ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Charity Numbers: 1159867 (England and Wales) SC045732 (Scotland)
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| CONTENTS | PAGE |
|---|---|
| General information | 2 |
| Trustees’ Annual Report | 3-4 |
| Responsibilities of the Trustees | 5 |
| Independent Examiner’s report to the members | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 10-14 |
1
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
GENERAL INFORMATION
Registered charity name Ecosystems Knowledge Network Charity number 1159867 (England and Wales) SC045732 (Scotland) Principal & registered office address Isis Innovation Centre Howbery Park Wallingford OX10 8BA Trustees Chris Fry (Chairperson from June 2023) Jonathan Porter (resigned September 2024) Susan Christie (resigned April 2024) Lyndsey Dodds Richard Eales (appointed April 2024) Liliana Corrieri (appointed April 2024) Lawrence Tingson (appointed April 2024) David Caygill (appointed April 2024) Sarah Chimbwandira (resigned June 2023) Accountants SPX Oxford Ltd Peace House 19 Paradise Street Oxford OX1 1LD Independent examiner Simrit Sandhu FCCA Bankers Co-operative Bank Ltd.
2
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Reference and administrative details are shown in the schedule of general information on Page 2 of the financial statements.
THE TRUSTEES
The trustees who served the charity during the year are shown on Page 2. During the year Sarah Chimbwandira has resigned and was replaced by Chris Fry as Chair.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity has been managed and operated in accordance with the Constitution for the Ecosystems Knowledge Network as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, dated 30[th] October 2014. The constitution has been subject to one amendment, namely to the addition of paragraph 15 (4) (d), dated 30[th] September 2015, which specifies that a telephone conference will constitute a properly convened meeting.
During the reporting period, there were no changes in the composition of the Board of Trustees. The Network staff team grew during the reporting year from 1.8 Full Time Equivalents to 3.3.
Purpose and Mission
Ecosystems Knowledge Network (EKN) exists to harness the value of the UK’s natural environment for everyone’s well-being and prosperity. Our mission is to create a vibrant forum for sharing expertise, experience, knowledge needs, tools, and resources that advance this mission across the UK. By enabling shared learning, partnership and collaboration, we achieve impact. As an impartial and trusted knowledge hub, EKN shares expertise and experience across geographical and sectoral boundaries.
The principles of the ecosystem approach – the primary framework for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity – remain EKN’s overarching reference point. Through our free-to-join network of nearly 4,000 people, EKN connects professionals for whom environmental improvement is their primary focus with those who work to other goals. Our focus is on practical examples. For instance, we highlight projects that offer farmers income opportunities for land management practices that reduce local flood risk. Likewise, we highlight ways in which the health system can work with managers of greenspace to address health challenges.
3
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
Summary of Our Work Our activities blend online and in-person resources that connect members with expertise from across the UK and showcase innovative place-based projects. These include:
-
Monthly e-newsletter
-
Online Nature Finance Learning Group fostering knowledge exchange on finance models for nature restoration.
-
Conferences such as Nature Finance UK and Nature Tech, which focused on opportunities for different types of professional to work together.
-
Training courses
-
Networking events that encourage cross-sector collaboration.
-
One-to-one advice in response to members’ specific needs.
-
Research and reporting on key issues in connecting nature and people
-
Leading regional groups , bringing local focus to environmental goals.
EKN also offers volunteer opportunities at events, particularly for students in ecology and climate science, helping to foster the next generation of environmental professionals.
Review of Activities EKN has experienced a productive year, marked by both ongoing initiatives and new projects. Highlights include:
-
Monthly e-newsletter growth, now reaching 3,900 people across over 500 organisations, sharing the latest innovations in nature restoration.
-
Webinars attended by over 600 individuals, covering topics such as Healthy Spaces for Work and Study and mapping of nature recovery and nature-based solutions.
-
Conferences attracted over 600 attendees, including leading events on Nature Finance and the role of industries like games in nature recovery.
-
Knowledge gathering and sharing activities such as the 2023 Nature Finance UK Project Pipeline review.
Future Plans
Our future ambitions include:
-
Extending our e-learning offering to broaden access and generate sustainable revenue.
-
Expanding corporate membership to enhance our reach and engagement with businesses.
-
Expanding regional support , including the recruitment of a Nature Finance Coordinator in Northern Ireland.
-
New events such as a Nature Tech conference, exploring the intersection of technology and ecosystem management.
-
Strategic staffing enhancements, including hiring an Operations Manager and a
4
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
Communications and Events Manager to enable the Network Director to focus on external partnerships and strategic growth.
Future Development Goals EKN is committed to strengthening its position as a trusted, independent information source advancing nature restoration.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Ecosystems Knowledge Network has reported a surplus of £1,641 for the financial year 2023 to 2024. The charity holds £52,729 in unrestricted reserves, £38,000 of which is in a contingency reserve in accordance with the charity’s policy of holding three months of operating costs.
During the reporting year, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation continued funding for a two-year programme of work to catalyse nature-based finance in the UK, as well to build the core capabilities of the organisation to fulfil its mission.
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
In exercising their powers or duties, Charity trusties have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charities Commission for England and Wales.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Charity Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under charity law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the income and expenditure of the charity for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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 charitable incorporated organisation and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are responsible for safeguarding the
5
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION
The nominated independent examiner will be considered by trustees for re-appointment for the ensuing year.
