CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
Charity number 1160843
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal & administrative information | 1 |
| Trustees annual report | 2 - 5 |
| Independent examination report | 6 |
| Statement of financial activity | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes forming part of the financial statements | 9 - 11 |
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Charity Name: | City Sikh Foundation |
|---|---|
| Charity Number: | 1160843 |
| Trustees: | Jasvir Singh CBE |
| Param Singh MBE | |
| Harry Virdee BEM | |
| Meeno Chawla | |
| Registered address: | C/O City Sikhs Foundation |
| 77-79 Charlotte Street | |
| London | |
| W1T 4PW | |
| Independent examiners: | Community360 |
| Winsleys House | |
| High Street | |
| Colchester | |
| Essex | |
| CO1 1UG | |
| Bankers: | Barclays Bank |
| Leicester | |
| LE87 2BB |
1
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
City Sikhs Foundation began in 2010 as a small network of British Sikh professionals and has since grown into the largest network of Sikh professionals in the UK and Europe. With over 10,000 members and a wider global reach of more than 40,000 individuals, City Sikhs formally became a registered charity in 2015.
The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for strategic oversight, good governance, and ensuring compliance with its governing document and legal obligations. Trustees are appointed for their alignment with the charity’s values and for their expertise across professional, interfaith, and community spheres.
City Sikhs is further supported by an Advisory Group made up of prominent individuals from corporate, interfaith, and civic life. In addition, a team of volunteer Ambassadors helps to represent and support the charity’s mission across all areas of British society. Our current volunteer headcount is 40.
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purposes of City Sikhs Foundation are:
-
Advancing education, particularly for Sikh and South Asian professionals
-
Promoting religious and racial harmony , including awareness of Sikh beliefs and South Asian heritage
-
Promoting equality and diversity through interfaith and cross-community dialogue
-
Strengthening community capacity , enabling Sikh and South Asian individuals to actively engage in society
-
Encouraging citizenship and volunteering across civic and public life
• Fostering moral and spiritual welfare within the community
These aims are fulfilled through leadership events, interfaith initiatives, public campaigns, mentoring programmes, and policy engagement at the highest levels of government and civil society.
Key Achievements in 2024
Interfaith, Dharmic, and Community Engagement
City Sikhs has represented the Sikh community on the Faiths Forum for London continuously since 2012. The Forum brings together nine major world faiths and promotes interfaith understanding through literacy training, dialogue, and collaborative initiatives aimed at countering hate and fostering greater tolerance.
2
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
TRSUTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
We are recognised as pioneers in interfaith work within the Sikh community. City Sikhs has been the only Sikh group invited to present at major faith gatherings such as Limmud and Living Islam, and we have supported landmark moments for other communities, including the launch of Square Mile Muslims and the 21st anniversary of the National Hindu Students Forum. We have also been the only Sikh organisation to partner with St Paul’s Institute, cohosting the flagship Women in Faith interfaith event within the historic setting of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Since 2015, our Co-Chair Jasvir Singh CBE has been a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day , offering reflections rooted in Sikh wisdom. As part of the Today programme—one of the UK’s most listened-to radio shows with over 6 million weekly listeners—this platform has brought Sikh teachings to a wide and diverse national audience.
In 2024, City Sikhs organised four major public events, including three high-profile receptions in the UK Parliament and one general election hustings at the Taj Hotel in London.
We marked key Sikh calendar dates with events in Parliament for Vaisakhi and the Parkash Gurpurab (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, creating spaces for reflection on Sikh values in public life. We also co-hosted a Parliamentary Summer Reception with The 1928 Institute to mark South Asian Heritage Month and to celebrate the fact that there were approximately 50 MPs of South Asian heritage in the new Parliament, including 11 Sikh heritage MPs.
Ahead of the 2024 General Election, City Sikhs partnered with like-minded organisations to deliver a cross-party election hustings at the Taj Hotel, featuring representatives from multiple political parties. The event reaffirmed our longstanding commitment to civic participation and political inclusion.
Together, these four events are estimated to have delivered a combined community impact value of over £50,000, reflecting the in-kind value of venue access, senior speakers’ time, event production, and post-event engagement across media and social platforms.
