Field Ready
Trustees’ Report for the Period 1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021
Notes on Nomenclature
Field Ready – the entity reporting in this document – is the UK entity within the wider Field Ready movement, which is headquartered in the USA and consists of other legal entities based around the world. For clarity, we will refer in this document to the UK entity as “Field Ready UK”; other Field Ready entities by their country of registration (e.g., “Field Ready USA”), and the overall movement as “Field Ready”.
Legally, Field Ready UK is registered simply as “Field Ready” and any official notices or documentation should be address as such.
It is important to note that Field Ready UK is legally separate and independent from all other Field Ready entities and is governed as such.
Objectives and Activities
Field Ready UK’s charitable objects are, for the public benefit, the relief of human suffering or assistance of people in need in any part of the world who are affected by war or natural disaster or catastrophe by providing aid and capacity building to identify and help meet their needs.
Field Ready UK does this through its collaborations with the wider Field Ready movement.
Recognising the acute limitations of humanitarian aid especially in remote and low resource areas, the founders of Field Ready came together with extensive qualifications and a deep passion for working on grand challenges. Field Ready was founded on a belief that the right application of appropriate and disruptive technology, coupled with a keen understanding of real-world problems can lead to profound and transformational breakthroughs.
Field Ready was founded by professionals in development aid and humanitarian relief, technical services, design and engineering. Our combined experience totals many decades in developing countries and disaster-stricken areas as well as various technical skills. Taking hard-earned lessons from places like the Horn of Africa and Central Asia, we’ve borrowed from the best of Silicon Valley to conceive a meaningful and transformational approach to the challenges of humanitarian relief and working in the most remote and challenging places on the planet
Field Ready is a group of organisations that understands efforts to prevent, respond to and address the causes and consequences of disasters represent one of the grand challenges to humanity. We recognise opportunities to improve responses everywhere and stress the need to have a profound social impact. We believe:
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We believe that by making useful things locally, we can make the world a better place and that people should have essential items where and when they need them
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Our vision is to meet humanitarian and reconstruction needs in ways that transform international aid, so it is faster, cheaper and better than current alternatives
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Our goals are to save lives and reduce suffering while increasing resilience and empowerment in the communities we serve
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We bring manufacturing to challenging places, train others and create innovative solutions by engaging people in new ways
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Ultimately, we created and strive to extend our approach everywhere it can make a profound impact
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Our values include respect for others, a bias toward action, learning, and a lean and agile approach to support people’s rights and dignity
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We initially focus our efforts on humanitarian contexts and stay through reconstruction to help the communities we serve to develop and be resilient beyond our presence
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We subscribe to widely accepted humanitarian principles and endeavour to be a reliable and impactful partner everywhere we work
No funds have been raised or spent by Field Ready UK to further these objects during the period, and instead Field Ready UK has focussed on lending voluntary expertise to the wider Field Ready movement to achieve these aims.
Charity trustees have a duty to develop strategic plans to ensure that we provide public benefit and achieve our objects as set out in our governing document. These objects fall under the purposes defined by the Charities Act 2011. The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
Achievements and Performance
Field Ready responded in a year of global crisis, a crisis that had an impact on our ongoing programs and in the fight against the COVID-19 virus. This year also highlighted the need for - and our commitment to - racial and gender equity. With nearly 168 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in 2021, there's been a lot to do and we’re proud of all our team members for doing such significant work.
For the first time, Field Ready directly assisted more than 100,000 people and - through them - we reached nearly a million people. The year saw us working in more countries and helping more people than ever before. Given the multiple crises we all faced, this is truly an extraordinary outcome.
