CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds to thè nearèst Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to thè nèarèst £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Government TtUSt and Foundats"on Donation Box office Gommissions Misc Theatre Tax Relief Sub total (Gross income for AR) 10.000 2,000 103 30.000 20,500 769 6.136 40.000 22.500 872 6,136 96,200 62.170 1,640 19.667 2,000 2,000 69.902 150 45,043 69.902 82,005 59.405 141,410 224.870 A2 Asset and inveslment sales, (see table). Sub total Total receipts 82,005 59,405 141,410 224,870 A3 Payments Operacasl Artist fee Marketing Accommodation l travel Venue hire Production Administration Overheads Equipfflenl Governance Volunteer expenses Training Vendor fees Other 500 183,818 4,301 13,772 11.947 19.062 46 1,102 59 900 1.120 91.732 6.490 4.226 8,107 17.199 92.852 6.490 4,245 8,107 17,199 19 1.037 1,037 1.780 1,780 600 128.354 600 197 Sub total 3.957 132,311 235,717 A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) Sub total z<az Total payments 3.957 128.354 132.311 134,538 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 78,048 73.582 739 68.949 73,582 4.803 9.436 9.099 5,542 14,641 5,542 5,542 5,205 CCXX R1 accounts ISS) 0511212025
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to nearest £ Restricted funds to nearest £ Endowment funds to nearest £ Categories B1 Cash funds CurTent account 5.205 9,436 Paypal Total cash funds 5.205 9,436 (agree balaS wlh 1P1S and paiTnenls aciwnt(sll Unrestricted funds to nearest £ Restricted funds to nearest £ Endowment funds to nèarèst £ Details Tax redaimable thrixjgh TIEatre Tax Relief B2 Other monetary assets 36,T12 Arts Council England 85.000 Fund to whith relates unresth.cled Amount duo tlonal When duo tional Details WYCAS- Indeperxlenl Examinabc B5 Liabilities Signed by one or trustees on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name Date of roval Sarah Vyse 0910612025 CCXX R2 accounts {SS) 0511212025
Northern Opera Group Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Northern Opera Group I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act')- I report in respect of my examination of the CIO'S accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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. Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection wth the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act., 2 the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection wth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed.. Name: Simon Bostrom FCIE 1010712025 West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 114124 Period start date To 3113125 Period end date Charity name: Northern Opera Group Charity registration number: 1167501 Objectives and Activities SORP ference Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Para 1.17 FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFITOF THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ARTS, IN PARTICULAR THOUGH NOT EXCLUSIVELY BY THE PRODUCTION OF LIVE OPERA AND THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF AUDIENCES AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM Summary ofthe main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Para 1.17 and 1.19 We create a range of musical production5, suitable for participants of varying ages, abilities and experiences. We produce works which are rarely performed, providing artists, participants and audiences with new and engaging experiences. We operate in the North of England, with a national reach. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Para 1.18 The trustees confirm they have had regard to the guidan issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Additional infomiation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38
Contribution made by volunteers Other Achievements and Performance SORP reference This yearwas the final underour founding Artistic Director, David Ward, and General Manager, Louise Garner. After ten years with Northern Opera Group they have decided to leave the charity during the 25/26 fina ncial year. Towards the end of this reporting year we appointed a new Executive Director, Fay Jennett, with recruitment for a new Artistic Director due to be concluded in July 2025. Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the differen the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Para 1.20 This was therefore a reduced year of delivery as we planned to transition to our newteam and leadership structure. It did, however, begin with our annual Leeds Opera Festival which featured a number of successful events: l) Book of Eternity We delivered workshops in two primary schools with low levels of attainment in literacy, working with 100 young people. They used creative writing, drama and music to create their own detective stories. -1 loved it. It was really good and I didn't know I had all these ideas in my brain but now I kno, "I loved it so much I was excited all week" "I feel like I had the best week ever" Using their input, we created a new tour show from writer Clare Povey, director Jonathan Rainey Reid, and composer Joe Allen. Our library show- called 'The Book of Eternit visited 23 venues across West Yorkshire (mainly libra riesl with a terrific response from young audiences: "It was amazing and I want to see it again" hank you so much for the event- really enjoyable for the adults as well as the kids ! Please continue to host these events-
