THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION (A charitable company limited by guarantee without share capital)
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
CONTENTS
TRUSTEES’ REPORT ....................................................................................................................... 3 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION............................................................................................................... 11 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH .............................................................................................. 16 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH ............................................................................................. 17 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH ......................................... 18 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .................................................................................. 19
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
The directors, who are also trustees, present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees’ Report also contains the information required of the directors by company law.
Trustees
The trustees of the charity who were in office during the period and up to the date of signing the financial statements were:
Jay Barrymore (resigned 24 October 2024) Peter Beckett (resigned 24 October 2024) Matthew O’Connell (resigned 24 October 2024) Purnima Mookerjee (appointed 24 October 2024) Dr Fabian Richter Satwinder Singh William Stratton-Morris (appointed 24 October 2024) Samuel Swire
Objectives and activities
The objects of the charity are, for the benefit of the public:
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To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of heritage assets situated in England;
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To advance education by promoting research into, and furthering the public's knowledge and enjoyment of, heritage assets situated in England and their conservation, in particular but not exclusively without limitation by supporting the work of Historic England; and
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To further such other exclusively charitable purposes incidental to the above objects as the trustees see fit.
To achieve its aims, the charity seeks to secure grants and donations from charitable trusts and foundations, other organisations and individuals. It then distributes these as grants to other bodies who operate in line with the charity’s objects and with its grant-making policy, which states that:
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The trustees will only fund work that demonstrates heritage merit and applicants are expected to provide evidence that the heritage asset(s) that are the subject of the application are of sufficient historical or architectural significance to merit preservation;
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The trustees may on occasion fund applications for preservation or advancement of education of heritage assets that have a connection with a particular person or event, where that person or event is of sufficient educational, historical or significant interest or where a significant part of the surviving fabric relates to the period during which the person occupied it, or in which the event took place;
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The trustees will only fund the work of organisations operating in England;
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The trustees prefer to contribute to specific appeals and projects rather than to contribute to general running costs or expenditure of an organisation or charity;
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The trustees will not normally approve any grant without seeing the most recently published annual report and accounts of the organisation that they intend to benefit;
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Grants from the charity are restricted funds and may only be used towards the project and costs outlined in the submitted application, or as subsequently agreed in writing; and
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Grants from the charity must advance the education of the public and applicants are expected to demonstrate how this will be achieved.
The trustees have had regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in shaping the objectives of the charity and planning its activities.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
Achievements and performance
Financial achievements are set out within the financial review.
Fundraising targets were approved by trustees at the beginning of the financial year, with income recorded against the following main programme areas: Learning, Skills & Wellbeing; Heritage at Risk; and National Blue Plaques. Total income for the year was £257,728.
During the year the charity undertook an in-depth review of its risk register and priorities and a new fundraising plan was agreed for the next three years.
Work was also undertaken towards the launch of the Foundation’s first Patrons’ Scheme, which will be delivered in 2025-26.
Fundraising
The charity does not employ any staff. All fundraising activity is outsourced to the Philanthropy and Development Team within Historic England, under the terms of a Shared Services Agreement, and their costs are recharged on a full cost basis to the charity. The trustees direct the work of the Historic England Philanthropy and Development Team in order to implement the strategy agreed by the trustees, and, particularly, to:
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Generate fundraised income in order to support projects that meet the objects of the charity and which have been approved by the trustees;
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Build up unrestricted income for the charity for allocation by the trustees in accordance with its grant-making policy.
The activities of the Philanthropy and Development Team are monitored and directed by the trustees who review and approve the Fundraising Strategy.
No third-party professional fundraisers or commercial participators have been engaged by the charity. No complaints have been received by the charity relating to its fundraising activities and the charity does not directly mail or e-mail members of the general public for the purposes of fundraising.
Financial review
Financial position
The charity had a successful fundraising year, securing restricted funding of £202,688 alongside a further £55,040 of unrestricted funding.
