Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01.04.2020 period start date to 31.03.2021 period end date
Charity name: The South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP)
Charity registration number: 1164082
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1) To promote the conservation and better management of tropical ecosystems and the scientific understanding of the rainforests and other natural and modified habitats of South East Asia; and 2) To advance research, training, education and awareness in, and associated with, the rainforests and other natural and modified habitats of South East Asia |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
SEARRP1activities – and that of its partner organisation in Malaysia2– have been heavily constrained during the reporting period as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic with the majority of field- and classroom/office-based programmes in the UK, Malaysia and Indonesia suspended. Main activities were restricted to: • Developing and implementing emergency responses to the pandemic - including fundraising in support of SEARRP’s partner organisation in Malaysia • Promoting SEARRP activities in the UK, Malaysia and Indonesia • Continued development and roll-out of safeguarding approaches, complaints procedures and a risk register 1 The SE Asia Rainforest Research Programme was established by the Royal Society in 1985 and was directly funded by the Society for over 30 years. The formal relationship between the Royal Society and SEARRP came to a close in 2015 and in early 2016 SEARRP was relaunched as the SE Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation) 2_The Malaysia-registered and based SE Asia_ Rainforest Research Trust and its wholly-owned, not- for-profit operating company Rainforest Research Sdn Bhd (RRSB) |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees have acted in due regard to the Charity Commission guidance relating to public benefit |
|---|---|---|
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | Collaboration mechanism established between SEARRP and its Malaysian-based partner organisation (RRSB). The agreement was signed on 28.10.2019 and includes provisions for SEARRP to make grants to RRSB. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | None for the reporting period |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | None for the reporting period |
| Other | None for the reporting period |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | • SEARRP raised sufficient short-term funding to maintain and support the core operations, programmes and staff of SEARRP’s partner organisation in Malaysia (RRSB) through 2020/21 • Trustees provided regular advice with respect to cost reduction and other emergency measures that might be implemented by RRSB in response to the pandemic |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | None for the reporting period |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Significant emergency funding raised – primarily from SEARRP Trustees and alumni |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable for the reporting period |
| Other | None for the reporting period |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Stable. Significant funds were raised and expended during the reporting period |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | A policy on reserves will be developed as necessary |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | Zero |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Necessary to expend the bulk of funds raised in response to the Covid-19 pandemic |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Not applicable |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | To date, the principal source of funding has been philanthropic donations from SEARRP Trustees and alumni |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | During the reporting period SEARRP did not raise investable funds. A policy on investments will be developed as necessary. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | • Impacts of Covid-19 on the potential to facilitate and promote field science in Malaysia and Indonesia (largely as a result of local, regional and international travel restrictions) with consequent reductions in income, inability to fulfil terms of existing grants etc • Other risks (and mitigation measures) deliberated in the SEARRP Risk Register, including risks associated with safeguarding, reputation and succession planning (with particular regard to the position of SEARRP Director) |
| Other | None |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Existing trustees: by re-election New trustees: by appointment (of the Board of Trustees) |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: | |
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Founding trustees received an induction from SEARRP’s legal advisors during the first formal Board of Trustees meeting |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | SEARRP does not directly employ staff |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | SEARRP works closely with a not-for-profit partner organisation (RRSB) based in Sabah, Malaysia which is responsible for the management and delivery of scientific programmes, training and capacity building. SEARRP has a formal collaboration agreement with RRSB which includes provisions for joint projects, fund transfers, grant payments etc. |
| Other | None |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | SEARRP |
| Registered charity number | 1164082 |
| Charity’s principal address | The David Attenborough Building Pembroke Street Cambridge CB2 3QZ United Kingdom |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor John Pyle FRS CBE |
Chair | SEARRP Board of Trustees | ||
| Irene Dorner | ||||
| Dr Rosie Trevelyan | ||||
| Professor Jane Hill | ||||
| Anthony Geffen | ||||
| Geoff Lye | ||||
| Emmet Keeffe | ||||
| Boyd McCleary CMG CVO |
||||
| Datuk Darrel Webber | ||||
| Dato’ Henry Barlow OBE |
||||
| Professor Andrew Krockenberger |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name None
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| None |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the Not applicable charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Not applicable safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser None
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Dr Glen Reynolds MBE, SEARRP Director and Managing Director of RRSB ( please note : Dr Reynolds is employed at Swansea University, UK via a SEARRP/RRSB-funded Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship – and is registered as a correspondent for SEARRP with the Charity Commission)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable
Other optional information
None
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s)[Professor John Adrian Pyle FRS CBE] Position (eg Secretary, Chair, SEARRP Board of Trustees Chair, etc) Date 10th January 2022
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusleesl members of The South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP) On accounts for tho year ended 31" March 2021 Charlty no (if any) 1164082 Set out on pages 1&2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Yh& Trust.) for the year ended 31° March 2021. Responsibllities and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts Carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable DireGlions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)Ib) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters hav8 come to my attention (other Ihan thal disclosed below"> in connection with the examination which gives me e2use to believe that in. any material respect". a¢¢ounting records Vre not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the a¢¢ounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no con¢ems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the aoUnt$ lo be reached. ' Please dèl8te the words in the bpckats rfthey do not apply. Slgnod: Date: Name: Dr Howard Jones. Academic Secretsry Rolevant professional quallficatlonls) or body Ilf any): Address: Department of Chemisty, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge, CB2 1 EW IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity a¢counts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give herè brlèf details of any Ilems that the oxaminer wishes to dlsclose. IER October 2018