Company Registration Number - 09600079
The Charity Registration Number is :- 1166552
University Design Forum
## Report and Accounts
period ended 31 August 2025
## **University Design Forum**
## **Report and accounts for the period ended 31 August 2025**
## **Contents**
||**Page**||
|---|---|---|
|**Charity information**||1|
|**Trustees' Annual Report**||1|
|**Statement of directors' responsibilities**||10|
|**Independent Accountant's Report**||13|
|**_Funds Statements:-_**|||
|Statement of Financial Activities||15|
|Movements in funds||16|
|Revenue Funds||16|
|Income and Expenditure account||17|
|Summary of funds||16|
|**Balance sheet**||18|
|**Notes to the accounts**||19|
## **University Design Forum**
Company Registration Number - 09600079
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
The Trustees present their Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 August 2025, which also comprises the Directors' Report required by the Companies Act 2006.
## **Reference and administrative details**
## _**The charity name.**_
The legal name of the charity is:- University Design Forum.
The charity is also known by its operating name, UDF
## _**The charity's areas operation and UK charitable registration.**_
The charity is registered in England & Wales with the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) with charity number 1166552
## _**Legal structure of the charity**_
UDF’s forerunner, the HEDQF, was established around thirty years ago as an initiative of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in order to promote a stronger understanding of issues affecting the clients of architects and to promote good design in a fast-changing sector with high public visibility and impact.
In 2015 the Forum decided, with the encouragement of RIBA, to become independent, and so registered as a limited company on 20th May 2015 and as a charity on 14th April 2016.
The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee, registered under the Companies Acts . The governing document of the charity is the Memorandum and Articles of Association establishing the company under company legislation.
There are no restrictions in the governing documents on the operation of the Charity or on its investment powers other than those imposed by Charity Law.
By operation of law all, trustees are directors under the Companies Act 2006 and all directors are trustees under Charities legislation and have responsibilities, as such, under both company and charity legislation.
The trustees are all individuals.
1
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **The principal operating address, telephone number, email and web addresses of the charity are:-**
c/o The UDF Treasurer Fraser Brown MacKenna Architects 15-18 Featherstone Street London EC1Y 8SL Telephone 0207 251 0543 Email Address accounts@universitydesignforum.org
The registered office of the charity for Companies Act purposes is:-
Crews Hill Golf Club, Cattlegate Road, Enfield, EN2 8AZ
## **The Trustees in office on the date the report was approved were:-**
Trevor Wills (Chair) Steven Jenkins (Secretary) Tom Alexander Emma Keyse Ian Caldwell Cora Kwiatkowski Rupert Cook Eleanor Magennis (Deputy Chair) Heidi Corbet Tracy Mellor Simon Fraser (Treasurer) Hiral Patel Ian Goodfellow (Deputy Chair) Julia Roberts Alexander Grigull Julian Robinson Helen Groves Lars Wiegand Matt Hill Sean Woulfe
## **The following persons served as Trustees during the period ended 31 August 2025 :-**
The trustees who served as a trustee in the reporting period were as shown above, and there were no changes during the year, or in the period between the year end and the approval of the accounts.
Trevor Wills (Chair) Emma Keyse Tom Alexander Aleksandra Krstanovic (resigned 01/11/24) Ian Caldwell Cora Kwiatkowski (appointed 13/02/25) Rupert Cook Eleanor Magennis (Dep Chair since 28/03/25) Heidi Corbet Tracy Mellor Simon Fraser Hiral Patel Ian Goodfellow (Deputy Chair) John Plumridge (resigned 28/03/25) Alexander Grigull Julia Roberts (appointed 10/06/25) Helen Groves Julian Robinson Matt Hill Lars Wiegand Steven Jenkins Sean Woulfe
One-third (or the number nearest one-third) of the Trustees must retire at each AGM those longest in office retiring first and the choice between any of equal service being made by drawing lots. A retiring Trustee shall be eligible for re-election for consecutive periods not exceeding in aggregate nine years from the date of his or her original appointment but thereafter a Trustee shall not be eligible for reappointment until one year after his or her retirement.
All the trustees are also members of the charity.
2
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **Objects and activities of the charity**
## _**The purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document.**_
The Objects of the Charity are for the public benefit, the advancement of design in architecture in the Higher Education sector, including but not limited by:
(I) The promotion of high standards of architecture and design in the higher education built environment; and
(II) Raising awareness and appreciation of the importance of high standards of higher education architecture and design.
## _**The main activities undertaken in relation to those purposes during the period.**_
UDF exists to promote high-quality design in university campuses, buildings and facilities, in the knowledge that the quality of the estate enhances the student experience of teaching and learning, the effective pursuit of research and the process of public engagement.
The principle activities of the charity during the year focused on:
- Membership;
- Educational Research;
- Conferences & Events; and
- Publications.
