MOBO Trust
Charity registration No: 1169006
Trustees' report and unaudited accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
MOBO Trust
Legal and administrative information
| Trustees | Professor J Shalit OBE |
|---|---|
| D Beese OBE | |
| J Dipple | |
| A Edwards | |
| C Hirst | |
| R Huber | |
| K King CBE | |
| K Kwaten | |
| D H Lepart | |
| C Lester | |
| C Lycett | |
| J Sarpong OBE | |
| Charity number | 1169006 |
| Principal address | 79 Tib Street |
| Manchester | |
| M4 1LS | |
| Accountants | S&W Partners LLP |
| Accountants | |
| 45 Gresham Street | |
| London | |
| EC2V 7BG | |
| Bankers | Metro Bank |
| One Southampton Row | |
| London | |
| WC1B 5HA |
MOBO Trust
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 1 - 4 |
| Accountants' report | 5 |
| Statement of fnancial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the accounts | 8 - 9 |
MOBO Trust
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 7 to the attached accounts and the recommendations of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Structure, governance and management
The charity was established by a charitable trust deed on 25 August 2016. It is registered with the Charity Commission, number 1169006.
The trustees who served during the year were:
Professor J Shalit OBE D Beese OBE J Dipple A Edwards C Hirst R Huber K King CBE K Kwaten D H Lepart C Lester C Lycett J Sarpong OBE
The power of appointing new and additional trustees is vested in the trustees.
The trustees are responsible for the day to day administration of the charity.
The trustees have reviewed the risks to the assets of the charity and are satisfied that adequate controls are in place.
Risk factors
The trustees have examined the risks which the trust could face and confirm that systems have been established to enable steps to be taken to lessen these risks.
Objects and activities
The charity's objects are to hold capital and income on trust and to apply them as they think fit for the purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the laws of England and Wales.
The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects are to make charitable donations within the scope of the income received during the year. There has been no change in these policies during the year.
The trustees have considered the guidance provided by the Charity Commission with regard to meeting the public benefit objective. As all donations are made to registered charities, the trustees believe that MOBO Trust is acting for the benefit of the public.
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MOBO Trust
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance
There was no income received in the current or prior year.
The MOBO Trust , the charitable arm of the MOBO Organisation, continues to play a vital role in creating life-changing opportunities for exceptional talent from underrepresented backgrounds. Rooted in a clear commitment to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion, the Trust delivers programmes that empower emerging creatives and provide meaningful access routes into the creative industries.
Supporting Artists and Creative Development
A flagship initiative during the reporting period has been the MOBO Help Musicians Fund, delivered in partnership with Help Musicians. Through this programme, close to £1 million in funding has been distributed via Help Musicians, supporting over 100 creative projects by musicians working across genres of Black origin, including hip hop, grime, R&B, soul, reggae, gospel and jazz.
Eligible artists were able to access grants of up to £3,000 to support essential development activity, including recording, marketing, merchandise production and video creation. In addition, tailored support was provided to MOBO UnSung Top 10 finalists, strengthening the overall ecosystem of progression and sustainability for emerging artists.
Building on the success of this partnership, the Trust supported the launch of MOBO Help Musicians Amplified, a year-long programme designed to provide deeper, more sustained support for artists. The inaugural cohort participated in a London-based peer networking event, enabling participants to connect with one another, engage directly with the MOBO and Help Musicians teams, and benefit from a live panel featuring MOBO-nominated artists and experienced industry professionals. This programme reflects a shift towards longer-term artist development, wellbeing and resilience.
Broader Access and Pathways
The Trust’s charitable objectives are aligned with the wider ethos of the MOBO Organisation to champion underrepresented voices. Through MOBOLISE, a career development platform, MOBO has continued to open doors across the creative and corporate sectors by facilitating access to apprenticeships, mentoring and early-career opportunities, including placements within major UK media organisations. While MOBOLISE operates outside the Trust, it complements the Trust’s mission by widening pathways into sustainable employment.
Similarly, MOBO UnSung, one of the UK’s leading talent development programmes, continued to deliver high-impact support to emerging artists during 2024/25. The MOBO UnSung Class of 2025 benefited from showcases at major cultural platforms, alongside legal training, branding workshops and creative residencies. Although MOBO UnSung sits outside the Trust’s direct delivery, it remains a key part of the organisation’s long-term commitment to grassroots artist development and progression.
Community, Place and Cultural Infrastructure
Looking ahead, the Trust’s commitment to equity and access will be further strengthened through House of MOBO, a new cultural space in South London developed in partnership with Greene King. Designed as a year-round hub for creativity, House of MOBO will support emerging talent and host a range of Trustled activities focused on skills development, community engagement and cultural participation.
The Trust also continues to support the development of the MOBO Fringe Festival, a free, inclusive programme of cultural, educational and community-led activity delivered alongside the MOBO Awards. Independent evaluation of the MOBO Fringe Festival in Newcastle (in Q1, 2025) demonstrated significant social, cultural and economic impact, including skills development, volunteering opportunities, youth engagement and improved wellbeing for participants. This learning will inform the delivery of the MOBO Fringe Festival in Manchester (Q1, 2026), ensuring continued public benefit and regional impact.
