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2023-12-31-accounts

Company no. 10036700 Charity no. 1165868

The REME Charity Report and Audited Financial Statements 31 December 2023

The REME Charity

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Company number 10036700 Charity number 1165868 Registered office and The REME Charity operational address RHQ REME The Prince Philip Barracks MoD Lyneham Lyneham Chippenham SN15 4XX

Trustees

Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:

Maj Gen S M Andrews CBE Cmdr M Ashton RN Col M J A Bullard MBE Cap H Burns Mr J Foster Col (Retd) R Fram MC Mr A P Graham Maj P C D Hembery Mr T Hirst MSc CEng FIET Ms R Norris Brig C P Phillips CBE Ms C C Robinson Col A J Rogers Col D G Scott Maj A Shand Col M A Simpson QVRM TD VR Mr P Tumim

Chair

appointed 10 August 2023

appointed 10 August 2023 appointed 18 January 2024 resigned 7 November 2023

appointed 10 August 2023 appointed 13 January 2023 and resigned 14 November 2023

resigned 13 January 2023 resigned 11 October 2023

appointed 1 March 2024 appointed 10 August 2023

Chief executive officer and company secretary

Mrs Barbel Harris

Bankers

Holt's Farnborough Branch Royal Bank of Scotland Lawrie House Victoria Road Farnborough GU14 7NR

Sparkasse Berliner Sparkasse Alexanderplatz 2 10178 Berlin

1

The REME Charity

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Solicitors Wilsons Solicitors LLP Alexandra House St Johns Street Salisbury Wilts SP1 2SB Investment advisor and Sarasin and Partners LLP BlackRock (for the AFCIF holding) nominee company Juxton House 33 King William Street 100 St Paul’s Churchyard London London EC4R 9AS EC4M 8BU Auditors Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

2

The REME Charity

Report of the Trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s Articles of Association, the Charities Act 2016, the Companies Act 2006, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS102) effective 1 January 2019.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity is governed by the Articles of Association of The REME Charity dated 2 March 2016 and the current REME Charity Governance Manual.

The trustees reviewed and amended the organisations Charity Governance Manual in 2023. The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) has been supported by a charity since 1945. The REME inaugural charities were the REME Benevolent Fund and REME Scholarship funds but, over the years, these charities have been linked, closed and joined by others. Today, The REME Charity is the headline charity which has the REME Central Charitable Trust (296030-1), the REME Benevolent Fund (246967-1) and the REME Sports Association (246967-2) linked to it. The REME Museum (27240) is included in these group accounts as it is governed by the same Trustee Board and is administered by the REME Charity. The REME Trading Company is incorporated and is controlled by the Charity.

The REME Charity closely monitors the Corps’ military operational activities and any additional support REME personnel, past or present, may require. Every spring, the Board examines the Charity’s strategy and mid-term objectives to ensure our activities meet those emerging needs and that we protect our long-term viability. To that end we have developed impact metrics and administer regular surveys to remain relevant to our beneficiaries.

The dialogue with the REME family remains our priority and 2023 saw the launch of REME Connect, the improved one-stop-shop website at the heart of our digital communications. We also vastly increased our social media presence.

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

In 2023, the Charity embarked on a diversification programme for its Board of Trustees. Many Board members had come to the end of their tenure and in a departure from usual recruitment methods, we advertised the upcoming vacancies widely amongst the REME family in an effort to better reflect and represent the diversity amongst our beneficiaries.

Five new Trustees were selected by virtue of their knowledge, lived experience and expertise. New Trustees are offered training and are supplied with pertinent information by the CEO to keep up to date with current regulatory, reporting and compliance related matters, thereby enabling them to fulfil their obligations. Succession planning and continuing diversification of the Board’s composition remain agenda items for future Board meetings.

3

The REME Charity

Report of the Trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Organisational structure and governance

The Board of Trustees is an independent decision-making governing body which meets at least twice a year. The board is led by a Chair. Trustees are given responsibility for different areas of the business and chair separate sub-committees to monitor performance and exercise governance. The Finance and Investment Committee meets quarterly. The execution of the day to day running of the business is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer with delegated spending powers defined in the Governance Manual.

Risk management

The Charity maintains a risk register which is reviewed bi-annually by a sub-committee. Risks are categorised in five main areas: Impact, Financial Sustainability, Compliance, Operational and Hazards and Reputation. A reduction in income, both from the supporter base within the Corps through the Days Pay Scheme (payroll giving) and a reduction in investment income due to volatile markets, poses the biggest risk to the Charity.

OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

Public benefit

We provide public benefit by assisting REME regular and reserve personnel to more effectively perform their roles and duties within the British Army. We support their families and the retired veteran community and their families by enhancing esprit de corps through promoting the concept of support to the REME family for life. We do this by providing funding for benevolence, welfare, communications, activities, social gatherings and events. This assistance enables Service personnel to face the challenges and dangers associated with military service by developing and maintaining teamwork, skills, fitness, mental wellbeing and morale.

We promote the efficiency of the armed forces of the Crown by enhancing the British Army’s capability to undertake the roles demanded of it including the defence of the United Kingdom and its interests. By supporting the wider REME family we assist the Government in fulfilling its promise in the Armed Forces Covenant to treat serving personnel, veterans and their families fairly.

Through our support to the REME Museum we preserve the heritage of the Corps of REME through collecting and conserving appropriate artefacts, memorabilia and memories for future generations and communicate the story of REME and the people who served in the Corps to the visiting public and to a wider audience on-line.

Objectives

The REME Charity is independent of military authorities. It undertakes a crucial function as the needs and ambitions of the REME family go beyond the bounds of the resources and policies of the Army and MOD. The three pillars of our support to the family are:

These objectives allow the charity to provide support to REME regular, reserve and retired personnel and their families. This is done though the provision of grants to groups or individuals and through fostering connections which promote REME efficiency, ethos and comradeship, giving members a sense of belonging to the REME family.

4

The REME Charity

Report of the Trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

STRATEGY

In 2022, the Board of Trustees devised the REME Charity Strategy 2022 – 2025, articulating how the Charity aims to interpret and fulfil its objectives, prioritise resources and ensure capabilities for the next 3 years. It formed the basis of the workplan, recruitment and associated activities for the chief executive. The Strategy was reviewed and considered fit for purpose at the Spring 2023 workshop and continues to undergo regular reviews.

2023 charitable objectives, themes and activities Welfare

2023 saw more cases than in previous years. We supported 451 (376 in 2022) individual cases with financial support amounting to £310,415 (£234,952 in 2022), with average grants of £693 (£625 in 2022). The Board of Trustees continued our commitment to support the Army Benevolent Fund and authorised a donation of £85,000 in support of their welfare work.