## _**The main activities undertaken during the period to further the charity's purpose for the public benefit and plans for the future.**_
The Forum pursues its aims through several means: visits to university buildings of particular interest in the UK and overseas; dissemination of information on best practice and latest thinking through workshops, films, seminars and debates; and an annual conference on a specific topic.
The Forum also undertakes and publishes research relevant to promoting high-quality design in higher education. Research focuses both on innovation (looking forward) and lessons to be learnt (looking back) from projects in terms of student satisfaction, research and teaching outcomes, and operational success over time.
The Trustees have considered UDF activities and achievements for 2024/25 and its plans for 2025/26 against the Public Benefit Guidance issued by the Charity Commission.
The Trustees are satisfied that this report on UDF's activities in 2024/25, and its plans for the future, demonstrate that, in fulfillingof its objects, the charity is exercising diligence in the discharge or its public obligations.
The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in managing the activities of the charity.
3
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **The main achievements and performance of the charity during the period.**
The main objectives of the charity are four-fold:
- Membership;
- Educational Research;
- Conferences & Events; and
- Publications.
## **UDF Membership Update**
Forty-four new members joined since the last annual report with interest from both HEI’s and consultant / contractors through event activities, our new website, social media activity increases, recommendations and word of mouth.
A summary of membership as at 3rd June 2025 shows:
-234 Member Organisations (73 HEI’s - 31%, 161 Consultants/Contractors 69%). There is no significant change in the proportional percentage between organisation types since November 2018.
-Existing memberships continue to be reviewed with longstanding debtors being withdrawn from membership.
-A total of 17 members’ benefit from honorary/complimentary membership. There are 18 international members, mainly comprised of hosts from our international visits.
-A membership campaign is being planned to attract more student members and HEI's.
## **Educational Research**
The Research Group (RG) continues to be co-chaired by Trustees Alex Grigull, and Cora Kwiatkowski.
As the RG continues to initiate research projects which focus on promoting positive outcomes of design on building users and exploring the success of completed built environment projects in use, we summarise the findings of the annual sector survey below.
Involvement with RG is open to all University Design Forum members with an interest in research, promoting a mixture of representatives from higher education institutions as well as design and construction consultancies. The group has the specific objective to review Educational and Research themes appropriate to the charity. In the last 12 months, the focus of the group has been to develop the research into the design and potential impact of future learning environments tangible as well as a method to capture the student voice, through consumer research techniques.
The RG meets once a quarter to review current activities and plan upcoming projects. In addition, there are dedicated working groups that meet more regularly to progress activities associated to their given project.
In early 2025, the Research Review Panel was established to strengthen the development of research initiatives by providing oversight and constructive input at the proposal stage. Operating under agreed Terms of Reference, the Panel comprises UDF Trustees and has been intentionally constituted to reflect a breadth of perspectives and expertise. It includes the Research Group Chairs, an academic representative, a Director of Estates, and the UDF Secretary.
The following will give a summary of the activities over the course of this year, with research and publication outlined below.
4
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **Topics of research and the annual survey**
To identify topics of greatest relevance to the sector, the Research Group holds an annual Theme Setting Workshop, which brings together the wider group to explore current priorities and emerging challenges, and to identify areas where the charity can support the development of knowledge. The 2025 workshop was hosted by the University of Westminster.
In previous years, the Research Group also conducted a sector-wide survey to identify topics of interest and emerging themes. However, response rates were insufficient to provide a representative view of the sector, and the annual workshop has therefore become the primary mechanism for informing the research agenda.
The Theme setting workshop identified the following new research topics: •Post Occupancies •Space utilisation and timetabling •Academic office space in an agile working environment
The Research Group has 5no. current and ongoing studies, addressing topics including: •RG 007 Campus spaces and places: Impact on student outcomes, now titled: Social Learning Guide – Completed, and being disseminated.
•RG 013 Adaptable Large Learning Spaces – ongoing.
•RG 015 Working Title ‘Post Occupancies’ – •RG 016 Space utilisation and timetabling
RG 017 Academic office space in an agile working environment
## **Key events and dissemination**
•April 2025: AUDE Annual Conference. Trevor, Cora and Hiral took part in a panel discussion focusing on student voices in relation with findings of RG007.
•May 2025: Launch of RG007 - Social Learning @ University at an AUDE organised webinar. Presentation by Hiral/Fiona Duggan/Katherine Quinn. Cora and Rupert contributed thoughts on relevant sections. About 140 attendees.
•Upcoming/ in planning: September 2025 Imperial Learning Space Symposium 2025’.
## **Completed research in the period.**
•RG007 Campus spaces & places - Impact on student outcomes (commissioned research). The second stage, working title 'Social Learning @ University,' is complete as of May 2025. Since their appointment in October 2023, the research consortium team has conducted student group meetings and carried out data collection at several research sites: Town House at Kingston University and Cardiff University Campus as well as The Hive, Worchester. The researchers have completed their fieldwork, evaluated the findings and published the report together with graphic design support.
