2025-03-31-accounts

Friends o British Overseas Territories WWW.FOTBOT.OR Friends of the British Overseas Territories (FOTBOT) Trustees, Report and Financial Statements 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 Charitable Incorporated Organisalion Registered Number 1156763

FOTBOT CONTENTS Charity information Trustees. report Independent examiner's report Statement of receipts and payments Statement of assets and liabilities Notes to the financial statements

FOTBOT CHARITY INFORMATION Trustees Albert A Poggio GMH OBE {Chair) Simon M J Leary FRSA Harjinder Jutle - appointed 12 March 2025 Philip Smith - appointed 12 March 2025 Andrew M Fox- resigned 12 March 2025 Address PO Box 2635 Ilford IG18UA Parliamentary Advisers Andrew Rosindell MP Baroness Foster Wendy Morton MP Lord Bellingham Chief Executive James Alexander Lunn Independent examiner Thomas Champneys ACA BSR Bespoke Chartered Accounlants Linden House Linden Close Tunbridge Wells Kenl TN4 8HH Charily number 1156763 Bankers Barclays Bank plc 69 Albion Street Leeds LS15AA

FOTBOT TRUSTEES, REPORT The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2025. Structure, governance and management Friends of the British Overseas Territories (FOTBOTI Ilhe "Charity") is constrtuted under the terms of its governing document ("Constitution") adopted on 18 September 2013 and last arnended at the Annual General Meeting on 14 March 2024. The Constilution is that of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with voting members other than its Trustees. Trustees who setved during the year are listed on page 2. The Trustees meet at least quarterly to agree the strategy of the Charily. Charitable objects The Charity's objects, as set out in its Constitution, are.. {1) To advance educalion and relieve financial hardship of students from the British Overseas Territories who are studying in the UK. {2} To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the Brilish Overseas Territories and the history and geography of the British Overseas Territories <3> To advance the education of young people aged between 18 and 25 by providing educational visits to the British Overseas Territories (4} To further such other purposes as are exclusively charitable in accordance with the law of England and Wales as the Trustees may from time to time decide Day-lo-day management On a day-lo-day basis, the Charity is run by unpaid volunteers, led by the Chief Executive, James Lunn, lo whom management has been delegated by the Trustees. The Chief Executive is assisted by an Executive Committee of volunteers which includes individuals with experience in finance, public relations and media, charity governance, law and events management. Volunteers, including the Chief Executive, may be reimbursed for expenses properly and reasonably incurred in accordance with the Charity's expenses policy but they are not othemise remunerated. Relationships with British Overseas Terrilories The Charity seeks lo maintain and strengthen its relationships with UK-based representatives of the British Overseas Territories {BOTs) as well as figures within the governments of the BOTS and the UK Overseas Territories Association {UKOTA} to help further its charitable objects. Public benefit The Trustees have referred to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity's aims and objectives and in planning the Charity's future activities. In particular, the Trustees have considered how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set The Trustees are satisfied that the Charity continues to meet the Charity Commission's guidelines with regard to carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.

FOTBOT Main events included:. Overseas Territories Debate at Queens University Belfast Webinar with the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust 'No Place Like Home, Fundraising Campaign Launch Conversation with two former BOT Premiers History of Royal Naval Rum Presentation with Chris Howe MBE Summer Barbecue and Charity Showcase Tour of Speaker's House Webinar with charity 'Acts of Random Kindness, Chagos Island Campaign Reception Chagos Island Call to Action Annual Gala Fundraising Dinner on HQS Wellingion Chagos Island Call to Action Iwestminsterl St Helena Fundraising Reception with Michael Binyon OBE Falkland Island Reception with Baroness Foster Northern Dinner in Newcastle Outreach activities The Charity travelled to the Falkland Islands with Baroness Fosler in February, hosting meeting with Ihe legislature and islanders and deepening the charity's understanding of the challenges and opportunities the Falklands Islands face, The charity mel with Ihe Falklands Conservation Society, the Girl Guides and other civic organisations and once back in the UK, has continued to co-operate with groups and officials we met there on join initiatives. The Charity continued with a programme of in-person educational events, as well as remote events delivered over the internet. Chagos During the period, the UK government announced a deal lo cede sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius. The Charity opposes this on the grounds that the Chagossians have not been given the right to self-determination and has sought to provide a platform for Chagossians. No Place Like Home special appeal The Charity launched a campaign with the disabled society of St Helena, supporting inclusion and dignity in raising funds that will allow people on the island to stay in their home longer, thereby reducing pressure on their already stretched care home and hospital. The fundraiser is ongoing. Membership In addition, membership subscriptions and donations continued at a steady rate, enabling Ihe Charity to continue to reach more people and do more work in support of ils objects whilst achieving a small surplus for the period and maintaining a reasonable cash reserve.

