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2023-03-31-accounts

Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

REWILDING BRITAIN (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Rewilding Britain

CHARITY NUMBERS: 1159373 (England & Wales) SC045685 (Scotland)

31 MARCH 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A message from our Chair 1
Chief Executive’s Report 2
Trustees’ Report 6
Report of the Independent Auditor 13
Statement of fnancial activities 17
Balance sheet 18
Statement of cash fows 19
Notes to the fnancial statements 20
Professional advisors 29
Acknowledgements 30

Rewilding Britain | www.rewildingbritain.org.uk

Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR

The climate and ecological emergencies are no longer fringe concerns but increasingly dominate the news, recognised as urgent existential threats to both nature and human society. Britain is one of the most nature-depleted countries in George Levvy the world, ranked 189 out of 218 for biological intactness. 56% of UK species are in decline and 15% are threatened with extinction. Yet nature is our lifesupport system – and we know it can bounce back, if we let it.

Rewilding offers hope. It is the large-scale restoration of nature until it can take care of itself – and us – again. It’s about restoring nature’s remarkable web of life, including habitats, nature processes and, where appropriate, missing species. It should be locally-led, with people and communities at its heart. It’s effective and it’s achievable – but we need to be ambitious. We need to Think Big, Act Wild.

Rewilding Britain helps create a wilder Britain that improves lives for people, nature and the climate. We’re bringing together a movement of rewilders, sharing their success stories and inspiring political and public action. We want to see a diverse mosaic of rewilding across our land and seas which allows nature to flourish while delivering significant local benefits – including opportunities for nature-based economies; healthier air, water and soil; and better health and wellbeing for people.

Public support for rewilding continues to grow, with four in five Britons supporting rewilding. This gives us confidence and hope in achieving the transition towards 30% rewilding to enable large-scale ecosystem restoration, boost carbon drawdown and help the UK and devolved governments to meet existing nature and climate commitments.

We’ve seen the interest in rewilding play out in practice in our Rewilding Network, which brings together Britain’s community of rewilders – from landowners and farmers to charities and government agencies – to inspire, share learning and support each other. In its second full year it has grown enormously in both membership and hectares of land being rewilded. It provides evidence and data, and members help advocate for change in policy and for the acceptance of rewilding as a legitimate, positive and viable approach to land and marine management. This year we hosted our first in-person Network event where rewilding practitioners could share their experiences, stories and learning with each other.

We’ve also continued to support projects starting out on their rewilding journey through our Innovation Fund, and increased our strategic investment in large-scale rewilding through the launch of our Challenge Fund. Rewilding action on the ground has helped build the evidence that underpins our work to influence and lobby for policy change and better, more supportive legislation.

For our team, the past year has been one of continued growth as we’ve responded to rewilding’s momentum and increasing demand for our expertise and services. This has been made possible by generous financial and philanthropic support and we’re enormously grateful to all our supporters. The core support of our partners, allies, friends, community fundraisers, trusts and foundations, regular givers and donors is invaluable. Thank you to each and every one of you. You enable Rewilding Britain to focus on catalysing change on the ground and ensuring progressive policy and legislation that allows rewilding to create a wilder, more prosperous Britain.

George Levvy, Chair, Rewilding Britain

Rewilding Britain | www.rewildingbritain.org.uk

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT

Rewilding has recently moved from being a niche idea to playing a significant role in the fight against some of the biggest challenges we face: the climate and biodiversity emergencies. Rewilding Britain has been at the forefront of this change since 2015, but the last year has seen a Rebecca Wrigley massive building of momentum and acceptance of rewilding as a key tool in helping address climate breakdown and the extinction crisis. In a year of significant political upheaval, both at global and domestic levels, Rewilding Britain has responded to opportunities, as well as wider challenges and impacts on our work.

Throughout the year, we’ve prioritised influencing policies that affect key decisions about land use transitions and we’ve continued to draw attention to the potential for rewilding through the Environmental Land Management scheme in England, through national park consultation in Scotland and through the Environmental, Agricultural and Levelling Up Bills in devolved parliaments. Globally, COP15 presented clear opportunities and targets for progress, particularly through the Global Biodiversity Framework. In response to the need for stronger, bolder visions to achieve 30% for nature, we’ve directed our energy and resources to developing a 30% rewilding vision, building evidence and mapping that will underpin our approach across all future external objectives of Rewilding Britain.

