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: simonmjleary@aol.com
Simon Leary
Trustee
ignatur8:
Email: philip.sm ith@fotbot.org
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: simonmjleary@aol.com
Simon Leary
Trustee
Email: philip.smith@fotbot.org
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.