•RG14 Data and AI. Linked to the annual UDF Conference theme, this research explored how universities are using data analytics and AI to support student success and align provision with employer and student needs. The findings highlighted the importance of creating spaces that foster innovation and productivity. The research informed a panel discussion at the UDF Conference.
5
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **Ongoing Research**
•RG013 Adaptable Large Learning Spaces. Universities are facing stagnant income, rising operational energy costs, and reduced occupancy due to the shift to blended learning, prompting many to consider evaluating their current spaces. In this context, RG013 is identifying the design qualities of large, flexible learning spaces and what may contribute to their long-term success, making them worth preserving or incorporating into adapted campus buildings.
## **New Research:**
•RG 015 Working Title ‘Post Occupancies’ – A clear synopsis is under development and should arise from the debate in the kick-off workshop. It is important that the research can be strategically applied.
•RG 017 Academic office space in an agile working environment
A full synopsis to be developed, yetthere was consensus that this was an area that could usefully be explored. This was tempered by the awareness across the group of how difficult and contentious this question can be. It was noted that there had been successful projects in this area in Leeds, Exeter and Glasgow. It was agreed that any output should be focussed on helping directors of estates to sell the idea of changing working practices, to academic staff.
## **Conferences & Events**
A working group chaired by Ian Caldwell is focused on developing a programme of events and conferences. This group is well represented and is developing good relationships with HE institutions and other bodies.
## **Events**
Reference visits in the year included:
•25 September 2024: Reference Visit and Discussion to Republic in the Docklands area of London •30 October 2024: Reference Visit to York St John’s University
•14 November 2024: Study Tour to UCL’s PEARL and CAVE, Dagenham
•20 January 2025: Reference Visit to LSE Firoz Lalji Global Hub
•11 February 2025: Reference Visit to the University of Leeds
•20 March 2025: Reference Visit to the University of Plymouth
•8 April 2025: Reference Visit to the Warburg Institute, University of London
•15-16th May 2025: International Study Tour to university projects in Antwerp .
•5th June 2025: Study Visit to London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE), King’s College London
In addition, the Forum also contributed to other events including the Annual Conference of the Association of University Directors of Estates, SAUDE, and Education Estates’ annual conference in Manchester.
6
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **University Design Forum Annual Conference 2025**
A very successful Annual Conference was held at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London on 25th26th June. The conference celebrated 30 years since the founding of the Forum, previously HEDQF and explored university building design, past, present and into the changing future.
## _**The difference the charity's performance during the period has made to the beneficiaries of the charity.**_
The Trustees agreed that the public benefit from UDF’s work through the Charity’s promotion of high quality and sustainable design and planning in buildings and facilities used for higher education.
## **Structure, governance and management of the charity**
## _**The methods used to recruit and appoint new charity trustees.**_
## **The Board consists of:**
•a minimum of four Trustees and the maximum number of Trustees shall be twenty two. There is a desire to balance the trustees in equal proportion to HEI and other members
•One-third (or the number nearest one-third) of the Trustees must retire at each AGM
## **Eligibility**
•Elected trustees must be Subscribing Members of the Association. Co-opted trustees may, but are not required to, be Subscribing Members of the Charity.
## _**The charity's organisational structure.**_
The Trustees normally meet four times per year to consider the business of the Charity. One of these meeting is the AGM. If appropriate, meetings may be held by means of a telephone conference.
Trustees also participate in the following committees that meet regularly as required:
•Research Group •Events & Conference Group
•Membership Group
7
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## _**The Charity's professional advisors.**_
Bankers HSBC Bank Plc, 60 Queen Victoria Street , London, EC4N 4TR Solicitors Reema Mathur, Senior Associate, Charity & Social Enterprise Team Stone King, Boundary House, 91 Charterhouse Street London EC1M 6HR Accountants Christie & Co, Crews Hill Golf Club, Cattlegate Road, Enfield, EN2 8AZ
## **Financial review**
## _**The charity's financial position at the end of the period ended 31 August 2025**_
The financial position of the charity at 31 August 2025 and comparatives for the prior period, as more fully detailed in the accounts, can be summarised as follows:-
|**Total Funds**
**Net income**
Unrestricted Revenue Funds available for the general
purposes of the charity|**2025**
**£**
(14,745)
84,304
84,304|**2024**
**£**
(15,731)
99,049
99,049|
|---|---|---|
8
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## _**Financial review of the position at the reporting date, 31 August 2025 .**_
All income received and expenditure incurred by the University Design Forum has been in connection with the objects of the charity; “to advance higher education through high-quality design and planning of buildings and facilities.”
