National Heritage IIIIIIScience Forum ?n Isni-n8 ""Trustees' Annual Report For the period l April 2021 to 31 March 2022 The National Herltage 5clence Forum Is a Charltable Incorporated Organlsation (CIO). registered charity number (England & Wales) 1154160. mo7tr1 '18r"32 I'n troqn) Reglstered office: clo The Institute of Conservation 106-109 Saffron Hill London ECIN 8QS nr Website: vnvw.herlta8esc1enforum.or8.uk Emall: administrator@heritagescienceforum.org.uk Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME18 4JQ tjl Independent Examlner: Alastair Towler BFP, ACA, DChA Plummer Parsons (Chartered Accountants) ,5)"Ivts4 i 18 Hyde Garden5 Eastbourne East Sussex BN214PT Charity trustees: Dr Lor4 Angeloya (until 2810V20221 Sara Crofts Dr Trevor Emmett (Honordry Secretaryl Prof Adam Gibson (from 28101120221 Dr Jen Heathcote Professor Carl Heron Dr Freya Horsfield Ifrom 28101120221 Professor Nigel Uewellyn (Chairl Dr Bronwyn Ormsby luntil 28101120221 Boris Pretzel (from 28101120221 ,7rt
Objects, strategic aims and purpose The stated charitsble object of the National Heritage Science Forum is.. To promote the efficiency and effectiveness of charities, not-for-profft ooanisations and voluntary organisations and the effective use of re50urce5 for charitsble purposes by charitsble and non charitable bodies working to promote the under5tandin& preservation and conservation of the UK'S material cultural herita8e for the benefit of the public. Material cultural heritage is the thlngs both natural and man-made that are valued for their meaning and significance. For the purpose of this clause. chartties are organisations which are established for exclusively charitable purposes in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Voluntary and not for profit organisations are independent organisations which are e5tsblished for purposes that add value to ihe communlty as a whole. or a significant settion of the cornmunlty and which are not permitted by thelr constltution to make a profit for private distribution. Voluntsry organisation5 do not include local government or other statutory authorities. About the Natlonal Hert*e Sclence Fornm The National Herltsge Science Forum INHSFI has its roots in the recommendations of a House of Lords Select Committee report on science and Heritage12C061, the science and Heritage Programme IAHRC/EPSRC 20071121 and the National Heritsge Science Strategy (published 20101. The strate8lc alms of the Natlonal Herftage Sdence Forum are to.. Demonstrate the public benefit of heritage sctence and increase public engagement and support for it Improve partnership within the sector and with others by increasing collaboratlon to help practice make better use of research. knowledge and innovation and to enhance resources. funding and skills. Its purpose is: To maximise the impact and public benefit of heritsge science by buildin8 a diverse interdisciplinary community of researchers, scientists. prartitioner5 and policymakers who work together to share knowledge, ideas. innovation and resources. To provide a forum for members to disCU55 issues of common concern and provide opportunities for advice. support and collaboratlon and for sharing good practice. To act as a voice for the herits8e science sector to Government and other strategic bodies in informing policy and practice by providing a strong evldence base for decision-making. To network with other digitsl platforms to make publicly a¢cessible heritage science research. knowledge exchange and collaboration. Structure, governance and management The National Heritage Science Fonjm INHSFI is a charitsble incorporated organisatlon ICIOI. registered charity number (England & Wales11154160. The operation of NHSF is govemed by it5 ConstitLrtion.