Leadership and Careers
City Sikhs held its first corporate panel discussion in 2011 at Barclays Wealth and has since hosted its flagship Recipes for Success events at leading firms including State Street, Herbert Smith Freehills, Deloitte, Norton Rose Fulbright, UBS, Lloyds Bank, and others. These panels feature diverse professionals and foster inclusive conversations around career journeys and leadership.
Since 2022, City Sikhs has partnered with City Hindus Network and the Association of Asian Women Lawyers to deliver high-impact panel events in the UK Parliament, showcasing senior executives, entrepreneurs, and legal professionals. These events have attracted over 2,000 attendees and generated sustained engagement across platforms such as LinkedIn.
Timed around key cultural and awareness moments including International Women’s Day, South Asian Heritage Month, Diwali, and Black History Month, the series celebrates inclusion while supporting professional development.
3
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
TRSUTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
In 2024, City Sikhs co-hosted two such events in Parliament, generating an estimated social value of over £25,000 based on the equivalent costs of venue space, executive speaker time, event delivery, and digital engagement. The initiative was also featured in the World Economic Forum’s Faith in Action report, presented at Davos 2024—bringing an additional reputational and influence value estimated at £10,000. The project was praised in the report as a model of how diverse faith communities and corporations can drive positive global impact . Together, these contributions represent a combined community impact value exceeding £35,000 for the year.
The initiative has been recognised by the Faith & Belief Community Awards and continues to serve as a leading example of cross-community and corporate collaboration driving social impact.
City Sikhs Career Mentoring Programme
Running since 2021, our flagship nine-month mentoring programme — the first of its kind globally for Sikhs — connects Sikh and South Asian professionals with experienced mentors across sectors. Typically open to graduates working in multinational companies, the programme supports career growth and community leadership.
In 2024, it was nationally launched at the House of Lords, celebrating the journeys of mentees and mentors. To date, over 400 professionals have participated, building meaningful relationships and progressing in their careers. The programme has been recognised as the Best Community Initiative at both the Faith & Belief Community Awards and the British Sikh Awards.
In 2024 alone, the programme delivered over 150 hours of mentoring by senior professionals — an equivalent market value exceeding £22,000. Across four years, the cumulative economic value of mentoring support provided is conservatively estimated at over £90,000.
¹ Economic valuation assumptions:
50 mentors each delivering 3 one-hour mentoring sessions per year Market rate for professional mentoring/coaching estimated at £150 per hour Figures rounded conservatively to reflect minimum market value estimates
British Sikh Report
Originally created by City Sikhs in 2012 and established as an independent charity, Sikh Research, in 2022, the British Sikh Report (BSR) has been collecting and analysing data across diverse themes affecting the British Sikh community. All work is conducted on a voluntary basis, supported by public donations, ensuring the report remains free from political influence and accessible to all.
The British Sikh Report is one of the few faith-specific data sets worldwide that offers a comprehensive, independent examination of the modern views, social attitudes, and experiences of its community. Transitioning to a biannual publication cycle, the BSR continues to provide deep, community-led analysis that offers unparalleled insight into the evolving identity and needs of British Sikhs. This makes it a vital resource not only within the UK but also as a rare example of contemporary, faith-based social research globally.
4
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The BSR team has developed robust and unparalleled statistical insights into the experiences and needs of Sikhs living in Britain. This influential publication has been widely cited by Members of Parliament and Peers, referenced in academic research and policy white papers on faith and society, and utilised by public bodies and private organisations to better understand and serve the British Sikh community.
The report is produced by a dedicated team comprising research analysts, academics, social workers, senior consultants, teachers, and managers—all volunteering their expertise and time. Each edition requires approximately 500 hours to complete, representing an estimated economic value of £19,000 per report. Over the past decade, the production of 10 editions has contributed a cumulative social value exceeding £190,000 through this volunteer effort.
In 2024, City Sikhs partnered with Sikh Research to launch the 10th edition of the British Sikh Report at the UK Parliament and Birmingham Council, further cementing its role as a vital resource for informed community engagement and policy making.
Platforming Royal Honours Recipients
Since 2019, City Sikhs has been the only Sikh organisation to consistently document and celebrate Sikh recipients of Royal honours. This initiative ensures that the community’s wideranging contributions to British life—across arts, education, civil society, and business—are acknowledged and preserved in the public domain.