The University Design Forum receives income from annual membership fees along with ticket sales and sponsorship for events and conferences held throughout the year. In some years, income has been received from publications sales, from research papers or conference literature.
In 2025 membership income increase over the previous year due to additional members joining the forum. In June 2025, we held our annual conference In Belfast (Titled Less is More), with sustained levels of attendance and programme over previous years. There was also a small increase in associated hosting expenditure. External organizations sponsored the conference, providing additional income for the Forum. There has also been an increase in International Study Tours to two per year which in turn has increased income and expenditure to make a small surplus at each event, which is reinvested into research or student award.
In late 2025, the Forum hosted a 30th birthday celebration. Although the event took place outside of the financial reporting year, sponsorship income was secured during 2024-2025, but before event expenditure was paid out.
Non-event expenditure during the year related to administration, and consultancy (legal and accountancy) fees associated with the day-to-day administration of the charity and costs relating to hosting and servicing events, as well as financing the research programme. Admin costs have increased following small uplifts in hourly rates given general inflationary trends and the additional number of members. Funds were also used this year in updating the website to improve accessibility, especially in relation to adding historic content. There are several strands of research underway and outline budgets set. Some are in early scoping stages and will require specific funding/sponsorship to undertake.
The aim of the Board of Trustees is that annual membership fees will cover the costs of the charity’s core objectives and that all conferences and events organized will be at least self-financing. The trustees met periodically throughout the year to review management accounts and consider the financial performance of the charity during the year to have been satisfactory.
The charity has no fixed assets.
9
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## _**Policies on reserves.**_
The Board of Trustees regularly reviews the accounts of the charity including the use of surplus funds. At the end of 2025 surplus funds (cash in the bank) total £92,083.86. This is a decrease over the previous year and at a point in time where known costs from events had not been paid out, including the 30th Birthday event.
All surplus funds have an identified future use either as working capital to service costs over the next year (£45K), during which income will reduce because of accrued subscription fees; for servicing conference and events.
## _**Availability and adequacy of assets of each of the funds**_
The board of trustees is satisfied that the charity’s assets in each fund are available and adequate to fulfil its obligations in respect of each fund.
## **Details of The Independent Examiner**
Robert Woolley FCCA, CTA
Chartered Certified Accountant
Crown House York Road Shiptonthorpe York
10
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **Statement of the Directors' and Trustees' Responsibilities**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Notwithstanding the explicit requirement in the extant statutory regulations,the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the SORP 2005, in view of the fact that the SORP 2005 has been withdrawn, the Trustees determined to interpret this responsibility as requiring them to follow current best practice and prepare the accounts according to the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in February 2016), (The SORP), .
In particular, the Companies Act 2006 and charity law require the Board of Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Board is required to :-
- to prepare the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business;
- state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
The law requires that the trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for the year.
The Trustees are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and comply with regulations made under the Charities Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are also responsible for the contents of the Trustees' report, and the statutory responsibility of the Independent Examiner in relation to the Trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that , on the face of the report, there are no material inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.
11
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **Method of preparation of accounts - Small company provisions**
The financial statements are set out on pages 15 to 27.
The financial statements have been prepared implementing the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in February 2016), (The SORP), and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102, (effective 1st January 2016)
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006, applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
This report was approved by the board of trustees on 30 June 2026.
STEVEN JENKINS Director and Trustee
12
## **University Design Forum**
## **Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of the charitable company on the accounts for the period ended 31 August 2025**
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charitable company on pages 15 to 27 for the period ended 31 August 2025 which have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102, (effective 1st January 2016) as modified by FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in February 2016), (The SORP), published by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) , and under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out on page 19.
## **Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner and the basis of the report**
As described on page 10, you, the charitable company's Trustees, who are also the Directors of the Company for the purposes of Company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 and all other applicable law and with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, applicable to smaller entities, and for being satisfied that the financial statements give a true and fair view.
The Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Section 144(1) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply, and that there is no requirement in the memorandum and articles of the charity for the conducting of an audit, and that the accounts do not require an audit in accordance with Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. As a consequence, the Trustees have elected that the financial statements be subject to independent examination.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements are not required to be audited under any legal provision, or otherwise, and are eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:-
a) examine the financial statements of the charity under Section 145 of the Act;
b) follow the applicable procedures in the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement and scope of work undertaken**
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under s145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act setting out the duties of an independent examiner in relation to the conducting of an independent examination. An independent examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charitable company and of the accounting systems employed by the charitable company and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you, as Trustees, concerning such matters. The purpose of the examination is to establish as far as possible that there have been no breaches of charity legislation and that, on a test basis of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures made, the financial statements comply with the SORP.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and information supplied by the Trustees in the course of the examination is not subjected to audit tests or enquiries and does not cover all the matters that an auditor would consider in arriving at an opinion. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide
Consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements, and in particular, I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view of the affairs of the charity, and my report is limited to the matters set out in the statement below.