Grants have been awarded to Historic England for the following projects:
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£14,794 for Blue Plaques
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£29,708 for Emerging Talent Placements
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£64,500 for Heritage Building Skills
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£7,600 for Heritage Construction Training
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£19,643 for Skills and Education
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£33,821 for Rejuvenate
Further information is available in Note 12. Outgoing resources in Note 12 include grants as well as support costs of £35,299 and direct costs of £27,845, which are further detailed in Notes 3 and 4.
At the end of the year, the charity had restricted funds of £171,397 and unrestricted funds of £59,133.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
During the year, the charity recognised grants and donations including, but not limited to:
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£62,600 from The Swire Charitable Trust for Heritage Building Skills
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£55,000 from Historic England for unrestricted purposes
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£52,000 from Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings for education purposes at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
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£36,250 from the Benefact Trust for the Emerging Talent Programme
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£32,708 from The Mercers’ Company for the Emerging Talent Programme
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£10,000 from The Rochester Bridge Trust for the Emerging Talent Programme
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£5,000 from Richard Upton for Blue Plaques
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£2,000 from Dr A K Clarke for Heritage Buildings Skills
The charity has also recognised other donations and legacies from companies and individuals totalling £2,070.
An explanation of the restrictions on these grants and donations and how they support the key objectives of the charity is contained in Note 12.
We would like to extend our thanks to all those trusts, individuals and companies who have supported The Historic England Foundation during the last financial year.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The key risks (and mitigations) facing the charity are as follows:
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Failure to meet agreed targets for philanthropic income, grants and sponsorship leads to a reduction in the number and scale of programmes supported (Mitigations: implementing a new 3-year fundraising plan for sustainable revenue growth and programme focus, setting targets and KPIs, regular progress monitoring with early risk mitigation measures.)
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Projects do not appeal to funders or match their priorities (Mitigations: new fundraising plan with focus on priority schemes in place, compelling cases for support and a pipeline of activities being drawn up)
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Risk of funder or donor leading to reputational damage (Mitigations: ethical fundraising and due diligence policies in place and implementation monitored)
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Recruitment of Trustees fails to secure the diversity, skills and networks needed for a sustainable footing for the future (Mitigations: ongoing recruitment and induction of new trustees, review of roles and responsibilities, review of advertising methods)
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Reduced capacity in the Historic England Philanthropy team due to sickness, vacancies or other pressures has a negative impact on the Foundation's ability to achieve its objectives (Mitigations: system for recording and managing absences in place; annual leave coordination; temporary cover recruited when necessary).
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that holding reserves is unnecessary, because expenditure for the charity is easily controlled as there are no directly employed staff. Fixed costs and grants represent the largest single cost to the charity. Therefore, in the event of a failure to secure sufficient unrestricted funding, the work of the charity could be reduced. The trustees are content that the charity will continue to operate as a going concern for at least the twelve months from the date on which the report and financial statements have been signed, as per Note 1c on page 19.
Plans for future periods
Under the terms of the Shared Resources Agreement, the Historic England Philanthropy and Development Team, supported by the trustees as required, will lead on approaches to individuals, trusts and foundations, companies and other grant-making bodies for restricted gifts to pre-agreed priority projects as well as unrestricted gifts.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED)
Income generated from the general public may be restricted to specific programmes of activity or be unrestricted, in which case it will be allocated by trustees in accordance with the charity’s grant-making policy.
From 2025/26, fundraising efforts will be strategically focused on three overarching priority areas for an initial three-year period: Heritage at Risk, Young People, and the Historic England Archive. Within each area, suitable projects are being identified and compelling cases for support are currently in development. Tailored funding strategies will be developed for each, comprising diverse portfolios of prospective funders, including trusts and foundations, high-net-worth individuals, and corporate partners. Income targets are being set in alignment with these plans to ensure clear performance benchmarks.
Additionally, 2025/26 will see the launch of the Foundation’s first Patrons’ scheme, designed to cultivate a network of engaged supporters and champions who will play a vital role in advancing the charity’s mission and long-term sustainability.
