risks related to fraudulent financial reporting and management bias in accounting estimates. We communicated the identified laws and regulations throughout the audit team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. Audit procedures performed by the auditors included, but were no limited to:

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Sean G. Cavanagh (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of SCC Chartered Accountants Ltd

5 May 2026

1 The Square Moy Co. Tyrone BT71 7SG

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
Notes £ £ £ £ £ £
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies 3 1,361,434 90,000 1,451,434 1,430,610 104,575 1,535,185
Charitable activities 4 49,695 - 49,695 73,409 - 73,409
Other income 5 6,928 - 6,928 15,215 - 15,215
Total income 1,418,057 90,000 1,508,057 1,519,234 104,575 1,623,809
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 6 1,323,319 80,734 1,404,053 1,532,230 106,770 1,639,000
Total expenditure 1,323,319 80,734 1,404,053 1,532,230 106,770 1,639,000
Net income/(expenditure) 94,738 9,266 104,004 (12,996) (2,195) (15,191)
Transfers between
funds - - - (527) 527 -
Net movement in
funds 94,738 9,266 104,004 (13,523) (1,668) (15,191)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 August
2024 352,253 5,074 357,327 365,776 6,742 372,518
Fund balances at 31 July
2025 446,991 14,340 461,331 352,253 5,074 357,327

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 JULY 2025

2025 2024
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 10 - 414
Current assets
Debtors 11 188,351 69,437
Cash at bank and in hand 418,623 459,899
606,974 529,336
Creditors: amounts falling due within 12
one year (145,643) (172,423)
Net current assets 461,331 356,913
Total assets less current liabilities 461,331 357,327
The funds of the
Restricted income funds 13 14,340 5,074
Unrestricted funds 14 446,991 352,253
461,331 357,327
The financial statements were approved by the on 5 May 2026

A Curry R Razeen

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

2025 2024
Notes £ £ £ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash absorbed by operations 17 (41,276) (96,155)
Net cash used in investing activities - -
Net cash used in financing activities - -
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (41,276) (96,155)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 459,899 556,054
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 418,623 459,899

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

University of Bradford Union of Students is an unincorporated registered charity governed by their constitution.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and “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 (FRS102)” (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a public benefit entity.

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

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the charity in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures and fittings

25% Straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the ’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

There are no critical judgements or accounting estimates in applying the company’s accounting policies.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Subventions 1,361,434 - 1,361,434 1,430,610 - 1,430,610
Grants - - - - 14,575 14,575
Competition fees income - 90,000 90,000 - 90,000 90,000
1,361,434 90,000 1,451,434 1,430,610 104,575 1,535,185

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

4 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Sport clubs membership fees 7,265 34,300
Trips 10,491 6,572
Events 11,939 14,037
Marketing 20,000 18,500
49,695 73,409

5 Other income

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Sundry income 6,928 15,215

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

6 Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted Unrestricted
Restricted
Restricted		 Total Total
funds Funds
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Direct costs
Staff costs 591,114 - 591,114 727,008
Depreciation and amortisation 6,485 - 6,485 7,624
Establishments costs 584,022 - 584,022 584,998
Events 45,654 - 45,654 65,857
Administrative expenses 59,071 - 59,071 47,561
Student representation 8,423 - 8,423 9,556
NUS expenses (6,988) - (6,988) 23,131
Auditors' remuneration 10,841 - 10,841 19,528
Legal fees - - - 285
Marketing and Publicity 5,292 - 5,292 3,808
Trip expenses 19,405 - 19,405 6,628
Clubs and societies - 1,416 1,416 1,708
Competition expenses - 79,318 79,318 90,527
Grant funding of activities - - - 36,246
Activies undertaken directly - - - 14,535
1,323,319 80,734 1,404,053 1,639,000
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 1,323,319 1,532,230
Restricted funds 80,734 106,770
1,404,053 1,639,000

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

7 Trustees

No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses from the charity during the year.

The trustees received remuneration in relation to their role as student union officers, not in their roles as trustees. They are paid in accordance with the constitution.