Future Programmes and Legacy
In partnership with organisations including PPL, and supported by the MOBO Group, the Trust will deliver a Manchester Talent Programme during the 2026 MOBO Fringe Festival. This programme will consist of two days of workshops for emerging artists, culminating in a live showcase performance, followed by structured mentoring and career development support.
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MOBO Trust
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025
All participants in the Manchester Talent Programme will be fast-tracked for consideration for the MOBO UnSung Class of 2027, subject to the standard judging and audition process. This approach ensures transparency while strengthening progression pathways for talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.
Conclusion
The MOBO Trust’s ability to build meaningful, long-term partnerships with organisations such as Help Musicians, local authorities and industry bodies demonstrates its unique role within the cultural and creative landscape. As MOBO holds its 30th anniversary in 2026, the Trust continues to grow as a driving force for access, opportunity and representation, ensuring that talent from all backgrounds can thrive within the UK’s creative industries.
Financial review
It is the policy of the charity to spend the income which becomes available to it, at the trustees' discretion, in furtherance of the charity's objects.
Reserves policy
The trustees have reviewed the reserves of the trust and the forecast level of free reserves (those that are not restricted or designated) that will provide the trust with financial flexibility and provide a cushion against shortfalls in income, either planned or unanticipated. The level of free reserves as at 31 March 2025 was £106,227 (2024 - £119,735). The trustees consider this level of free reserves satisfactory.
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MOBO Trust
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable regulations). Under that law 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 income and expenditure of the charity for that year.
In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and
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prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.
On behalf of the board of trustees
Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE
Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE (Feb 2, 2026 13:07:37 GMT)
..................................................................
Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE
Trustee
02/02/2026 Date: ....................................................
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MOBO Trust
Accountants' report to the trustees on the unaudited accounts of the MOBO Trust
In accordance with the engagement letter dated 16 January 2023, and in order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Charities Act 2011, we have prepared for your approval the accounts of the MOBO Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet and the notes 1 to 6 from the charity's accounting records and information and explanations you have given us.
We are subject to the ethical and other professional requirements of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which are detailed at icaew.com/regulations.
You have approved the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 and have acknowledged your responsibility for them, for the appropriateness of the financial reporting framework adopted and for providing all information and explanations necessary for their compilation.
We have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the accounts.
Use of this report
This report is made solely to you, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter dated 16 January 2023. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the accounts of the MOBO Trust and state those matters that we have agreed to state to you in this report in accordance with ICAEW Technical Release TECH 08/16 AAF. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Trustees for our work or for this report.
S&W Partners LLP (Feb 2, 2026 13:20:16 GMT) ~~S&W Partners LLP~~
S&W Partners LLP
Accountants 45 Gresham Street London EC2V 7BG
Dated: 02/02/2026
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MOBO Trust
Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| fund | fund | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Charitable expenditure | |||
| Support costs | 2 | 13,508 | 13,748 |
| Total expenditure | (13,508) | (13,748) | |
| Net movement in funds | (13,508) | (13,748) | |
| Total funds brought forward | 119,735 | 133,483 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 106,227 | 119,735 |
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 8 to 9 form part of the accounts
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MOBO Trust
Balance sheet as at 31 March 2025
| Notes Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 5 Net current assets Total net assets Income funds Unrestricted fund |
£ 107,957 107,957 (1,730) |
2025 £ 106,227 106,227 106,227 106,227 |
£ 122,792 122,792 (3,057) |
2024 £ 119,735 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 119,735 | ||||
| 119,735 | ||||
| 119,735 |
The accounts were approved by the Trustees, authorised for issue and signed on their behalf by:
Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE
Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE (Feb 2, 2026 13:07:37 GMT)
.............................. Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE Trustee
Date: 02/02/2026
The notes on pages 8 to 9 form part of the accounts
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MOBO Trust
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.1 General information
The MOBO Trust is an unincorporated trust, registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales (No.1169006). The address of the registered office is 79 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LS.
1.2 Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102") and with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102 (effective 1 January 2019). The accounts are also prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity is a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are recognised at transaction value.
The accounts are prepared on a going concern basis; there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
1.3 Fund accounting
All funds held are unrestricted and are therefore available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the trust and which have not been designated for other purposes.
1.4 Functional currency
The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these accounts are rounded to the nearest £1.
1.5 Income
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of financial activities when the trust is legally entitled to the income, receipt is probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
1.6 Liabilities
Liabilities are recognised on the balance sheet as soon as a constructive obligation resulting from a past event can be reliably measured. Current liabilities represent those liabilities which are expected to be settled within the next 12 months from the balance sheet date.
2 Support costs
| Accountancy fees Consultancy fees Sundry expenses |
2025 2024 £ £ 886 844 12,000 11,676 622 1,228 13,508 13,748 |
|---|---|
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MOBO Trust
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
3 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year (2024 - none).
4 Employees
There were no employees during the year (2024 - none).
5 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Accountancy fees Independent examiner's fees |
2025 £ 1,730 - 1,730 |
2024 £ 1,670 1,387 |
| 3,057 |
6 Related parties
There were no related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).
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