To strengthen governance and enhance the charity’s profile, new trustees with additional expertise in heritage and philanthropy will be appointed to the Foundation in 2025/26. Their experience will support the delivery of fundraising ambitions and help broaden the organisation’s reach and influence.
Corporate partnerships and sponsorship will also be developed.
Structure, governance and management
Structure
The charity does not directly employ staff and hence does not have an organisational structure in the traditional sense. It operates as a subsidiary of Historic England, which is the sole member of the charity.
The charity is limited by guarantee without share capital, incorporated on 16 January 2017, and is a subsidiary undertaking of Historic England. Its governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association. On 14 May 2018, The Historic England Foundation was registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Governance
The trustees, for the purposes of company law, are also its directors. The trustees consist of at least three individuals, of whom no more than a minority shall be Historic England commissioners or Historic England employees, provided that there shall always be at least a quorum of trustees who are not Historic England commissioners or Historic England employees.
The trustees elect a Chair from among their number (provided such person is not a Historic England Commissioner or a Historic England employee). The Chair holds office for four years or for as long as they remain a trustee, whichever period is shorter and will be eligible for re-appointment at the end of their first term of office.
Three full trustee meetings were held in the financial year. Attendance at regular trustee meetings throughout the year has been very strong with only a very small number of apologies received.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED)
Management
The day-to-day management and administration of the charity’s operations is delegated to specific Historic England staff within the Philanthropy and Development, and Finance Teams. The service provided is paid for by the charity under the arrangement between the two organisations. Strategic decisions are taken by the trustee board following discussions at board meetings and based upon the recommendations of the Philanthropy and Development Team.
Details of the related party transactions and group relationships are contained within Notes 13 and 14 respectively.
Trustee recruitment and induction
During the year, Jay Barrymore, Peter Beckett and Matthew O’Connell resigned as Foundation trustees, while Purnima Mookerjee and William Stratton-Morris were appointed as trustees.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
Reference and administrative details
Registered Office: The Engine House Fire Fly Avenue Swindon Wiltshire SN2 2EH Charity Registration Number: 1178368 Company Registration Number: 10564101 Trustees: Jay Barrymore (resigned 24 October 2024) Peter Beckett (resigned 24 October 2024) Matthew O’Connell (resigned 24 October 2024) Purnima Mookerjee (appointed 24 October 2024) Dr Fabian Richter Satwinder Singh William Stratton-Morris (appointed 24 October 2024) Samuel Swire Auditors: Comptroller and Auditor General National Audit Office 157-159 Buckingham Palace Road London SW1W 9SP Bankers: HSBC Holdings plc Keith House 133 Regent Street London W1B 4HX
Exemptions from disclosure
The charity is entitled to the small companies’ exemption in relation to the preparation of a Strategic Report under section 414A of the Companies Act 2006.
Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others
The charity does not hold any funds on behalf of others.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees (who are also the directors of The Historic England Foundation for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company and charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under these laws, the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). 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 the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, 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 Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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 and Charities Act 2011. 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.
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of accounts may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
As far as each of the trustees is aware:
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there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware, and
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they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company’s auditors are aware of that information.
The auditors have indicated their willingness to continue in office and a resolution concerning their reappointment will be proposed at a Board meeting.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
Other matters
The accounts have been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, National Audit Office since the inception of the company.
Audit fees charged for the year are reported in note 3.
These financial accounts were authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees and were signed on their behalf by:
Dr Fabian Richter Trustee 22 July 2025
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Opinion on financial statements
I have audited the financial statements of The Historic England Foundation for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise The Historic England Foundation’s:
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Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025;
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Statement of Financial Activities (including Income & Expenditure Account);
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Statement of Cash Flows; and
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the related notes including the significant accounting policies.
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements 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 my opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of The Historic England Foundation’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and its incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and
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have been properly prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
Basis for opinion
I conducted my audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs (UK)), applicable law and Practice Note 10 Audit of Financial Statements and Regularity of Public Sector Bodies in the United Kingdom (2024) . My responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of my report.