The REME Charity’s flagship initiative ‘Lifting the Decks’ evolved to the ‘What’s on your Mind?’ campaign. To offer timely, additional support to those who reach out to us, we founded the REME Responders team. These are volunteers, offering a friendly ear, practical help and (re)connection with the wider REME family, often preventing escalations and crises. In December 2023, we had over 160 Responders on our database, the vast majority DBS checked and safeguarding trained. Founded in 2022, REME Responders stand ready to support their comrades. By the end of 2023 we achieved good geographical coverage to be able to spring into action, wherever support is needed. This can come in the shape of comrade visits, practical help with transport or chores, or a referral to specialist services. The Responders also have a closed social media group, a regular newsletter and are offered training opportunities.

Counselling access, respite breaks, comrade visits and signposting to professional support continue to be offered under the mantle of the ‘Lifting the Decks’ programme, designed to tackle problems sooner rather than later and offers choice to the service user. In addition, the Corps Welfare Officer travelled on average 773 miles per month on comrade visits, supporting REME family members.

‘Lifting the Decks’ has galvanised the Corps and attracts major fundraising events, such as the ‘Virtual 10k’ in May and the ‘Lifting the Decks Challenge’ in October. Those events, led by serving REME soldiers, raised £28,414 in 2023 and also helped to spread the support message more widely.

Esprit de Corps

The Charity supports serving REME soldiers’ team sports, veteran reunions, mess events and other gatherings to promote cohesion and a sense of belonging.

The Charity funded 120 adventurous training events at a total cost of over £86,347. The budget for 2024 was increased by 10% to invest even more into our serving community but also to meet sharp increases in costs.

5

The REME Charity

Report of the Trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

36 sports teams (2022: 36) were allocated £313,711 in 2023. The annual grassroots skiing event EXERCISE SUPREME GLACIER took place once again in December and resulted in a record number of REME skiers qualifying for the Army Championships. The Charity was happy to financially support this success.

The REME Association held 7 RHQ led events in 2023. 196 veterans attended the annual reunion in Warwick and we had a great turnout of over 100 serving and reserve personnel, veterans and family members at the Corps Memorial event at the National Memorial Arboretum in late September.

72 bereaved families were supplied with coffin drapes, 42 buglers, standard bearers, berets, flags etc. at veteran’s funerals. Their feedback assures us of the immense value they place on this support.

The REME Association Job Agency (RAJA) held two job fairs in 2023, one in the South and one in the North of the UK. Both events attracted over 100 stallholders and were attended by over 200 soldiers in their career transition period. The service dealt with 676 service leavers throughout the year.

The REME Association, the REME Institution, the REME Messes as well as the REME Museum receive annual grants from the Charity. Any unused funds return to the Charity.

‘The Craftsman’ magazine continued to be distributed to a 4,500 strong readership.

2023 was the second year of the REME Arkwright Scholarship. Three scholarships for Sixth Form students of STEM subjects for a duration of 2 years were awarded to lucky recipients. In addition to the £1,150 per annum, the successful candidates will receive ongoing mentoring from a senior officer and be invited to visits to REME RHQ in Lyneham. The aim of the scholarship is to promote the attractiveness of a career in the Corps and to nurture interest in STEM subjects.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Income generation

The Charity continued to enjoy the support of around 75% of regular soldiers and 95% of officers through the Day’s Pay Scheme. This constituted 54% of the overall income in 2023. 37% of reservist officers and 30% of reservist other ranks also participate. It is the ambition of the Charity to increase the subscriptions numbers in order to secure future funding streams.

In 2023, the Charity was remembered in the wills of 4 REME veterans, amounting to legacy income of £20,359.

At 31 December 2023 they reported:

The overall capital invested was £14,347,320 (2022: £13,063,187), an increase of £1,284,133. The Charity’s investments continued to be affected by a volatile international market. In the first two quarters of 2023, the Charity refrained from drawing any income from the Sarasin portfolio, due to high current account balances resulting from an underspend in previous years. Income collection was resumed in quarter three.

6

The REME Charity

Report of the Trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Income

The total income of the REME Charity as of 31 December 2023 was: £2,497,716 which, in addition to income generation channels and activities mentioned above, includes £197,952 of services and facilities donated by the MoD.

Expenditure

Expenditure for the year was £2,558,768 and comprised £1,240,851 in esprit de corps activity, £547,974 in grants, £507,357 on the museum, £264,461 on support costs and £262,586 on income generation cost.

Reserves policy

The Trustees review the reserves policy and quantum of related investments during the annual budgetary cycle in the autumn of each year. The aim is to ensure the amount held in reserves and investments is adequate to mitigate against potential financial threats and to provide a secure base to meet future requirements and fulfil the objectives of the Charity over the long term.

The Charity identified a number of risks potentially impacting current income streams:

To mitigate the identified financial risks, adequate reserves are required to meet the Charity’s objectives. Reserves should be able to meet potential strategic shocks and increases in demands whilst also enabling the Trustees to deliver the Charity’s objectives. The Charity’s commitment is to support the REME family now and particularly in the future.

Therefore, the Trustees have assessed the level of reserves and related investments required to meet these contingencies and mitigate against the current risk profile, to be in the range of £18 million.

The Charity’s reserves are composed of designated funds to secure long term support of the charitable objectives: Welfare & Benevolence (37%), Promoting the efficiency of the Armed Forces (13%), Sports and Adventurous Training (31%) and Esprit de Corps (17%). A further 1.6% is designated to cover future governance and administrative cost. These designations are based on historic demand levels.

Funds in deficit

The Charity has no deficits.

7

The REME Charity

Report of the Trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Financial position

The trustees consider that the assets held by the charity enable the fund to meet its foreseen future obligations. Given the charity's current level of reserves, including investment assets of over £14m, the trustees consider that the charity will continue as a going concern at current spending levels for a period of at least 8 years from the date on which these financial statements are approved. The trustees therefore consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of preparation of the accounts, as detailed in note 1(c) to the financial statements.

Dependency on donors

The viability of the Charity is highly dependent on the goodwill and donations of REME serving soldiers and veterans, with their contribution making up over half of the Charity’s income.

It is the Charity’s ambition to increase day’s pay scheme giving subscription rates through targeted campaigns in 2024 and the diversification of income streams through increased fundraising activity, including a legacy campaign.

Funds held as custodian trustee

No funds are held as custodian trustee.

Fundraising practices

The REME Charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and we take care to ensure we comply with the Code of Fundraising practice. The majority of our fundraising is in the form of events and challenges. All are subject to relevant risk assessments and in FY2022 and to date, there have been no instances of non-compliance with the requirements. The REME Charity does not contract other companies to undertake fundraising on our behalf, nor do we use telephone direct marketing. The charity has received no complaints during the year.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

The Board of Trustees devised the REME Charity Strategy 2022-2025 during a workshop in early 2022 and thoroughly reviewed its impact in spring 2023.

The Executive Implementation plan is monitored and its impact measured in regular reviews. Especially the communication efforts detailed in the Strategic Plan have exceeded targets and have contributed to increased uptake of the Charity’s support offer to its beneficiaries. We enjoy a greater presence and increased interactivity, particularly on social media platforms, and through REME Connect, the REME family’s website which received a complete overhaul.

The Charity’s vision:

“Our vision is to be the source of support, belonging and connection to the REME Family, now and always”.