Our own trustees and advisory board members have also been recognised over the years, with several receiving MBEs, OBEs, and other distinctions for their service to society.
Social Impact Summary
In 2024 alone, City Sikhs delivered an estimated social value of over £100,000 through our programmes. This includes four major public events, two parliamentary panel discussions, a national mentoring scheme, the production of the 10th edition of the British Sikh Report, and national radio broadcasts on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day . Our work was also recognised at the World Economic Forum’s Davos 2024 summit as a global model of faithbased civic collaboration.
Across our 14-year history, City Sikhs has now delivered a cumulative social impact valued at over £750,000.
Statement from the Co-Chairs
“we are proud that a volunteer-led organisation has consistently punched above its weight — influencing national dialogue, empowering future leaders, and creating spaces for diverse voices to be heard at the highest levels. Our work continues to be guided by Sikh values of service, equality, and civic responsibility. We are grateful to our partners, volunteers, and supporters for helping us drive meaningful impact at scale.” — Jasvir Singh CBE and Param Singh MBE
Signed
Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by Harpreet Singh Virdee Date: 2025.10.21 13:39:23 CEST Date
Name:
5
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note Income Donations & legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Total Income Expenditure Charitable activities 5 Cost of raising funds 4 Total Expenditure Net income/(expense) Total funds at 1 January 2024 Total funds at 31 December 2024 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 7,664 374 8,038 982 - 982 7,056 28,327 35,383 |
Restricted Funds £ - 19,976 19,976 4,778 4,962 9,740 10,236 8,119 18,355 |
2024 Total £ 7,664 20,350 28,014 5,760 4,962 10,722 17,292 36,446 53,738 |
2023 Total £ 9,594 248 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,842 | ||||
| 2,810 493 |
||||
| 3,303 | ||||
| 6,539 29,907 |
||||
| 36,446 |
The notes on page 9 - 11 form part of these financial statements.
7
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Debtors 7 Total current assets Current liabilities Creditors 8 Net assets Unrestricted funds 10 Restricted funds 10 Total funds |
2024 £ 54,013 - 54,013 275 53,738 35,383 18,355 53,738 |
2023 £ 36,666 - |
|---|---|---|
| 36,666 220 |
||
| 36,446 | ||
| 28,327 8,119 |
||
| 36,446 |
The Trustees declare that they have approved the accounts.
Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by Harpreet Singh Virdee Signed Date: 2025.10.21 13:39:50 CEST Date Name: Harpreet Singh Virdee
8
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. Accounting policies
The principle account policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year.
Basis of the preparation of the accounts
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on Recommended Practise applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.
Cash flow
The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under Financial Reporting Standard 1 "Cash flow statements".
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are avaliable for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subject to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Incoming resources
All income is included in the statement of financial activity when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income.
• Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full when receivable.
• Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.
• Investment income is recognised on an accruals basis.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
• Costs of raising funds relate to the costs incurred by the charitable company in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose.
-
Expenditure on charitable activities includes the cost of activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.
-
Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other
Allocation of support costs
Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. However, the cost overall direction and administration of each activity, comprising the administrative and overhead costs of the central function apportioned based on trustee/volunteer time, of the amount attributable to each activity.
9
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Where such information about the aims, objectives and projects of the charity is also provided to potential donors, activity costs are apportioned between fundraising and charitable activities on the basis of area of literature occupied by each activity.
