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← Northumbria Students' Union

2025-07-31-accounts

Registered number: 10807853 Charity number: 1174053

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and Administrative Details of the Charitable company, its Trustees and 1 - 2
Advisers
Trustees' Report 3 - 15
Independent Auditors' Report on the Financial Statements 16 - 19
Statement of Financial Activities 20
Balance Sheet 21
Statement of Cash Flows 22
Notes to the Financial Statements 23 - 41

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITABLE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

E A Kelly, Deputy Chair of Trustees (Resigned 31 July 2025) C E Long (Resigned 12 March 2025) A Sinha (Resigned 31 July 2025) S G K R Maram (Resigned 31 July 2025) S Pearson S L Steadman K Kanchi (resigned 31 July 2025) P Jobes (resigned 31 July 2025) H Burn (resigned 31 July 2025) S Ali N Groombridge Westacott I Mccrory T N Orji (Resigned 31 July 2025) N Udeze I Akakpo (appointed 30 June 2025) G Burdis (appointed 30 June 2025) A Burtenshaw (appointed 1 August 2025) O Elmoujahid (appointed 1 August 2025) P Koziarski (appointed 8 May 2025) A Monk (appointed 1 August 2025) O Scanlan (appointed 30 June 2025) S Vishwanth (appointed 30 June 2025)

Company registered number 10807853

Charity registered number 1174053

Registered office

Finance Department Northumbria Student Union 2 Sandyford Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8SB

Secretary

N Sweby

Key management personnel

N Sweby, Chief Executive C Kersey, Deputy Chief Executive N Anjum, Head of Finance

Page 1

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITABLE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Independent auditors Armstrong Watson Audit Limited Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors Newcastle First Floor One Strawberry Lane Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4BX Bankers NatWest 16 Northumberland Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7EL Solicitors Ward Hadaway Sandgate House 102 Quayside Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 3DX

Popplestone Allen 37 Stoney Street The Lace market Nottingham NG1 1LS

Page 2

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Chair of the Board's Foreword

The 2024-25 academic year was one of multiple and often record-breaking successes for Northumbria Students' Union, the result of a successful COVID recovery plan launched in 2021 which aimed to restore student engagement to pre-COVID levels and beyond over the next three years. The successes of this year showed the impact of that work.

I am immensely proud of how our dedicated staff team and student leaders have performed, not just this year but over the past few, with innovation, efficiency, and an unwavering focus on our mission to have a positive impact on the lives of all Northumbria students.

Our democratic health has never been stronger, demonstrated by a record-breaking turnout of 5,172 unique voters in the annual Sabbatical Officer elections and membership of our societies also hit a record breaking 5,740, both a powerful testament to student engagement.

We provided tangible, practical support to students navigating the cost-of-living crisis through vital initiatives like our Food Pantry and expansion of grants for London societies.

Simultaneously, our core academic representation work continued to develop. The submission of our 2023-24 Annual Quality Review provided a robust, evidence-based platform to champion students' academic interests, leading to meaningful dialogue and commitments from the University on issues from inclusive timetabling to international student support.

Our focus is firmly on the future. 2025/26 will see us develop the next strategic plan, which will guide the Union from 2026 to 2030, ensuring we remain agile and responsive to the evolving needs of our members, alongside a comprehensive rebrand project to modernise our identity and deepen our connection with a diverse and dynamic student body. These initiatives will ensure Northumbria Students' Union is not only relevant but essential to the student experience for years to come. Finally, I must extend my heartfelt thanks to our departing external trustees, Claire Long and Alastair Kelly, whose long-standing service, wisdom, and commitment have been invaluable to this organisation.

Mary Udeze (Dec 18, 2025 16:43:44 GMT)

Mary Udeze President and Chair of the Board of Trustees

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

The Trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present their annual report together with the consolidated financial statements of the charity and its subsidiaries as well as the auditors’ report for the charitable company for the year ended 31 July 2025.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Ireland (FRS 102) (effective January 2019)

Objectives and activities

The Students’ Union will pursue these aims independently of any political party or religious group and will strive for equal opportunities and take positive action within the law to facilitate the participation of groups discriminated against by society.

In pursuit of these aims, the Students’ Union organises its work to provide a wide range of services to students in person and online. Physical activities are delivered through our principal premises and across all campuses attended by Northumbria students. Online activities are delivered through online platforms such as Microsoft Teams and email, the Students’ Union’s own CRM system SUMS and a diverse range of social media and video. Sabbatical Officers of the Students’ Union sit on every major committee of the University and meet regularly with Newcastle City Council and other local organisations to represent the interest of all students at the University.

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Objectives and activities (continued)

Our Mission, Vission, and How We Deliver Public Benefit

This section of the report reaffirms the Union’s core charitable mission and provides the strategic framework against which our performance is measured. As Trustees, we have a legal duty to ensure the Union carries out its purposes for the public benefit, and this report outlines how we have fulfilled that duty throughout the 2024-25 financial year.

Northumbria Students' Union is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Our charitable objects are the advancement of education of students at Northumbria University for the public benefit by:

Our mission, which guides all our activities, is simply "to have a positive impact on the lives of all our students."