This reportin8 period Covers I" April 2021 to 31" Mèrch 2022. In 2021>21 NHSF started the proce5S of transition to a new governance and operating model comprlsing a smaller Board of Tnjstees and the creation of a new Member Council on which representstives of NHSF'S member organlsations s. During the 2021-22 reporting period, as part of the final phase of work to SUPPOrt the transition to the new way of working, trustees agreed a strateglc prlortty of: Embed the llewly created Member Council in the Forum's governance and operational strurtures so that the Forum continue5 to serve its members and the heritage science communlty well, and develops as a reslllent organlsatlon. NHSWS new structure Is a small Board of Trustees Icurrendy eight trustees) spOnsIble for managing the affairs of NHSF as a Charitable Incorporate(l Organisation including compliance, public benefit, Strategic direction. development of the organi5ation, risk management, financial sustainability and application of resources in the pursuit of the Forum's charitable objects. Trustees have Tnet Ivirtuallyl four times in this reporting period. New Terms of Reference for the Board of Trustees were agreed at the Trustee meeting of July 2021. The Member Council, on which representatNes of NHSF'S member organisations sit. Is a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees and its role is to initiate and direct the Forum's subjert- specific (heritage science) activities. The Member Council has met three times in this reporting period. At the meeting of 23 Jurke 2021 it was proposed that each member organisation takes turns to provide a Chair and Secretary for meetings. This was adopted from the meeting of 11 Ortober 2021. Draft Terms of Reference are in place and these. together with Chairing arrdngements are due to be revtewed and finallsed In 2022. rfT NHSF'S 9, Annual General Meetln8 took place virtually on 28, January 2022. At this meeting a special resolution was passed to make chan8e5 to the Forum's Constitution. The change5 were modifications to clauses to reflect the new structure. The updated Constitution has been filed wlth the Charity Commission and is available on NHSF'S website. NHSF contracts out operational and adminlstrative support to Preservation Matters Ltd. The schedule of services and contrart is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees. Appointsnent and induction of trustees A new process for recruitment of tnjstees was used In 2021-22. A skllls audit of the Board of Trustees was carried out in September with findings reported to the Board of Trustees at its meeting on I October 2021. The audit enabled the identification of the Board's strengths and weaknesses and the findin8s We used to infom an open trustee recruitment exercise which was led by the Chair and Treasurer. Following applications and interviews, three applicant5 were proposed to the Board of Trustees for appointment as trustees. The Board agreed to the proposal and the three new tnjstees were appointed by the member5 at the AGM on 2* January 2022, at which two of the exi51ing trustee5 retired from office. Before appointment potential trustees have access to the role description, the latest annual report and annual accounts and a meeting to discus5 current strategic priorities and how the Forum operates. During 2021-22 the Honorary Secretsry reviewed and updated the NHSF Trustee handbook. This new handbook covers the governance, management and operations of NHSF and 15 available to Trustees and Members. Register of related party interests and transactions All trustees are asked to review or complete the related party interests form on appointment and thereèfter. annualEy. All trustees are asked to complete the fom for dedarations of related party
transactions following the end of the financial year. At each trustee meeting trustees are asked rf there are any new declarations of interest to be made, or any declarations of interest in relation to the meetinls agenda. For the period l April 2021 to 31 March 2022 no trustees were reimbursed expense payments. No trustees, remuneration was paid in the year. Seven trustees were connected to organisations who paid membership fees totalling £14.(X)O to the National Heritsge Science Forum. There are no other related party transactions. Risk management NHSF maintain5 a risk register for the purpose of identifying and managing risks to the organi5ation. The risk register is reviewed by trustees at each trustee meeting. In the last year. the key risk was that NHSF would be unable to delNer against key objectives or charitsble aims due to a lack of operational/trustee resource. resulting in a loss of confidence In NHSF and a loss of member supporL A number of mitlgating controls have been agreed by trustees amon8St which are the establishment of the Member Council and the updated Trustee and Member handbook. uu Activities and achievements . The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when reviewing NHSVS aims and objectives and when agreeing the artNities of the charity. NHSF brings together organisatlons active in the field of heritage science so that knowledge and innovation can be shared to improve the understanding and preservation of cultural heritage as well as methods of engagement with it. for the benefit of the public. It aims to support the strategic development of heritage science in temis of research, capacity buildin& application, collaboration and infrastructure. For the period l April 2021 to 31 March 2022 NHSF'S agreed strategic prloritbes were to: Involve more or8anisations in the delivery of the Strategic Framework for Heritage Science In the UK and in doing so. raise NHSVS profile, develop its 5trdte8lc partnerships and grow its membership. Work in partnership wth AHRC, E-RIHS.uk IUKRIHSI. and IROC to secure investment in UK heritage science infrastrurture. Develop a toolkit to support the community in demonstrating the value of herltage sciente. Articulate the social relevance of heritage 5ciellce and encourage the heritage sclence community to show how its research helps to address the Issues that matter to people. Establish a framework to support heritage science students and Early Career Researchers with networking and skills development to reduce barriers to a career In herltsge sclence and strengthen the identity of heritage science. Embed the neY created Member Council in the Forum's governan and operational structures so that the Forum continues to seNe tts members and the herita8e science community well. and develops os a resilient organisation. l. Involve more orgJnisotions In the delivery of the Strategic Frameworkfor Heritoge Sclence and in doing so raise NHSP5 profile. develop its strt7tegicpGTrtnerships ondgrow its MeMbehlp. NHSF sUPPOrts the delNery of the Strategic Framework for Heritage Science in the UK through the activities of its three working groups and by encouraging contributions to the framework goals from beyond its membership. Each of the three working groups Is aligned to a strand of the strategic framework and their activitie5 are targeted towards the outcomes of the frdmework.