| 2. Donations and legacies Unrestricted £ Donations & gift aid recoverable 7,664 7,664 Total 2023 9,594 3. Charitable activities Unrestricted £ Grants - Bank interest 225 Other income 150 374 Total 2023 248 4. Cost of raising funds Unrestricted £ Event costs - - Total 2023 82 5. Expenditure of charitable activities Unrestricted £ Printing costs - Subscriptions 338 Accountancy & professional fees 275 Marketing - Insurance 140 Miscellaneous 62 IT & computer costs - Bank charges 167 982 Total 2023 1,011 |
Restricted £ - - - Restricted £ 19,976 - - 19,976 - Restricted £ 4,962 4,962 411 Restricted £ 1,509 22 - 2,378 - 19 849 - 4,778 1,799 |
2024 £ 7,664 7,664 9,594 2024 £ 19,976 225 150 20,350 248 2024 £ 4,962 4,962 493 2024 £ 1,509 360 275 2,378 140 81 849 167 5,760 2,810 |
2023 £ 9,594 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9,594 | |||
| 2023 £ - 248 - |
|||
| 248 | |||
| 2023 £ 493 |
|||
| 493 | |||
| 2023 £ - 360 365 1,114 140 7 718 106 |
|||
| 2,810 | |||
10
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
6. Trustee remuneration and expenses
No trustee or other person related the the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year (2023: Nil). The trustees received £Nil for expenses incurred.
| 7. Debtors Other debtors 8. Creditors Accruals |
2024 £ - - 2024 £ 275 275 |
2023 £ - |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| 2023 £ 220 |
||
| 220 |
9. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Current assets Current liabilities 10. Movements in funds At 1 January 2024 £ Restricted funds: NHSBT grant 1,998 NHSBT Community Engag 1,006 NHSBT Kidney 5,115 AWA Grant 1,129 Total restricted funds 9,248 General fund 37,076 Total unrestricted funds 37,076 Total funds 46,324 |
Incoming resources £ - - - 19,976 19,976 8,038 |
General funds £ 37,191 (275) 36,916 Outgoing resources £ 2,001 3,435 2,429 4,209 12,074 982 |
Restricted Total funds funds 2024 £ £ 16,822 54,013 - (275) 16,822 53,738 At 31 December Transfers 2024 £ £ 3 - 2,429 - (2,429) 257 - 16,896 3 17,153 - 44,132 (3) 44,132 - 61,285 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,038 | 982 | ||
| 28,014 | 13,056 |
11. Number of staff
From 2024:1, there was one employee for the organisation (2023: One) No staff earned over £60,000 per annum.
12. Going Concern
The charity is operating on a going concern basis
13. Related Parties
There were no related party transactions during the year.
11
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
Charity number 1160843
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal & administrative information | 1 |
| Trustees annual report | 2 - 5 |
| Independent examination report | 6 |
| Statement of financial activity | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes forming part of the financial statements | 9 - 11 |
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Charity Name: | City Sikh Foundation |
|---|---|
| Charity Number: | 1160843 |
| Trustees: | Jasvir Singh CBE |
| Param Singh MBE | |
| Harry Virdee BEM | |
| Meeno Chawla | |
| Registered address: | C/O City Sikhs Foundation |
| 77-79 Charlotte Street | |
| London | |
| W1T 4PW | |
| Independent examiners: | Community360 |
| Winsleys House | |
| High Street | |
| Colchester | |
| Essex | |
| CO1 1UG | |
| Bankers: | Barclays Bank |
| Leicester | |
| LE87 2BB |
1
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
City Sikhs Foundation began in 2010 as a small network of British Sikh professionals and has since grown into the largest network of Sikh professionals in the UK and Europe. With over 10,000 members and a wider global reach of more than 40,000 individuals, City Sikhs formally became a registered charity in 2015.
The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for strategic oversight, good governance, and ensuring compliance with its governing document and legal obligations. Trustees are appointed for their alignment with the charity’s values and for their expertise across professional, interfaith, and community spheres.
City Sikhs is further supported by an Advisory Group made up of prominent individuals from corporate, interfaith, and civic life. In addition, a team of volunteer Ambassadors helps to represent and support the charity’s mission across all areas of British society. Our current volunteer headcount is 40.
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purposes of City Sikhs Foundation are:
-
Advancing education, particularly for Sikh and South Asian professionals
-
Promoting religious and racial harmony , including awareness of Sikh beliefs and South Asian heritage
-
Promoting equality and diversity through interfaith and cross-community dialogue
-
Strengthening community capacity , enabling Sikh and South Asian individuals to actively engage in society
-
Encouraging citizenship and volunteering across civic and public life
• Fostering moral and spiritual welfare within the community
These aims are fulfilled through leadership events, interfaith initiatives, public campaigns, mentoring programmes, and policy engagement at the highest levels of government and civil society.