We deliver this public benefit through a diverse range of services and activities, all of which are designed to support students' educational and personal development. These include:

These objectives fit within five pillars of our corporate plan:

  1. Education

  2. Wellbeing

  3. Community

  4. Career 5. Sustainability

These pillars are underpinned by a set of five-year Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), reviewed annually by the Board and the addition of cross-cutting annual targets around pieces of work that introduce a step change or accelerate or support the achievement of a KPI. Each KPI and cross-cutting work is aligned to a pillar.

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Awards and Recognition

The positive impact of the Students’ Union has been recognised through regional and national awards, accreditation schemes, and surveys of the student experience.

NUS Services Best Bar None Award [Two Stars] - recognises the quality of licensed premises operational management in terms of health and safety, corporate social responsibility and community relations and impact.

Investors in People [Gold] – We were delighted to be recognised for the outstanding quality of the workplace in the Students’ Union in 2025, with a Gold Award for Investors in People.

The results of our 2025 Staff Survey were exceptional as would be expected, confirming the Union as an outstanding place to work. We achieved an overall positivity score of 93%, which is 11 percentage points higher than the benchmark for our peer group of students' unions. The top-scoring statement, "I feel that my work contributes to the organisation's performance" (97%), is powerful evidence of a highly motivated and engaged staff team committed to our mission.

Achievements and Performance: A Year in Review

Performance in this outstanding year is measured against the KPIs and goals of each pillar of the strategic plan.

Education: Championing Students' Academic Interests

2024-25 was the second year of our strategy to strengthen the academic representation system through building strong links with the academic staff who work closely with student representatives and using data to more accurately understand patterns of engagement and gaps in student representation across the institutions’ academic portfolio. This resulted in 1,456 visits to our SharePoint site for academics.

The percentage of programme reps trained hit 70%, up from 55% the previous year and 28% of our programme representatives completing a formal report in 2024-25, smashing our target of 15% and providing a richer, more detailed evidence base for our advocacy work.

We overhauled the 2023-24 Annual Quality Review (AQR). The AQR serves as a cornerstone of our work, presenting student feedback to the University’s most senior academic committees. Leveraging the improved data from our representation system, advice and other student feedback mechanisms, we made specific, credible recommendations, including a call for a more flexible resit policy to support international students' visa requirements (REC 25/01), a review of timetabling to better support students with caring and work responsibilities (REC 25/02), and a formal review of additional course costs (REC 25/10).

We worked closely with the University as it announced and laid the groundworks for its own academic restructure, moving in 2025/6 to three faculties from four and aligning departments into schools under that structure. The result of this close collaboration was successful recruitment of students as reps at those levels in advance of the changes and a representation system which fitted the new structure in place from 1st August 2025.

Our elected Sabbatical Officers achieved significant wins for students through direct lobbying. Key successes included securing the finalisation of the University's long-awaited Recorded Lecture Policy, ensuring students have access to this vital learning resource; successfully campaigning to keep the Lipman building open later in the evenings for arts and design students who rely on its specialist facilities; changes to approaches to resits for international students where resits fell outside of their visa and submission of paper on international student fees.

Large scale student consultations included experience of students in London campus, sense of community on campus and feedback on the University enrichment weeks.

As well as academic representation we provide independent academic advice with 978 new cases, and we attended 20 Stage 1 and 15 Stage 2 hearings.

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Awards and Recognition (continued)

This year also saw the highest number of individual staff nominated in the Student Led Teaching Awards with 478 staff being recognised, 1076 nominations received, allocating 14 awards.

Our effectiveness was affirmed by the 2024 National Student Survey (NSS), which saw a 74.9% satisfaction score for the question, "How well does the students' union represent students' academic interests?". This represents a 0.8% increase on the previous year and places us above the benchmark for comparable institutions. This demonstrates that our strategic focus on representation is recognised and valued by students.

Community: Fostering a Sense of Belonging

The democratic health of the Union reached new heights this year, with the 2025 elections seeing a recordbreaking turnout of 5,172 unique student voters. This remarkable achievement, occurring despite a smaller field of candidates than the previous year, underscores the success of our year-round engagement strategies in embedding the value and importance of student democracy.

We successfully launched a new Student Forum model, replacing the old, overly formal Student Council. This new, more accessible format has revitalised student-led policymaking, resulting in a record 19 motions submitted directly by students on pressing concerns such as affordable on-campus food and better support for students on work placements. This revitalised democratic pipeline has already proven effective, with several student-led motions being formally adopted as Union policy by the Board of Trustees.

Our student societies programme thrived, achieving a record number of society memberships during the year.

As well as growing participation in societies we have also focused on improving the quality of student experience of those involved. We have expanded the use of the SUMS platform for societies.

This is the first year that committee training was moved online with compulsory modules for all committee members, resulting in 408/509 committee members ending the year fully trained. A programme of ‘Committee Orientations’ were introduced to keep the in-person element of training. These sessions were more focused on development and ironing out any issues. Whilst also being fun with Christmas being a celebratory activity.

Improved processes were put in place to improve student experience around room bookings, event applications, risk assessments, guest speakers and finances (expenses/grant applications) utilising SUMS dashboards to empower student leaders and reduce administrative time and burden.

The Union proudly supported a diverse range of cultural and religious events that brought students together, including vibrant celebrations for Holi and Diwali as well as our first International Week. During Ramadan, we provided grant funding to the Islamic Society to provide Iftar for over 100 students each day, fostering a strong sense of community.

