Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01.04.2022 period start date to 31.03.2023 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 |
Core SEARRP1activities – and that of its partner organisation in Malaysia2– resumed during the reporting period after strict Covid- related travel restrictions were lifted in Malaysia. For the first time in over two years, SEARRP linked scientists were able to conduct fieldwork, resume long-term monitoring programmes and student groups on training programmes were able to return to SEARRP field sites. Further steps were taken to strengthen the SEARRP safeguarding framework – and develop a long-term training strategy: • Resumption of a range of field-science programmes by SEARRP linked scientists at Danum Valley and associated research sites in Sabah • Re-engagement of teams of locally employed field assistants on SEARRP’s long-term environmental monitoring programmes • Reopening of Danum Valley to university field courses and other student training programmes • Development of plans to establish a SEARRP Training Centre – with an initial focus on biodiversity management and monitoring • Implementation of an independent whistleblowing procedure via the ‘WhistleB’ service • Trial of an online training programme on harassment in the workplace 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 |
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|---|---|---|
| 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 agreement in place between SEARRP and its Malaysian-based partner organisation (Rainforest Research Sdn Bhd) to provide a mechanism for internal grant awards and fund transfers. |
| 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 | • Trustees provided regular advice, with particular regard to financial management, funding strategies and the development of a SEARRP Training Centre (including business planning for the latter). • Trustees also advised on the continued development of safeguarding and whistleblowing approaches. |
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 | Fundraising (from external entities) continued to be constrained through the reporting period as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, income from scientists recovered– |
| and grant payments resumed as these were unlocked following no-cost extensions. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable for the reporting period |
| Other | None for the reporting period |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Stable/improving – largely as a result of cost reduction and cash conservation measures and a post-pandemic resumption of field science and training at SEARRP |
| 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 | Financial constraints as a consequence of 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 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 | • Overhang of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated reduction in income • 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 |
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. Trustees appointed subsequently receive briefing materials |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | SEARRP does not, at present, directly employ staff in the UK. The SEARRP Director is employed in the UK through a renewable 5-year post-doctoral appointment at Swansea University. |
| 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 | The SEARRP Board of Trustees had three formal meetings during the reporting period. The Chair of the BoT and SEARRP Director held regular monthly update meetings and additional meetings were held between the Director and individual trustees on an ad-hoc basis. |
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 3rd December 2023
Charity Name No (if any) The South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (S 1164082 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01.04.2022 31.03.2023
Section A Receipts and payments
| Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts Trustee donation 2,000 2,000 None - Sub total - Total receipts 2,000 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ Sub total(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
to the nearest £ - - - - - Restricted funds |
to the nearest £ - - - - - Endowment funds |
Total funds to the nearest £ 2,000 2,000 - - 2,000 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
| 29,860 | ||||
| 29,860 | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | - | 2,000 | 29,860 |
| A3 Payments Transfer to Rainforest Research Sdn Bhd 30,200 Fees for overseas transfer 25 HMRCpayment 200 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Sub total 30,641 |
A3 Payments Transfer to Rainforest Research Sdn Bhd 30,200 Fees for overseas transfer 25 HMRCpayment 200 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Giving.Com charges 18 Sub total 30,641 |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
30,200 25 200 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 30,641 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transfer to Rainforest Research Sdn Bhd |
30,200 | - | - | 30,200 | - |
| Fees for overseas transfer | 25 | - | - | 25 | |
| HMRCpayment | 200 | - | - | 200 | |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Giving.Com charges | 18 | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| **Sub total ** | 30,641 | - | - | 30,641 | 216 |
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
- - - |
- - - |
- - - |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total payments 30,641 Net of receipts/(payments) - 28,641 A5 Transfers between funds - A6 Cash funds last year end 34,646 Cash funds this year end 6,005 |
- | - | 30,641 | 216 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - - - - |
- - - - |
- 28,641 - 34,646 6,005 |
29,644 | |
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| 29,644 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Details B1 Cash funds Cash in bank Details B2 Other monetary assets None Details B3 Investment assets None Details None Details B5 Liabilities None Signature Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
to nearest £ to nearest £ 6,005 - - - - - 6,005 - OK OK to nearest £ to nearest £ - - Cost (optional) - Cost (optional) - - - Print Name Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) Professor John PyleFRS CBE |
to nearest £ Endowment funds |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| - | ||
| - | ||
| - | ||
| OK | ||
| to nearest £ Endowment funds |
||
| - | ||
| Current value (optional) |
||
| - | ||
| Current value (optional) |
||
| - | ||
| - | ||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
||
| Professor John PyleFRS CBE | 08.12.2023 | |