We’ve continued to support

rewilding in practice through the Rewilding Network. In its second year, the Network grew by nearly 60% to nearly 800 members, representing over 145,000 hectares of land rewilding and over 50,000 hectares of the sea through 25 marine projects. This continued expansion is a testament to the value of this unique resource for people at any stage of their rewilding journey. The Network provides tools, advice, a place to

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Rewilding Britain
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meet and a collective voice for rewilders across Britain. We connect smaller or newer projects with those who are nearby or more established to share learning. The evidence emerging from the Network, combined with our research and wider collaborations, means that Rewilding Britain is now approached for its expert, independent and authoritative views on issues from community engagement to livelihoods, from species reintroductions to financing nature-based solutions.

With continued generous support from our partners and funders we’ve again invested in our Innovation Fund, supporting 24 land and marine projects across Britain with £273,000 to date. This enables practitioners to test new approaches, support embryonic and scalable rewilding projects and share the learning with the rewilding community. In addition, this year we launched the Rewilding

Challenge Fund, a major new fund of up to £100,000 per year awarded to a rewilding project which shows the maximum potential to upscale rewilding on land or at sea. The fund will not only nurture and enable one large-scale rewilding project annually but ensure that the invaluable knowledge and experience gained by the award-winner is shared with rewilders across Britain through the Rewilding Network.

Rewilding Britain | www.rewildingbritain.org.uk

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2022/23

Our ambition is to see a massive upscaling of nature’s recovery across at least 30% of Britain’s land and seas by 2030, supporting natural forest and woodland, peatlands, rivers, moorlands, saltmarshes and healthy seas, as well as sustainable, green economies and rural communities. A transition towards 30% rewilding will support largescale ecosystem restoration, boost carbon drawdown and help the UK and devolved governments to meet existing nature and climate commitments.

OBJECTIVE 1

Scaling up rewilding:

Britain's largest public, NGO and private landowners make a commitment and are in the process of rewilding at least 200k ha working in line with our rewilding principles.

in areas with the highest potential impact.

Rewilding Britain’s strategy is focused on catalysing change on the ground and sea and ensuring rewilding’s systemic approach is supported through progressive policy and legislation. To achieve this and to ensure we stay on track, we’ve set objectives to 2025. Together with the last financial year’s highlights of our progress towards achieving them, these are:

OBJECTIVE 2

Growing the rewilding movement:

Rewilding Network members are supported to increase rewilding area to 300k ha land & 200k ha marine and to move up the rewilding spectrum and to share their expertise and stories to inspire others.

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

OBJECTIVE 3

Wilder national parks and protected areas:

At least 25% of all national parks and protected areas (land and marine) commit to and are in the process of creating 10% core rewilding areas within a wider 50% dedicated to nature’s recovery and a nature-based economic approach.

OBJECTIVE 4

Enabling policy context:

Key legislation and policy changes enable, incentivise and provide funding for rewilding. Rewilding Britain’s thought leadership has made tangible differences, for example:

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Rewilding Britain

OBJECTIVE 5

Building engagement:

Public support for rewilding is growing and broadening with a diverse range of people getting more actively involved in the rewilding movement.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2023/24

We have an ambitious strategic plan, theory of change and detailed workplan for the coming year, focused on delivering our 2023-2025 objectives. This is backed up by a more ambitious budget and income projections to meet the growth of the organisation underpinned with the development of our fundraising streams. The growing momentum and unprecedented interest in rewilding presents multiple opportunities for policy change to drive an ecological, social and economic recovery.

For more detailed information about our plans for 2023-24 and beyond, please see our Rewilding Britain Think Big, Act Wild 2030 Vision and Strategy.

Rebecca Wrigley Chief Executive, Rewilding Britain

Rewilding Britain | www.rewildingbritain.org.uk

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TRUSTEES' REPORT
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The Trustees of Rewilding Britain present their annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023 together with the financial statements for that period. The financial statements comply with Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS102) and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP2015).

Objectives and activities

Our charitable objectives are:

"To promote for the benefit of the public the improvement and conservation of the physical and natural environment in Britain by promoting the restoration of ecosystems and biological diversity"

"To advance the education of the public in the restoration, conservation and improvement of the physical and natural environment"

The Trustees have referred to the guidance from the Charity Commission on public benefit in producing this report and when reviewing our aims and objectives and planning our future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

Our vision

Rewilding is flourishing across Britain – reconnecting us with the natural world, sustaining communities and tackling the climate emergency and the extinction crisis.

Our mission

To champion rewilding in Britain – acting as a catalyst for debate and action, and demonstrating the power of working with nature to tackle the climate emergency and the extinction crisis.

Activities and services provided

Over the last year Rewilding Britain has delivered against four objectives:

1. CATALYSE: To work in partnership with other experts and practitioners to support and create networks to share rewilding research, evidence and expertise and catalyse practice.