8

The REME Charity

Report of the Trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

A series of strategic objectives, whose fulfilment, taken together, will realise the Charity’s vision, are expressed as an end state for the charity at the conclusion of the plan. The end state will be a charity that:

In 2023, the treasury team added a Finance Manager to their ranks, to improve internal accounting processes and increase scrutiny. The Charity now has a clearer overview of its assets and their value. Accounting processes have also been streamlined and simplified in support of improved accuracy and consistency.

Plans for 2024 include the recruitment of a part time administrator to improve the Charity’s relationship and communication with its many donors and fundraisers.

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES

The Trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the group and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure, of the charity and the group for the year. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and the group and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

9

The REME Charity

Report of the Trustees

For the year ended 31 December 2023

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The Trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The Trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Auditors

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as auditors to the group and parent charity during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 23 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Stephen Andrews

Maj Gen S M Andrews CBE - Chair

10

Independent auditors' report

To the members of

The REME Charity

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The REME Charity (the 'parent charity') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the consolidated statement of financial activities, consolidated and parent charity balance sheets, consolidated statement of cash flows and the related notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the group and parent charity financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the group and parent charity financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

11

Independent auditors' report

To the members of

The REME Charity

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charity and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of the trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out in the trustees’ report, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

12

Independent auditors' report

To the members of

The REME Charity

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The procedures we carried out and the extent to which they are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, are detailed below:

(1) We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, and assessed the risk of non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Throughout the audit, we remained alert to possible indications of non-compliance.

(2) We reviewed the charity’s policies and procedures in relation to:

(3) We inspected the minutes of trustee meetings.

(4) We enquired about any non-routine communication with regulators and reviewed any reports made to them.

(5) We reviewed the financial statement disclosures and assessed their compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

(6) We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected transactions or balances that may indicate a risk of material fraud or error.

(7) We assessed the risk of fraud through management override of controls and carried out procedures to address this risk. Our procedures included:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. Irregularities that arise due to fraud can be even harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

13

Independent auditors' report

To the members of

The REME Charity

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charityʼs members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charityʼs members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditorʼs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charityʼs members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Date: 23 May 2024

Robert Wilson FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of:

GODFREY WILSON LIMITED

Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

14

The REME Charity

Consolidated statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Restricted
Note
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
337,574
Charitable activities
5
-
Other trading activities
6
69,397
Investments
7
29,547
Total income
436,518
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
2,419
Charitable activities:
Benevolence grants
62,113
Esprit de corps
393,447
Museum
-
Other expenditure
-
Total expenditure
8
457,979
(21,461)
Net gains / (losses) on investments
16
95,451
Net income / (expenditure)
73,990
Transfers between funds
137,201
Other recognised gains / (losses):
14
-
Net movement in funds
9
211,191
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
4,182,889
Total funds carried forward
4,394,080
Losses on revaluation of heritage
assets
Net expenditure before investment
gains / (losses)
Unrestricted
£
1,351,107
93,832
232,766
383,493
2,061,198
260,167
485,861
847,404
507,357
-
2,100,789
(39,591)
648,275
608,684
(137,201)
(35,000)
436,483
13,681,566
14,118,049
2023
Total
£
1,688,681
93,832
302,163
413,040
2,497,716
262,586
547,974
1,240,851
507,357
-
2,558,768
(61,052)
743,726
682,674
-
(35,000)
647,674
17,864,455
18,512,129
2022
Total
£
1,699,211
47,560
254,280
392,491
2,393,542
342,461
470,089
1,045,802
441,104
1,028,004
3,327,460
(933,918)
(1,802,534)
(2,736,452)
-
-
(2,736,452)
20,600,907
17,864,455

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 23 to the accounts.

15

The REME Charity

Consolidated balance sheets

As at 31 December 2023

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
13
Heritage assets
14
Mixed motive investments
15
Fixed asset investments
16
Investment property
17
Current assets
Stock
18
Debtors
19
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors due within 1 year
20
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors due after more than 1 year
Net assets
22
Funds
23
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
General funds
Total charity funds
The group
2023
£
1,227,582
2,335,667
41,354
14,347,320
-
17,951,923
232,862
155,645
278,752
667,259
(93,949)
573,310
18,525,233
(13,104)
18,512,129
4,394,080
2,813,579
11,304,470
18,512,129
The group
2022
£
1,316,805
2,340,077
43,224
13,063,187
-
16,763,293
214,715
164,086
881,816
1,260,617
(146,351)
1,114,266
17,877,559
(13,104)
17,864,455
4,182,889
2,724,197
10,957,369
17,864,455
The charity
2023
£
932,235
362,841
41,354
14,347,320
-
15,683,750
158,477
172,975
169,121
500,573
(345,335)
155,238
15,838,988
(13,104)
15,825,884
4,391,755
130,000
11,304,129
15,825,884
The charity
2022
£
962,242
348,601
43,224
13,063,187
-
14,417,254
150,978
132,279
790,477
1,073,734
(294,187)
779,547
15,196,801
(13,104)
15,183,697
4,180,564
110,000
10,893,133
15,183,697

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

Approved by the trustees on 23 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Stephen Andrews

Maj Gen S M Andrews CBE - Chair

16

The REME Charity

Consolidated statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Cash used in operating activities:
Net movement in funds
Adjustments for:
Loss / (profit) on the disposal of tangible assets
Depreciation charges
Loss / (profit) on the disposal of heritage assets
Loss / (profit) on the disposal of mixed motive investments
Donation of heritage assets
Revaluation losses / (gains) on heritage assets
Revaluation losses / (gains) on tangible fixed assets
Revaluation (gains) / losses on mixed motive investments
(Gains) / losses on investments
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(Increase) / decrease in stock
Decrease / (increase) in debtors
(Decrease) / increase in creditors
Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of heritage assets
Purchase of investments
Disposal proceeds on sale of fixed asset investments
Disposal proceeds on sale of investment property
Net cash (used in) / provided by investing activities
(Decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
2023
£
647,674
18,160
87,430
5,250
2,360
-
35,000
3,550
(490)
(743,726)
(413,040)
(18,147)
8,441
(52,402)
(419,940)
413,040
(19,917)
(35,840)
(540,407)
-
-
(183,124)
(603,064)
881,816
278,752
2022
£
(2,736,452)
212,446
68,626
815,558
-
(33,000)
-
-
-
1,802,534
(392,491)
(22,977)
(15,455)
47,532
(253,679)
392,491
(198,930)
(24,000)
(986,669)
586,669
506,246
275,807
22,128
859,688
881,816

Analysis of changes in net debt

The charity has not provided an analysis of changes in net debt as it does not have any long term financing arrangements.

17

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in 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.

