Trustees’ annual report (including Directors’ report) for the period
From: 1 July 2024 To: 30 June 2025
Charity name: Engines Orchestra
Charity registration number: 1166455
Objectives and activities
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
To advance, improve and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art of music in all its aspects. |
| 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. |
During the year, the Engines Orchestra continued to support the development and presentation of innovative, cross-genre musical projects, with a focus on enabling artists to realise ambitious large-ensemble work and reach new audiences. In partnership with Serious and the EFG London Jazz Festival, the charity supported pianist and composer Belle Chen in the development and presentation of a major performance at EartH, Hackney - the organisation’s largest- scale public event to date. To facilitate this, the charity designed and launched the eO Creator Fund, a new philanthropic giving model that enables direct public support for artist-led projects. Alongside this, the charity provided strategic support for further funding applications, contributing to additional performances at the Tung Auditorium (Liverpool) and Turner Sims (Southampton), thereby extending the work's reach and impact. We also continued supporting pianist, vocalist, and songwriter Joy Ellis, focusing on her professional development as a large-ensemble composer and arranger. This work forms part of a longer-term project, with plans to record new material in early 2026 and release it later that year. In addition, the charity began working with alt-pop artist Patrick Wolf, supporting both live performance and recording activity. This collaboration reflects the charity’s commitment to fostering cross-genre partnerships and expanding access to orchestral resources for artists working beyond traditional classical contexts. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have |
The trustees confirm they have had regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission |
had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
Achievements and performance
| 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. |
This year, the charity built on its commitment to enabling ambitious, artist-led projects that expand the possibilities of large-ensemble and cross-genre music-making. Through its work with Belle Chen, Joy Ellis, and Patrick Wolf, the charity has supported artists at various stages of their careers in developing new work, accessing orchestral resources, and engaging with wider, more diverse audiences. The performance at EartH, Hackney, in partnership with Serious and the EFG London Jazz Festival, marked a significant step in the charity’s public-facing activity, presenting innovative orchestral work at its largest scale to date. The successful launch of the eO Creator Fund represents an important development in the charity’s approach to sustainability and public engagement, creating a new model that enables audiences to directly support the creation of new music. Ongoing support for Joy Ellis has enabled the continued development of her large-ensemble writing, equipping her with the skills, experience, and resources required to realise a major recording project in 2026. This work contributes to the broader development of artistic practice within the UK jazz and cross-genre sector, supporting the emergence of new voices in orchestral composition. The charity’s collaboration with Patrick Wolf further reflects its commitment to broadening access to orchestral collaboration for artists working outside traditional classical pathways. By supporting both performance and recording activity, the charity has facilitated the integration of orchestral textures into alternative and popular music contexts, contributing to a more inclusive and innovative musical landscape. Alongside these artistic outcomes, the charity has continued to strengthen its organisational foundations, developing new partnerships, funding approaches, and strategic frameworks that will support the delivery of future projects. Collectively, these activities demonstrate a clear and growing public benefit: enabling the creation of new work, supporting artist development, and expanding access to high-quality, cross- genre musical experiences for audiences. |
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Financial review
| Financial review | |
|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
The charity posted a surplus of £2107 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Policy to be agreed in next financial period. |
| Amount of reserves held | £8079 |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
None |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
None |
Structure, governance and management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
|
|---|---|
| Type of governing document: for example, |
Written constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| 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 |
Trustees are appointed for a term of 4 years by a resolution passed at a meeting of the charity trustees. |
Reference and administrative details
| Charity name | Engines Orchestra |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses |
|
| Registered charity number | 1166455 |
| Charity’s principal address | 6 West Terrace, Scarborough YO11 6LR |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Warner | Chair | |||
| Jason Yarde | ||||
| Jane Richardson | Treasurer |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
None |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
Declarations
The company has taken advantage of the small companies’ exemption in preparing the report above.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report (including directors’ report) above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees/directors
| Signature(s) Full name(s)DAVID WARNER Position (for example Secretary, Chair, etc) CHAIR Date27/04/2026 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID WARNER | ||||||
| CHAIR | ||||||
| 27/04/2026 | ||||||
| 27/04/2026 |
ENGINES ORCHESTRA
Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2025
| RECEIPTS Fees & Expenses Grants and donations received Total Receipts PAYMENTS Musicians Production costs Administration Total Payments Receipts minus payments Cash b/f 1/7/2024 Surplus /Deficit Cash c/f 30/6/25 |
30/06/2025 30/06/2024 12448 3075 3750 4042 16198 7117 13446 7202 720 645 100 14091 8022 2107 -905 £5,972 £6,877 £2,107 -£905 £8,079 £5,972 |
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