The Union is a physical hub for student community, through both societies but also our outlets in Habita, the Greenhouse and Reds. This year was also the first full year of our partnership with Northumbria Sport, offering a licensed service for spectators at student games in Coach Lane with very positive reaction from customers and Sport staff. Our accreditation through Best Bar None and Licensed Charter venue testify to the quality of experience we offer. Although student finances remain constrained after years of below inflation increases in student maintenance, the volume of customers to our outlets is a testimony to our ability to offer a service that students value alongside the accessibility of our non-commercial spaces so students can use the space without feeling pressured to spend money.

We also ensure students at the University's satellite campuses receive equity of service. This included providing dedicated support to establish a society for students in Amsterdam and organising their visit to the Newcastle campus, as well as working to improve access to societies and activities for our members studying in London and increasing the frequency of visits by staff and activities delivered on campus.

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Awards and Recognition (continued)

Students are a significant part of the community in Newcastle. Previously Northumbria and Newcastle Students’ Unions had withdrawn from the previous partnership with the local authority considering it unworkable and not in students’ interests. We worked closely with the local authority and both Universities through the year to build the foundations for a new relationship, Students as Partners, with the first meeting held at the end of the academic year.

Wellbeing: Supporting Students Through Challenges

We provided a direct and practical response to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Our Food Pantry continued to provide essential supplies for students facing hardship, and we ensured free period and contraception products were available across campus. Restrictions on finances meant that access to the Pantry has had to be restricted from previous years.

Sabbatical Officers lobbied the University for more flexible tuition fee payment plans to reduce financial pressure on international students. We began budgeting at breakfast sessions with 4 sessions over the academic year engaging with 54 students attending across four sessions. This was run in collaboration with local organisations such as the police fraud team, who delivered short sessions on their specialist topics.

We continued to deliver a popular programme of wellbeing events, including our much-loved Therapy Dogs sessions and Wellbeing Wednesdays, which provide students with opportunities to de-stress and connect. The key event in the calendar was University Mental Health Day with saw two events led by the Students’ Union in collaboration from the University Wellbeing team. Over 800 students engaged across the two events with space to relax, enjoy therapy chickens and a free breakfast or hot drink. Converge Arts therapy ran sessions throughout, along with mindfulness sessions, wellbeing walks and space to engage with local organisations who can support student wellbeing.

We also held 10 SHAG events, partnering with external organisations such as Sexual Health 4 Newcastle, CNE, and the University Wellbeing and Welfare teams. Through this we offered in-depth information regarding sexual health, consent, sexual harassment and support services to students. The Melissa STI testing bus came onto City campus and tested 35 students, the most testing in one event the bus has achieved. Overall, 900 students engaged with SHAG related activities across 24-25.

The wellbeing team offered a wide range of training opportunities including:

Overall, 330 students accessed training through the wellbeing team.

The Students' Union President also worked proactively to promote awareness of the University's sexual harassment support services and to encourage private accommodation providers to consider working with the University over implementing the SafeZone safety app.

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Awards and Recognition (continued)

Career: Developing Future-Ready Graduates

As a key on-campus employer, the Union provides dozens of flexible, paid roles for students. These jobs offer invaluable work experience that fits around academic commitments, allowing students to earn and develop professional skills simultaneously. The demand for these valuable opportunities is high, with the Union receiving over 450 applications for its vacancies in the previous year alone.

Working for the Students’ Union should be an experience that helps prepare students for future careers through a positive work experience built around understanding and achieving high standards of customer service. 93% of staff say they would recommend working for us to a friend, a key reason we secured Investors in People Gold.

One area we have not succeeded is in our volunteer recognition scheme. This has consistently failed to engage students in large numbers and the Board decided to end the project at the end of the academic year. Going forward volunteer recognition will focus on students’ Higher Education Achievement Reports (HEAR). This gives students a formal, verifiable record of their skills and experience to share with future employers.

Sustainability: Ensuring a Resilient and Effective Organisation

Ensuring the Union’s long-term relevance and effectiveness required a three-pronged approach this year: renewing our brand identity, validating our internal culture, and defining our future direction.

We continued to exceed budget through a mix of robust budgeting and cost control and success particularly in areas such as Greenhouse and our live shows. We continued to invest in main event space infrastructure leading to better service to students and corporate clients and flourishing relationship with live music promoters together supporting our sustainability. We were helped this year through the sunny weather in spring and early summer and Newcastle’s win in the Caraboa Cup with us hosting a fanzone for the event and seeing heavy trade for the parade.

Student satisfaction with the ways we communicate and engage with them remains high, with 84% agreeing we communicate well.

Environmental sustainability is also a key part of our work.

We conducted a "Sustainability Skills and Student Attitudes" survey to understand student perspectives on this crucial area. The findings were compelling, with 79% of students believing sustainable development should be actively incorporated and promoted by their university. We are using this insight to inform our own Green Impact plan and to advocate for the integration of sustainability skills within the university curriculum, aligning with the University's own strategic commitment to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

We completed SOS UK Green Impact for the first time in several years achieving Good.

Our clothing Swapshops engaged 160 students over four sessions, allowing students to access free clothing which supports not only the individual students around cost of living and recycling of clothes.