The REME Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes for investments (notes m, n, o) and heritage assets (note l).

b) Group accounts

These financial statements consolidate the results of the charitable company and its whollycontrolled subsidiaries, The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Museum (charity registration number 272740) and The REME Trading Company Limited (company number 10258502) on a line by line basis. Transactions and balances between the charitable company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements. Balances between the parent and its subsidiaries are disclosed in the notes of the charitable company's balance sheet. A separate statement of financial activities, or income and expenditure account, for the charitable company itself is not presented because the charitable company has taken advantage of the exemptions afforded by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006.

In accordance with Charity Commission guidance, all linked charities per a Scheme dated 28 October 2016 are required to be reported as restricted funds. The linked charities comprise:

c) Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

d) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

18

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

d) Income (continued)

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executors to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Income received for advertising in advance of publication is deferred until criteria for income recognition are met.

e) Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item, is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

f) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

g) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

h) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

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.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

19

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

i) Allocation of support and governance costs

2023 2022
Raising funds 10.3% 15.2%
Charitable activities:
Benevolence grants 21.4% 20.9%
Esprit de corps 48.5% 46.4%
Museum 19.8% 17.5%

j) Grants payable

Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.

k) Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Yachts 10 years straight line to residual value of £70,000 Furniture and equipment 3 - 10 years straight line basis Corps items Not depreciated

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £2,000.

The REME Collection ("Corps items"), which has been built up over many years, reflects the wide range of artefacts ranging from wooden carvings, paintings, silver pieces, furniture and many trinkets and items of an ornamental nature. Corps items are considered to have indeterminate lives and the trustees therefore do not consider it appropriate to charge depreciation. Items are initially recorded at cost when an acquisition has been made by purchase. The items are periodically revalued and any gain or loss arising on revaluation will be posted to the statement of financial activities. Methods of valuation are given in note 1 (l) below.

l) Heritage assets

The REME Charity has gained a wide and varied collection of assets since its formation in 1942. These are held within the Messes, the Church, and the Headquarters and have either been donated by individuals or units, or gifted by the MoD.

Where these assets are held primarily for their contribution to our nation’s culture and knowledge, they are classified as ‘heritage assets’.

20

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued) l) Heritage assets (continued)

The valuation of such a diverse and varied collection and the lack in many cases of comparable market values has meant an equally diverse approach in obtaining valuations. It has been necessary to use many sources of valuation expertise. These have included professional valuations as in the case of the silver and artwork and recourse to the many websites, trade magazines, auction houses and professional catalogues. The trustees have valued the heritage assets where available by reference to these experts, however valuations are often informal and occasionally written valuations are unavailable.

The assets are generally valued at 50% of insurance value. The heritage assets were not revalued in 2023 but during the year ended 31 December 2021 all artworks and silverware was revalued by Madley Associates, fellows of the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers.

The assets are considered to have indeterminate lives and the trustees therefore do not consider it appropriate to charge depreciation. All heritage assets are reviewed for impairment annually and any charge taken to the SoFA.

Only items valued at more than £3,000 will be capitalised as heritage assets.

m) Mixed motive investments

Mixed motive investments represent the charity's collection of fine art, held by the charity primarily to contribute to the esprit de corps activities of the messes, but which is also held for its potential investment growth. Fine art is held at fair value.

n) Investment property

Investment properties are included in the balance sheet at fair value and are not depreciated. Changes in fair value are recognised in the statement of financial activities. Investment property is professionally revalued every two years, and informally reviewed for impairment annually.

o) Fixed asset investments

Listed investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposal throughout the year.

p) Stock

Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Donated items of stock are recognised at fair value which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay for the items on the open market.

q) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

r) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

21

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

s) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where there is a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

t) Financial instruments

The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

u) Pension costs

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. There are no further liabilities other than that already recognised in the SOFA.

v) Foreign currency transactions

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Balances denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the year end.

w) Accounting estimates and key judgements

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are described below.

Depreciation

As described in note 1k to the financial statements, depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life.

Revaluations

Heritage assets, mixed motive investments and investment property are stated at estimated fair value based on periodic valuations, as disclosed in notes 1l, 1m, 1n and 1o.

22

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

w) Accounting estimates and key judgements (continued)

Derecognition of assets

In the prior year, the decision to write off heritage assets below £3k and tangible fixed assets below £2k was made by the trustees in order to streamline the management of assets for the group.

As the organisation holds a large number of assets, this policy allows for a simpler register of assets to be maintained, reducing administrative burden and improving efficiency by focusing valuations on high-value heritage assets. This change has resulted in a loss on disposal of heritage assets of £815,558 and tangible fixed assets of £58,864. From an accounting presentation perspective this is shown as a “Loss on Disposal”. The Trustees wish to emphasise, however, that this is a one-time occurrence and no assets have been sold or scrapped. It does not reflect any reduction in the overall value or ownership of the organisation's assets or its financial health.

2. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities

Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities:
Benevolence grants
Esprit de corps
Museum
Other expenditure
Total expenditure
Net gains / (losses) on investments
Net income / (expenditure) and net
movement in funds
Net income / (expenditure) before
investment gains
Restricted
£
285,154
-
571
21,229
306,954
3,568
21,969
233,650
-
-
259,187
47,767
262,722
310,489
£
1,414,057
47,560
253,709
371,262
2,086,588
338,893
448,120
812,152
441,104
1,028,004
3,068,273
(981,685)
(2,065,256)
(3,046,941)
Unrestricted
2022
Total
£
1,699,211
47,560
254,280
392,491
2,393,542
342,461
470,089
1,045,802
441,104
1,028,004
3,327,460
(933,918)
(1,802,534)
(2,736,452)

23

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

3. Income from donations and legacies

Restricted
£
Subscriptions - retired officers
13,432
Subscriptions - serving officers
135,752
Subscriptions - museum (gold card)
-
Subscriptions - other ranks
50,724
Sports association grants
18,391
MOD grant in aid
-
Other donations
96,743
Donated heritage assets
-
Legacies
20,359
Donated investment management services
2,173
Donated services and facilities
-
Total income from donations and legacies
337,574
Prior period comparative
Restricted
£
Subscriptions - retired officers
28,702
Subscriptions - serving officers
130,492
Subscriptions - museum (gold card)
-
Subscriptions - other ranks
49,707
Sports association grants
35,000
MOD grant in aid
-
Other donations
34,253
Donated heritage assets
-
Legacies
7,000
Donated investment management services
-
Donated services and facilities

-
Total income from donations and legacies
285,154
* Donated services and facilities consists of:
Donated staff time
Donated facilities - office premises, equipment and utilities
£
-
135,752
89,569
611,228
-
189,242
100,119
-
-
27,245
197,952
1,351,107
£
-
130,492
93,867
578,538
-
181,754
80,017
33,000
100
97,659
218,630
1,414,057
2023
£
169,278
28,674
197,952
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
2023
Total
£
13,432
271,504
89,569
661,952
18,391
189,242
196,862
-
20,359
29,418
197,952
1,688,681
2022
Total
£
28,702
260,984
93,867
628,245
35,000
181,754
114,270
33,000
7,100
97,659
218,630
1,699,211
2022
£
189,428
29,202
218,630