Throughout this period the three workinE groups each held their group meetings and annual Member Meetln8S Virtually. The Member Meetings are an opportunity for a working group to share and develop its work w5th the broader membership. and Invited external organisation5. A Summary of each meetlre Is provided on the NHSF website and in the e-newsletter. Member meetlngs in 2021-22 Demonstrable 50cioI ond economic impart.. Developing an impart toolkitfor heritoge science The results of the working group's research into methods for assessing the impact of heritage scien were presented. The meetlng established links to the Cuhure and Heritage Capital framework and provlded a mechanism for communicatlng the Forum's work on value and impact to the retently appointed AHRC infrastmcture policy and engagement Fellows. A skilled ond diverse community.. FullSTEAM aheadj Thi5 meeting was themed around the strategic outcome of inffta5ing the engagement of school-age children with heritage sclente. The Meeting sought input from education/learnin8 personnel within NHSF member organisations to strengthen links between herltage science and education/leaming departments. and open up opportunities for the use of herita8e science in education and learning programme5. Twenty-four people attended including people from non-member organisations the Royal society of Chemlstry Iheritsge science expert group), the Institute for Research in Schools and the Council for British Archaeology. Excellentreseorch.. Heritage science infmstructure investment The research group meeting was held in January 2022, aligned to NHSF'S AGM. The event celebrated the recent enhancement of Heritage Science research infrastructure through the Capability for Collection5 Icapcol fundlng scheme. Speakers from six different NHSF member organisations presented on the benefits of the investment, as well as challenge5 associated wlth it. The event Was open to organisations beyond NHSF'S membership and a summary has been published on the NHSF website. wyibn i'llQ 9)ft Other partnershlp and engagement artivities include: Exploring running a series of online session5 With the Royal Society of Chemistry to promote the latterfs heritage science-related technical briefings. Partnerlng in a project for which The National Archives has secured fvnding for research into the alignment between herttage science and UK Scien primary curricula. 4tteErt 12UlJl ¥DI NHSF'S newsletter. blo& social media channels and strdteglc framework padlets have all been used throughout the year to raise awareness of the StrateBiC Framework goals and Invite organisations from beyond NHSF'S Membe to show how their work contributes to the goal& A new di8ltal engagement strategy has been developed to ensLFre that communications channels are being used effectively to support the Forum's engagement goals. -3 9rtJ Jrthi 2. WO in portnership with AHRC E-RIHS.uk (UKRIHSJ. and IROC tosecure investment in UK heritogescience infrastrurture AHRC continues to lead the development of a bid for investment in a research infrastructure for conservation and heritage sclence research IRICHeSI. NHSF has supported AHRCS work overthe past year by mentoring one of the Infrastructure Pollcy and Engagement Fellows and contributing to an AHRC-convened heritage Scien scoping group meeting to review a revised infrastrurture bid. rJ¥
Representatives of AHRC have engaged in NHSF Member Council meetings in June and October and have provided updates on the different strands heritsge sdence infrd5trurture activity including the Capabilty for Collectlons Icapcol fund and the development of RICHeS. The Research working group held its annual Member Meeting on the theme of opportunities and challenges relating to recent investment in heritage sctence infrdstructure in January 2022 at which AHRC provided a further update on its work. NHSF has continued to attend meetings of E-RIHS.uk (the UK node of the European Infrastructure for Heritage Science) as an obseTver and has worked with that group to advocate for UK participatktrn in a futLtre E-RIHS ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortiuml. Develop a toolkit tosupport the community in demon5tmting the value of heritt7ge science. As reported in last yearfs annual report. the Impact working group has carried out extensive research into the different methodologles that are available to measure impact that could be transferable to the heritage science sector. The Member Meeting on 26 April psented an overview of this worK included a presentatlon on DCMS-led work to (levelop a Culture & Heritsge