Manchester Baroque
Annual Report
August 2024 – July 2025
Manchester Baroque has delivered a highly successful and expanded programme during 2024–25, combining artistic achievement with continued organisational development. A total of twelve performances were delivered during the year, exceeding the level originally planned.
The artistic programme included major choral works, chamber concerts and the continuation of the “Musick in Manchester 1744/45” reconstruction series. Highlights included collaborations with the University of York and a strong sequence of Passion performances in spring 2025. Across the programme, audiences were consistently larger than planned, reflecting growing demand and effective marketing.
The ensemble continued to develop its partnerships and community activity. This included ongoing collaboration with the University of York and work with the Liverpool String Academy, supporting young musicians through performance-based learning and outreach activity.
Fundraising performance was strong, with approximately £19,500 secured from trusts and foundations in support of core activity and the Fellowship Scheme. This demonstrates continued confidence from funders and a strengthening of the organisation’s income base.
Financial performance improved significantly over the course of the year. The organisation is forecasting a surplus of approximately £4,000 against an originally budgeted deficit of £14,000, with total income expected to reach £124,000. This represents a substantial improvement on the original financial plan.
The Board has continued to strengthen governance and oversight during the year, while recognising capacity pressures across the organisation. Work is underway on an organisational review to inform future planning. An issue relating to Charity Commission reporting requirements was identified and is being addressed through appropriate corrective action, including the appointment of an independent examiner.
Manchester Baroque enters 2025–26 in a strong position, with a full programme planned, increased fundraising ambition, and opportunities to participate in major city-wide initiatives. The organisation remains focused on sustaining artistic excellence, widening audiences and ensuring long-term resilience.
| MANCHESTER BAROQUE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT | YEAR ENDED | ||
| 31st July 2025 | |||
| INCOME | |||
| Event Income | £58 895 | ||
| Event Costs | £85 239 | ||
| Event Profit/Loss | -£26 344 | ||
| Donations | £54 374 | ||
| Gift Aid | £9 743 | ||
| £64 117 | |||
| TOTAL NET INCOME | £37 772 | ||
| OVERHEAD EXPENDITURE | |||
| General Administration Costs | £18 270 | ||
| Event Management Fees | £6 833 | ||
| Marketing | £7 200 | ||
| Fundraising | £2 500 | ||
| Outreach | £4 723 | ||
| Other Costs | £493 | ||
| TOTAL OVERHEAD EXPENDITURE | £40 018 | ||
| PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT | -£4 796 | ||
| PROFIT/LOSS | -£7 042 | ||
| BALANCE SHEET | AS AT | ||
| 31st July 2025 | |||
| ASSETS | |||
| Cash at Bank | £54 513 | ||
| Accrued Income | £0 | ||
| Gift Aid Claim | £9 743 | ||
| Total Assets | £64 256 | ||
| CREDITORS & ACCRUALS | |||
| Deferred Income | £3 000 | ||
| Accrued Expenditure | £1 000 | ||
| Cathedral Accrual | £9 752 | ||
| £13 752 |
| NET ASSETS FUNDING Excess of Income over Expenditure b/f Excess of Expenditure over Income Excess of Income over Expenditure c/f |
£57 546 -£7 042 |
£50 504 |
|---|---|---|
| £50 504 | ||
CHARITY (OMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Indepondenl Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Manchester Baroque On accounts for the yoar endod 3151 July 2025 Charlty no 111 any) 1181935 Set out on pages NIA I report to the Iruslees on my examinallon of the acccunts of the above ch8rity ("Ihe Trust") for the year ended 3110712025. Regponslbllltles and bas18 of roport As the charity's Iruslees. you are responsible for the preparation of the aGcounls in accordance with the requirements of the Charilres Act 2011 {"Ihe Ad'l. I report In respect of my examlnglion of the Tru81'5 accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in ¢arrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Direclions given by the Charity Commisslon under section 14515){bl of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I conflm Ihal no malerial matters have examlner's 8talement come lo my attentlon in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in, any material respect the accounting records were not kept in accordance wllh sectlon 130 of the Chanties Act,, or the accounts did not accord with Ihe accounting records., or the accoun15 did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts sel out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulatlons 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair. view which Is nol a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no ¢oncern6 and have come across no other matters in connection with Ihe examinalion lo which attention should be drawn in this feport in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounls lo be reached, P188se d8lele Ihe words in lh8 brackels il Ihéy do not apply. Slgned: Oate: Name: Relovant prof888lonal qu•llfl¢atlon(81 or body (If anyl: X Li Addr988: IER Oct 2018
ectlon 8 Disclosur Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight malerial matters of conrAm (see CC32. Independent examination of charrty accounts.. dlrections and guidance for examiner8). Glve hero brlef detall8 of any Items that tho examlner wlshos to dlsclose. IER Oct 2018