2. INFLUENCE: To promote and advocate for the adoption of policies, legislation and practice which embed, and provide mainstream political and financial support for, rewilding.

3. ENGAGE: To engage key audiences to ensure rewilding is more widely understood and supported by our key audiences, and to provide actions for those who want to support rewilding personally.

4. DELIVER: To be a collaborative organisation, respected externally as a visionary and pioneering charity which makes a significant contribution to the growth of rewilding in Britain, with an internal culture and governance that make it a great place to work.

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Rewilding Britain

Trustees' Report continued

Financial Review

Total income for the year was £1,235k – a decrease of £567k over 2021/22. The income for the year ended 31 March 2022 was unusually high as a result of one major donation of £500k, combined with the recognition of the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation three-year grant of £200,000, in accordance with our revenue recognition policy and the Charities SORP.

Incoming resources relating to restricted funds totalled £171k for the year (2021/22: £94k), and after expenditure of £289k (2021/22: £292k) and transfers of £3k (2021/22: £1k) resulted in a reduction in restricted funds of £115k (2021/22: £198k). Total restricted funds as 31 March 2023 were £234k (2021/22: £349k) (see note 12 to the accounts).

Unrestricted income for the year was £1,065k (2021/22: £1,708k). Of this, £391k was donated by Trusts and Foundations, £299k came from regular and one-off donations, £87k from major donors and £286k from corporate donations.

We recorded a deficit of £237k on unrestricted funds, including designated funds (2021/22: surplus of £1,158k), before transfers of £3k (2021/22: £1k), decreasing unrestricted funds from £1,709k to £1,469k (2021/22: increase from £551k to £1,709k).

During the year the Finance & Risk committee met quarterly, with the remit to assist the Board in its duty to supervise the broad direction of our charity’s financial affairs, governance and major operating risks. This comprises Francis Smith (Treasurer), George Levvy (Chair), Julian Purvis (Trustee), Joanne Smithson (Trustee, resigned during the financial year), Rebecca Wrigley (Chief Executive) and Richard Miller (Head of Finance).

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30 % 12 %
35 % 41 %
WHERE
HOW ARE
DOES THE
WE FUNDED?
MONEY GO?
22 % 25 %
8 % 27 %
£ £
Charitable trusts & foundations 431,938 Scaling up rewilding 642,916
Regular and one-off donations 331,200 Enabling policy context 404,052
Major philanthropic donations 106,769 Building engagement 348,157
Corporate donations 365,574 Raising funds 195,357
1,235,481 1,590,482
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Trustees' Report continued

Financial Reserves Policy

A detailed strategy and supporting budget has been prepared for the next three years ending 31 March 2026. The Board understands its obligation to apply income to Rewilding Britain’s charitable objectives as soon as practicable. Our reserves policy and our target reserves levels are reviewed annually by our Trustee Board, the last time in September 2022. Our current policy is to hold unrestricted reserves, excluding any designated funds, of £500k as the charity grows its scope and operations. This reflects the Trustees’ appraisal of working capital requirements, the risks in Rewilding Britain's sources of budgeted income, and an allowance for unplanned expenditure and funding for key investments during the next planning cycle.

The charity has created designated funds, earmarked as planned expenditure in our budget for the ensuing three years, to provide both recognition of rewilding and provide financial support to landowners to start rewilding projects on their land. Expenditure, including transfers, against these designated funds in the year ended 31 March 2023 was £227k, and a further £306k was transferred from general unrestricted funds during the year. Free reserves remaining at 31 March 2023 after

designated reserves was £580k. In line with our growth strategy with the aim to upscale rewilding and increase impact, Rewilding Britain has budgeted for significant expenditure in excess of income (i.e.deficits), in addition to the monies already set aside in our designated funds, in excess of £260k over the next three years to 31 March 2026.

Our three-year revised strategy and supporting budget to 31 March 2026 allows us a buffer and an opportunity to commit to expenditure in the early stages of the plan whilst minimising the risk and impact of the projected income for the next year and beyond not meeting forecast levels. Regular quarterly management reporting will give us an early indication of any shortfall in income, allowing us sufficient time to amend our levels of expenditure, either by reducing it in total, changing our priorities of spend or deferring the date by which it is spent. This will allow us to remain agile and responsive to need.

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Trustees' Report continued

"Trusts and foundations are the largests proportion of our income"

Fundraising approach and performance

The approach to income generation has continued to deliver successfully with the aim of growing major gifts through individuals and organisations, with the consolidation of support from our growing base of supporters.