Capital approach to considering the value of culture and heritsge to society. and made Initial recommendation5 for the development of a framework to assess the impart of heritage science. The recommendations were discussed by members. and it was concluded that the development of a toolkit should be scoped as a project for which external funding wlll be sought. Work has been carried out on identifying the different audiences for evidence of the value of herltsge science research and the community will be Sufveyed on Its need5 to Inform the developfflent of the toolkit in 2022. Articulote the soci171 relevonce of heritage sciertce and encouroge the heritt7ge science community to show how its reseorch help5 to oddre55 the issues th(rt motter to people. The Research working group ha5 built on work initiated in 2020-21 which identified five societsl challenges to which heritage science could contribute- climate emergency. health & wellbein& digitsl society, equality and inc5usivity. and sustsinable development. Following the publication of the document'Heritsge Sclence and Societal Challenges: a blueprint for aclion, the group has produced a template to support the collection of case studles from the wider heritsge science community to Show how research and prartice can address the five challenges. The case studies are being published on the NHSF website. Estoblish ofromework t05UPPOrtheritage science students and Eorly Ct7reer Reseorchets ryf771 with networking andskills development to reduce borrier5 to o coreer in heritoge science and strengthen the identity of heritage science. Followin8 the two workshops that the Communities working group ran In March 2021 to scope the neljvorking and career development needs of students and early career researchers. NHSF has established a Slack workspace (online platform) to SUPPOrt the exchange of information and build networks. In Sprlng 2022 NHSF worked with the Icon Heritage Science Group to plan a serles of seminars at which students and emerging researchers can present their research and en8age in discussion about it. Four events are planned, to tske place between May-september 2022. The Communities worklng group has also researched and developed a pilot mentoring programme, to be launched in May 2022.
These activities allgn to the strate8ic framework outcomes of 'a ran8e of accesslble apprentlceshSps and p05t8raduate opportunitie5' and ,cOgnItIon of heritage sclence as an attrattive tareerf and help to address the findln8s of our previous research into opportunltles and barriers associated with o career in heritage science. Embed the newfy creoted Member Council in the Forum's govemunce ond operutlonol striKtures SO th(rt the Forum continue5 to seNe its rnernbe ond the heritoge Scien community well, ond develops as t7 resilientorganisotion. Activities relating to thls strategic priorlty have been reported on in the sectlon on strurture, governance and management. Trustees have been able to manage risks and the budget for 2021-22 to address the continued uncertain operating environment during the coronavirus pandemic. This has included engagement with member. organi5ation5 around subscription levels and the timing of membership renewals. Trustees have also carried out a review of income diversification options and have established a fvndraising task group to identify activitles suitable for external funding tO8ether with potential sources of funding. In 2022-23, focus will tum to promoting the Forum widely to potential new members to grow the organisatlon and consequently the opportunlties for collaboration. knowledge and resource-sharing which are centrèl to NHSF'S purpose. Communication The Forum continues to take a more strategic approach to communication and has developed a dlgltal engagement strategy and identified a series of actions to assess how the different communication channels of e-newsletter, Twitter, Facebook, blog and website are used. The e-newsletter continue5 to be publlshed monthly and shares information on NHSFS work, the activities of its members, as well as news, policy developments, events and jobs from across the sector. Subscribers have grown from 236 in April 2021 to 280 at the end of March 2022. During 2021-22 Twitter followers have increased from 1,695 to 1,816 Imid-Februaryl. A revlew of Facebook activity has been carried out and the Board has agreed to close this communication channel and instead focus on increasing use of the Blog. New sectlons have been added to the NHSF website about the Member Councll. the three 5trateglc working groups. and 'whaYs