he actors were excellent. The storyline fun and the production extremely well thought through" 2} Sherlock Holmes A major world-premiere new production, 'Sherlock Holmes, played 4 performances at Leeds School of Arts. We receive an overwhelming positive response to the production from audiences and critics, making it our best received production in our 10 year history: "The performance was flawless" "An excellent production for all ages, opera lovers and newcomers" "Set, costumes and performance was phenomenal. Would love to watch it again" (audience) "An outstanding evening- (Opera magazine) "Creating mystery whenever possible . thrilling . hugely enjoyable" (5, Review's Hub) The production received extensive media coverage- including The Times, BBC World Service, BBC Radio 4, GB News- and introduced new dramatic elements into our work, including use of shadow play, puppetry, and physical theatre. 3) Guest Artistic Director Thi5 was our first Guest AD programme, designed to bring new ideas into Northern Opera Group and promote opportunities for early career and/or marginalised creative leaders. Through an open application process {supported by an external judging panel), we selected British-jndian writer, director and producer Emma Hill. Emma created an R&D performance of'opera Rave,, rnelding opera with dance & electronic music for a unique 30 minute rave experience. This took place in the Howard Assembly Room, and created a fascinating cross-section of audiences from the worlds of dance / electronic music, and opera. It also brought together creatives from these different fields to produce a work which Emma is now able to take forward, with the support of Northern Opera Group:
'Brilliant. Creative, entertaining and was something very different. The teenagers I was with really enjoyed the whole experience. They loved the music, the performers, the lighting and the visuals" 'Brilliant. Really innovative with excellent performers. Fun but also musically and creatively really interesting" (audiences) The Festival also included talks. discussions, and a brand-new Escape Room; developed with Locked In Games in Leeds, and based around the Sherlock Holmes stories. During this year we were accepted onto the Ramps on the Moon programme, to support our ambitionsto make ourwork more inclusive and accessible to artists and audiences who are disabled. This process has led to plans for ou r 2026 Leeds Opera Festival, with a grant of £85,000 secured from Arts Council England to support this programme. Due to our change in leadership, plans for the 2025 Festival have been postponed. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about" Achievements against objectives set Para 1.41 Perfomiance of fundraising activities against objectives set Para 1_41 Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41 Other
Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 Northem Opera Group is in a positive financial position going into the new financial year. With a new leadership structure creating the charity's first regular freelance paid roles, we have ensured that we have appropriate reseples to cover the fees of our Executive, and Artistic Directors for at least 12 months. We have Theatre Tax Relief due to cover these roles, with £85,000 already raised from Arts Council England towards the Leeds Opera Festival 2026. Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Para 1.22 We do not currently have a reserves policy, as overheads have traditionally been very low. However with our new leadership team, we will be created a formal reserves policy to ensure that payment for these roles is considered and appropriate funds held oin forward £5141 nla Amount of reserves held Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any unrtaintieS about the charity continuing as a going conrn Para 1.22 Para 1.22 Para 1.24 nla Para 1.23 nla Additional infonnation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about. Our principal sources of funding are Arts Council England (project grants), Theatre Tax Relief, and Trust and Foundation grants The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47 Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Other
Structure, Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts.. Type of goveming document Para 1.25 Constitution How is the charity constituted? Para 1.25 cio Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 Trustees are selected based on recommendation and research Additional infomiation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees Para 1.51 The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works Para 1.51 Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other Reference and Administrative details Chari name Other name the chari uses Re istered charit number Charity's principal address Northem O era Grou 1167501 clo Northem Ballet 2 St Cecilia Street Quary Hill Leeds LS2 7PA
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Dates acted if not for whole ear Trustee name Office (if any) Name of person lor body) entitled toa oint trustee ifan Mark Skipper Sarah Vyse Emily Simpson John Savournin Chair To 3113125 George Johnson- Leigh Alan Williams 12 13 14 16 17 18 20 orate trustees - names of the directors at the date the re Director name ortwasa roved Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole ear
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity's objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity's own assets Additional infomiation (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke rsonnel details Other o tional information
Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair. etc) Sarah Vyse Trustee Date 916125