13
## **University Design Forum**
I planned and performed my examination so as to satisfy myself that the objectives of the independent examination are achieved and before finalising the report I obtained written assurances from the Trustees of all material matters.
## **Independent Examiner's Statement, Report and Opinion**
Subject to the limitations upon the scope of my work as detailed above, I have completed my examination: and can confirm that:-
The accounts of this charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006;
This is a report in respect of an examination carried out under 145 of the Act and in accordance with Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act which may be applicable;
and that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and Section 130 of The Charities Act 2011;
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination;
have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles set out in the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in February 2016), (The SORP).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
## **Signed:-**
Robert Woolley FCCA, CTA - Independent Examiner
Chartered Certified Accountant
Crown House York Road Shiptonthorpe York This report was signed on 30 June 2026
14
## **University Design Forum - Statement of Financial Activities for the period ended 31 August 2025**
## _**Statement of Financial Activities (including the Income and Expenditure Account for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025, as required by the Companies Act 2006)**_
|**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**Income & Endowments from:**
Donations & Legacies
A1
86,525
Charitable activities
A2
55,739
Other trading activities
A3
-
Investments
A4
1,412
**Total income**
**A**
**143,676**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
B2
158,421
**Total expenditure**
**B**
**158,421**
**Net income for the year**
**(14,745)**
**Net income after transfers**
**A-B-C**
**(14,745)**
**(14,745)**
**Reconciliation of funds:-**
**E**
**Total funds brought forward**
99,049
**Total funds carried forward**
**84,304**
**SORP**
**Ref**
**Net movement in funds**|**Current year**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
-
**-**|**Current year**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**86,525**
**55,739**
**-**
**1,412**
**143,676**
**158,421**
**158,421**
**(14,745)**
**(14,745)**
**(14,745)**
**99,049**
**84,304**|**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
94,375
92,560
-
2,493
**189,428**
205,159
**205,159**
**(15,731)**
**(15,731)**
**(15,731)**
114,780
**99,049**|
|---|---|---|---|
The 'SORP Ref' indicated above is the classification of income set out in the formal SORP documents. As required by paragraph 4.60 of the SORP, the brought forward and carried forward funds above have been agreed to the Balance Sheet.
A separate Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses is not required as this statement includes all recognised gains and losses.
All the prior year transactions were unrestricted items, and no further analysis is required
All activities derive from continuing operations
**The notes attached on pages 19 to 27 form an integral part of these accounts.**
15
## **University Design Forum - Statement of Financial Activities for the period ended 31 August 2025**
## **University Design Forum - Resources applied in the period ended 31 August 2025 towards fixed assets for Charity use:-**
|Funds generated in the year as detailed in the SOFA
**Net resources available to fund charitable activities**|**2025**
**£**
(14,745)
**(14,745)**|**2024**
**£**
(15,731)
**(15,731)**|
|---|---|---|
## **Movements in revenue and capital funds for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2**
## **Revenue accumulated funds**
|Accumulated funds brought forward
**Closing revenue funds**
**Summary of funds**
Revenue accumulated funds
Recognised gains and losses before transfers|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
99,049
(14,745)
**84,304**
**84,304**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
84,304|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
-
**-**
**-**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-|**Total**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
99,049
(14,745)
**84,304**
**84,304**
**Total**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**84,304**|**Last year**
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
**114,780**
(15,731)
**99,049**
**99,049**
**Last Year**
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
**99,049**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
**The notes attached on pages 19 to 27 form an integral part of these accounts.**
16
## **University Design Forum - Statement of Financial Activities for the period ended 31 August 2025**
## **University Design Forum**
## **Income and Expenditure Account for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025 as required by the Companies Act 2006**
|**_Income_**
Income from operations
Interest receivable
Other operating income
**Gross income in the period before exceptional items**
**Gross income in the period including exceptional items**
**_Expenditure_**
Charitable expenditure, excluding depreciation and amortisation
Governance costs
Realised losses on disposals of social investments which are programme related
**Total expenditure in the period**
Tax on surplus on ordinary activities
**Retained surplus for the year**
**Net income after tax in the financial year**
**Net income before tax in the financial year**
Investment income|**2025**
**£**
142,264
1,412
-
**143,676**
**143,676**
**157,691**
**730**
-
**158,421**
(14,745)
-
**(14,745)**
**(14,745)**|**2024**
**£**
186,935
2,493
-
**189,428**
**189,428**
**204,469**
**690**
-
**205,159**
(15,731)
-
**(15,731)**
**(15,731)**|
|---|---|---|
All activities derive from continuing operations
In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, the headings and subheadings used in the Income and Expenditure account have been adapted to reflect the special nature of the charity's activities.