Our total fundraising income exceeded the income budget we set, with the highest level of growth from new and existing corporate partners. The team has put in place a range of support and systems to improve our due diligence, onboarding and management of corporate relationships.

Trusts and foundations are the largest proportion of our income, closely followed by corporate and major gifts from individuals. Overall income was lower than the previous year but this is due to the timings of one significant donation.

The fundraising strategy remains focused on increasing major gifts through building relationships with potential donors and partners who are motivated to invest in rewilding as a means to addressing the climate and biodiversity crises.

Risk Management

The Board recognises its responsibilities in terms of managing risk and has systems in place to ensure that the risks faced by the charity are identified, assessed, managed and monitored.

Risks are assessed by senior staff and the Board. Current material risks have been formally reviewed by the Finance and Risk Committee at each quarterly meeting during the year.

The Board considers the gross risk before taking into account the internal and external controls and the residual net risk after these internal and external controls are applied.

The major external risks continue to relate to the uncertain political situation, with a general election on the horizon in the UK. In addition, the Ukraine war and cost of living crisis is unhelpfully polarising the environment against food production, as well as detracting from the need to keep the environment in the public psyche. We plan to ensure that balanced, evidence-led discussion demonstrates that rewilding has no negative impact on food production both in the UK and globally. There is

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Trustees' Report continued

particular risk that commitments may be weakened with negative knock-on effects for rewilding. Our internal controls are intended to manage rather than eliminate risks and to give reasonable rather than absolute reassurances.

Principal risks are outlined in the table below. There are significant internal net risks, all of which will be mitigated through either existing or identifiable actions within our 2023/24 plans, and are therefore considered to be acceptable:

RISKS SUMMARY OF MITIGATION ACTIONS
New UK agricultural and environment
policies may be put at risk. Political
climate and government spending
cuts may lead to watering down of
net zero commitments in general
and England's land subsidies in
particular.		 • Identifed as a key objective in our current strategy, with actions
from the Catalyse and Infuence (C&I) Working Group. Development
of our 30x30 Vision and Political Traction projects.
• The C&I Team is now fully staffed with the appointment of our
Rewilding Director and coordinators for policy and advocacy
covering England, Scotland and Wales.
Rapid growth may expose us
to the risk of non-compliance
with our statutory and regulatory
commitments.		 • Detailed knowledge in trustee and executive teams
mitigates risk of non-compliance.
• Advice and support from external accountants, HR
advisors and IT/data specialists.
• Chief Operating Ofcer in post as of April 2023,
bringing increased capacity to HR and Data functions.
Resilience of our IT systems, data
processing & cyber systems security,
including GDPR.		 • Data security and compliance review carried out by external
specialist, including systems PEN (penetration) test by third party.
• GDPR policies in place, subject to review on an annual basis.
• Data security and management group formed to discuss IT, data
and security issues and co-ordinate staff training.
Potential incapacitation and loss of
key staff.		 • HR Support team in place.
• Regular check-ins with team members with clear objectives
and priorities, including assessing personal circumstances
and workload.
• Senior Leadership Team in place and greater spread of
knowledge and resources minimise potential impact.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
policies need to develop if we wish to
meet our aspirations as a charity.		 • Our EDI Working Group has been established with a remit to
develop a Vision, rationale and practical workplan.
•Facilitated training sessions for trustees and staff.

The day-to-day management is delegated to our Chief Executive, Rebecca Wrigley, and her senior leadership team.

Rewilding Britain | www.rewildingbritain.org.uk

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Rewilding Britain

Trustees' Report continued

Future Plans

Our future plans are detailed in the Chief Executive’s Report on page 5.

Structure, governance and management

Legal and Administrative Details

Rewilding Britain was founded in 2014 as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It is registered in England and Wales (Charity no. 1159373), and Scotland (Charity no. SC045685) Its registered office is The Courtyard, Shoreham Road, Upper Beeding, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3TN. It is governed by its Constitution adopted on 27th August 2014 and amended on 4 April 2022.

The members of the Trustee Board are Trustees under charity law. They are also known as Board Members.

Recruitment of trustees

Trustees are recruited in accordance with our Constitution. In selecting individuals for appointment of trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the Charity.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and 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 provisions of the charity’s constitution. They 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.

The Board

The Board is made up of at least three and not more than twelve trustees including the Chair. All Board Members serve a three-year term of office and can be re-elected for further terms of three years. The Board has formed 2 sub-committees (Finance & Risk and Nominations & Governance) with a remit to meet on a quarterly basis, the members of each indicated on page 11.

