REGISTEREO CHARITY NUMBER.. 1162144 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUOITED FINANCIALSTATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025 F(IR THE BRIOGE GROUP UHY Calvert Smith Chartered Accountants HeritaBe House Murton Way Osbaldwick york North Yorkshire Y019 SUW
THE BRIDGE GROUP CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 Page Report ofthe Tru5ttes Independtnt Examlnèr's Rtport Statement of Flnantlal Artlvltles Balan¢e Sheet Notes to the Flnanclal Statements 10 to 15
THE BRIDGE GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 The trusrees present their report with the financial statements of the charity For the year ended 31 July 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Pr3rtice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective l January 20191. Objectives and Activities The Bridge Group is an independent research charity prornotiThg socio-econornic inclusion through evidence. insight and collaboration. We work with or8ani5ations across sectors. askin8 the right questions, uncoverin8 what work5, and usin8 data-led recommendations to strengthen educational anij career outcomes. Our vision is an education system and a labour market where background 15 no barrier - and everyone, wherever thev started in life, ha5 the chance to reali5e their potential. What defines the Bridge Group? Experts In soclo.economl¢ Incluslon: Creatin8 impact is at the heart of everythin8 we do. From pioneerin8 research to desi8nin8 practical solutions, we work with partners and polity makers to deliver change. Trusted for robust. Independent Inslght.. Ovr evldence is rooted in rl8orous qvantitarive and oualliatlve research. We inform the national conversaiion and support or8anisaiions in Findin8 and nurturin8 talent, re8ardless of background. A strategk ¢onvenor and partner: We bring or8anisatioThs together and facilitate collaboration to break down barriers to opportuniry. helping pariners iurn ambition iThio measurable progre55. Our charitable objKts are as follows.. Carrying out, collating and tran51atinB re5earth. and di5seminatin8 the useful results into how to enable people to achieve their lull academic potential and to prevent them Irom becoming di5en8aged with education and lèarning,. Providin8 adv¢xacyi advice and information to schools. colle8es, universities land other reco8nised places of learning or trainin81. employers and polity makers to help to prevent people from becomin8 disen8a8ed with education anil learnin8, and to promote equal access to hi8her education, and successful pro8ression', Supporting people's capabTlilies. competencies. skills and understanding ro enable thern to achieve their full academic potential io promote equal access to higher education. and successful progression. The charitable objects above were agreed in September 2022 and will be reviewed in the summer of 2026 in light of the Charity's fonward-looking strategy. The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 and have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing The Bridge Group's aims and objective5 and in planning future activities. Con515tent with our charitable objects, our work invariably focuses on the advancement of education and the relief of disadvantage. The trustees, definition of 'disadvantaged people" is con515tent with that 115ed by academic researchers, practitioner5. and a5 advised by government bodies includin8the Officelor Stuijents.
THE BRIDGE GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 More specifically. this includes.. Those from low socio-economic groups las identified through e.g. Narional Statistics Socio-Economic Classification data and eligibility for free school mealsl.. Young people who live in areas of high deprivation where participation in education is significantly low identified through IDACI, IMD, and POLAR3 indicatorsl., Looked-after youn8 people and tare leavers. We collate, commission, undertake, and ènalyse relevant research to provide insi8hts and learnin8 on social rnobilityi and to build the evidence base underpinnin8 policy desi8n and implementation. The trustees. definition of promotin8 social mobility" is used to capture the ran8e of attivities to further our charitable purposes. i.e. the relief of disadvantaged people by developin8 iheir capabilities. competences. skills and understandin8 to enable them to chieve their full potential. Employing this analysis, we publish briefings and reporrs to influence policy and system-wide reform for the benefit of those facing disadvantage. These ouipuis are invariably made publicly available and are sometimes published in parrnership with other charitable or8anisations. In relaiion to ihis acriviiy. we have carefully Siudied ihe Charity Cornmi5sion's guidance, research by Higher Education Institutions. and our understanding of thi5 is referenced in greater detail in the local policies upheld by the charity to guide its work in this area. To sUPPOrt this process, we host events le.g. policy seminars. research briefings Primari onlinel to promote understanding about the key educational and workplace barriers affecting people from lower 50cio-economic backgrounds. to help stakeholder5 understand their roles in furtherin8 our charitable objectives. and to acces5 a wide r3nBe ol expertise. These events are open to all and the outputs from them are publicly shared via the website and the e-new51etter. We maintain an informal network of professionals through which colleague5 share inforrnation. experience and good practict rèlatin8 to our tharitablt objtrtives, and how they can most effectively collaborate to reali5e thern. We undertake non-party political artivities to promote awareness of the bafriers facin8 indtviduals from a lower socio- economic background by speakin8 at £onferences and events, en8a8in8 Wlth the media, and responiJin8 to requests for information, advite and 8uidance. In relation to this activity we have carefully studied the Charity Commission's 8uidance. Speakin8 Out, and our understandin8 of this is referenced in 8reater detail in the local policies upheld by the charity to 8uide its work in this area.