In response to the pandemic, Field Ready quickly pivoted our programs appropriately. In fact, we were already working to help contain a measles outbreak in Samoa at the start of the year when the potential impact of COVID-19 became evident. Our programming expanded to include personal protective equipment (PPE) distributions in the U.S. and by the end of the year, we devised a fourcountry program – in Bangladesh, Iraq, Kenya and Uganda – supported by the multi-donor-funded Humanitarian Grand Challenge. We also continued to push the boundaries of innovation by linking local businesses to relief and reconstruction efforts, developing new technologies and ways to support ecosystems around local manufacturing (e.g., through the Internet of Production Alliance). As much as we support the new and emergent, we also work to promote development and sustainability).
We continued with our ongoing programs in the Middle East and Asia while expanding with mass production of locally made WASH-related items in the Pacific and responding to two tropical cyclones. Toward the end of the year, we also supported partners in Beirut following the tragic blast there. In this Annual Report, you will find these highlights and other specific achievements from our programs.
We will continue to do all we can to help stop the transmission of COVID-19 while advocating for reform and justice. A key part of our approach is passing our knowledge and skills to others in both traditional and new ways. We will continue to train thousands of people a year and propel efforts to spread knowledge of our approach in existing and new areas such as East Africa.
Financial Review
Field Ready UK was not financially active during the period, did not receive or spend any funds, and has a reserves level at the end of the period of zero. This is because Field Ready UK has concentrated on providing voluntary expertise to the wider movement and has not required operating funds.
As reserves are zero, and Field Ready UK does not have operating costs that would require the holding of reserves, the trustees have not adopted a formal reserves policy. This would be adopted if operating costs were to be incurred.
With no financial activity during the period, the charity falls below the income limit requiring its accounts to be independently examined, and the trustees have taken advantage of this exemption.
Field Ready UK holds no investments.
Structure, Governance and Management
Field Ready UK is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number: 1184807) on 7[th] August 2019. It operates under its Articles of Association of the same date.
The Trustees operate as a Board to manage the charity. New trustees are appointed on election by the existing trustees on confirmation that they meet the relevant requirements. As Field Ready UK has no staff, the Board make all decisions.
Field Ready UK is affiliated to the wider Field Ready movement and shares the values of its sister organisations. These are codified within a Global Operating Agreement, which streamlines the way each Field Ready entity works with each other. However, Field Ready UK remains legally independent of all other Field Ready entities, and the Board have sole power to make decisions and set the charity’s policies and priorities.
Reference and Administrative Details
Legal Name Field Ready Other Names (not official) Field Ready UK Charity Registration Number 1184807 Registered Office c/o The Centre for Global Equality 8C Kings Parade Cambridge CB2 1SJ Trustees Serving to date of approval Toby Fenwick MScMSt LLM (Appointed 7[th] August 2019; resigned 1[st] June 2022) Prof Paul Sherlock OBE (Appointed 7[th] August 2019) Stuart Davis (Appointed 9[th] January 2020) Benjamin Britton (Appointed 10[th] June 2022)
Field Ready UK does not operate a bank account and has not received professional advice during the period. Therefore, no banker or advisor detail has been included above.
Field Ready
Accounts for the Period 1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021
Statement of Financial Activities
| Income and Endowments From: Donations and Legacies Charitable Activities Other Total Expenditure on: Raising Funds Charitable Activities Other Total Net income/ Expenditure Net Movement in Funds Reconciliation of Funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
For the Period 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 Unrestricted Funds £ - - - |
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Field Ready
Accounts for the Period 1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021
Balance Sheet
| Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand Debtors Total Current Assets Liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Total Liabilities Net Current Assets or Liabilities The Funds of the Charity: Unrestricted Funds Total Charity Funds |
As At 31st December 2021 Unrestricted Funds £ - - |
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Field Ready
Accounts for the Period 1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021
Cash Flow Statement
| Cash flows from operating activities Net Cash provided by Operating Activities Cash flows from investing activities Net Cash provided by Investing Activities Cash flows from financing activities Net Cash provided by Financing Activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the statement of financial activities) Net cash provided by operating activities Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Cash at bank and in hand Total cash and cash equivalents |
For the Period 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 £ |
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Field Ready
Accounts for the Period 1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021
Notes to the Accounts
GENERAL INFORMATION AND BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
Field ready is a charitable incorporated organisation in England and Wales and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of the registered office is: c/o The Centre For Global Equality, 8C Kings Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1SJ.