We would like to thank our retiring trustees for the generous contribution they have made to the growth and impact of Rewilding Britain as they come to the end of their term of service. We offer a warm welcome to our new trustees, recruited to help the charity as it enters the next phase of its development.

Induction and training of trustees

All members of the Board have role descriptions and take part in induction programmes, training and development as appropriate.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The following statements have been affirmed by each of the Trustees of the charity:

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Trustees' Report continued

Reference and administrative details

Registered Charity Name

Rewilding Britain

Charity Registration Number

1159373 (England and Wales), SC045685 (Scotland)

Management

The Board delegates responsibility for the day-today management of Rewilding Britain to our Chief Executive Rebecca Wrigley, and her senior leadership team (see below).

Senior Leadership Team

Rebecca Wrigley Chief Executive

Marian Carson Chief Operating Officer (joined 17 April 2023) Alastair Driver Director Hilary Cross Head of Brand and Communications Kate Barclay Head of Fundraising and Partnerships Richard Miller Head of Finance

Kevin Cumming Rewilding Director (joined 3 July 2023)

Professional Advisers

A list of Rewilding Britain’s professional advisers appears on page 29.

The Board

The present office holders and any past office holders who served during the year, and to the date of signing this Report, are listed below. Trustees who form part of sub-committees are indicated as follows, Finance & Risk (F+R) and Nominations & Governance (N+G).

The Board (Trustees)

Approved by the Trustees on 13 September 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

George Levvy, Chair, Rewilding Britain

George Levvy Chair F+R, N+G
Julian Purvis Trustee F+R, N+G
Charles Burrell Trustee (resigned 7 December 2022)
Toby Aykroyd Trustee (resigned 14 March 2023)
Elaine Gilligan Trustee
Joanne Smithson Trustee (resigned 12 January 2023) F+R
David Tudor Trustee
Rachel Evatt Trustee N+G
Francis Smith Treasurer & Company Secretary F+R
Harry Barton Trustee (appointed 21 June 2023)
Priyanka Khandelwal Trustee (appointed 21 June 2023) F+R
Nick Wilkinson Trustee (appointed 21 June 2023) N+G

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

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Rewilding Britain
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We have audited the financial statements of Rewilding Britain (the ‘charitable incorporated organisation’) for the year ended 31 March 2023. 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:

responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable incorporated organisation 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

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

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees 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 charitable incorporated organisation’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.

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Rewilding Britain

Report of the Independent Auditor continued

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Charities Act 2011

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable incorporated organisation and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, 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 trustees 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 charitable incorporated organisation’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 charitable incorporated organisation or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/ Our-Work/Audit/Audit-and-assurance/Standards-andguidance/Standards-and-guidance-for-auditors/ Auditors-responsibilities-for-audit/Description-ofauditors-responsibilities-for-audit.aspx. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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Report of the Independent Auditor continued

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

The objectives of our audit, in respect to fraud, are: to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses; and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with governance of the entity and its management.

Our approach was as follows:

management the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations (see below).

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Report of the Independent Auditor continued

Use of our report

Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations. Where the risk was considered to be higher, we performed audit procedures to address each identified fraud risk. These procedures included: testing manual journals; reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation; performing analytical procedures; and enquiring of management, these were designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free from fraud or error.

This report is made solely to the charitable incorporated organisation’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 44 (1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable incorporated organisation’s members 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 charitable incorporated organisation and the charitable incorporated organisation’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect noncompliance with all laws and regulations.

Mark Cummins (FCCA) (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of TC Group Statutory Auditors Office: Steyning

Dated: 19 October 2023

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2022

Rewilding Britain

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Note
Income from
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investments
Total
Expenditure on
4
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfer between funds
11
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
671,619
391,438
1,555
1,064,612
195,357
1,105,957
1,301,314
(236,702)
(3,258)
(239,960)
1,709,029
1,469,069		 Restricted
Funds
£
130,369
40,500
-
170,869
-
289,168
289,168
(118,299)
3,258
(115,041)
348,624
233,583		 2022/23
Total
£
801,988
431,938
1,555
1,235,481
195,357
1,395,125
1,590,482
(355,001)
-
(355,001)
2,057,653
1,702,652		 2021/22
Total
£
1,164,691
640,004
347
1,802,042
97,629
743,848
841,477
960,565
-
960,565
1,097,088
2,057,653