Key Achievements in 2024
Interfaith, Dharmic, and Community Engagement
City Sikhs has represented the Sikh community on the Faiths Forum for London continuously since 2012. The Forum brings together nine major world faiths and promotes interfaith understanding through literacy training, dialogue, and collaborative initiatives aimed at countering hate and fostering greater tolerance.
2
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
TRSUTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
We are recognised as pioneers in interfaith work within the Sikh community. City Sikhs has been the only Sikh group invited to present at major faith gatherings such as Limmud and Living Islam, and we have supported landmark moments for other communities, including the launch of Square Mile Muslims and the 21st anniversary of the National Hindu Students Forum. We have also been the only Sikh organisation to partner with St Paul’s Institute, cohosting the flagship Women in Faith interfaith event within the historic setting of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Since 2015, our Co-Chair Jasvir Singh CBE has been a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day , offering reflections rooted in Sikh wisdom. As part of the Today programme—one of the UK’s most listened-to radio shows with over 6 million weekly listeners—this platform has brought Sikh teachings to a wide and diverse national audience.
In 2024, City Sikhs organised four major public events, including three high-profile receptions in the UK Parliament and one general election hustings at the Taj Hotel in London.
We marked key Sikh calendar dates with events in Parliament for Vaisakhi and the Parkash Gurpurab (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, creating spaces for reflection on Sikh values in public life. We also co-hosted a Parliamentary Summer Reception with The 1928 Institute to mark South Asian Heritage Month and to celebrate the fact that there were approximately 50 MPs of South Asian heritage in the new Parliament, including 11 Sikh heritage MPs.
Ahead of the 2024 General Election, City Sikhs partnered with like-minded organisations to deliver a cross-party election hustings at the Taj Hotel, featuring representatives from multiple political parties. The event reaffirmed our longstanding commitment to civic participation and political inclusion.
Together, these four events are estimated to have delivered a combined community impact value of over £50,000, reflecting the in-kind value of venue access, senior speakers’ time, event production, and post-event engagement across media and social platforms.
Leadership and Careers
City Sikhs held its first corporate panel discussion in 2011 at Barclays Wealth and has since hosted its flagship Recipes for Success events at leading firms including State Street, Herbert Smith Freehills, Deloitte, Norton Rose Fulbright, UBS, Lloyds Bank, and others. These panels feature diverse professionals and foster inclusive conversations around career journeys and leadership.
Since 2022, City Sikhs has partnered with City Hindus Network and the Association of Asian Women Lawyers to deliver high-impact panel events in the UK Parliament, showcasing senior executives, entrepreneurs, and legal professionals. These events have attracted over 2,000 attendees and generated sustained engagement across platforms such as LinkedIn.
Timed around key cultural and awareness moments including International Women’s Day, South Asian Heritage Month, Diwali, and Black History Month, the series celebrates inclusion while supporting professional development.
3
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
TRSUTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
In 2024, City Sikhs co-hosted two such events in Parliament, generating an estimated social value of over £25,000 based on the equivalent costs of venue space, executive speaker time, event delivery, and digital engagement. The initiative was also featured in the World Economic Forum’s Faith in Action report, presented at Davos 2024—bringing an additional reputational and influence value estimated at £10,000. The project was praised in the report as a model of how diverse faith communities and corporations can drive positive global impact . Together, these contributions represent a combined community impact value exceeding £35,000 for the year.
The initiative has been recognised by the Faith & Belief Community Awards and continues to serve as a leading example of cross-community and corporate collaboration driving social impact.
City Sikhs Career Mentoring Programme
Running since 2021, our flagship nine-month mentoring programme — the first of its kind globally for Sikhs — connects Sikh and South Asian professionals with experienced mentors across sectors. Typically open to graduates working in multinational companies, the programme supports career growth and community leadership.
In 2024, it was nationally launched at the House of Lords, celebrating the journeys of mentees and mentors. To date, over 400 professionals have participated, building meaningful relationships and progressing in their careers. The programme has been recognised as the Best Community Initiative at both the Faith & Belief Community Awards and the British Sikh Awards.
In 2024 alone, the programme delivered over 150 hours of mentoring by senior professionals — an equivalent market value exceeding £22,000. Across four years, the cumulative economic value of mentoring support provided is conservatively estimated at over £90,000.