Those standards require me and my staff to comply with the Financial Reporting Council’s Revised Ethical Standard 2024 . I am independent of the Historic England Foundation in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to my audit of the financial statements in the UK. My staff and I have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.
I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, I have concluded that The Historic England Foundation’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work I have performed, I have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on The Historic England Foundation’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.
My responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION (CONTINUED)
Other Information
The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees’ Report but does not include the financial statements and my auditor’s report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information.
My opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in my report, I do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with my audit of the financial statements, my responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements, or my knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
If I identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, I am required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work I have performed, I conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, I am required to report that fact.
I have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In my opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the Trustees’ Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements; and
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• the information given in the Trustees’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.
Matters on which I report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of The Historic England Foundation and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, I have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Report.
I have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires me to report to you if, in my opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for my audit have not been received from branches not visited by my staff; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of director’s remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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I have not received all of the information and explanations I require for my audit.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION (continued)
Responsibilities of the Trustees for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities, the trustees are responsible for:
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maintaining proper accounting records;
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providing the C&AG with access to all information of which management is aware that is relevant to the preparation of the financial statements such as records, documentation and other matters;
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providing the C&AG with additional information and explanations needed for his audit;
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providing the C&AG with unrestricted access to persons within The Historic England Foundation from whom the auditor determines it necessary to obtain audit evidence;
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ensuring such internal controls are in place as Trustees determine are necessary to enable the preparation of financial statement to be free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error;
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preparing financial statements, which give a true and fair view, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011;
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preparing the Trustees Report, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011, and
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assessing The Historic England Foundation’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 directors either intends to liquidate the entity or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
My responsibility is to audit and report on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (ISAs (UK)).
My 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 a report that includes my 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.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting non-compliance with laws and regulations including fraud
I design procedures in line with my responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud. The extent to which my procedures are capable of detecting non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud is detailed below.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION (continued)
Identifying and assessing potential risks related to non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, I:
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considered the nature of the sector, control environment and operational performance including the design of The Historic England Foundation’s accounting policies,
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inquired of management and those charged with governance, including obtaining and reviewing supporting documentation relating to The Historic England Foundation’s policies and procedures on:
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identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations;
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detecting and responding to the risks of fraud; and
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the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations including The Historic England Foundation’s controls relating to The Historic England Foundation’s compliance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011;
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inquired of management and those charged with governance whether:
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they were aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations; and
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othey had knowledge of any actual, suspected, or alleged fraud; -
discussed with the engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
As a result of these procedures, I considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within The Historic England Foundation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas: revenue recognition, posting of unusual journals, complex transactions and bias in management estimates. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), I am required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
I obtained an understanding of The Historic England Foundation’s framework of authority and other legal and regulatory frameworks in which The Historic England Foundation operates, I focused on those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of The Historic England Foundation. The key laws and regulations I considered in this context included Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.
Audit response to identified risk
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To respond to the identified risks resulting from the above procedures:
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I reviewed the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described above as having direct effect on the financial statements;
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I enquired of management and those charged with governance concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;
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I reviewed minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
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I addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements on estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.
14
THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION (continued)
I communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential risks of fraud to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.
A further description of my 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 my report.
Other auditor’s responsibilities
I communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that I identify during my audit.
Martin Burgess (Senior Statutory Auditor) 24 July 2025
For and on behalf of the
Comptroller and Auditor General (Statutory Auditor)
National Audit Office 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road Victoria London SW1W 9SP
15
THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH
| Note | 2024-2025 Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds £ |
2023-2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds £ |
||
| Income From: Donations and Legacies 2 Grants 2 Total Expenditure On: Raising Funds 3,4,5 Charitable Activity 3,4,5 Total Net Income/(Expenditure) Reconciliation of Funds: Total Funds Brought Forward 12 Total Funds Carried Forward 12 |
40 61,130 61,170 55,000 141,558 196,558 55,040 202,688 257,728 32,534 277 32,811 28,639 171,760 200,399 61,173 172,037 233,210 (6,133) 30,651 24,518 65,266 140,746 206,012 59,133 171,397 230,530 |
9,503 400,743 |
| 410,246 | ||
| 23,896 427,405 |
||
| 451,301 | ||
| (41,055) | ||
| 247,067 | ||
| 206,012 |
All the revenue and operating results relate to the continuing operations of the charity.
