Company Registration Number: 6510709 Charity Registration Number: 1162177
AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31 MARCH 2025
Annual Report and Accounts
AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025
| CONTENTS | PAGE |
|---|---|
| Company Information | 3 |
| Trustees’ report | 4-6 |
| Independent examiner’s report to the trustees | 7 |
| Statement of financial activities | 8 |
| Balance sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 10-11 |
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AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The Agrifood Charities Partnership (AFCP) is a registered charity (No. 1162177) and a company (No. 6510709), incorporated on 20 February 2008.
Directors/Trustees:
The Directors/Trustees during the period covered by the accounts are as follows:
Professor S Reid (Chairman) Professor R Bansback Mr G Bennett Reverend G Dodgson Mr I Munnery Mr J Orson Ms A Payne Dr J Stevens Professor G J Jellis (Resigned 31[st] December 2024)
Company Secretary:
The Company Secretary during the period is as follows: Mrs Michaela Canham
Patron:
Lord Curry of Kirkharle
Registered Office:
Morley Business Centre Deopham Road Morley St Botolph Norfolk NR18 9DF
Bankers:
HSBC plc 12 Allhallows Bedford MK40 1LJ
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(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the company for the year to 31 March 2025.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
OBJECTIVES
The objects set out in the Memorandum of Association of the company are: To promote education and science by supporting other charities, and their beneficiaries, working in areas relating to UK agriculture and food production to make better use of their funds.
AFCP believes that greater effectiveness can be achieved by appropriate collaborations and information exchange, either with charities or other organisations e.g colleges, research organisations. AFCP is a facilitator, primarily through the medium of its website, that brings together those looking for educational or research funding and charities providing appropriate grants that meet these needs, also arranging meetings for charities, funders and researchers to share information and ideas.
During the past year AFCP has delivered its charitable objectives by acting as an umbrella or resource organisation that freely provides information for the benefit of the public and those charities supporting the industry. In support of its objectives a range of activities have been undertaken.
AIMS
To identify, develop and communicate opportunities and synergies for collaboration between charities operating in the agrifood sector.
To provide information to individuals seeking to establish or develop their careers in the UK agrifood sector through support from charities and other not-for-profit organisations, primarily through the provision of an up-to-date and relevant website.
ACTIVITIES
AFCP continues to champion the work of charities that support the agricultural, food, and landbased sectors, fostering collaboration where appropriate and enhancing connections between charities, universities, and land-based colleges.
The jointly funded PhD project with AHDB on carbon emissions in cattle has been successfully completed. The joint studentship with the University of Cambridge’s Crop Science Centre continues, with a focus on viral-induced gene silencing and editing in soybean. Plans to support other joint projects continue to develop.
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AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025
The AFCP Student Forum brought together 15 student presentations and 20 student posters. Additionally, AFCP hosted three webinars.
A range of newsletters and event/activity communications are sent to all members and wider stakeholders. The AFCP LinkedIn page continues to be active, including sharing a range of blog posts which are also available on the website. A project is underway to refresh the AFCP website.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The charity meets its objective of enabling people who are seeking financial support for educational activities related to the science and practice of the and-based industries to identify appropriate charities. This enables charities working in this field to be more effective and enables them to provide more public benefit.
Anyone can use the charity’s services for public benefit via an open access searchable website. The charity provides freely available access to opportunities for those seeking support for educational & training activities (including post-graduate research) related to the science and practice of the land-based industries. Public benefit results from quicker, more cost-effective access to appropriate funding which facilitates education & research.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Agrifood Charities Partnership (AFCP) is a registered charity (No. 1162177) and a company (No. 6510709), incorporated on 20 February 2008. A board of directors, who also act as Trustees, manages AFCP in accordance with the Articles of Association of the company.
Trustees are recruited through the network of agrifood charities and it is the intention that the Board represents the cross-section of activities in the sector. No Trustee receives any benefit from AFCP.
This report and the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with these documents, relevant statutory requirements and the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting and Reporting by Charities 2015.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The Trustees confirm that AFCP has participated in activities in pursuit of its charitable aims and objectives as explained in the Activities Section above.