¹ Economic valuation assumptions:
50 mentors each delivering 3 one-hour mentoring sessions per year Market rate for professional mentoring/coaching estimated at £150 per hour Figures rounded conservatively to reflect minimum market value estimates
British Sikh Report
Originally created by City Sikhs in 2012 and established as an independent charity, Sikh Research, in 2022, the British Sikh Report (BSR) has been collecting and analysing data across diverse themes affecting the British Sikh community. All work is conducted on a voluntary basis, supported by public donations, ensuring the report remains free from political influence and accessible to all.
The British Sikh Report is one of the few faith-specific data sets worldwide that offers a comprehensive, independent examination of the modern views, social attitudes, and experiences of its community. Transitioning to a biannual publication cycle, the BSR continues to provide deep, community-led analysis that offers unparalleled insight into the evolving identity and needs of British Sikhs. This makes it a vital resource not only within the UK but also as a rare example of contemporary, faith-based social research globally.
4
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The BSR team has developed robust and unparalleled statistical insights into the experiences and needs of Sikhs living in Britain. This influential publication has been widely cited by Members of Parliament and Peers, referenced in academic research and policy white papers on faith and society, and utilised by public bodies and private organisations to better understand and serve the British Sikh community.
The report is produced by a dedicated team comprising research analysts, academics, social workers, senior consultants, teachers, and managers—all volunteering their expertise and time. Each edition requires approximately 500 hours to complete, representing an estimated economic value of £19,000 per report. Over the past decade, the production of 10 editions has contributed a cumulative social value exceeding £190,000 through this volunteer effort.
In 2024, City Sikhs partnered with Sikh Research to launch the 10th edition of the British Sikh Report at the UK Parliament and Birmingham Council, further cementing its role as a vital resource for informed community engagement and policy making.
Platforming Royal Honours Recipients
Since 2019, City Sikhs has been the only Sikh organisation to consistently document and celebrate Sikh recipients of Royal honours. This initiative ensures that the community’s wideranging contributions to British life—across arts, education, civil society, and business—are acknowledged and preserved in the public domain.
Our own trustees and advisory board members have also been recognised over the years, with several receiving MBEs, OBEs, and other distinctions for their service to society.
Social Impact Summary
In 2024 alone, City Sikhs delivered an estimated social value of over £100,000 through our programmes. This includes four major public events, two parliamentary panel discussions, a national mentoring scheme, the production of the 10th edition of the British Sikh Report, and national radio broadcasts on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day . Our work was also recognised at the World Economic Forum’s Davos 2024 summit as a global model of faithbased civic collaboration.
Across our 14-year history, City Sikhs has now delivered a cumulative social impact valued at over £750,000.
Statement from the Co-Chairs
“we are proud that a volunteer-led organisation has consistently punched above its weight — influencing national dialogue, empowering future leaders, and creating spaces for diverse voices to be heard at the highest levels. Our work continues to be guided by Sikh values of service, equality, and civic responsibility. We are grateful to our partners, volunteers, and supporters for helping us drive meaningful impact at scale.” — Jasvir Singh CBE and Param Singh MBE
Signed
Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by Harpreet Singh Virdee Date: 2025.10.21 13:39:23 CEST Date
Name:
5
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note Income Donations & legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Total Income Expenditure Charitable activities 5 Cost of raising funds 4 Total Expenditure Net income/(expense) Total funds at 1 January 2024 Total funds at 31 December 2024 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 7,664 374 8,038 982 - 982 7,056 28,327 35,383 |
Restricted Funds £ - 19,976 19,976 4,778 4,962 9,740 10,236 8,119 18,355 |
2024 Total £ 7,664 20,350 28,014 5,760 4,962 10,722 17,292 36,446 53,738 |
2023 Total £ 9,594 248 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,842 | ||||
| 2,810 493 |
||||
| 3,303 | ||||
| 6,539 29,907 |
||||
| 36,446 |
The notes on page 9 - 11 form part of these financial statements.