24

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

4. Government grants

5. Income from charitable activities

Museum admission
Children's activities
Museum research
Total income from charitable activities
Prior period comparative
Museum admission
Children's activities
Museum research
Development fund grant income
Total income from charitable activities
Income from other trading activities
REME trading income
Sponsorship
Other fundraising
Total income from other trading activities
Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
Restricted
£
-
69,017
380
69,397
Unrestricted
£
83,565
8,009
2,258
93,832
Unrestricted
£
42,675
2,067
946
1,872
47,560
£
182,958
1,000
48,808
232,766
Unrestricted
2023
Total
£
83,565
8,009
2,258
93,832
2022
Total
£
42,675
2,067
946
1,872
47,560
2023
Total
£
182,958
70,017
49,188
302,163

6. Income from other trading activities

25

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

6. Income from other trading activities (continued) Prior period comparative:

Income from other trading activities (continued)
Prior period comparative:
REME trading income
Sponsorship
Other fundraising
Total income from other trading activities
Restricted
£
-
-
571
571
£
172,440
25,850
55,419
253,709
Unrestricted
2022
Total
£
172,440
25,850
55,990
254,280

7. Income from investments

Income from listed investments
Bank interest
Total income from investments
Prior period comparative:
Income from listed investments
Property income
Bank interest
Total income from investments
Restricted
£
29,547
-
29,547
Restricted
£
18,249
2,980
-
21,229
£
380,570
2,923
383,493
£
370,340
-
922
371,262
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
2023
Total
£
410,117
2,923
413,040
2022
Total
£
388,589
2,980
922
392,491

26

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

8. Total expenditure

REME Museum
REME Institution (Officers' club)
REME Trading
Officers Mess functions and costs
Grants payable (note 12)
REME Sports
Association events and costs
REME Corps Sergeants' Mess
Office expenses
Repairs and maintenance
Loss on disposal of assets
Depreciation
Fundraising and investment property costs
Publication costs
Staff costs (note 10)
Insurance
Trustee expenses
Donated facilities
Legal and professional
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance costs
Total expenditure
Raising
funds
£
-
-
117,129
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,269
-
115,048
-
-
-
-
235,446
27,140
262,586
Charitable
activities:
grants
£
£
-
-
-
57,883
-
-
-
11,532
402,880
655,809
-
16,496
-
52,720
-
24,411
-
8,910
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
82,142
88,459
202,700
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
491,339
1,112,603
56,635
128,248
547,974
1,240,851
Charitable
activities:
esprit de corps
£
20,082
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
665
-
5,250
64,070
-
-
364,852
-
-
-
-
454,919
52,438
507,357
Charitable
activities:
museum
Support and
governance
costs
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
116,356
5,000
20,520
23,360
-
-
27,124
10,654
4,354
28,977
28,116
264,461
(264,461)
-
2023 Total
£
20,082
57,883
117,129
11,532
1,058,689
16,496
52,720
24,411
125,931
5,000
25,770
87,430
3,269
82,142
798,183
10,654
4,354
28,977
28,116
2,558,768
-
2,558,768

27

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

8. Total expenditure - prior period comparative

REME Museum
REME Institution (Officers' club)
REME Trading
Officers Mess functions and costs
Grants payable (note 12)
REME Sports
Association events and costs
REME Corps Sergeants' Mess
Office expenses
Repairs and maintenance
Depreciation
Loss on disposal of assets
Corps recruiting
Fundraising and investment property costs
Publication costs
Staff costs (note 10)
Insurance
Trustee expenses
Donated facilities
Investment manager fees
Legal and professional
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance costs
Total expenditure
Raising
funds
£
-
-
113,816
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,427
-
111,711
-
-
-
67,684
-
304,638
37,823
342,461
Charitable
activities:
grants
£
£
-
-
-
49,712
-
-
-
9,080
325,202
525,975
-
20,307
-
27,208
-
22,866
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,490
-
-
-
96,660
92,881
173,046
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
418,083
930,344
52,006
115,458
470,089
1,045,802
Charitable
activities:
esprit de corps
£
19,354
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
46,315
-
-
-
-
331,890
-
-
-
-
-
397,559
43,545
441,104
Charitable
activities:
museum
Other
expenditure
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,028,004
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,028,004
-
1,028,004
Support and
governance
costs
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
99,747
20,861
22,311
-
12,724
-
-
28,091
7,146
2,286
29,202
-
26,464
248,832
(248,832)
-
2022 Total
£
19,354
49,712
113,816
9,080
851,177
20,307
27,208
22,866
99,747
20,861
68,626
1,028,004
18,214
11,427
96,660
737,619
7,146
2,286
29,202
67,684
26,464
3,327,460
-
3,327,460

28

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

9. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Depreciation
Loss on disposal of assets
Trustees' remuneration
Trustees' reimbursed expenses
Auditors' remuneration (excluding VAT):
Statutory audit
Consultancy
Corporation tax return
2023
£
87,430
25,770
Nil
4,354
19,000
253
350
2022
£
68,626
1,028,004
Nil
2,286
16,290
4,940
300

Trustees' reimbursed expenses comprise travel, subsistence and accommodation costs relating to 5 trustees (2022: 3 trustees).

Total governance costs were £27,154 (2022: £21,834).

10. Staff costs and numbers

Staff costs were as follows:

Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs
Donated salaries
Freelance staff
2023
£
554,934
42,342
13,329
168,975
18,603
798,183
2022
£
472,115
34,844
24,137
189,428
17,095
737,619

One employee earned between £60,000 and £70,000 during the year (2022: one employee).

The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the CEO and Museum Director. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel paid by the charity were £122,728 (2022: £113,335).

Average number of employees (head count): 2023
No.
25
2022
No.
25

11. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

29

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

12. Grants payable

Benevolence
REME Sports
Discretionary grants
Adventurous and enterprising activities
REME Corps Sergeants' Mess
Officers Mess
Individuals
£
310,265
-
150
-
-
-
310,415
Total
Institutions
2023
£
£
92,615
402,880
313,712
313,712
203,589
203,739
88,347
88,347
22,545
22,545
27,466
27,466
748,274
1,058,689

Prior period comparative

Prior period comparative
Benevolence
REME Sports
Discretionary grants
Adventurous and enterprising activities
REME Corps Sergeants' Mess
Officers Mess
Individuals
£
234,952
-
-
-
-
-
234,952
Institutions
£
90,250
262,960
168,671
45,932
29,899
18,513
616,225
Total
2022
£
325,202
262,960
168,671
45,932
29,899
18,513
851,177

The charity's grant making activities are characterised by large numbers of small grants, paid to support serving and retired soldiers and officers of the REME Corps. The total grants made to individuals in the current year was 451 (2022: 376). Individual grants are rarely made direct to the individual beneficiary. Grants are usually processed via a third party organisation such as the Army Benevolent Fund; the Soldiers’ Charity (ABF), The Sailors, Soldiers and Air Force Institution (SSAFA), or the Royal British Legion (RBL). If the beneficiary is a serving soldier, a grant is processed through the unit welfare organisation.