THE BRIDGE GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 Achlevements and perfomiance Our research and policy work is undertaken independently and driven by guidance from the Charity Commission. Find out more about our approach as a charity at http.-/lwww.thebridgegroup.org.uk. Our key research themes are.. Learner progression from schrM)l and college to higher education University and employer outreach with schools and colleges Information, advice and guidance in schools and tolle8es, and for mature learners The influence of Reo8raphy on access and Panicipation University admissions practices Equality of student outcomes in hi8her education Being a commuter student Being a mature student The impact ol university careers servites in narrowin8 the 8ap in 8raduate outcomes Employer practices lor attrallin8 and recruilin8 8raduates Soclo-economlc incluslon in the workplace The bu5ine5s case for greater inclusion with respett to socio*conomic background Ernployer practice in attracting and hiring at all leve15 ProBre55ion, pay and perforrnance by socio-econornic background Employer practice in socio-economic intlusion The Bridge Group condurts all research in accordance with our Ethics policy. Data gathered ihrou8h our research is managed and stored in accordance wilh our Information Security policy. The Brid8e Group has been awarded Cyber Essentials and Cyber Esseniials Plus certification. Further information is available on our website. Durin8 thls reportin8 period, the Charity undertook several excitin8 or8anisational developments.. After a successful ten-year tenure. co-founder Nik Miller left the Bridge Group as Chief Executive but continues to work closely with the Charity as Fellow. Jenny Baskeryille joined as the Thew Chief Executive on 28 April 2025 alter an 18-year career at KPMG in the UK. In June 2025. The Bridge Group celebrated ten years since re8lStering as a Charity. The anniversary wa5 rnarked through a stakeholder con5ult3tion, the I518ht5 of which fed into a strategy day with staff and tru5tee5 In the Autumn and an anniversary report lauryched at an event at Slaughter and May in Novernber 2025. The Charity undertook a Skills Audit lor the Board of Trustees, which informed the appointment ol a Deputy Chair, Lead trustees for specific areas ènd open recruitment for new trustees to join in 2026. The Bridge Group became an accredited Living Wage employer. ensuring Ehe Charity's internal practices reflect the values of fairness it advocates for eernally. A variety of research. evaluation and advisory projetts were completed. includiTh8 but not limited to.. Sector-wide research exploring 50CiO-economic ijiversity and inclusion in real estate and financial service5. In our latest report lor Pro8re55 Together, we aDalyse(I data across 40 financial service5 firm5 representing over 210,000 ernployee5.' the lar8e5t dataset on clas5 and career5 in finance globallv. Publishing 'Roadbl(Kks or Roadmaps. on behalf of The Brilliant Club. exploring the undergraduate Student experience. We found that the first year of Study is crucial for building belonging and confidence in academic studies, and that financial pressures have a negative impact on ly)th areas.
