BREAKING CONVENTION EVENTS
ANNUAL TRUSTEES REPORT 2023-2024
Company Registered: 08482397
Charity Registered: 1159687
TRUSTEE DIRECTORS:
Aimee Tollan David Luke Nikki Wyrd Harriet Wells Alexander Beiner Peter Sjostedt-Hughes
The charity is incorporated under guarantee.
Activities and Achievements
The main activity of the charity is to organise the biennial academic conference ‘Breaking Convention-Multidisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness’. Breaking Convention is a gathering of psychedelic researchers and those interested in psychedelic research. They come from many different academic disciplines; neuroscience, anthropology, medicine and art to name a few. The conference acts as an educational tool for those interested in psychedelic research, as a platform for researchers to present new data, and as a networking event for those in the psychedelic research community. The three-day conference is held at a hired venue, and includes a full programme of talks across four lecture theatres, workshops, a film festival and a visionary art exhibition. The event in April 2023 was held at the University of Exeter.
Financial Overview
This report is prepared at the end of the financial year to 31 August 2024.
Due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions since 2020, the event in April 2023 was the first three-day conference held in person since 2020. The next event is to be held in April 2025. In the intervening years, one-day events were held.
The primary source of income has been from ticket sales. Other sources of income are from a small amount of sponsorship from donors who wish to fund a particular speaker’s flights, or to have their logo appear in the conference programme. Stall spaces are sold for a fixed fee in the marketplace area. A small amount of profit is made from selling merchandise and a bookstall.
Breaking Convention also publishes a collection of essays written by speakers from the previous conference. The directors select and edit essays submitted by the speakers, which is then published by Strange Attractor Press. Some income comes from the sale of these books online. All of the income from all sources is spent on organising the conference, hire
of the venue, production and filming costs, travel expenses for crew and invited speakers for the conference itself and for each of our meetings, equipment hire, and accommodation for the crew during the conference.
Two of the Directors (Aimee Tollan & Nikki Wyrd) are paid an hourly rate of £25.00 and £18.00 respectively, to manage the organisation. They both work part-time hours for the majority of the year. Other trustees give their time voluntarily, however travel expenses are paid for by the organisation. Examples of tasks undertaken by the aforementioned Directors are managing the day to day operations of the organisation, managing the social media account, answering email queries from attendees, general event production duties, managing the financial records, and holding smaller events in addition to the 3 day conference, amongst other tasks.
The conference is usually planned over a period of 2 years. Any surplus or shortfall from one year’s accounts will be carried forward and used to cover the next scheduled event. All funds are reinvested in the event and the Charity’s operation.
The company does not hold any capital assets or other investments.
Management and Operation
The charity is managed by a group of 6 directors plus a wider non-executive committee of 15 people. The Executive Committee (Aimee Tollan, Nikki Wyrd, Harriet Wells, David Luke, Alexander Beiner & Peter Sjostedt-Hughes) share connections in academia and come together through a mutual interest in psychedelic research and consciousness. They arrange the academic programme of the conference, invite the speakers, organise venue hire, and create a ‘2nd-track programme’ from people who have submitted abstracts to present. In addition to the core group of directors we have a wider committee, who attend our main meetings, to whom certain tasks are delegated. For example, managing our group of volunteers (who act as ushers and as technicians in the lecture theatres, and many other roles) for all scheduled events. Other tasks undertaken by the wider committee include; the organisation of the visionary art exhibition, arranging the production of merchandise, curating the digital art installations, and website construction/maintenance.
The management of the organisation’s event takes place through either face-to-face or online meetings every few months, and through regular email correspondence.
During this year, the Directors reviewed all areas of the business, considered, and agreed policies to mitigate and/or protect against any risk areas identified.
Future Aims and Objectives
Breaking Convention will continue to provide funding with our annual “Student Essay Prize” for the best essays in various disciplines and to accept submissions for our collection of essays that we publish. We plan to edit another collection of essays and will continue hosting smaller lectures in person and via zoom. Finally, we plan to hold our biennial conference in 2025, all duties surrounding this have been outlined above.
…………………………………………………
AIMEE TOLLAN
Signed on behalf of the Directors/Trustees 23 June 2025
…………………………………………………
Nikki Wyrd
Signed on behalf of the Directors/Trustees 23 June 2025
Company Registration No. 08482397 (England and Wales)
BREAKING CONVENTION EVENTS ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
BREAKING CONVENTION EVENTS ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Company information | 3 |
| Directors' report | 4 |
| Income statement | 5 |
| Statement of financial position | 6 |
| Notes to the accounts | 7 |
| Detailed profit and loss account | 8 |
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BREAKING CONVENTION EVENTS COMPANY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Directors
Company Number
Registered Office
Accountants
DAVID LUKE AIMEE TOLLAN NIKKI WYRD HARRIET WELLS ALEXANDER BEINER PETER HUGHES 08482397 (England and Wales) 27 Old Gloucester Street London WC1N 3AX England C M MITCHELL ACCOUNTANCY LTD 111 WOLSEY DRIVE KINGSTON UPON THAMES SURREY KT2 5DR
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BREAKING CONVENTION EVENTS (COMPANY NO: 08482397 ENGLAND AND WALES) DIRECTORS' REPORT
The directors present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024.