The trustees consider all grants paid to institutions over £25,000, which require trustee board approval, to be material in the context of the accounts. The total amount of grants paid over this amount in 2023 was 1, for £85,000, to the Army Benevolent Fund (2022: 1, for £85,000, to the Army Benevolent Fund). There were no other committed grants at 31 December 2023. No support costs have been allocated to the grants disclosed above although staff costs are allocated to general grant making activities per note 8 to the accounts.

30

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

13. Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Group
Cost
At 1 January 2023
Additions in year
Disposals
Revaluations
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
Net book value
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022
Charity
Cost
At 1 January 2023
Additions in year
Disposals
Revaluations
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
Net book value
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022
Yachts
£
280,000
-
-
-
280,000
92,000
9,500
-
101,500
178,500
188,000
Yachts
£
280,000
-
-
-
280,000
92,000
9,500
-
101,500
178,500
188,000
£
964,585
10,317
(36,625)
-
938,277
515,921
77,930
(36,625)
557,226
381,051
448,664
£
168,417
5,460
(36,625)
-
137,252
74,317
13,857
(36,625)
51,549
85,703
94,100
Furniture
and
equipment
Furniture
and
equipment
Corps
items
£
680,141
9,600
(18,160)
(3,550)
668,031
-
-
-
-
668,031
680,141
Corps
items
£
680,142
9,600
(18,160)
(3,550)
668,032
-
-
-
-
668,032
680,142
Total
£
1,924,726
19,917
(54,785)
(3,550)
1,886,308
607,921
87,430
(36,625)
658,726
1,227,582
1,316,805
Total
£
1,128,559
15,060
(54,785)
(3,550)
1,085,284
166,317
23,357
(36,625)
153,049
932,235
962,242

31

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

14. Heritage assets

At 1 January 2023
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
At 31 December 2023
2023
2022
£
£
2,340,077
3,098,635
35,840
57,000
(5,250)
(815,558)
(35,000)
-
2,335,667
2,340,077
The group
2023
2022
£
£
348,601
386,151
14,240
24,000
-
(61,550)
-
-
362,841
348,601
The charity

All heritage assets are deemed to be measured at valuation. The majority of heritage assets are donated items which are recognised on receipt at valuation. There is insufficient data available to disclose those assets measured at cost however the amount held at cost is a minor proportion of the total heritage assets.

During the prior year, the REME Charity and the REME Museum de-recognised all heritage assets with a value less than £3,000 and this resulted in an extraordinary disposal of heritage assets during the year ended 31 December 2022. This was a one-time occurrence and no assets were sold or scrapped. It dis not reflect any reduction in the overall value or ownership of the organisation's assets or its financial health.

Five year summary of heritage asset transactions:

Additions:
Purchases
Donations
Total additions
Disposals:
Carrying value
Proceeds
Revaluations
2023
£
35,840
-
35,840
(5,250)
-
(35,000)
2022
£
24,000
33,000
57,000
(815,558)
-
-
2021
£
21,460
59,900
81,360
(184,180)
-
68,145
2020
£
340
2,286
2,626
1,663
-
(9,539)
2019
£
-
5,981
5,981
580
-
609,667

The REME Charity heritage assets

The REME Charity has gained a wide and varied collection of assets since its formation in 1942. These are held within the Messes, the Church, and the Headquarters and have either been donated by individuals or units, or gifted by the MoD.

Where these assets are held primarily for their contribution to our nation’s culture and knowledge, they are classified as ‘heritage assets’. Other assets are of significance to the Corps but are not held as heritage assets. These items were reclassified as non-depreciable tangible fixed assets during 2021.

32

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

14. Heritage assets (continued)

The REME Charity heritage assets (continued)

Further detail on the recognition and valuation of these assets is given in note 1(l).

The REME Museum heritage assets

The REME Museum of Technology was established in 1958 to house and preserve the heritage of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The Museum aims to promote a broader understanding of the functions of the Corps, its interaction with society and its role in providing equipment engineering support to the Army. It also provides an information resource for members of the Corps, researchers, educationalists and general public.

The collection which has been built up over many years reflects the wide range of equipment for which the Corps is responsible including tanks, weapons, helicopters and electronic equipment. The Museum also houses and maintains a comprehensive collection of medals, uniforms, documents and pictorial records covering the many activities of the Corps since its formation in October 1942.

The Museum follows a strict acquisition policy and only accepts items which either relate to the heritage of the Corps or clearly illustrate the changes in engineering and repair techniques associated with equipment responsibilities. Most of the items held are either donated to the Museum or gifted by the Ministry of Defence. Items are recorded at cost when an acquisition has been made by purchase.

The valuation of such a diverse and varied collection and the lack in many cases of comparable market values has meant an equally diverse approach in obtaining valuations. It has been necessary to use many sources of valuation expertise. These have included professional valuations as in the case of the small arms collection, guidance from the National Army Museum and recourse to the many web sites, trade magazines, auction houses and professional catalogues covering different aspects of the collection.

During 2013, the museum director revisited the valuations of the collections with the assistance of specialist publications and experts in the various items. During 2019 the vehicles collection was revalued using the same methods.

A full inventory is maintained of all items accessioned into the collection including valuations on the Museum's collection management database. Information provided includes the provenance and acquisition source of each item.

15. Mixed motive investments

At 1 January 2023
Revaluations
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
2023
2022
£
£
43,224
43,224
490
(2,360)
-
41,354
43,224
The group
2023
2022
£
£
43,224
43,224
490
(2,360)
-
41,354
43,224
The charity
2023
2022
£
£
43,224
43,224
490
(2,360)
-
41,354
43,224
The charity
43,224

33

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

15. Mixed motive investments (continued)

Mixed motive investments represent the charity's collection of fine art, held by the charity primarily to contribute to the esprit de corps activities of the messes, but which is also held for its potential investment growth. The fine art collection is held at fair value and will be revalued every 5 years.

16. Fixed asset investments (group and charity)

Blackrock Armed Forces Growth and Income Fund - unlisted
Market value at 1 January 2023
Net gains / (losses)
As at 31 December 2022
Sarasin Funds - all listed
Market value at 1 January 2023
Additions
Disposals
Net gains / (losses)
As at 31 December 2023
Total investments
Investments are comprised of:
Listed investments
Unlisted investments
2023
£
262,437
771
263,208
12,800,750
540,407
-
742,955
14,084,112
14,347,320
2023
£
14,084,112
263,208
14,347,320
2022
£
304,973
(42,536)
262,437
14,206,994
986,669
(586,669)
(1,806,244)
12,800,750
13,063,187
2022
£
12,800,750
262,437
13,063,187

Included within investments are amounts held on behalf of other REME organisations, as follows:

2023
2022
%
%
REME Benevolent Fund
0.3419%
0.3445%
REME HQ Officers Mess
3.6266%
3.6536%
REME Association
2.9027%
2.9243%
REME Museum
2.3541%
2.3717%
REME Institution
3.7537%
3.0350%
2023
2022
£
£
48,159
44,098
510,768
467,697
408,815
374,341
331,552
303,594
528,668
388,506
1,827,962
1,578,236
Market value
2023
2022
£
£
48,159
44,098
510,768
467,697
408,815
374,341
331,552
303,594
528,668
388,506
1,827,962
1,578,236
Market value
1,578,236

34

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

17. Investment property

The charity sold Judnick House, a residential investment property, during the prior year. Prior to disposal, the property was held at fair value based on a desktop market valuation obtained from an estate agent, Frank Schippers, dated 2 December 2021.