6
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out in pages 7-13
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of
A] Scottish legislation:
the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation [10(1) (a) to (c)] of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
B] England and Wales regulations:
The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under charity law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
A] Scotland
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. B] England and Wales
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
SPX Oxford Limited provides bookkeeping services to Ecosystems Knowledge Network and I am an employee of this company. In order to maintain independence, I confirm that I have not been involved in provision of the bookkeeping service.
7
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
I also confirm that as a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, I am subject to the provisions of the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard (2016). This standard has been applied throughout this independent examination.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: a] Scotland
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation [8][2] / [9][3] of the 2006 Accounts Regulations;
b] England and Wales
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act 2006 have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Simrit Sandhu FCCA
Date……18 December 2024………………………
8
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Notes Income from: Charitable activities 3 Investments Other income Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4 Total expenditure Net income / -expenditure Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forwards Total funds carried forward |
Total 2024 £ 305,229 - 836 306,065 304,424 304,424 1,641 - 1,641 51,088 52,729 |
Total 2023 £ 343,067 333 33 |
|---|---|---|
| 343,433 | ||
| 335,299 | ||
| 335,299 | ||
| 8,134 - |
||
| 8,134 | ||
| 42,954 | ||
| 51,088 |
All funds are unrestricted.
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared.
All of the above amounts relate to continuing activities. All of the above amounts also relate to unrestricted income funds.
The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
9
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 7 Cash at bank CREDITORS:Amounts falling due within one year 8 NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS FUNDS INCOME FUNDS Unrestricted Income funds 9 Restricted Income funds TOTAL INCOME FUNDS |
2024 £ £ - 22,311 113,834 136,145 83,416 52,729 52,729 52,729 - 52,729 |
2023 £ £ - 41,274 74,922 116,196 65,108 51,088 51,088 51,088 - 51,088 |
2023 £ £ - 41,274 74,922 116,196 65,108 51,088 51,088 51,088 - 51,088 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51,088 | |||
| 51,088 - |
|||
| 51,088 |
For the year ended 31 March 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.
Trustees' responsibilities:
-
The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 145; and
-
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
10
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
These financial statements were approved by the members of the committee and authorised for issue on 12 December 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:
11
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. ORGANISATION STATUS
Ecosystems Knowledge Network is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of accounting
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019., the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention 2019 (SORP 2019), ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’, issued by the Charities Commission.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Income
All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
Fixed assets
Fixed assets (excluding investments) are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The costs of minor additions or those costing below £1,000 are not capitalised.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Office equipment – 25% straight line Computer equipment – 33% straight line
12
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Expenditure
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure represents amounts invoiced, including value added tax.
Taxation
The Charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
3. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Grants and project income Events and training |
Total Funds 2024 £ 177,780 127,449 305,229 |
Total Funds 2023 £ 260,521 82,546 |
|---|---|---|
| 343,067 |
13
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
4. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Administrative expenses Salaries Employer's NI Pension contributions Subcontracts Professional fees - operations Office rent Advertising and marketing Accountancy fees Bank charges External event fees Information technology Insurance Office management Printing and publicity Room hire and catering Staff training Subscriptions Telephone, internet and postage Travel and subsistence Governance Total charitable activities 5. GOVERNANCE COSTS Independent Examination fee |
Total Funds 2024 £ 108,734 5,240 8,287 30,214 29,038 7,153 7,214 6,480 1,604 - 18,279 498 1,448 3,349 65,540 1,080 - 446 9,470 350 304,424 Total Funds 2024 £ 350 350 |
Total Funds 2023 £ 117,993 5,660 8,571 41,212 29,151 3,921 14,422 2,914 780 12,399 17,138 629 2,185 18,233 48,835 57 771 533 9,595 300 |
|---|---|---|
| 335,299 | ||
| Total Funds 2023 £ 300 |
||
| 300 |
14
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
6. STAFF COSTS
| . STAFF COSTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wages Social security costs Pension contributions |
2024 £ 108,734 5,240 8,287 122,261 |
2023 £ 117,993 5,660 8,571 |
| 132,224 |
The average number of staff employed during the year was four. No employee received any pay or benefits in excess of £60,000 in either year.
7. DEBTORS
Accounts receivable Other debtors Prepayments |
2024 £ 10,905 - 11,406 22,311 |
2023 £ 27,837 9,437 4,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 41,274 |
8. CREDITORS
| Taxation and social security Income received in advance Other creditors Accruals |
2024 £ 1,776 73,000 7,390 1,250 83,416 |
2023 £ 3,127 30,507 17,974 13,500 |
|---|---|---|
| 65,108 |
15
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
9. UNRESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS
| General funds Designated funds - contingency reserve Previous year General funds Designated funds – contingency reserve |
Balance at 1 Apr 2023 £ 13,088 38,000 51,088 Balance at 1 Apr 2022 £ 42,954 - 42,954 |
Income £ 306,065 - 306,065 Income £ 343,433 - 343,433 |
Expenditure £ - 304,424 - - 304,424 Expenditur e £ - 335,299 - - 335,299 |
Transfers £ - - - Transfer s £ - 38,000 38,000 - |
Balance as at 31 March 2024 £ 14,729 38,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52,729 | |||||
| Balance as at 31 March 2023 £ 13,088 38,000 |
|||||
| 51,088 |
10. RESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS
There were no restricted income funds during the year.
11. TRUSTEE REMUNERATION & RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
No member of the board of trustees received any remuneration for their trustee role during the year. There were no related party transactions during the year.
16
ECOSYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
12. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
The key management personnel of Ecosystems Knowledge Network are the Trustees and the Director. The Trustees receive no remuneration. Including the employer’s pension contribution, The Director’s remuneration totalled £39,384 during the year (2023: £38,209).
17