We participated in Leave Newcastle Happy, the annual campaign across both Universities and the local authority to encourage students to recycle and donate unwanted clothes and items at the end of the year prior to moving out of student accommodation.

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Awards and Recognition (continued)

Business model

The Board has identified the following areas it sees as giving us advantages in delivery of our business.

The Board agreed that long term investment in customer relationship management will help develop more of a relationship model with students, using data and segmentation to engage with different groups of students and their needs but recognise this will take several years to get right.

Growing student participation, both number of students and how many services they access, will come from doing more with what we have and focusing on what works.

Financial review

The 2024-25 financial year was defined by proactive and responsible financial management in the face of unprecedented funding challenges. The Board of Trustees has taken decisive action to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Union, safeguarding our ability to serve students for years to come.

Income

The Union's income is derived from two primary sources: an annual block grant from Northumbria University, which supports our core charitable activities, and self-generated income from our commercial services. This year saw a reduction in block grant of £80,526 as the University addressed its own financial challenges. This was significantly off set by the agreement of the University to take over the delivery of cleaning services within the Union, a mark of the strong partnership between the two organisations.

Total sales outperformed budget thanks to strong performance in the commercial services income combined with rigorous cost controls giving an overall surplus of £60,250.

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Reserves policy

Scope of Reserves Policy and Definition of “Free Reserves”: The reserve policy covers all free reserves held by the Students’ Union Charity.

Free reserves

The remaining balance of total reserves after removing commitments of restricted funds, designated funds, fixed assets, the Pension Deficit Contribution Fund, and stock is the unrestricted ‘free’ reserves, available for any use in line with our charitable objectives.

Reasons for Holding Reserves : NSU maintains reserves to achieve the following objectives:

  1. to provide financial stability by acting as a buffer against adverse economic conditions and to face unexpected operational challenges.

  2. to designate funds for capital replacement or refurbishment.

  3. to designate funds for specific projects and to meet our future legal and financial liabilities.

Calculation of Required Reserves: The policy for activities run by NSU is based on its two major unrestricted income streams affecting the level of free reserves:

  1. The core source for the Union is the block grant from the University which constitutes over 70% of NSU income (2024 71%). The risk associated with block grant funding is moderate recognising the increased financial uncertainty with the Higher Education sector.

  2. Income from our Commercial operations constitutes 30% of NSU income (2024 29%)

The target for the Free Reserve is calculated as: The target minimum free reserves for the financial year 2025/2026 is set at £354k, being 50% of overheads related to our core operations. This will provide the NSU with approximately 6 months of cover, or cover for a 50% increase in net costs, sustained for a year.

Funding Free Reserves

The target minimum for the free reserves will be calculated each year as part of the annual budgeting process. The free reserves will be funded annually with surplus unrestricted operating funds.

Using Free Reserves

The Chief Executive and senior staff will identify reasons for accessing the free reserves and seek Board approval that the use is consistent with the purpose of the free reserves and the charitable purposes.

In making this decision the Union will consider:

A request will be submitted to the Audit & Risk Committee which will include the analysis and determination of the use of funds and plans for replenishment.

Audit & Risk Committee will then approve, reject or modify the request.

The Head of Finance will be responsible for ensuring that:

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Where free reserves are used, there will be regular reports to the Audit & Risk Committee to report progress to restore the fund to the target minimum amount.

Relationship to other policies

The Union’s following policies may contain provisions that affect the creation and management of the designated funds.

Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed every year by the Audit & Risk Committee, or sooner if warranted by internal or external events or changes.

Structure, governance and management

Governing documents

Northumbria Students' Union (hereafter referred to as the Students’ Union) falls under the definition of a "students' union" in section 20(1) of the Education Act 1994. The Students’ Union is a Company Limited by Guarantee (No.10807853) and a Registered Charity (No.1174053).

The University of Northumbria at Newcastle (hereafter referred to as the University) exercises its duty under the Education Act 1994 to take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that the Students’ Union operates fairly and democratically and is accountable for its finances.

The Students’ Union is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and is responsible for providing representation and support to the students of the University.

Recruitment of trustees

The Students’ Union is constituted in accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association and managed by the Trustees who are elected or appointed from time to time. Non-student (External) Trustees are appointed to serve for a period of four years. Student Trustees are appointed to serve for a period of one year.

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Structure, governance and management (continued)

Trustee induction and training

The Trustees receive comprehensive induction into the Students’ Union and their role and responsibilities including Charity Law and other legal responsibilities, Corporate and Fiduciary Duties, Governance, Strategy, Health & Safety and identifying/managing conflicts of interest. The training is delivered in a structured manner and delivered through a combination of sessions led by the Students’ Union’s experienced senior managers.

Trustees may also attend training events provided through NUS and others and delivered by experts in the field of charity law.

Governance Review

In 2024/25 the Board undertook a comprehensive self-evaluation against the NUS/NCVO Board SelfAssessment. This identified that overall the Board had robust procedures but that there were areas of improvement. Many of these related to the strategic direction of the Union and it was recognised that this coincided with the end of the current period of the strategic plan. The 2025/26 work to develop a new strategic plan was commissioned by the Board with, amongst other goals, to ensure the Board was able to shape and direct the final product.