THE BRIDGE GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 Continuing OLJr extensive work across the legal sector. including evaluating solicitor apprenticeships with City Century. advising rhe Legal Services Regulatory Authority Ireland on introducing socio-economic background dat3 collection. analysing data for a leading law firm on attrition and undertaking the fieldwork for a collaborative research project with eight law firms identifying effective practices in improving socio-econornic inclusion in the legal sector. Evaluating the mediurn to Ion8-term irnpact ol The Sutton Trust's Pathways to Bankin8 and Finance programme and widening acce55 to the 5ector+ published in March 2026. More broadly, we helped launch the new Social Mobility Alliance in Padiament with other leading social mobility charities, and delivered presentations to a wide ran8e of or8anisations from the Department of Culture, Media & Sport, Institute of Student Employers Student Conference. tojust Group and Morgan Stanley. FINANCIAL REVIEW Prlnclpal fvnding sources The Charity's principal sources of funds in this period are Irom commissioned research, evaluation and advice. with revenue received from.. Acces5 Accountancv A&0 Shearrnan Sterling LLP Archbishop'5 Council Ashurst LLP The Cablnet Office City Centurv CILEX Regulation Clillord Chance Departrnent for Culture, Media & Sport Freshlields Bruckhaus Derin8ef LLP Greater London Authority Irish Legal Services Regulatory Authority JLL Foundation Just Group PIC Keble College Oxford KPMG LLP Linklaters Milbank LLP Morgan Stanley Norton Rose Fulbri8ht LLP Ocean & Coastal Futures Pro8ress Together shepherd & Wedderburn Slaughter & Mav The Sutton Trust Universities Superannuation Scherne (USSI
THE BRIDGE GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 FINANCIAL REVIEW Resetves poll The rrustees, policy is to build up uThreseed funds lo represent at least four mnths. running costs. planning for adverse economic conditions and other potential threais. safeguarding the long-term future of the Charitv. At 31 July 2025. the reserves of the Charity not attached to restricted or designated lunds. stood at £168.382. Four month5, running costs for the Charity. including the payroll costs of staff delivering paid commissioned work, were in the region of £144k net of VAT. In 2025-26. the cost pressure on businesses and pjlitical and legal pres5ure5 surroundin8 Diver5itVi Equity and Inclusion work presented fundin8 challenges lor the Charity. As the Charity develops its new 5trate8y for 2026 onwards, includin8 an expansion ol advi50ry services and the strengthenin8 of governance and in5i8ht5 throu8h additional trustees, an Advisory Board and new Lead Partners, the CharitV'5 executive and tru5tee5 remain focused on financial resilience and a re-set of its foundations for growth. The trustee5 have tonsidered all available inltsrmation at the date of approving the account5 and consider that the charity 15 a goin8 con£em. Funds In defi¢lt There are no funds in deficit. STRucfuRE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governlng document Constltution Charlty constltutlon Charitable Incorporated Organisation Rècruitment and appointment of new trustee5 Appointed by current Board members by nomination and majority vote, driven by the Charity's need5 Wlth respect to experience and skills. Dèclslon makln8 The trustees determine the 5trate8ic direction of the Charity and delegate responsibility for the day-to-day rnana8ement and operations to the Chief Executive and the Senior team. The Board Meets on a quarterly basis to review the Charity's performance, £on5ider reports frorn the Chief Executive. and to decide other rnatters ol policy. Induction and trainin8 of new trusttes New trustees under80 a thorou8h induction into the workings of the Charitv. Rlsk management The trustee5 have examined the rnajor strategic, business and operational risks which the Charity faces and confirm that SV5tern5 have been established to enable re8ular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE OAlL$ Registered Charlty number 1162144 Prlnclpal address Clo University of London Senate House Malet Street London WCIE 7HU
20/03/2026 5C0F0000-DF35-A243-7C30-08DE867233C6
----- Start of picture text -----
5C0F0000-DF35-A243-7C3D-08DE867233C6
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
5C0F0000-DF35-A243-B0CA-08DE86822674
----- End of picture text -----
23/03/2026
5C0F0000-DF35-A243-B0D1-08DE86822674
THE BRIDGE GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANcIALA1VITlEs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 20ZS Unrestrlcted fund 2024 Total funds Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 1.005 Charitable activities Research 432,943 465,318 Other income Totsl 434,556 465,318 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activltle5 Research 433,119 359,027 NET INCOME 1,437 106,291 RECONCILIATION OF FLINDS Total funds brought forward 166,945 60,654 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 168,382 166,945 The notes forrn part of the5elinancial statements
25C0F0000-DF35-A243-7C41-08DE867233C60/03/2026
----- Start of picture text -----
5C0F0000-DF35-A243-7C43-08DE867233C6
----- End of picture text -----
THE BRIDGE GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 STATUTORY INFORMATIQN The Bridge Group is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation lao). registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and governed by its consiitution. Details of the charity's operations and principal activities are given in the Trustees, Reporr. ACCOUNTING POLICIES 3515 of preparing the financizl statements The financial statement5 01 the charity. which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP IFRS 1021 'Accountin8 and Reportin8 by Charitie5'. Statement ol Recornmended Practice applicable to charitie5 preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the LIK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective l January 20191.. Financial Reportin8 Standard 102 The Financial Reportin8 Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historital tost convention. Income All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the Charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that ihe income will be received and the èmount can be measured reliably. Invoices for cornmissioneil work are raised once the work is completed. The charitable activity ol research on the lace of the SOFA comprises commissioned research, analysis. and advice in relation to the objectives of the charlty. Expendlture Li8biliries are recognised as expenditure as soon as there 15 a legal or construttive obligation committing the Charity to that expenijiture, it is probable that a transfer ol economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount ol ihe obligaiion can tse measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accrua15 basis and has been classified under headings rhat aggregate all costs related io the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis con51Stent with the Use ol resour£e5. Tanglble fixed assets Fixed assets are rneasured at cost less depreciation. Cornputers and office equipmtnt- 25% Reducin8 balanct basis. Taxation The Charity is exempt Irom tax on its charitable activities. Fund a¢¢ountln8 Unrestricted funds can be used in accor(lance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be use(J for particular $trItted purposes within the objetts of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specilied byihe donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. The Iharity had no restritted funds during theyear ended 31 July 2025 nor in the preceding year. Penslon costs and other post-retlrement beneffts The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contribufions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. -i( continued...