7
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Debtors 7 Total current assets Current liabilities Creditors 8 Net assets Unrestricted funds 10 Restricted funds 10 Total funds |
2024 £ 54,013 - 54,013 275 53,738 35,383 18,355 53,738 |
2023 £ 36,666 - |
|---|---|---|
| 36,666 220 |
||
| 36,446 | ||
| 28,327 8,119 |
||
| 36,446 |
The Trustees declare that they have approved the accounts.
Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by Harpreet Singh Virdee Signed Date: 2025.10.21 13:39:50 CEST Date Name: Harpreet Singh Virdee
8
CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. Accounting policies
The principle account policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year.
Basis of the preparation of the accounts
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on Recommended Practise applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.
Cash flow
The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under Financial Reporting Standard 1 "Cash flow statements".
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are avaliable for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subject to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Incoming resources
All income is included in the statement of financial activity when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income.
• Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full when receivable.
• Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.
• Investment income is recognised on an accruals basis.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
• Costs of raising funds relate to the costs incurred by the charitable company in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose.
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Expenditure on charitable activities includes the cost of activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.
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Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other
Allocation of support costs
Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. However, the cost overall direction and administration of each activity, comprising the administrative and overhead costs of the central function apportioned based on trustee/volunteer time, of the amount attributable to each activity.
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CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Where such information about the aims, objectives and projects of the charity is also provided to potential donors, activity costs are apportioned between fundraising and charitable activities on the basis of area of literature occupied by each activity.
| 2. Donations and legacies Unrestricted £ Donations & gift aid recoverable 7,664 7,664 Total 2023 9,594 3. Charitable activities Unrestricted £ Grants - Bank interest 225 Other income 150 374 Total 2023 248 4. Cost of raising funds Unrestricted £ Event costs - - Total 2023 82 5. Expenditure of charitable activities Unrestricted £ Printing costs - Subscriptions 338 Accountancy & professional fees 275 Marketing - Insurance 140 Miscellaneous 62 IT & computer costs - Bank charges 167 982 Total 2023 1,011 |
Restricted £ - - - Restricted £ 19,976 - - 19,976 - Restricted £ 4,962 4,962 411 Restricted £ 1,509 22 - 2,378 - 19 849 - 4,778 1,799 |
2024 £ 7,664 7,664 9,594 2024 £ 19,976 225 150 20,350 248 2024 £ 4,962 4,962 493 2024 £ 1,509 360 275 2,378 140 81 849 167 5,760 2,810 |
2023 £ 9,594 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9,594 | |||
| 2023 £ - 248 - |
|||
| 248 | |||
| 2023 £ 493 |
|||
| 493 | |||
| 2023 £ - 360 365 1,114 140 7 718 106 |
|||
| 2,810 | |||
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CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
6. Trustee remuneration and expenses
No trustee or other person related the the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year (2023: Nil). The trustees received £Nil for expenses incurred.
| 7. Debtors Other debtors 8. Creditors Accruals |
2024 £ - - 2024 £ 275 275 |
2023 £ - |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| 2023 £ 220 |
||
| 220 |
9. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Current assets Current liabilities 10. Movements in funds At 1 January 2024 £ Restricted funds: NHSBT grant 1,998 NHSBT Community Engag 1,006 NHSBT Kidney 5,115 AWA Grant 1,129 Total restricted funds 9,248 General fund 37,076 Total unrestricted funds 37,076 Total funds 46,324 |
Incoming resources £ - - - 19,976 19,976 8,038 |
General funds £ 37,191 (275) 36,916 Outgoing resources £ 2,001 3,435 2,429 4,209 12,074 982 |
Restricted Total funds funds 2024 £ £ 16,822 54,013 - (275) 16,822 53,738 At 31 December Transfers 2024 £ £ 3 - 2,429 - (2,429) 257 - 16,896 3 17,153 - 44,132 (3) 44,132 - 61,285 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,038 | 982 | ||
| 28,014 | 13,056 |
11. Number of staff
From 2024:1, there was one employee for the organisation (2023: One) No staff earned over £60,000 per annum.
12. Going Concern
The charity is operating on a going concern basis
13. Related Parties
There were no related party transactions during the year.
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CITY SIKHS FOUNDATION
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
I report on the accounts of City Sikhs Foundation for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act) but that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as 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
In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
David Courtier FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of: Community360 Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex Date 22/10/2025
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