on. which lists events and meetings or8anised by the Forum. The Forum's poliry and advoffdcy activity took the forni of partlclpation in the Herftsge Alliance's 'Funding and Investment Advocacy Group, and the publication of a briefing note on the UKRI strategy 2022-2027 which was launched in March 2022. Planning and development The strategic framework for herita8e science in the UK continues to guide NHsfs activities. Each of the three working groups carries out regular reviews of how its work aligns to the framework and agrees an action plan for the year ahead. At the Member Council meeting in April 2022, members also discussed how to'approach the updating of the strateglc framework itself. beyond its current Irfespan of 2018-2023. It was ased that the Member Council will lead this work on behalf of NHSF
and the wider heritage science communtty. workin8 In consultation with that community to establish changes to the strategic and operatin8 landscape. and to prioritise the gools of the framework for the next period. Each year the NHSF Board of Trustees agrees strategic priorities for the year ahead, in consuhation with the Member Council. The strategic prioritles that have been agreed by the Board of Trustee5 for 2022-23 are to: Lead the development of the successor to the Strategic Framework for HeritsEe Science in the UK 2018-2023 on behalf of the UK heritsge science community. Work in partnership with AHRC. E-RIHS.uL IROC and others to secure investment in UK herita8e science infrastrutture. Articulate the broad relevance of heritage Scien and encourage the herÉtage science community to show how its research helps to 3ddre55 the issues that matter to people. Establlsh a framework to support heritage science students and Early Career Researchers with networking and skills development to reduce barriers to a career in heritage science and strengthen the identity of heritage science. Policy on reserves The trustees of the National Heritage Science Forum INHSFI have considered the charlvs budget and future plans in determining its need for reseTves. The trustees have aged a reserves policy to safeguard NHSF'S activities in Ilne with its charitable oblects a8ainst uncertsin income streams. The trustees have agreed to retain unrestrirted free SeThes equivalent to a minimum of nine months of operational expendrture to meet these needs. This is calculated as an average of the past 3 year< operatlng budgets, and estimated for 2022-23 ès approximately £37.326. At 31 March 2022, NHSF'S unrestricted reseNes were £51,331. The trustees will monitor resee$ through the year as part of bud8et reporting and will review this policy annually. Planned expenditure in the forthcoming year is expected to draw minimally on free reserves. The Trustees confim that there is no material uncertainty as to whether the charity can continue as Going Concern. Declaratlon The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees: Signature Slgnature Print full name Prof. NiBel Llewellyn Print full name Dr. Trevor Emmett Position Chair, Board of Trustees Position Honorary Secretary, Board of Trustees Date Date si OLT %£C
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES H•rft•g• S¢SBrK• Forum 1154160 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe p•rlod from 01104r2021 3110312022 Section A Receipts and payments UnrestrictÈd funds Rèstricted fufid• Endowment funds tothi nMY•st£ Total fund# La8ty•a trth nw••t £ A1 R•e•l ts 40,5 31750 215 Sub total(Gross income k)rAR) A2 A88et and Inv•stm•nt 8al•8. S> total Totalrnc•lpts 41,000 44,765 •nts $8NK85 Boar(f tWSng5 Tr199 expBnBes Wthe 144 915 915 Events Travel ar 8LsknlenEo Sub$criptKY4 234 810 Award6 eank S> total 39,769 A4 A$8•t and Invostrn8nt purchases. (see table) Sub totsi rotalpaym•nts 39.769 .Y 50,069 Net olre¢elpts/(wyments) AS Tran$f•r8 b•tw••n fub7d• A6 Cash funds last y•arend Cash tlts y•ar •nd 1,231 1,231 5,304 s0,tOl 51,331 50.101 51.331 55,40S 50.101 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period .iIDrn8trfct•d R•8trktod funds funds to Mllr••t £ Endowment funds w¥•vl£ tOM4r•t f B1 Cash funds C4sh al barlE 81.331 CCXX R1 arxounts (SSI
2}1 Totslcash funds 51.331 Unrnstd¢ted funds tornarMI£ 11.1QO R•strfd•d fund• Endowmenl nd8 tv t)Mro•t £ Details Inydces to r t+TYAr••¢£ Ceat {*(Thll Cwr4rt val i) B3 Investmèrt assets Llctails B4 Assets r•tslngd for tha ¢harty's own uso BS Uabilitl•¥ oAy uryKI Invokes Syned by one OTtsr trustse8 on behaff of al thè Iru8te85 Dat6 of approval Sunatu N. èl Lwe Trevor Emtt 7th October2022 7th Odober 2022 I,.lert CCXX R2 acrfjunts18S} 2811012022