The notes on pages 20 to 29 form part of these financial statements

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17

Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

BALANCE SHEET

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Notes
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Liabilities:
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
9
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Total net assets
The funds of the charity:
Unrestricted funds
11
Restricted funds
11
Total charity funds		 2023
£
490,959
1,554,549
2,045,508
(342,856)
1,702,652
1,702,652
1,702,652
1,469,069
233,583
1,702,652		 2022
£
551,124
1,637,110
2,188,234
(130,581)
2,057,653
2,057,653
2,057,653
1,709,029
348,624
2,057,653

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 13 September 2023 by:

George Levvy, Chair, Rewilding Britain

The notes on pages 20 to 29 form part of these financial statements

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Cash fows from operating activities:
Note:
Net cash provided / (absorbed) by operating activities (see Table 1)
Net cash provided by investing activities (interest receivable)
Increase / (decrease) in Cash
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2022 (see Table 2)
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2023 (see Table 2)
Table 1: Reconciliation of net income to net cash
fow from operating activities
Net income / (expenditure) for the year
Adjustments for:
(Increase) / decrease in debtors
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Investment income (interest receivable)
9
10
Net cash provided / (absorbed) by operating activities
Table 2: Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash in hand
Total cash and cash equivalents		 2022/23
£
(84,116)
1,555
(82,561)
1,637,110
1,554,549
2022/23
£
(355,001)
60,165
212,275
(1,555)
(84,116)
2023
£
1,554,549
1,554,549		 2021/22
£
909,920
347
910,267
726,843
1,637,110
2021/22
£
960,565
(125,453)
75,155
(347)
909,920
2022
£
1,637,110
1,637,110

The notes on pages 20 to 29 form part of these financial statements

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. Principal accounting policies

a) Basis of accounting and statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities (SORP 2015 (FRS 102)), and applicable accounting standards (FRS102).

Rewilding Britain 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 pound.

After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern and as such, the going concern basis has been adopted for the preparation of these financial statements.

The principal accounting policies and estimation techniques are as follows:

b) Income

Voluntary income and grants receivable are recognised when the amount can be accurately quantified, it becomes probable that the income will be received and the charity becomes entitled to the income.

c) Fund Accounting

Restricted funds are those the use of which is restricted by the conditions imposed by the donors.

Unrestricted funds are those which are available for the general advancement of Rewilding Britain’s objectives.

d) Allocation of Costs

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis when a liability is incurred. Overheads and support costs have been allocated to the cost headings in the Statement of Financial Activities as follows:

e) Charitable activities

Charitable activity costs include all expenditure incurred in direct pursuit of Rewilding Britain’s charitable objectives.

f) VAT

Rewilding Britain is not VAT registered. Costs include VAT where applicable.

g) Pension schemes

Investment income is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Rewilding Britain operates defined contribution pension schemes for all qualifying employees. The assets of the schemes are held in separate funds administered by independent providers.

continued »

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

1. Principal accounting policies (continued)

h) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost (or deemed cost) or valuation less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Individual items costing less than £2,500 are written off as incurred whilst those costing this amount or more are capitalised as tangible fixed assets.

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful life as follows:

• Computer equipment 2 years

i) Creditors and provisions

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.

The trustees do not consider that there are any critical estimates or areas of judgement that need to be brought to the attention of the readers of the financial statements.

m) Foreign exchange

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.

j) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and shortterm highly liquid investments. The trustees seek to use short-term deposits where possible to optimise the return on monies held at the bank and to manage cash flow.

k) Debtors

Amounts owing to the charity at the balance sheet date are shown as debtors less any provisions for amounts that may prove uncollectable.

l) Key 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.

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

2. Income from donations and legacies

Major personal donations
General donations		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
86,769
584,850
671,619		 Restricted
Funds
£
20,000
110,369
130,369		 Total
2023
£
106,769
695,219
801,988		 Total
2022
£
606,170
555,521
1,161,691

3. Income from charitable activities

Grants from Trusts and
Foundations		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
391,438
391,438		 Restricted
Funds
£
40,500
40,500		 Total
2023
£
431,938
431,938		 Total
2022
£
640,004
640,004

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

4. Analysis of expenditure

Raising funds
Fundraising costs
Support costs
Total raising funds
Charitable activities
Catalyse
Activities undertaken directly
Support costs
Total
Infuence
Activities undertaken directly
Support costs
Total
Engage
Activities undertaken directly
Support costs
Total
Total charitable activities
Total expenditure		 Staff costs
£
135,449
7,765
143,214
161,804
23,296
185,100
160,176
23,296
183,472
134,195
23,296
157,491
526,063
669,277		 Other costs
£
32,077
20,066
52,143
397,619
60,197
457,816
160,383
60,197
220,580
130,469
60,197
190,666
869,062
921,205		 Total
2022/23
£
167,526
27,831
195,357
559,423
83,493
642,916
320,559
83,493
404,052
264,664
83,493
348,157
1,395,125
1,590,482		 Total
2021/22
£
85,156
12,473
97,629
269,703
37,418
307,121
193,240
37,418
230,658
168,651
37,418
206,069
743,848
841,477