Market value at 1 January 2023
Disposal proceeds
Realised gain
Market value at 31 December 2023
Stock
REME Trading stock for resale
Finished goods including wine
2023
2022
£
£
74,385
63,737
158,477
150,978
232,862
214,715
The group
2023
2022
£
£
-
460,000
-
(506,246)
-
46,246
-
-
2023
2022
£
£
-
-
158,477
150,978
158,477
150,978
The charity
2022
£
460,000
(506,246)
46,246
-
150,978

18. Stock

19. Debtors

Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Donation from REME Trading
Other debtors
Funds held as an agent (note 21)
Total debtors
2023
2022
£
£
6,112
3,505
147,257
159,194
-
-
2,195
1,387
81
-
155,645
164,086
The group
2023
2022
£
£
5,935
2,090
129,551
94,752
35,213
34,050
2,195
1,387
81
-
172,975
132,279
The charity
2023
2022
£
£
5,935
2,090
129,551
94,752
35,213
34,050
2,195
1,387
81
-
172,975
132,279
The charity
132,279

35

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

20. Creditors : amounts due within 1 year

Creditors : amounts due within 1 year
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Accruals
Other creditors
Deferred income
Funds received as an agent (note 21)
Intercompany due to REME Museum
Due in more than 1 year:
Other creditors
2023
2022
£
£
26,088
36,545
16,004
31,571
33,964
15,584
11,549
30,500
6,344
2,087
-
30,064
-
-
93,949
146,351
13,104
13,104
The group
2023
2022
£
£
26,088
36,545
11,939
24,109
21,873
17,793
9,183
16,207
6,344
2,087
-
30,064
269,908
167,382
345,335
294,187
13,104
13,104
The charity
294,187
13,104

21. Funds held as an agent

During the year, the charity acted as custodian trustee for funds received by some of the sports clubs and Messes' linked to the REME charity. An analysis of the funds received and paid by the charity is given below. Funds held at year end 2023 are detailed in the debtors note (note 19), funds held at the year end 2022 are detailed in creditors (note 20).

£
REME sports
7,885
REME Institution
1,107
REME Officers' Mess
2,052
REME Sergeants' Mess
1,200
Other organisations
17,820
At 31 December 2023
30,064
Funds held at
1 January
2023
£
1,000
74,410
2,620
-
6,764
84,794
Funds
received
£
£
(7,885)
1,000
(74,872)
645
(2,052)
2,620
(1,200)
-
(28,930)
(4,346)
(114,939)
(81)
Funds
paid
Funds held at
31 December
2023
£
£
(7,885)
1,000
(74,872)
645
(2,052)
2,620
(1,200)
-
(28,930)
(4,346)
(114,939)
(81)
Funds
paid
Funds held at
31 December
2023
(81)

36

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

22.
Analysis of group net assets between funds
£
Tangible fixed assets
605,025
Heritage assets
362,841
Mixed motive investments
41,354
Fixed asset investments
1,827,962
Current assets
1,556,898
Current liabilities
-
Creditors due after more than 1 year
-
Net assets at 31 December 2023
4,394,080
Prior year comparative
Restricted
funds
£
Tangible fixed assets
601,425
Heritage assets
348,601
Mixed motive investments
43,224
Fixed asset investments
1,595,310
Investment property
-
Current assets
1,594,329
Current liabilities
-
Creditors due after more than 1 year
-
Net assets at 31 December 2022
4,182,889
Restricted
funds
£
295,348
1,972,826
-
-
545,405
-
-
2,813,579
Designated
funds
£
354,563
1,991,476
-
-
-
378,158
-
-
2,724,197
Designated
funds
£
327,209
-
-
12,519,358
(1,435,044)
(93,949)
(13,104)
11,304,470
General
funds
£
360,817
-
-
11,467,877
-
(711,870)
(146,351)
(13,104)
10,957,369
General
funds
£
1,227,582
2,335,667
41,354
14,347,320
667,259
(93,949)
(13,104)
Total
funds
18,512,129
Total
funds
£
1,316,805
2,340,077
43,224
13,063,187
-
1,260,617
(146,351)
(13,104)
17,864,455

37

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

23. Movements in funds

Restricted funds
CCT:
Aliquot Shares
REME Connect: Afghanistan
Linked entities:
REME Benevolent Fund
HQ Officers Mess
REME Sports Association
REME Institution
REME Sergeants' Mess
REME Museum:
British Museum Project
Total restricted funds
£
1,595,310
12,299
-
1,709,772
10,986
765,256
86,941
2,325
4,182,889
At 1 January
2023
Income
£
-
17,500
51,613
96,864
132,407
86,541
51,593
-
436,518
£
-
(29,799)
(51,613)
(63,408)
(143,393)
(122,709)
(47,057)
-
(457,979)
Expenditure
Gains /
(losses)
£
95,451
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
95,451
£
£
137,201
1,827,962
-
-
-
-
-
1,743,228
-
-
-
729,088
-
91,477
-
2,325
137,201
4,394,080
Transfers
between funds
At 31
December 2023

38

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

23. Movements in funds (continued)

Total restricted funds
Designated funds:
Museum - general
Museum - development
REME Trading
REME Yacht Club Hulls
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Transfers between funds
Unrestricted funds
Income
Gains /
(losses)
£
£
£
£
£
£
4,182,889
436,518
(457,979)
95,451
137,201
4,394,080
2,090,471
303,204
(313,888)
(35,000)
130,644
2,175,431
467,334
94,640
(94,430)
-
-
467,544
56,392
182,958
(219,916)
-
21,170
40,604
110,000
-
-
-
20,000
130,000
2,724,197
580,802
(628,234)
(35,000)
171,814
2,813,579
10,957,369
1,480,396
(1,472,555)
648,275
(309,015)
11,304,470
13,681,566
2,061,198
(2,100,789)
613,275
(137,201)
14,118,049
17,864,455
2,497,716
(2,558,768)
708,726
-
18,512,129
Transfers between funds represent: cash injections into The REME Charity's investment portfolio, as
described below; the movement of group reserves between entities resulting from inter-group
transactions (see note 28); and contributions to the saving plan for the REME Hulls fund as described
below.
At 31
December 2023
Transfers
between funds
At 1 January
2023
Expenditure

39

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

23. Movements in funds (continued)

Purposes of restricted funds

Aliquot Shares

REME Connect: Afghanistan

Linked entities

British Museum Project

Museum - general

Museum - development

REME Trading

REME Yacht Club Hulls

The REME Charity’s investment portfolio was first created in 1985 from donations from a number of entities. Each of the entities is now inside the REME Charity and their percentage holding in the investment portfolio is expressed as an aliquot share holding.