FOTBOT Financial review, reserrfes policy and deficits The Charily's receipts in the period were £50.93912024.' £41,527) This is a slight increase from the previous year, reflecting higher income from events and a modest increase in general donations. The Trustees have set a policy of maintaining £2,000 cash reserves across the Current and Savings accounts held at Barclays, in order to cover any unexpected running costs. This level of reserves was maintained at all times during the period, with a balance of £12,16712024.' £9,225) at the year end. The Charity pays all invoices within terms and does not have any debtors at the time of writing. Plans for the future In the forthcoming year, the Charity will continue to support the Cha9ossians as the proposed bill ceding sovereignty makes its way through Parliament. There is a planned programme of events including in Northern Ireland and Gibraltar, for Gibraltar National Day, and across the UK. The Charity is focussing on a formal programme of education and a proposal to increase the members of its Advisory Board to include academics, former officials, and other people associated with the OTS, from its current position of only having parliamentary advisors. The Annual Gala Dinner has been booked at Vintners Hall. Financial statements The financial statements on pages 8 and 9 have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis They have been drawn up in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity's Constitution. Approved by the Trustees on 12 February 2026 and signed on their behalf by.. Slgnature: Email: [e-mail] Simon Leary Trustee ignatur8: Email: philip.sm [e-mail] Philip Smith Trustee

FOTBOT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Friends of the British Overseas Territories (the "Charity"} for the period ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the Charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {the "Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the trustees, accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable 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 material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respecl.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act., or the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matlers 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. Thomas Champneys ACA BSR Bespoke Chartered Accountants Linden House Linden Close Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 8HH Date. 13 February 2026

FOTBOT STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total 2025 2025 2025 2024 RECEIPTS Donations and grants Members, subscriptions Income from events 8,467 8,346 30.126 154 3,750 12,217 8,346 30,126 154 7,291 8,596 24,848 769 Sales of books and merchandise Other income 96 96 23 TOTAL RECEIPTS 47,189 3,750 50,939 41,527 PAYMENTS Fundraising costs Event costs 33,630 729 33,630 729 27,493 1,165 463 Printing and stationery Website and media costs Total fundraising costs 190 190 34.549 34,549 29,121 Charitable activities Donations to special appeals Outreach and governance Total charitable activities costs 1,500 7,276 8,776 11,430 11,430 11,430 11,430 Asset and investment pu￿haseS Other merchandise Total asset and investments purchases 2,018 2,018 747 2,018 2,018 747 TOTAL PAYMENTS 47,997 47,997 38,644 NET RECEIPTS I {PAYMENTSI 18081 3,750 2,942 2,883 CASH FUNDS LAST YEAR END 9,225 8,417 9,225 12,167 6,342 9,225 CASH FUNDS THIS YEAR END 3,750

FOTBOT STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 MARCH 2025 Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2025 Total Total 2025 2024 ASSETS Monelary assets Cash at bank Total monetary assets 8,417 8,417 3,750 3,750 12,167 12,167 9,225 9.225 Non-mon8tary assets Event equipment Copies of book "Britain's Distant Lands. Other merchandise 90 90 903 440 440 2,452 2,982 604 2,452 2,982 Total non-monetary assets 2,928 TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES TOTAL LIABILITIES NET ASSETS I LIABILITIES 15,149 12,153 The notes on page 9 fonn part of these financial slatemenls. Approved by the trustees on 12 February 2026 and signed on their behalf by.. Signature: ignature: Email: [e-mail] Simon Leary Trustee Email: [e-mail] Philip Smith Trustee

FOTBOT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 1. These financial statements are prepared on a receipts and payments basis, with all revenue and expenses shown on a cash basis. Non-monelary assets and liabilities are shown al estimates of the value at the end of the period. 2. No remuneration was paid to any trustee.