**The notes attached on pages 19 to 27 form an integral part of these accounts.**
17
## **University Design Forum - Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025**
||**Note**|**SORP**
**Ref**||**2025**||**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**£**||**£**|
|**Current assets**||B|||||
|Debtors|8|B2|4,650||5,075||
|Cash at bank and in hand||B4|92,084||98,864||
|**Total current assets**|||96,734||103,939||
|**Creditors: amounts falling due within**|||||||
|**one year**|9|C1|(12,430)||(4,890)||
|**Net current assets**||||84,304||99,049|
|**The total net assets of the charity**||||**84,304**||**99,049**|
|**The total net assets of the charity are**|**funded**|**by the**|**funds of the**|**charity, as follows:-**|||
|**Unrestricted Funds**|||||||
|Unrestricted Revenue Funds|12|D3||84,304||99,049|
|**Total charity funds**||||**84,304**||**99,049**|
The 'SORP Ref' indicated above is the classification of Balance Sheet items as set out in the formal SORP documents. As required by paragraph 4.60 of the SORP, the brought forward and carried forward funds above have been agreed to the SOFA..
The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The charity is subject to Independent Examination under charity legislation, and the report of the Independent Examiner is on page 14.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006, applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
STEVEN JENKINS Trustee Approved by the board of trustees on 30 June 2026
**The notes attached on pages 19 to 27 form an integral part of these accounts.**
18
## **University Design Forum**
## **Notes to the Accounts for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## _**Policies relating to the production of the accounts.**_
## **Basis of preparation and accounting convention**
The accounts have been prepared on the accruals basis, under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102, (effective 1st January 2016) and 'FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in February 2016), (The SORP), published by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) , effective January 2016, , and in accordance with all applicable law in the charity's jurisdiction of registration, except that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in February 2016), (The SORP), in preference to the previous SORP, the SORP 2005, which has been withdrawn, notwithstanding the fact that the extant statutory regulations, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 refer explicitly to the SORP 2005. This has been done to accord with current best practice.
## **Risks and future assumptions**
The trustees are not aware of any material financial, economic, political or reputational risks to which the charity would be exposed. .As a Registered Charity, the charity is working for the public benefit. The ways in which it benefits the public are set out in more detail in the Trustees Annual Report.
## _**Policies relating to categories of income and income recognition.**_
## **Nature of income**
Gross income represents the value, net of value added tax and discounts, of goods provided to customers and work carried out in respect of services provided to customers.
## **Categories of Income**
Income is categorised as income from exchange transactions (contract income) and income from non-exchange transactions (gifts), investment income and other income.
**Income from exchange transactions** is received by the charity for goods or services supplied under contract or where entitlement is subject to fulfilling performance related conditions. The income the charity receives is approximately equal in value to the goods or services supplied by the charity to the purchaser.
**Income from a non-exchange transaction** is where the charity receives value from the donor without providing equal value in exchange, and includes donations of money, goods and services freely given without giving equal value in exchange.
## **Income recognition**
Income, whether from exchange or non exchange transactions, is recognised in the statement of financial activities (SOFA) on a receivable basis, when a transaction or other event results in an increase in the charity’s assets or a reduction in its liabilities and only when the charity has legal entitlement, the income is probable and can be measured reliably.
Income subject to terms and conditions which must be met before the charity is entitled to the resources is not recognised until the conditions have been met.
All income is accounted for gross, before deducting any related fees or costs.
19
## **University Design Forum**
## **Notes to the Accounts for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **Accounting for deferred income and income received in advance**
Where terms and conditions relating to income have not been met or uncertainty exists as to whether the charity can meet any terms or conditions otherwise within its control, income is not recognised but is deferred as a liability until it is probable that the terms or conditions imposed can be met.
Where time related conditions are imposed or implied by a funder, then the income is apportioned to the time periods concerned,and, where applicable, is accounted for as a liability and shown on the balance sheet as deferred income. When grants are received in advance of the expenditure on the activity funded by them, but there are no specific time related conditions, then the income is not deferred.
Any condition that allows for the recovery by the donor of any unexpended part of a grant does not prevent recognition of the income concerned, but a liability to any repayment is recognised when repayment becomes probable.
## **Membership subscriptions**
The income and any associated Gift Aid or other tax refund from a membership subscription received by the charity in the nature of a gift, is accounted for on the same basis as a donation.
The income from a membership subscription received by the charity where the subscription purchases the right to services or benefits is recognised as income from charitable activities.
## _**Policies relating to expenditure on goods and services provided to the charity.**_
## **Recognition of liabilities and expenditure**
A liability, and the related expenditure, is recognised when a legal or constructive obligation exists as a result of a past event, and when it is more likely than not that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and when the amount of the obligation can be measured or reliably estimated..