The project was created after the evacuation of Kabul in 2021. The project intends to create digital communities of support for REME veterans of Afghanistan and similar recent operations to make a meaningful difference to the veterans' and their families' lives.

The REME Charity was formed from the REME Charities in 2016. The antecedent charities are linked via a Charity Commission Scheme and are; The REME Central Charitable Trust (296030) and the REME Benevolent Fund (246967). The REME Sports Association charity (246967/1) was linked to the REME Benevolent Fund, but it now linked to the REME Charity under the same scheme. Income in these funds represents donations specifically restricted to each area of the charity. Where total expenditure exceeds income available, expenditure is limited to the available restricted funds.

This fund represents grant funding received from Money & Medals Network to fund training for the Museum Assistant Curator.

The REME Museum is given an operating budget each year from the REME Charity.

The REME Development fund is to provide funding to develop the Museum. It is not to be spent on administration, but purely on developing exhibits, attracting visitors and generally improving the visitor experience.

The REME Trading Company operates the shop in the REME Museum and online.

The REME Hulls fund was set up as a saving plan to purchase a new yacht every five years. £20k was deposited during the year.

40

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

23. Movements in funds (continued)

Prior period comparative
Restricted funds
CCT:
Aliquot Shares
REME Connect: Afghanistan
Linked entities:
REME Benevolent Fund
HQ Officers Mess
REME Sports Association
REME Institution
REME Sergeants' Mess
REME Museum:
British Museum Project
Total restricted funds
At 1 January
2022
£
1,378,834
-
-
1,673,559
-
727,804
89,633
2,570
3,872,400
Income
£
-
17,500
21,969
91,865
35,000
89,639
50,981
-
306,954
£
-
(5,201)
(21,969)
(55,652)
(24,014)
(98,433)
(53,673)
(245)
(259,187)
Expenditure
Gains /
(losses)
£
216,476
-
-
-
-
46,246
-
-
262,722
£
£
-
1,595,310
-
12,299
-
-
-
1,709,772
-
10,986
-
765,256
-
86,941
-
2,325
-
4,182,889
Transfers
between funds
At 31 December
2022

41

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

23. Movements in funds (continued) - prior year comparative

Total restricted funds
Designated funds:
Museum - general
Museum - development
REME Trading
REME Yacht Club Hulls
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Unrestricted funds
At 1 January
2022
£
3,872,400
2,842,791
467,634
61,700
90,000
3,462,125
13,266,382
16,728,507
20,600,907
Income
£
306,954
354,621
104,509
172,440
-
631,570
1,455,018
2,086,588
2,393,542
£
(259,187)
(1,106,941)
(104,809)
(177,748)
-
(1,389,498)
(1,678,775)
(3,068,273)
(3,327,460)
Expenditure
Gains /
(losses)
£
262,722
-
-
-
-
-
(2,065,256)
(2,065,256)
(1,802,534)
£
£
-
4,182,889
-
2,090,471
-
467,334
-
56,392
20,000
110,000
20,000
2,724,197
(20,000)
10,957,369
-
13,681,566
-
17,864,455
Transfers
between funds
At 31 December
2022
£
£
-
4,182,889
-
2,090,471
-
467,334
-
56,392
20,000
110,000
20,000
2,724,197
(20,000)
10,957,369
-
13,681,566
-
17,864,455
Transfers
between funds
At 31 December
2022
2,724,197
10,957,369
13,681,566
17,864,455

42

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

24. Financial instruments at fair value

Financial assets measured at fair value 2023
2022
£
£
14,347,320
13,063,187
The group
2023
2022
£
£
14,347,320
13,063,187
The charity

Financial assets measured at fair value comprise fixed asset investments.

25. Operating lease commitments

The charity held no operating lease commitments in the current or prior period.

26. Capital commitments

At 31 December 2023, capital expenditure commitments were as follows:

Committed but not provided for in the accounts:
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross medal purchase
2023
£
150,000
2022
£
-

At 31 December 2023, the charity had entered into an agreement to complete the purchase of a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross medal. The value of the purchase is funded by awarded grants which will be recognised in line with the purchase of the medal. There were no further capital commitments entered into in the post year end period.

27. Related party transactions

The REME Charity is the sole corporate trustee and parent charity of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Museum (charity registration no. 272740). During the year the REME Charity paid donations totalling £121,207 (2022: £149,292) to the REME Museum. The REME Charity operates payroll and manages transactions on behalf of the Museum. At the year end £269,908 was due to the REME Museum (2022: £167,382).

The REME Charity also has control of the REME Trading Company Limited (company registration no. 10258502). The Operations Manager and one of the trustees of the REME Charity make up the board of directors of the REME Trading Company. Amounts owed to the REME Charity at 31 December 2023 were £35,213 (2022: £34,050). The REME charity provided funding of £40,000 to the REME Trading company in 2023 (2022: £nil). The REME Trading Company donated £40,172 (2022: £52,047) and made sales of goods from the shop totalling £21,680 (2022: £39,606) to the REME Charity during the year.

28. Subsidiary undertakings

The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Museum

The consolidated financial statements include the results of The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Museum (the REME Museum), charity number 272740. The REME Charity is deemed to have control over the REME Museum by having sole corporate trusteeship. The REME Museum contributes to the esprit de corps objects of The REME Charity.

43

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

28. Subsidiary undertakings (continued) Results for the period

Gross income
Expenditure
Results for the year (excluding gains / losses)
Net assets
Assets
Liabilities
Total museum funds
2023
£
528,488
(488,401)
40,087
2023
£
2,655,171
(9,871)
2,645,300
2022
£
536,058
(1,208,930)
(672,872)
2022
£
2,649,279
(9,066)
2,640,213

The REME Trading Company Limited

The consolidated financial statements include the results of The REME Trading Company Limited (REME Trading), company number 10258502. REME Trading was incorporated to operate the cafe and shop situated within the REME museum. The REME Charity is deemed to have control over REME Trading, the directors of REME Trading being key management personnel of The REME Charity.

Results for the period

Turnover
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Other operating income
Administrative expenses
Operating profit / (loss)
Tax on profit / (loss)
Profit for financial year
2023
£
204,639
(117,549)
87,090
40,000
(86,938)
40,152
-
40,152
2022
£
212,046
(113,538)
98,508
-
(67,198)
31,310
-
31,310

44

The REME Charity

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

28. Subsidiary undertakings (continued)

The aggregate of the assets, liabilities and funds was:

Subsidiary undertakings (continued)
The aggregate of the assets, liabilities and funds was:
Assets
Liabilities
Total reserves
2023
£
84,807
(43,864)
40,943
2022
£
85,556
(44,593)
40,963

29. Parent charity

The parent charity's gross income and the results for the year are:

Gross income
Surplus / (deficit) for the year (excluding gains / losses)
2023
£
1,957,085
(101,540)
2022
£
1,887,254
(239,887)

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