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

5. Employee information

Average monthly headcount
Employee costs were as follows:
Salaries
National Insurance
Pension contributions		 2022/23
16
£
587,833
56,956
24,488
669,277		 2021/22
11
£
324,465
27,995
14,651
367,111

Rewilding Britain has a Group Personal Pension Scheme with Aviva. Rewilding Britain contributes 4% of eligible employees’ salaries to their pension plans, with a matching option up to 6%. 17 members of staff (2022: 11) were members of the Group Personal Pension Plan at the end of the year.

No employees received £60,000 or more in 2023 or 2022.

The Senior Leadership Team (see page 12) are the key management personnel of the charity. The remuneration of key management personnel (including national insurance contributions and employer’s pension contributions) was £252,620 (2021/22: £201,475) and was comprised of 3.5 FTE (2021/22: 3 FTE). The increase year on year reflects an increase in contracted hours together with market salary adjustments and a one-off cost of living bonus.

6. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

During the year the charity was controlled by the trustees. None of the Trustees received any remuneration during the year (2021/22: none). Expenses reimbursed to trustees during the year amounted to £3,260 (2021/22: £3,108). One trustee was paid £24,560 for consultancy services provided in a self-employed capacity during the year to 31 March 2023 (2022: £6,000). Toby Aykroyd was a trustee of Rewilding Britain and the Wilderness Foundation UK in the year ended 31 March 2023. During the year an Innovation Fund grant totalling £15,000 was awarded to the Wilderness Foundation for their work at the Spains Hall Estate.

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

7. Auditor's renumeration

2023 2022
£ £
Audit 8,910 7,800
Other services 3,686 2,569

8. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year

Prepayments & accrued income
Other debtors		 2023
£
490,959
-
490,959		 2022
£
544,855
6,269
551,124

9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Grants and awards payable
Accruals
PAYE/NI payable
Other creditors		 2023
£
47,048
222,261
51,801
17,618
4,128
342,856		 2022
£
34,498
28,130
56,845
8,873
2,235
130,581

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

10. Analysis of net assets between funds

As at 31 March 2023:
Restricted Funds (note 11)
Unrestricted Funds
At 31 March 2023
As at 31 March 2022:
Restricted Funds (note 11)
Unrestricted Funds
At 31 March 2022		 Current
Assets
£
252,461
1,793,047
2,045,508
Current
Assets
£
363,411
1,824,823
2,188,234		 Current
Liabilities
£
(18,878)
(323,978)
(342,856)
Current
Liabilities
£
(14,787)
(115,794)
(130,581)		 Total Net
Assets
£
233,583
1,469,069
1,702,652
Total Net
Assets
£
348,624
1,709,029
2,057,653

11. Fund reconciliation

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Rewilding Innovation
Rewilding Challenge
Total unrestricted funds		 Balance at
1 April
2022
£
899,029
550,000
260,000
1,709,029		 Incoming
Resources
£
1,064,612
-
-
1,064,612		 Resources
Expended
£
(1,076,825)
(124,489)
(100,000)
(1,301,314)		 Transfers
£
(306,756)
148,248
155,250
(3,258)		 Balance at
31 March
2023
£
580,060
573,759
315,250
1,469,069

The Rewilding Innovation designated fund is to provide financial support to landowners looking to start rewilding projects on their land. The Rewilding Challenge designated fund is to provide recognition of projects on an annual basis.

continued »

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

11. Fund reconciliation continued

RESTRICTED FUNDS

English Projects
Incubator Fund
NJ Martin – Falmouth University
Oak Foundation
Rewilding Network
Talla Hartfell
Yearn Stane Project
Rewilding in Scotland
Marine Rewilding
Total restricted funds		 Balance at
1 April
2022
£
49,153
63,420
-
202,526
29,725
1,900
1,900
-
-
348,624		 Incoming
Resources
£
2,000
20,000
-
-
85,000
-
-
12,500
51,369
170,869		 Resources
Expended
£
(23,654)
(85,775)
1,500
(117,335)
(51,607)
-
-
-
(12,297)
(289,168)		 Transfers
£
-
2,355
-
903
-
-
-
-
-
3,258		 Balance at
31 March
2023
£
27,499
-
1,500
86,094
63,118
1,900
1,900
12,500
39,072
233,583

The English projects fund relates to income received to support rewilding projects in England, including Wild Peak.