Liabilities arising from future funding commitments and constructive obligations, including performance related grants, where the timing or the amount of the future expenditure required to settle the obligation are uncertain, give rise to a provision in the accounts, which is reviewed at the accounting year end. The provision is increased to reflect any increases in liabilities, and is decreased by the utilisation of any provision within the period, and reversed if any provision is no longer required. These movements are charged or credited to the respective funds and activities to which the provision relates.
## _**Policies relating to assets, liabilities and provisions and other matters.**_
## **Debtors**
Debtors are measured at their recoverable amounts at the balance sheet date.
## **Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are calculated on the conventional accruals basis applicable to the accounts of this type of organisation.
## **Financial instruments including cash and bank balances**
Cash held by the charity is included at the amount actually held and counted at the year end. Bank balances, whether in credit or overdrawn, are shown at the amounts properly reconciled to the bank statements.
## **Fund Accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the cha
20
## **University Design Forum**
## **Notes to the Accounts for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **2 Liability to taxation**
The Trustees consider that the charity satisfies the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by chapter 3 part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively on the specific charitable objects of the charity and for no other purpose. Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the charity, and is therefore included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.
## **3 Winding up or dissolution of the charity**
If upon winding up or dissolution of the charity there remain any assets, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, the assets represented by the accumulated fund shall be transferred to some other charitable body or bodies having similar objects to the charity.
## **4 Significance of financial instruments to the charity's position**
There are no significant implications of financial instruments in relation to the charity's financial position.
## **5 The contribution of volunteers**
The charity is not reliant on contribution of volunteers, as it was assisted by the services of an external paid administrator.
## **6 Remuneration and payments to Trustees and persons connected with them**
No trustees or persons connected with them received any remuneration from the charity, or any related entity.
## **7 Deferred income - Unrestricted funds**
|Membership subscriptions received in advance
**These deferrals are included in creditors**
**8**
**Debtors**
Trade debtors
**9**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accruals
Deferred Income - Unrestricted & designated funds
Other creditors|**Opening**
**Released**
**Deferrals**
**from prior**
**years**
**£**
**£**
-
-|**Received**
**less released**
**in period**
**£**
-
**2025**
**£**
-
**2025**
**£**
4,650
**2025**
**£**
4,930
7,000
**-**
**12,430**|**Deferred**
**at year end**
**£**
-
**2024**
**£**
-
**2024**
**£**
5,075
**2024**
**£**
4,890
-
**-**
**4,890**|
|---|---|---|---|
21
## **University Design Forum**
## **Notes to the Accounts for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
|**10 Income and Expenditure account summary**
**At 1 June 2024**
Surplus after tax for the year
**At 31 August 2025**|**2025**
**£**
99,049
(14,745)
**84,304**|**2024**
**£**
114,781
(15,731)
**99,050**|
|---|---|---|
## **11 Particulars of how particular funds are represented by assets and liabilities**
|**At 31 August 2025**
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
**At 1 June 2024**
Current Assets
Current Liabilities|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
96,734
(12,430)
**84,304**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
103,939
(4,890)
**99,049**|**Designated**
**funds**
**£**
-
**-**
**Designated**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
**-**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
**-**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
**-**|**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
**96,734**
**(12,430)**
**84,304**
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
**103,939**
**(4,890)**
**99,049**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **12 Change in total funds over the period as shown in Note 11 , analysed by individual funds**
|**_Unrestricted funds:-_**
Unrestricted Revenue Funds
**Total unrestricted funds**
**Total charity funds**|**£**
99,049
**99,049**
**99,049**
**Funds brought**
**forward from**
**2024**|**See Note 13**
**£**
(14,745)
**(14,745)**
**(14,745)**
**Movement in**
**funds in 2025**|**£**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Transfers**
**between**
**funds in 2025**|**£**
**84,304**
**84,304**
**84,304**
**Funds carried**
**forward to**
**2026**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **13 Analysis of movements in funds over the period as shown in Note 12**
|**_Unrestricted funds:-_**
Unrestricted Revenue Funds|**Income**
**2025**
**£**
143,676|**Expenditure**
**2025**
**£**
(158,421)|**Other**
**Gains &**
**Losses**
**2025**
**£**
-|**Movement**
**in funds**
**2025**
**£**
**(14,745)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
22
## **University Design Forum**
## **Notes to the Accounts for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025**
## **14 The purposes for which the funds as detailed in note 12 are held by the charity are:-**
_**Unrestricted funds:-**_ These funds are held for the meeting the objectives of the charity, and to Unrestricted Revenue Funds provide reserves for future activities, and , subject to charity legislation, are free from all restrictions on their use.
## **15 Ultimate controlling party**
The charity is under the control of its legal members.
Every member of the charity is obliged to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.