The charity had no recognised gains or losses during the period other than those in the Statement of Financial Activities.
The notes on pages 19 to 28 form part of these financial statements.
16
THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH
| Note | 2025 Total Funds £ |
2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds £ |
||
| Fixed Assets Intangible Asset 7 Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors 8,9 Cash at Bank and in Hand 8,10 Total Current Assets Liabilities Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 8,11 Total Liabilities Net Current Assets Total Net Assets The Funds of the Charity Restricted Funds 12 Unrestricted Funds 12 Total Charity Funds |
13,720 13,720 10,100 219,111 229,211 (12,401) (12,401) 216,810 230,530 171,397 59,133 230,530 |
27,439 |
| 27,439 55,000 177,869 |
||
| 232,869 (54,296) |
||
| (54,296) | ||
| 178,573 | ||
| 206,012 | ||
| 140,746 65,266 |
||
| 206,012 |
The notes on pages 19 to 28 form part of these financial statements.
These financial accounts were approved and authorised for signature by the Board of Trustees on 22 July 2025 and were signed on their behalf by:
Dr Fabian Richter Trustee
17
THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH
| Note | 2024-2025 £ |
2023-2024 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | ||
| Net Income/(Expenditure) for the Financial Year Adjustments for: Amortisation 7 (Increase)/Decrease in Debtors 9 Increase/(Decrease) in Creditors 11 Net Cash Generated by Operating Activities Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents During the Year Cash and Cash Equivalents at the Beginning of the Year 10 Cash and Cash Equivalents at the End of the Year 10 |
24,518 13,719 44,900 (41,895) 41,242 41,242 177,869 219,111 |
(41,055) 13,719 73,077 (45,468) |
| 273 | ||
| 273 | ||
| 177,596 | ||
| 177,869 |
The notes on pages 19 to 28 form part of these financial statements.
18
THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 Statement of Accounting Policies
a) General information
The Historic England Foundation was incorporated on 16 January 2017 and is a subsidiary undertaking of Historic England. It was registered as a charity on 14 May 2018. The charity provides grants to applicable bodies which meet the aims and objectives of the charity in line with its established Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The charity is a public benefit entity limited by guarantee without share capital and is incorporated in England. The registered office is The Engine House, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 2EH.
The financial statements are prepared on the historic cost basis and presented in British Pounds Sterling.
b) Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) - ‘Charities SORP’ and the Companies Act 2006.
c) Basis of preparation – going concern
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. The charity currently meets its financial obligations through receipt of funding from unrestricted grants from Historic England and is targeting an individual fundraising strategy to reduce this reliance.
After making enquiries of Historic England regarding receipt of ongoing unrestricted funding, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will have access to adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least twelve months from the date the accounts were approved. The charity therefore adopts the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements on the basis that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue to operate.
d) Accounting judgments and estimates
There are no critical judgments, estimates or assumptions present in these financial statements.
e) Revenue recognition
All revenue is generated from donations, legacies, grants and Gift Aid and is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
Legacies are recognised as income when there has been grant of probate, there are sufficient assets in the estate, evidence of entitlement has been received from the executor, and the amount receivable can be measured with sufficient accuracy.
Gift Aid is recognised when the claim is made by the Foundation to HMRC.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
Accrued income is recognised where a formal offer of funding has been communicated to HEF and terms and conditions have been met, but cash has not yet been received.
f) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are donations (plus any related Gift Aid) or grants which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular purposes and/or at particular times.
Costs charged to restricted funds relate to activities undertaken to further the specific charitable purposes the fund was established to support. These costs include both direct and support costs associated with the activities undertaken by the restricted fund.