The Chair and President Elect was appointed lead for the Governance Plan which is updated to the Board at every meeting.

Organisational structure

The Students’ Union’s Board of Trustees consists of 14 trustees. There are six full-time or ‘sabbatical’ positions and they receive remuneration as authorised by the Education Act, these are the President, Vice President Education, Vice President Welfare, Vice President Activities, Vice President Sport and Vice President Postgraduate. No one can be on a sabbatical for more than two years. There are also four appointed Student Trustees and four appointed Non-Student (External) Trustees.

Subject to the provisions of Company Law, Charity Law, the Education Act, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and any Bye-Laws in force from time to time, the business of the Students’ Union shall be managed by the Trustees who may exercise all the powers of the Students’ Union.

The Trustees set the Students’ Union’s budget, develop the Students’ Union’s strategic plan, oversee the performance of the Students’ Union, manage risk effectively and ensure compliance with the law.

Memorandum and Articles identify Student Council as the principal representation policy making forum of the Students’ Union.

The Sabbatical Officers and Senior Managers oversee the day-to-day running of the Students’ Union and are accountable to the Trustee Board. Sabbatical Officers receive an induction and training into their legal and administrative responsibilities, with an ongoing programme of development during their term of office.

The Students’ Union employs non-student full-time staff to ensure effective management of its many activities and to implement the policy decisions made by the Trustee Board and Student Council. There is delegated authority, through the Chief Executive, for operational decision making and accountability within the departments of the Students’ Union, in accordance with an annually reviewed delegation of authority.

Governance

The President is ex officio Chair of the Board and Trustees. There is also a Deputy Chair, appointed by the Trustees in accordance with their rules of business who will always be an external trustee.

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Structure, governance and management (continued)

Relationship with the University of Northumbria at Newcastle

The Students’ Union receives a Block Grant from the University and part-occupies buildings owned by the University, which also pays for utilities. This support is intrinsic to the relationship between the University and the Students’ Union and has not been valued. Although the Students’ Union successfully runs various mutual trading activities it will always be dependent on the support of the University. There is no reason to believe that this support will not continue for the foreseeable future as the Students’ Union is an integral part of the University structure and of value to the overall student experience at the University.

Pay policy for key management personnel

The salary of the Chief Executive is determined by the Board of Trustees. The salary grade for the Deputy Chief Executive and the Heads of Department is determined by the Board of Trustees.

Public Benefit

The Union’s charitable objectives are the advancement of the education of students at Northumbria University for the public benefit by providing sporting, social, cultural and recreational opportunities and facilities for students to further the educational purpose of Northumbria University.

Our services provide opportunities for the expression of student opinion and actively representing the interests of the students.

Risk Management

The Trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks that the Students' Union faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable periodic reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to reduce and manage these risks.

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' Report is approved has confirmed that:

Auditors

The auditors, Armstrong Watson Audit Limited, have indicated their willingness to continue in office. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors at a meeting of the Trustees.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

................................................
M Udeze
President and Chair of Trustees
Date:
Mary Udeze (Dec 18, 2025 16:43:44 GMT)
18/12/2025		 ................................................
I McCrory
Vice President Education
Ita McCrory (Dec 18, 2025 16:44:56 GMT)
Ita McCrory

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NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Northumbria Students' Union (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 July 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

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

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

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

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

Page 16

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (CONTINUED)

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

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

Page 17

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (CONTINUED)

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

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

Because of the field in which the client operates, we identified the following areas as those most likely to have amaterial impact on the financial statements: Health and Safety; employment laws; and compliance with the UK Companies Act and Charities Act.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK). For instance, the further removed non-compliance is from the event and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the auditor is to become aware of it or torecognise the non-compliance.

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

Page 18

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (CONTINUED)

Use of our report

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

Karen Rae (Dec 18, 2025 19:38:05 GMT)

Karen Rae (Senior Statutory Auditor)

Armstrong Watson Audit Limited

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors Newcastle First Floor One Strawberry Lane Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4BX

Date: 18/12/2025

Page 19

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other income
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
2,873,173
1,292,512
29,021
4,194,706
4,134,456
4,134,456
60,250
685,387
60,250
745,637		 Total
funds
2025
£
2,873,173
1,292,512
29,021
4,194,706
4,134,456
4,134,456
60,250
685,387
60,250
745,637		 Total
funds
2024
£
2,960,100
1,125,077
63,546
4,148,723
4,072,479
4,072,479
76,244
609,143
76,244
685,387

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The notes on pages 23 to 41 form part of these financial statements.

Page 20

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (A Company Limited by Guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 10807853

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JULY 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
13
Tangible assets
14
Current assets
Stocks
15
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
17
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after more
than one year
18
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
19
Unrestricted funds
19
Total funds		 35,368
815,464
1,843,186
2,694,018
(1,958,511)		 2025
£
12,508
137,928
150,436
735,507
885,943
(140,306)
745,637
-
745,637
745,637		 28,659
1,270,259
454,223
1,753,141
(1,092,122)		 2024
£
2,658
162,016
164,674
661,019
825,693
(140,306)
685,387
-
685,387
685,387

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Ita McCrory Mary Udeze (Dec 18, 2025 16:43:44 GMT) ................................................ Ita McCrory (Dec 18, 2025 16:44:56 GMT) ................................................ M Udeze I McCrory President and Chair of Trustees Vice President Education Date: 18/12/2025

The notes on pages 23 to 41 form part of these financial statements.