23
## **University Design Forum**
**Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025 as required by the SORP 2015**
## _**This analysis is classified by conventional nominal descriptions and not by activity.**_
## **16 Donations and Legacies**
|**Sponsorship income**
Amounts < £1,000
Reiach & Hall
Boswell Mitchell & Johnston Ltd
LTS Architects
Reiach & Hall
HLM
Allies & Morrison
Morgan Sindall Const' and Infrastructure Ltd
Professional HE Services Ltd
**Total Donations and Legacies**
**A1**
AtkinsRealis
Stanton Williams Ltd
Gardiner & Theobald
Overbury PLC
Bennetts Associates
Mace Ltd
Multiple Construction Europe Ltd
**Members' Subscriptions as donations**
WSP UK Ltd
Hawkins Brown
Roger Stirk Harbour & Partners
Troup Bywater & Anders Limited
Bennetts Associates
**Total sponsorship income**|**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
150
7000
-
-
-
1,000
1,000
-
3,500
3,500
3,500
5,000
3,500
3,500
7,000
3,500
-
-
-
-
**42,150**
44,375
**86,525**|**Current year**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
**-**|**Current year**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**150**
**7,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**1,000**
**1,000**
**-**
**3,500**
**-**
**3,500**
**3,500**
**5,000**
**3,500**
**3,500**
**7,000**
**3,500**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**42,150**
44,375
**86,525**|**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
**_-_**
**-**
7,000
3,500
6,000
-
-
7,000
3,500
2,500
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,500
700
3,500
20,000
**57,200**
37,175
**94,375**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **17 Income from charitable activities - Trading Activities**
|**Primary purpose and ancillary trading**
Primary purpose trading - Sale of goods and
services in accordance with the charity's objects
**Total Primary purpose and ancillary trading**|**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
55,739
**55,739**|**Current year**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
**-**|**Current year**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**55,739**
**55,739**|**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
92,560
**92,560**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
**18 Total Income from charitable activities**
24
## **University Design Forum**
## **Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025 as required by the SORP 2015**
|**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**2025**
Total income from charitable trading
55,739
**Total from charitable activities**
**A2**
**55,739**|**Current year**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**2025**
-
**-**|**Current year**
**Total Funds**
**£**
**2025**
**55,739**
**55,739**|**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**£**
**2024**
92,560
**92,560**|
|---|---|---|---|
## **19 Investment income**
|Bank Interest Receivable
**Total investment income**
**A4**
**20 Other income and gains**
**Total other income**
A5|**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
1,412
**1,412**
**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**-**|**Current year**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
**-**
**Current year**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**-**|**Current year**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**1,412**
**1,412**
**Current year**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**-**|**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
2,493
**2,493**
**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
-
**-**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **21 Expenditure on charitable activities - Direct spending**
|**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
10,578
85,651
1,045
**Total direct spending**
**B2a**
**97,274**
Professional Indemnity insurance
Conference and event costs
Research costs and case studies|**Current year**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
-
-
**-**|**Current year**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**10,578**
**85,651**
**1,045**
**97,274**|**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
49,600
110,388
1,027
**161,015**|
|---|---|---|---|
25
## **University Design Forum**
**Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025 as required by the SORP 2015**
## **22 Expenditure on charitable activities - Charitable trading**
|**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
**Total charitable trading costs**
**B2b**
**-**
Cost of goods and services for primary purpose
trading|**Current year**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
**-**|**Current year**
**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**-**
-
**-**
**-**|
|---|---|---|
26
## **University Design Forum**
## **Detailed analysis of income and expenditure for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2025 as required by the SORP 2015**
|**23**
**Current year**
**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**_Administrative overheads_**
10,896
-
37,083
-
-
-
**_Professional fees paid to advisors other than the auditor or examiner_**
4,500
-
150
-
**_Financial costs_**
374
-
-
-
**Total support costs**
**60,417**
**-**
Other legal and professional
Website and IT costs
**Support costs for charitable activities**
Information and publications
Accountancy fees
Administration Fees
Bad and doubtful debts
Bank charges|**Current year**
**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**10,896**
14,182
**37,083**
24,016
**-**
-
**4,500**
4,500
**150**
334
**374**
422
**-**
-
**60,417**
**43,454**|
|---|---|
The basis of allocation of costs between activities is described under accounting policies
## **24 Other Expenditure - Governance costs**
|**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
Independent Examiner's fees
730
**Total Governance costs**
**730**
**25 Total Charitable expenditure**
**Current year**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
Total direct spending
**B2a**
97,274
Total charitable trading costs
**B2b**
-
Total support costs
**B2d**
60,417
Total Governance costs
**B2e**
730
**Total charitable expenditure**
**B2**
**158,421**|**Current year**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
**-**
**Current year**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
-
-
-
-
**-**|**Current year**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**730**
**730**
**Current year**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**97,274**
**-**
60,417
**730**
**158,421**|**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
690
**690**
**Prior Year**
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
161,015
-
43,454
690
**205,159**|
|---|---|---|---|
27