Support costs which can be so associated have been apportioned according to the number of transactions on restricted and unrestricted funds to the extent that restricted funds are available and do not go into deficit.
g) Expenditure recognition
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis in line with the requirements of Charity SORP and is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
The charity is not registered for VAT and as a result all expenditure is inclusive of input VAT incurred.
h) Grant making activities
Grants awarded, notified to the recipient and accepted are accounted for on an accruals basis in line with the requirements of Charity SORP and are recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
i) Apportionment and allocation of costs
In accordance with the requirements of the Charities SORP, the charity has developed a model to apportion support costs across its main activities. The results of this can be found at Note 4.
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but are not directly attributable to raising funds or charitable activities. Support costs include finance, legal and governance costs that support the charity’s charitable remit.
Support costs have been apportioned based on that activity’s share of costs to the extent that restricted funds are available and do not go into deficit.
j) Taxation
Taxation expenses comprise current corporation tax recognised in the reporting period.
As the company is registered as a charity it is generally exempt from the requirement to pay corporation tax.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
k) Fixed Assets
Fixed assets consist of The Historic England Foundation website. It is recognised on a historic cost basis with amortisation provided over 4 years with no residual value assumed.
Impairment reviews are carried out at the end of each reporting period in accordance with FRS 102 to ensure that the carrying value of the asset does not exceed its recoverable amount.
Amortisation is included in finance and administrative costs in note 3 and allocated with the other support costs as detailed in note 4.
l) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash in hand, deposits held on call or with maturities of less than three months.
m) Creditors
Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party, and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.
n) Financial instruments
The charity only holds non-complex financial instruments.
2 Income from Donations and Legacies
| 2024-2025 Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds £ |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds £ |
||
| Donations Gift Aid Total Donations Grants Total Income |
40 61,130 61,170 - - - 40 61,130 61,170 55,000 141,558 196,558 55,040 202,688 257,728 |
7,609 1,894 |
| 9,503 | ||
| 400,743 | ||
| 410,246 |
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
3 Support Costs
| 2024-2025 Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds £ |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds £ |
||
| Audit Fee Finance and Administrative Total Support Costs |
12,360 - 12,360 20,968 1,971 22,939 33,328 1,971 35,299 |
12,000 35,228 |
| 47,228 |
Details on the method of allocation and apportionment of costs between restricted and unrestricted funds are available at Note 1i).
The audit fee is £10,300 plus VAT.
Remuneration paid to auditors in respect of non-audit services in 2024-2025 was nil (2023-2024: nil).
4 Allocation of Support Costs
Details on the method of allocation and apportionment of support costs between activities are available at Note 1i).
a) Expenditure by Activity
| a) Expenditure by Activity | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Staff and Trustee Giving £ Costs £ Other £ |
Allocation £ |
Total £ |
|
| For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Raising Funds Charitable Activity Support Costs Total Expenditure |
- 27,845 - 170,066 - - - 8,617 26,682 170,066 36,462 26,682 Grant Staff and Trustee Giving £ Costs £ Other £ |
4,966 30,333 (35,299) |
32,811 200,399 - |
| - | 233,210 | ||
| Allocation £ |
Total £ |
||
| For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Raising Funds Charitable Activity Support Costs Total Expenditure |
- 21,396 - 382,677 - - - 20,899 26,329 382,677 42,295 26,329 |
2,500 44,728 (47,228) |
23,896 427,405 - |
| - | 451,301 |
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
b) Support Costs by Activity
| Governance £ Finance £ Total £ |
|
|---|---|
| For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Raising Funds Charitable Activities Total Support Costs |
1,739 3,227 4,966 10,621 19,712 30,333 12,360 22,939 35,299 Governance £ Finance £ Total £ |
| For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Raising Funds Charitable Activities Total Support Costs |
635 1,865 2,500 11,365 33,363 44,728 12,000 35,228 47,228 |
5 Trustees' Remuneration
None of the trustees received any remuneration or any other benefits by any group or other entity during the period in respect of The Historic England Foundation.