Page 21

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from the sale of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of intangible fixed assets
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
The notes on pages 23 to 41 form part of these financial statements		 2025
£
1,443,500
1,668
(42,996)
(13,209)
(54,537)
-
1,388,963
454,223
1,843,186		 2024
£
(348,873)
-
(136,372)
-
(136,372)
-
(485,245)
939,468
454,223

Page 22

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1. Charity status

The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have Share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £Nil towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: Finance Department, Northumbria Students Union, 2 Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8SB.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Northumbria Students' Union meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

2.2 Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the group's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the group.

The charity's forecasts and projections for the next twelve months show that the charity should be able to continue in operational existence for that period, taking into account reasonable possible changes in trading performance. The charity has strong positive cash balances and is forecasting for this to continue to be the case. The trustees have stress tested their forecasts, taking into account various scenarios, and remain confident that the uncertainties do not cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern.

The Union is dependent, in the absence of other funding, on the continued financial support of the University of Northumbria. The Trustees believe, on the basis of discussions held, that further support will continue to be made available from the University.

2.3 Estimation uncertainty and judgements

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Beyond the normal prepayments, accruals and depreciation estimates, there are no further judgements or uncertainties.

2.4 Income and endowments

All income is recognised once the charitable company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Page 23

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.5 Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

2.6 Deferred income

Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:

2.7 Donated services and facilities

Donated services and facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met and the receipt of economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time is not recognised and refer to the trustees report for more information about their contribution.

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

2.8 Charitable activities

Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to specific performance conditions and is recognised as earned. Grant income included in this category provides funding to support performance activities and is recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income received to deliver services over a specific period covering more than one financial year is accounted for over the specific period; related expenditure is accounted for when incurred.

2.9 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charitable company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Page 24

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.9 Expenditure (continued)

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

2.10 Grant provisions

Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty about either the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.

2.11 Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

2.12 Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity's compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees's meetings and reimbursed expenses.

2.13 Government grants

Government grants are recognised based on the performance model and are measured at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Grants are recognised in income when performance conditions, which would otherwise prevent the recognition of income, are met. Where performance conditions are not met then income is deferred and recognised as deferred income within creditors.

2.14 Taxation

The charitable company is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charitable company 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 to charitable purposes.

2.15 Intangible assets and amortisation

Intangible assets are stated in the Balance Sheet at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment. They are amortised on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives.

Amortisation is provided on intangible assets at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset on a straight-line basis over its expected useful life.

Amortisation is provided on the following basis:

Website Costs - 25 % Straight Line

Page 25

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.16 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Individual fixed assets costing £0.00 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives.

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

Leasehold Improvements - Over the life of the lease - Furniture and Equipment 10% and 25% straight line - Computer equipment 25% straight line - Equipment 25% straight line

2.17 Stocks

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell, after due regard for obsolete and slow moving stocks. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO).

2.18 Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

2.19 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

2.20 Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Page 26

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.21 Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

2.22 Society Balances

Society Balances are monies held on behalf of student societies. This money belongs to the society itself and is held within other creditors.

2.23 Pensions and other post retirement obligations

University of Northumbria Students' Union participates in the Students' Union Superannuation Scheme, a defined benefit scheme which is externally funded and contracted out of the State Second Pension. The fund is valued at least every three years by a professionally qualified independent actuary with the rates of contribution payable being determined by the trustees on the advice of the actuary. The Scheme operates as a pooled arrangement, with contributions paid at a centrally agreed rate. As a consequence, no share of the underlying assets and liabilities can be directly attributed to Northumbria Students' Union. Under the terms of FRS102 in these circumstances contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme based on actual contributions paid through the year.

In line with FRS 102 any additional contributions required as part of a recovery plan need to be recognised in full at net present value at the balance sheet date.

Page 27

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

3. Income from donations and legacies

Grants
University of Northumbria block grant
University of Northumbria block facilitation grant
University of Northumbria establishment grant
University of Northumbria marketing grant
Grants
University of Northumbria block grant
University of Northumbria block facilitation grant
University of Northumbria establishment grant		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
1,643,373
25,000
1,200,000
4,800
2,873,173
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
1,735,100
25,000
1,200,000
2,960,100		 Total
funds
2025
£
1,643,373
25,000
1,200,000
4,800
2,873,173
Total
funds
2024
£
1,735,100
25,000
1,200,000
2,960,100

4. Income from charitable activities

Commercial Income
Membership Income
Service Income		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
1,121,962
56,790
113,760
1,292,512		 Total
funds
2025
£
1,121,962
56,790
113,760
1,292,512

Page 28

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

4. Income from charitable activities (continued)

Commercial Income
Membership Income
Service Income
5.
Other income
Fees and supplies
Fees and supplies
6.
Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
Summary by fund type		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
924,651
79,829
120,597
1,125,077
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
29,021
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
63,546		 Total
funds
2024
£
924,651
79,829
120,597
1,125,077
Total
funds
2025
£
29,021
Total
funds
2024
£
63,546
Commercial costs
Membership costs
Service costs
Governance costs		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
2,349,653
1,570,411
201,018
13,374
4,134,456		 Total
2025
£
2,349,653
1,570,411
201,018
13,374
4,134,456
Page 29