Field Ready is a public benefit entity. The nature of Field Ready’s operations and its principal activities, and how these meet the public benefit criteria, are set out in the trustees' report that accompanies these accounts.
BASIS OF PREPARATION
The accounts 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 2015 – ie, Charities SORP (FRS 102). This is the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
The functional currency of Field Ready is pounds sterling because that is the currency of the primary economic environment in which Field Ready operates.
The financial period covered by these statements is from 1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021. This is the initial accounting period for Field Ready, and therefore no comparison periods are included.
GOING CONCERN
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention; the applicable accounting standards; and the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities”
The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of Field Ready to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. Accordingly, the Trustees have prepared these financial statements on a going concern basis.
FUND ACCOUNTING
Unrestricted funds are those which are available for the general purposes of Field Ready at the discretion of the trustees. The trustees may elect to dedicate some funds for specific purposes. No funds have been dedicated in this way during the period.
Restricted funds are funds that are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or that have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. Costs are charged against the specific fund in line with donor wishes. Field Ready neither raised nor held any restricted funds during the period.
INCOME
Income is recognised in the statement of financial activities when Field Ready is legally entitled to the income, receipt is probable, and it can be effectively measured.
GRANT INCOME
In general, grants and sub-grants represent restricted income from governments, agencies and foundations, corporates and trusts and have been included as 'Incoming resources from charitable activities' where these grants specifically outline the goods and services to be provided to beneficiaries. For these performance related grants, in the absence of specific milestones to determine entitlement, income is recognised to the extent that resources have been committed to the agreed outcomes and outputs as this is deemed to be a reliable estimate of the right to receive payment for the work performed. In this case cash received in excess of expenditure is included as a creditor (as deferred income) and expenditure in excess of cash included as a debtor (as accrued income). Unless otherwise specified by donors, restricted funds are not held in separate bank accounts.
GIFTS IN KIND INCOME (GIK)
GIK includes goods for project distributions or resale, pro-bono services and supplies. GIK must be included in the accounts as income and expenditure and valued at market value by the Field Ready and/or the donor. No monetary value is attributed to volunteer work.
EXPENDITURE
All expenses are recognised on an accruals basis.
Expenditure on charitable activities is any that relates directly to fulfilling the charitable objects of Field Ready.
Expenditure on raising funds is that incurred in seeking grant income and other donations.
Support costs, such as general management, governance, human resources, financial management and premises costs are allocated across the categories of charitable activities in proportion to the direct expenditure on those activities.
Staff costs are analysed and apportioned on the basis of management's estimation of the time spent on each activity. Costs which do not directly relate to one activity are apportioned on the same basis.
INVESTMENTS
Investments are stated at market value on the balance sheet date. Field Ready held no investments at the balance sheet date.
PROVISIONS
Provisions for liabilities are recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation for which a measurable future outflow of funds is probable. Field Ready held no provisions at the balance sheet date.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when Field Ready becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs). Field Ready held no financial instruments at the balance sheet date.
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any discount offered.
Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid, net of any trade discounts due. Creditors and provisions are recognised where Field Ready 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. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
PENSION SCHEME
Field Ready had no staff in the period, and therefore did not operate a pension scheme
FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Monetary assets and liabilities are translated into pound sterling at the exchange rate ruling on the balance sheet date. Foreign exchange gains are recognised as other income and foreign exchange losses are recognised within the relevant category of charitable activity expenditure for the period in which they are incurred.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
In the application of Field Ready’s accounting policies, which are described above, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
The trustees do not consider there are any critical judgements or sources of estimation uncertainty requiring disclosure.