6 Employee Benefits
The charity did not directly employ any staff during the accounting period. This means that no disclosure of staff receiving benefits of more than £60,000 is required. All staff engaged on charity business have a contract of employment with Historic England. The costs of these staff are included with overheads in the management charge from Historic England.
7 Intangible Asset
A full year of amortisation is provided in the year of acquisition and none in the year of disposal.
| Total £ |
|
|---|---|
| Cost at 1 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 Amortisation at 1 April 2024 Charged in year Amortisation at 31 March 2025 Carrying amount at 31 March 2024 Carrying amount at 31 March 2025 |
54,877 54,877 27,438 13,719 41,157 27,439 13,720 |
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
| Total £ |
|
|---|---|
| Cost at 1 April 2023 At 31 March 2024 Amortisation at 1 April 2023 Charged in year Amortisation at 31 March 2024 Carrying amount at 31 March 2024 |
54,877 54,877 13,719 13,719 27,438 27,439 |
8 Summary of Current Assets and Liabilities
| 2024-2025 Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds £ |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds £ |
||
| Current Assets Current Liabilities Net Current Assets |
58,620 170,591 229,211 (12,401) - (12,401) 46,219 170,591 216,810 |
232,869 (54,296) |
| 178,573 |
9 Debtors
| 2024-2025 Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds £ |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds £ |
||
| Accrued Income Total Debtors |
- 10,100 10,100 - 10,100 10,100 |
55,000 |
| 55,000 |
10 Cash at Bank and in Hand
| 2024-2025 Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds £ |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds £ |
||
| Cash at Bank Total Cash |
58,620 160,491 219,111 58,620 160,491 219,111 |
177,869 |
| 177,869 |
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
11 Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
| 2024-2025 Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds £ |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds £ |
||
| Accruals and Deferred Income Total Creditors |
12,401 - 12,401 12,401 - 12,401 |
54,296 |
| 54,296 |
12 Reconciliation of Movement in Funds
| At 1 April 2024 Incoming Resources Outgoing Resources At 31 March 2025 £ £ £ £ |
|
|---|---|
| Restricted Funds Archive Blue Plaques Emerging Talent Heritage Building Skills Heritage Construction Historic England Rejuvenate Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings Skills and Education Total Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds General Fund Total Unrestricted Funds Total Funds |
69,887 - - 69,887 - 5,000 (5,000) - - 78,958 (29,974) 48,984 - 64,600 (64,600) - 7,600 - (7,600) - 9,792 - (9,792) - 33,821 - (33,821) - 3 54,125 (1,602) 52,526 19,643 5 (19,648) - |
| 140,746 202,688 (172,037) 171,397 65,266 55,040 (61,173) 59,133 |
|
| 65,266 55,040 (61,173) 59,133 |
|
| 206,012 257,728 (233,210) 230,530 |
The purposes and restrictions of the material individual funds are described below. Outgoing resources above include both grants and support costs charged to restricted funds. Material income and expenditure is detailed below.
Archive
This fund is held to support the work of the Historic England Archive, a public archive of architectural and archaeological records that holds over 12 million historic photographs, plans, drawings, reports, records and publications from the 1850s to the present covering England's archaeology, architecture, social and local history.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
Blue Plaques
The National Blue Plaque scheme builds on the value and success of the London scheme (which continues to be led by English Heritage) and local schemes across the country to celebrate people from all walks of life who have made a significant contribution to human welfare or happiness; and/or have made an exceptional impact in their field, community or on society at large.
In 2024-2025 a £5,000 donation was received from Richard Upton towards the scheme. A grant of £5,000 was made to Historic England during 2024-2025 from this fund.
Emerging Talent Placements
The Emerging Talent Placements Programme provides safe and quantitative work experience to young people aged 18 to 30 from underrepresented audiences with the aim of improving diversity in the Historic England workforce and in every aspect of their work
In 2024-2025 a grant of £32,708 (2023-2024: £26,184) was received from The Mercers’ Company, a grant of £36,250 (2023-2024: £nil) was received from the Benefact Trust and a grant of £10,000 (2023-24: £nil) was accrued from The Rochester Bridge Trust.