THE BRIDGE GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 CHARITABLE A1vE5 COSTS Support costs (see note 41 Direct Costs Totals Research 280.262 IS25? 433,119 SUPPORT COSTS Office overheatls Governance costs Depreciation Totals Research 136,799 1.674 14.384 152,857 Support cost5. included in the above. are a5 follows.. Officè avtrhtads 2025 2024 Total Research Wages Social security Pensions Insurance Travel and subslstence Computer expenses Venue hire Recruitment Loss on foreign exchange Postage and stationery 98,462 6,858 1,533 1,34Z 9,520 7,685 3,375 7,532 85,870 3,125 1,351 1,449 6,173 4,8B3 1,449 1,125 112 163 424 136,799 105,700 Depreclatlon 2025 2024 Total Research Depreciation of tangible fixed a55els L055 on sale of tangible fixed a55et5 1,436 238 I,(0 649 1,674 1,649 -li- continued...
THE BRIDGE GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 SUPPORT C05TS- contlnued Governance costs 2025 2024 Total Research Independent examiner's lees Accountancy lees Professional lees 1,260 1,050 12,074 1,200 I,LX)O 7,215 14,384 9,415 TRUSTEE5' REMUNERATIIJN AND BENEFrrs There were no trusiees, remuneration or oiher benefrts for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024. Trustees. expenses There were no trustees, expense5 paid for the year ended 31 July 2025 Thor for the year ended 31 july 2024. STAFF COSTS 2025 2024 Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension c05t5 32S.033 36.967 4,865 283,558 31,246 4,823 366.865 319,627 The ioial remuneration ol the key mana8ement personnel. intlusive of pension ènd employer social security costs. was £168,97912024..£147.0481. The avera8e monthly number of employees durin8 the year was as follows.. 2025 io 2024 Average number of employees No employee5 received emolument5 in exces5 of £60,CW. -12- continued...
THE BRIDGE GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 TANGIBLE FIXED A55Ef5 Computer & office equipment COST At l August 2024 Addition5 Disposals 6,801 4,247 11,6491 At 31 July 2025 9,399 DEPRECIATION At l August 2024 Charge lor year Eliminated on disp95al 3.469 1,436 11,1091 At 31 July 2025 3.796 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 July 2025 S.603 At 31 July 2024 3,332 OEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Trade debtors 174,017 41,362 CREDITORS.. AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Trade creditor5 Taxatitsn and s¢xial securitv Other creditors 155 37,686 5,294 1,138 17,098 3,108 43,135 21,344 -1> continued...
THE BRIDGE GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 io. MOVEMENTIN FUNDS Net movement in funds At 31.7.25 At 1.8.24 Unrestricted fund5 General fund 166.945 1,437 168,382 TOTAL FUNDS 166.945 IA37 168,382 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follow5.. Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestrl¢ted fvnds General fund 434,556 1433.1191 1,437 TOTAL FUNDS 434,556 1433.1191 1,437 Comparatl¥es for rn<>vÈrnènt In funds Net movement in funds At 31.7.24 At 1.8.23 Unrestrirttd funds General fund 60.654 106,291 166,945 TOTAL FUNDS 60.654 106,291 166,945 Comparative net movement in funds, inclvded in the above are as follows: Incoming sources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestrlcted funds General fund 465.318 1359,0271 106.291 TOTAL FUNDS 465.318 1359,0271 106.291 -14- continued...
THE BRIDGE GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 1025 ii. RELATED PARTY D15CLOSURES There were no related party transartions for the year ended 31 July 202S nor the year ended 31 July 2024. -15-