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

6. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities (continued)

Summary by fund type (continued)

Commercial costs
Membership costs
Service costs
Governance costs
Commercial costs
Membership costs
Service costs
Governance costs
Commercial costs
Membership costs
Service costs
Governance costs		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
2,308,502
1,527,367
210,431
14,385
4,060,685
Activities
undertaken
directly
2025
£
884,517
806,811
159,186
-
1,850,514
Activities
undertaken
directly
2024
£
953,857
686,855
183,898
-
1,824,610		 Restricted
funds
2024
£
-
11,794
-
-
11,794
Support
costs
2025
£
1,465,136
763,600
41,832
13,374
2,283,942
Support
costs
2024
£
1,354,645
852,306
26,533
14,385
2,247,869		 Total
2024
£
2,308,502
1,539,161
210,431
14,385
4,072,479
Total
funds
2025
£
2,349,653
1,570,411
201,018
13,374
4,134,456
Total
funds
2024
£
2,308,502
1,539,161
210,431
14,385
4,072,479

Page 30

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

In addition to the expenditure analysed above, there are also governance costs of £13,374 (2024 - £14,385) which relate directly to charitable activities. see note 7 for further details.

During the year grants of £165,654 (2024 - £155,299) were paid to societies.

7. Analysis of governance and support costs

Governance
costs		 Other
support
costs		 Total
2025
£ £ £
Establishment - 1,200,000 1,200,000
Salary and wage costs - 889,733 889,733
Printing and stationery - 56 56
Publicity - 40,647 40,647
Equipment - 2,957 2,957
Cleaning - 2,262 2,262
Professional fees 12,825 97,030 109,855
Travel and subsistence 549 2,418 2,967
Training
Sundries		 -
-		 44,023
(8,558)		 44,023
(8,558)
13,374 2,270,568 2,283,942
Governance
costs		 Other
support
costs		 Total
2024
£ £ £
Establishment - 1,200,000 1,200,000
Salary and wage costs - 852,306 852,306
Printing and stationery - 70 70
Publicity - 21,951 21,951
Equipment - 7,420 7,420
Cleaning - 17,811 17,811
Professional fees 14,075 81,443 95,518
Travel and subsistence 310 1,302 1,612
Training - 38,288 38,288
Sundries -
-		 12,893
-		 12,893
-
14,385 2,233,484 2,247,869

Page 31

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

8. Net incoming/outgoing resources

Net incoming/(outgoing} resources for the year include:

Audit fees
9.
Auditors' remuneration
Fees payable to the charitable company's auditor for the audit of the
charitable company's annual accounts
Fees payable to the charitable company's auditor in respect of:
All non-audit services not included above		 2025
£
11,500
2025
£
11,500
1,925		 2024
£
11,500
2024
£
11,500
1,925

10. Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes		 2025
£
1,657,955
139,442
62,448
1,859,845		 2024
£
1,578,258
123,061
62,334
1,763,653

During the year, the student union went through a restructuring exercise in which redundancy costs of £26,810 was incurred relating to 3 staff members. The costs are included within Wages and Salaries above.

The average number of persons employed by the charitable company during the year was as follows:

Commercial services
Membership services
Senior management
Finance
Facilities
Student staff		 2025
No.
17
19
3
3
3
61
106		 2024
No.
17
21
3
3
3
69
116

Page 32

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

10. Staff costs (continued)

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

2025 2024
No. No.
In the band £60,001 - £70,000 1 1
In the band £70,001 - £80,000 1 1

The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £208,173 (2024 - £202,422).

The chief executive officer, as the highest paid member of staff, received benefits totalling £77,252 (2024 - £79,695).

11. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

The trustees are made up of external trustees and sabbatical officers. Sabbatical officers were paid £179,171 (2024 - £164,092) as permitted by Students' Union's Memorandum and Articles of Associations.

During the year no external Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL).

During the year ended 31 July 2025, expenses totalling £549 were reimbursed or paid directly to Trustees (2024 - £310 to Trustees).

12. Taxation

The charity is 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 to charitable purposes.

Page 33

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

13. Intangible assets

Cost
At 1 August 2024
Additions
At 31 July 2025
Amortisation
At 1 August 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 July 2025
Net book value
At 31 July 2025
At 31 July 2024		 Website
£
5,700
13,209
18,909
3,042
3,359
6,401
12,508
2,658

Website costs have been capitalised in accordance with FRS102 as the website provides an enduring benefit.

Development costs

Development costs have been capitalised in accordance with FRS 102 Section 18 Intangible Assets other than Goodwill and are therefore not treated as a deficit to the charity.