Directors
The following directors held office during the whole of the period:
DAVID LUKE AIMEE TOLLAN NIKKI WYRD HARRIET WELLS ALEXANDER BEINER
PETER HUGHES was appointed on 19 April 2024.
CAMERON ADAMS resigned on 19 April 2024.
Statement of directors' responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare accounts for each financial year. Under that law, the directors have elected to prepare the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these accounts, the directors are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Signed on behalf of the board of directors
............................................................................
AIMEE TOLLAN Director
Approved by the board on: 31 May 2025
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BREAKING CONVENTION EVENTS INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Turnover Cost of sales Gross surplus Administrative expenses Operating loss Interest receivable and similar income Loss on ordinary activities before taxation Tax on loss on ordinary activities Loss for the financial year |
2024 £ 54,750 (38,557) 16,193 (27,619) (11,426) 31 (11,395) (17) (11,412) |
2023 £ 179,438 (156,496) |
|---|---|---|
| 22,942 (38,430) |
||
| (15,488) 87 |
||
| (15,401) - |
||
| (15,401) |
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BREAKING CONVENTION EVENTS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024
| Notes Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 4 Net current assets Net assets Reserves 5 Profit and loss account Members' funds |
2024 £ 9,638 (950) 8,688 8,688 8,688 8,688 |
2023 £ 20,800 (700) |
|---|---|---|
| 20,100 | ||
| 20,100 | ||
| 20,100 | ||
| 20,100 |
For the year ending 31 August 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime and in accordance with the provisions of FRS 102 Section 1A - Small Entities.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 31 May 2025 and were signed on its behalf by
AIMEE TOLLAN Director
Company Registration No. 08482397
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BREAKING CONVENTION EVENTS NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
1 Statutory information
BREAKING CONVENTION EVENTS is a private company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, registration number 08482397. The registered office is 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX, England.
2 Compliance with accounting standards
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of FRS 102 Section 1A Small Entities. There were no material departures from that standard.
3 Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below and have remained unchanged from the previous year, and also have been consistently applied within the same accounts.
Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of certain fixed assets.
Presentation currency
The accounts are presented in £ sterling.
Turnover
Turnover represents the value, net of VAT and discounts, of goods provided to customers and work carried out in respect of services provided to customers.
Charitable status
The company has charitable status under number 1159687. All funds are exclusively for charitable purposes and, as such, are exempt from Corporation Tax. The company's aims are for the public benefit, the advancement of education, science, and the arts in particular but not exclusively.�
The company organises a convention on alternate years, and income relating to a convention held in one year will be collected over the course of both years.
| 4 | Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Other creditors | 950 | 700 |
5 Company limited by guarantee
The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital.�
.
6 Average number of employees
During the year the average number of employees was 0 (2023: 0).
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BREAKING CONVENTION EVENTS DETAILED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
This schedule does not form part of the statutory accounts.
| This schedule does not form part of the statutory accounts. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Turnover Sales Cost of sales Purchases Gross profit Administrative expenses Travel and subsistence Stationery and printing Subscriptions Bank charges Insurance Accountancy fees Consultancy fees Advertising and PR Operating loss Interest receivable Interest receivable Loss on ordinary activities before taxation |
2024 £ 54,750 38,557 16,193 6,971 156 374 55 472 950 18,641 - 27,619 (11,426) 31 (11,395) |
2023 £ 179,438 |
| 156,496 | ||
| 22,942 | ||
| 6,527 2,488 876 76 932 700 25,096 1,735 |
||
| 38,430 | ||
| (15,488) | ||
| 87 | ||
| (15,401) |
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner s Report Raport to th• trust0 BREAKING CONVEwfioN EVENTS LIMITED On accounts for the year •ndod 31 AUGUST 2024 Charlty no (If any) 1159687 Set out on pag I report to the trustees on my examination of the aLuunts of the ave charity {Ihe Trusf) for the year led 3110812024. R•spon$lbllliles and of rgport As the tharity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparatbon of the accounts in act0rdaa with the requirements of the Chariti88 Act 2011 (Ihe Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's ac£ounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in canying Out my examination, I ha%e followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charrty Commission under sectlon 14515)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matter8 havo con to my attention in connedion with the examination (other than that disdosed bel(Y4V ") which gives me Gquse to believe thal in. any mat8rial the accounting records were not kept in accoffl8nce with sedion 130 of the Chanties Act.. or the aLrounts did not accord with the actnting re(x)rds'. or the accounts did not cOmY wth the applicable requirements conMIng ihe form and )ntent of countS set cxrt In the Chafities (Accounts and ReFQrtsl Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have concems and have come across no other matters in connection wilh the exarrmnats'on to whith attention should be drawn in Ihis ieport in order to en)le a proper urKlerstsnding of the accounts to be reached. . P188se cklete Ihe WO in th8 brnckets rfthey do not apply. Slgned: 2810512025 Namo: C M MITCHELL I C M MITCHELL AccOUTrANCy LTD Rol•vant profosslonal quallficatlonls) or body (rfany): ACA {ICAEW) Addrn5S: 111 WJLSEY DRIVE, KINGSTON. SURREY. Kf2 5DR IER Oct 2018
Section B Disclosure Only cornete rf the examiner needs to highligm material matters of concem (see CC32. Independent e9mlnatIOn of charity ¥tounts.' dIreL8 and guidan for examiners). Glve here brfef detslls of any items that the examlner wlshes to dlsclom. IER Oct 2018