The Incubator fund is designed to provide financial support to landowners looking to start rewilding projects on their land. During the year, a transfer of £2,355 was made out of unrestricted funds to The Incubator fund.

The NJ Martin fund was established to support students of the Marine and Natural History Film Department of Falmouth University in the production of short films on the theme of rewilding land and sea.

The Oak Foundation fund relates to income received to fund core support costs until 2024. During the year, a transfer of £903 was made out of unrestricted funds to the Oak Foundation fund.

The Rewilding Network fund consists of funding received to build an effective, sustainable network to provide guidance, support and access to expert rewilding knowledge.

The Talla Hartfell fund relates to income received to support the Talla Hartfell rewilding project in Scotland.

The Yearn Stane Project fund relates to funds received to facilitate a project in Scotland.

The Rewilding in Scotland fund is designed to support specific rewilding projects in Scotland.

The Marine Rewilding fund was established to increase rewilding in the marine environment through policy and practice.

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27

Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

12. Statement of financial activities

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Note
Income from
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
Total
Expenditure on
5
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfer between funds
12
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,136,691
571,004
347
1,708,042
97,629
451,752
549,381
1,158,661
(405)
1,158,256
550,773
1,709,029		 Restricted
Funds
£
25,000
69,000
-
94,000
-
292,096
292,096
(198,096)
405
(197,691)
546,315
348,624		 2021/22
Total
£
1,161,691
640,004
347
1,802,042
97,629
743,848
841,477
960,565
-
960,565
1,097,088
2,057,653		 2020/21
Total
£
356,676
407,855
934
765,465
57,083
579,055
636,138
129,327
-
129,327
967,761
1,097,088

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

13. Related party transactions

The only related party transactions undertaken in the years to March 2023 and March 2022 are the reimbursed trustee expenses and transactions outlined in note 6.

14. Taxation

As a charity, Rewilding Britain is exempt from income tax to the extent that income generated is applied to the organisation’s charitable purpose.

15. Legal form

Rewilding Britain is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered in both England & Wales and Scotland.

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

Auditors

Bankers

TC Group The Courtyard, Shoreham Road Upper Beeding Steyning West Sussex BN44 3TN

The Co-operative Bank plc. P.O. Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP

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Report & Financial Statements 31 March 2023

Rewilding Britain

2022/23 ANNUAL REVIEW ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank every single organisation and individual who made our work possible over the year.

All contributions at all levels are valued and we respect the desire of many to remain anonymous. However, we would like to acknowledge the organisations below:

100 Acres AGComms AKO Foundation Axter Ltd Babel Burnt Mill Brewery C A Redfern Charitable Trust Carman Family Foundation Companion Studio Consano Earth Fund Corton Hill Trust Dip and Doze Dormywood Trust Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Esprit Explore Worldwide Frederick Mulder Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation Good Loop Gower Street Helvellyn Foundation Hotelplan Inghams Inntravel Jean and Roger Miller’s Charitable Trust John Ellerman Foundation Kabloom Lua Ltd

Mattinson Partnership Mer Montanaro Asset Management Newby Trust Nurture Brands Oak Foundation Orp Foundation Oxenwood PayPal Giving Fund Prince & Sons Tea Company Republic of Music Roger Raymond Charitable Trust RSMR Santa’s Lapland Scrumbles Springwise sString Consultancy Ltd The Ennismore Foundation The Instant Group The Jane and Michael Davies Charitable Trust The Toms Family Charitable Trust The Wates Family Foundation Thornbridge Tokoro Capital LLP TPX Impact Turnstyle Designs Unum

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30

Image credits: Long eared owl © James Warwick; Dundreggan in autumn © Paul Campbell Photography; Tree planting © Cambrian Wildwood; Aerial river and wetland © steved_np3/ iStock; White tailed sea eagle © Binson/Shutterstock_White tailed sea eagle; Humpback whale © Richard Shucksmith/scotlandbigpicture.com; Aerial wetlands © Knepp; Eurasian beaver © Alasdair Sargeant/iStock; Common crane © Mark Hamblin/scotlandbigpicture.com; Seawilding oyster reintroduction © Seawilding; European bison © SzymonBartosz/iStock; Tollesbury marshes © Aerial Essex/iStock

www.rewildingbritain.org.uk

Rewilding Britain is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England & Wales (no. 1159373), and Scotland (no. SCO45685). Registered office: The Courtyard, Shoreham Road, Upper Beeding, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3TN