Page 34

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

14. Tangible fixed assets

Furniture
and
equipments
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 August 2024
103,975
Additions
-
Disposals
-
At 31 July 2025
103,975
Depreciation
At 1 August 2024
103,975
Charge for the year
-
On disposals
-
At 31 July 2025
103,975
Net book value
At 31 July 2025
-
At 31 July 2024
-
15.
Stocks
Stocks
16.
Debtors
Due within one year
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 Computer
equipment
£
79,065
1,908
-
80,973
68,216
7,794
-
76,010
4,963
10,849		 Leasehold
improvemen
ts
£
337,294
-
-
337,294
318,602
5,136
-
323,738
13,556
18,692		 Equipment
£
632,317
41,088
(3,197)
670,208
499,842
52,486
(1,529)
550,799
119,409
132,475
2025
£
35,368		 Total
£
1,152,651
42,996
(3,197)
1,192,450
990,635
65,416
(1,529)
1,054,522
137,928
162,016
2024
£
28,659
2025
£
345,140
880
469,444		 2024
£
787,730
983
481,546
815,464 1,270,259

Page 35

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

17. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2025
£
153,529
5,898
151,662
1,647,422
1,958,511		 2024
£
401,933
32,894
138,597
518,698
1,092,122

The Students' Union acts as custodian trustee on behalf of societies. Assets held are in the form of cash. The balance owing to the societies at the year end included in other creditors is £82,897 (2024 - £69,111).

Deferred income at 1 August 2024
Resources deferred during the year
Amounts released from previous periods		 2025
£
85,523
1,503,549
(85,523)
1,503,549		 2024
£
783,419
85,523
(783,419)
85,523

18. Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

2025 2024
£ £
Other creditors 140,306 140,306

Other creditors due more than one year represents the pension scheme deficit payments liability.

Page 36

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

19. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Balance at 1
August 2024
£
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Capital development
-
General funds
General Funds - all funds
685,387
Total Unrestricted funds
685,387
Statement of funds - prior year
Unrestricted funds
General Funds
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
Total of funds		 Income
£
-
4,194,706
4,194,706
Balance at
1 August
2023
£
597,349
11,794
609,143		 Expenditure
£
-
(4,134,456)
(4,134,456)
Income
£
4,148,723
-
4,148,723		 Transfers
in/out
£
Balance at
31 July 2025
£
150,000
150,000
(150,000)
595,637
-
745,637
Expenditure
£
Balance at
31 July 2024
£
(4,060,685)
685,387
(11,794)
-
(4,072,479)
685,387		 Transfers
in/out
£
Balance at
31 July 2025
£
150,000
150,000
(150,000)
595,637
-
745,637
Expenditure
£
Balance at
31 July 2024
£
(4,060,685)
685,387
(11,794)
-
(4,072,479)
685,387
595,637
745,637
Balance at
31 July 2024
£
685,387
-
685,387

During the year the trustees have made the decision to designate funds amounting to £150,000 for the purpose of capital development.

Page 37

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

20. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Tangible fixed assets
137,928
Intangible fixed assets
12,508
Current assets
2,694,018
Creditors due within one year
(1,958,511)
Creditors due in more than one year
(140,306)
Total
745,637		 Total
funds
2025
£
137,928
12,508
2,694,018
(1,958,511)
(140,306)
745,637

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Tangible fixed assets
Intangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Creditors due in more than one year
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
162,016
2,658
1,753,141
(1,092,122)
(140,306)
685,387		 Total
funds
2024
£
162,016
2,658
1,753,141
(1,092,122)
(140,306)
685,387

Page 38

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

21. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Amortisation charges
Loss on investments
Increase in stocks
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
22.
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash in hand
Cash at bank
Total cash and cash equivalents
23.
Analysis of changes in net debt
At 1 August
2024
£
Cash at bank and in hand
454,223
454,223		 2025
£
60,250
65,416
3,359
-
(6,709)
454,795
866,389
1,443,500
2025
£
6,354
1,836,832
1,843,186
Cash flows
£
1,388,963
1,388,963		 2024
£
76,244
54,817
1,425
3
(4,200)
(321,400)
(155,762)
(348,873)
2024
£
7,145
447,078
454,223
At 31 July
2025
£
1,843,186
1,843,186

Page 39

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

24. Pension commitments

Defined contribution pension scheme

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contribution payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £52,055 (2024 - £62,334).

Contributions totalling £89 (2024 - £1,449) were payable to the scheme at the end of the year and are included in creditors.

25. Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts

At 31 July 2025 the charitable company had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Land and buildings
Within one year
Other Leases
Within one year
Between one and five years		 2025
£
1,200,000
2025
£
42,161
26,634
68,795		 2024
£
1,200,000
2024
£
40,902
30,073
70,975

The lease commitment categorised as land and buildings relates to the buildings in which the Student Union operate within. These are leased to the Student Union from Northumbria University. The lease is for a period of 12 months from the year end and is renewed annually.

The lease cost is covered by the receipt of an annual establishment grant from the University of the same value.

Page 40

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

26. Related party transactions

Northumbria University is considered to be a related party, given the very nature of the relationship between the two entities.

During the year, the university provided total funding of £2,885,173 to the Union in the year, in which £2,873,173 has been recognised through income and £12,000 has been deferred as it relates to future events. Of the income recognised in the year, this was identified as being split in the form of a block grant amounting to £1,643,373 and an establishment grant amounting to £1,200,000 and other grants of £29,800. In addition other income was received from the University for services offered amounting to £226,377.

During the year, the union paid rent of £1,200,000 to the University and have other costs amounting to £140.

At the year end, the amount owed to the union from the university amounted to £315,392.

Page 41