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AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW AND RESERVES POLICY
The charity recorded a surplus showing income exceeding costs by £6,008 compared to a deficit of £8,489 in the year to 31 March 2024.
Funds held on reserve at 1 April 2025 are £30,031 AFCP has no other assets.
AFCP’s Reserves Policy is for the company to hold 12 months operating costs as a reserve.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS
The Charities Act requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the period and of the surplus or deficiency for the period then ended.
In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies, as described on page 10-11, and then apply them on a consistent basis, making judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable. The trustees must also prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
AFCP has no employees, the part-time Charities Coordination Director (CCD) and the Company Secretary/Administrator are both self-employed.
Approved by the trustees on 19[th] November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Stuart Reid Chairman
Registered Office: Morley Business Centre Deopham Road Morley Norfolk NR18 9DF
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AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP
I report on the accounts of the Agrifood Charities Partnership (charity no 1162177) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 8 to 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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 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 seeking 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: Relevant professional qualification or body: Address: Date:
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AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Note Incoming Resources Subscriptions Project fees Donations Charities Co-Ordination Director Sponsorship RAU Summer School Income MRes HAU Funding Cambridge Uni Funding 3 Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Management and administrative costs Web costs Marketing, Events & Communications Travelling RAU Summer School MRes HAU Cambridge University funding Cost of activities Governance costs 4 Total resources expended Net incoming/(outgoing) Resources 6 Total Funds brought forward Total Funds carried forward |
Year to 31/03/2025 £ 12,200 750 9,000 6,240 3,000 8,000 39,190 13,662 530 687 489 6,240 3,000 8,000 32,608 574 33,182 6,008 24,023 30,031 |
Year to 31/03/2024 £ 7,600 750 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 8,351 | ||
| 14,167 588 1,511 - |
||
| 16,266 574 |
||
| 16,840 | ||
| (8,489) 32,512 24,023 |
The notes on Pages 10 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
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AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
| Assets: Current account Total Current Assets Liabilities: Accrual for Co Sec./CCD Feb & Mar Project income awaiting invoice from NIAB/HAU/RAU Total current liabilities Total Funds |
2025 £ 49,671 49,671 2,400 17,240 19,640 30,031 |
2024 £ 27,543 |
|---|---|---|
| 27,543 | ||
| 2,400 1,120 |
||
| 3,520 | ||
| 24,023 |
Statements:
The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and that members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
These financial statements on pages 8 to 11 were approved by the Board of Directors on 19 November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Stuart Reid Chairman
Michaela Canham Company Secretary
The notes on Page 10 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
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(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025
1. COMPANY STATUS
The company is limited by guarantee.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(i) Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of fixed asset investments at market value, and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2007).
(ii) Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of Income and expenditure when the company is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Voluntary income is received by way of donations and is included as income in the period to which it is allocated.
Investment income is included when receivable.
Members' subscriptions and contributions towards specific projects which are received in advance are deferred to the period to which they relate.
(iii) Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the company and include costs linked to the strategic management of the company.
(iv) Liability recognition
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the company to pay out resources.
3. PROJECT FEES
AFCP coordinates the administration of fee collection from the AFCP charities contributing to the jointly funded AHDB/AFCP projects, and the AFCP Chair assists in supervising these projects. These fees are therefore collected by AFCP and paid to the research organization by AFCP on behalf of the charities and therefore are not included in AFCP income or expenditure. A small amount of project fee is received to fund AFCP’s administrative and supervisory expenses.
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AGRIFOOD CHARITIES PARTNERSHIP (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025
4. ANALYSIS OF ADMINISTRATION COSTS
| Company administration and governance |
2025 £ 574 574 |
2024 £ 574 574 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
5. STAFF COSTS AND EMOLUMENTS
No salaries or wages have been paid to employees during the year.
6. PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
| Reserves at start of period Surplus/(deficit) for period Retained reserves at end of period |
£ 24,023 6,008 30,031 |
|---|---|
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