2025 2024
£ £
O Onikan - 30,485
R Olorunfemi - 26,781
H P Khan - 26,781
I Tabassum - 25,431
F Razeen 27,140 7,117
S Baraili 25,762 3,040
A Iqbal 27,238 3,103
M Evans 30,861 2,678
Total 111,001 125,416

8 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
2025 2024
Number Number
20 32
Employment costs 2025 2024
£ £
Wages and salaries 508,322 598,902
Social security costs 38,545 49,864
Pension costs 42,132 71,594
Other staff costs 2,115 6,648
591,114 727,008
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000
is as follows:
2025 2024
Number Number
£60,001 - £70,000 1 -

9 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

10 Tangible fixed assets

10 Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and
fittings
£
Cost
At 1 August 2024 70,381
At 31 July 2025 70,381
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 August 2024 69,967
Depreciation charged in the year 414
At 31 July 2025 70,381
Carrying amount
At 31 July 2025 -
At 31 July 2024 414
11 Debtors
2025 2024
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Trade debtors 18 19,719
Other debtors 4,054 4,054
Prepayments and accrued income 184,279 45,664
188,351 69,437
Debtors includes £24,286 (2024: £30,357) receivable after more than one year.
2025 2024
£ £
Prepayments 24,286 30,357
12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025 2024
£ £
Trade creditors 9,327 30,439
Other creditors 98,121 77,100
Accruals and deferred income 38,195 64,884
145,643 172,423

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

(Continued)

Included in the other creditors above are the monies held on behalf of the student clubs and societies amounting to £98,121 (2024 - £76,306).

amounting to £98,121 (2024 - £76,306).
2025 2024
£ £
Deferred income at 1 August 45,372 92,511
Resources (accrued)/deferred in the period (142,366) 45,372
Amounts released from previous periods (45,372) (92,511)
(Accrued)/deferred income at year end (142,366) 45,372

13 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 August
Incoming
Resources
Transfers
Transfers		 Gains and
At 31 July
2024 resources expended losses 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £
Subvention for
competitions - 90,000 (79,318) - - 10,682
Take A Hike
Lottery Fund 2,479 - - - - 2,479
Rag 425 - - - - 425
Your Turn
Programme 241 - - - - 241
Arthur Williams
Creative Fund 304 - - - - 304
Braduate Fund 676 - - - - 676
Funds 4 Runs
Womens Cricket 252 - - - - 252
Brad-iCOUNT
Fund 697 - - - - 697
5,074 90,000 (80,734) - - 14,340

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

13 Restricted funds (Continued)
Previous year: At 1 August
Incoming
Resources		 Transfers Gains and
At 31 July
2023 resources expended losses 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Subvention for
competitions - 90,000 (90,527) 527 - -
Take A Hike
Lottery Fund 2,439 14,575 (14,535) - - 2,479
Rag 425 - - - - 425
Your Turn
Programme 241 - - - - 241
Arthur Williams
Creative Fund 304 - - - - 304
Braduate Fund 1,530 - (854) - - 676
Funds 4 Runs
Womens Cricket 252 - - - - 252
Brad-iCOUNT
Fund 1,551 - (854) - - 697
6,742 104,575 106,770 527 - 5,074

14 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 August At 1 August Incoming
Resources
Resources		 Transfers At 31 July At 31 July
2024 resources expended 2025
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 352,253 1,418,057 (1,323,319) - 446,991
Previous year: At 1 August Incoming
Resources		 Transfers At 31 July
2023 resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 365,776 1,519,234 (1,532,230) (527) 352,253

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

15 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total
funds funds
2025 2025 2025
£ £ £
At 31 July 2025:
Current assets/(liabilities) 446,991 14,340 461,331
446,991 14,340 461,331
Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds
2024 2024 2024
£ £ £
At 31 July 2024:
Tangible assets 414 - 414
Current assets/(liabilities) 351,839 5,074 356,913
352,253 5,074 357,327

16 Related party transactions

During the year the charity made the following related party transactions:

The University of Bradford

The University of Bradford has significant influence over the union by virtue of its relationship as sponsoring organisation.


organisation.
2025 2024
Amounts received from The University of Bradford
Subvention 1,361,434 1,437,910
Competition fees income 90,000 90,000
Other income - 6,572
Amounts paid to The University of Bradford
Rent 553,869 553,869
Salaries 570,229 720,360
Amounts due (from)/to The University of Bradford
Subvention (142,366) 45,372

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD UNION OF STUDENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

17 Cash generated from operations 2025 2024
£ £
Surplus/(deficit) for the year 104,004 (15,191)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets 414 1,554
Movements in working capital:
(Increase) in debtors (118,914) (10,665)
(Decrease) in creditors (26,780) (71,853)
Cash absorbed by operations (41,276) (96,155)