Grants totalling £29,708 (2023-2024: £26,184) were made to Historic England during 2024-2025 from this fund.
Heritage Building Skills
The Heritage Building Skills programme is an in-work training and apprenticeships programme that will help to ensure that the trade and craft skills needed to repair and maintain historic buildings are passed onto future generations.
In 2024-2025 grants totalling £62,600 (2023-2024: £nil) were received from The Swire Charitable Trust. An additional donation of £2,000 was received from Dr A K Clarke.
Grants totalling £64,500 (2023-2024: £223,253) were made to Historic England during 2024-2025.
Heritage Construction
In 2024-2025 a grant of £7,600 (2023-2024: £nil) was made to Historic England to be used in conjunction with the Heritage Building Skills grant to fund in-work training and apprenticeships.
Historic England
In 2024-2025 a grant of £9,792 (2023-2024: £nil) was made to Historic England to be used for the National Blue Plaque scheme.
Rejuvenate
The Rejuvenate programme is researching the most effective ways to improve the lives of vulnerable young people with a particular view to increasing wellbeing through enhancing life opportunities, including to prevent involvement with the criminal justice system and to respond to the challenges of being in the criminal justice system, and reduce re-offending.
In 2024-2025 a grant of £33,821 (2023-2024: £nil) was made to Historic England in relation to this fund.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
Known as the grandparent of skyscrapers, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings was the first multi-floored iron-framed building in the world.
In 2024-2025 donations of £2,125 were restricted to work undertaken at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings (2023-2024: donations of £7,539 and Gift Aid on donations of £1,705). In addition, Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings were wound up and donated the remainder of their funds of £52,000 to be used to fund education work at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings.
No grants (2023-2024: £44,456) were awarded to Historic England during 2024-2025 in relation to this fund.
Skills and Education
In 2024-2025 a grant of £19,643 (2023-2024: £nil) was made to Historic England to be used for the Heritage Building Skills programme.
Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted funds are not restricted to any particular area of activity but are used to support The Historic England Foundation’s general purposes.
13 Related Party Transactions
Historic England is the sole member of the charity and is regarded as a related party. Grants of £170,066 (2023-2024: £382,677) were given to Historic England. Historic England invoiced the charity in respect of shared services of £36,462 (2023-2024: £42,295 which was unpaid at the end of the financial year). Historic England also provided capacity building grant funding to The Historic England Foundation of £55,000 (2023-2024: £55,000 which was unpaid at the end of the financial year). £110,000 was received in 2024-25, £55,000 related to the 2024-25 capacity building grant and £55,000 of capacity building grant funding was received during 2024-25 from Historic England relating to the previous financial year
During the year, the charity had the following related party transactions which require disclosure:
-
Samuel Swire, trustee, is the Chair of The Swire Charitable Trust which gave grants totalling £62,600 to the Heritage Building Skills restricted fund.
-
Richard Upton, commissioner of Historic England, gave £5,000 to the National Blue Plaques scheme.
No other trustees or other related parties have undertaken any material related party transactions with the charity during the year.
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THE HISTORIC ENGLAND FOUNDATION
Charity Number: 1178368 Company Number: 10564101
14 Controlling Parties
The parent entity and ultimate controlling party of The Historic England Foundation is Historic England (Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England) which is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England's spectacular historic environment which they achieve by:
-
Championing historic places;
-
Identifying and protecting our heritage;
-
Supporting change;
-
Understanding historic places; and
-
Providing expertise at a local level.
Historic England as sole member of the charity and under the charity’s articles of association has
the power to appoint and remove trustees.
Copies of the consolidated accounts are available to the public and may be obtained from www.historicengland.org.uk.
15 Events after the Reporting Period
There were no events after the reporting period to be declared in these accounts. The accounts were authorised for issue on the date the Independent Auditor’s Report was signed.
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