Company number: 11020718. Charity Number: 1184881.
## **ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED**
_A charity incorporated as a company limited by guarantee, having no share capital._
## **(Unaudited) Annual Report and Financial Statements**
**For the Year Ended 31 October 2024.**
**ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024**
## **CONTENTS**
|Legal and administrative information|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' annual report (comprising also the Directors' report)|2|
|Independent examiner's report on the financial statements|5|
|Statement of financial activities|6|
|Balance sheet|7|
|Statement of accounting policies|8|
|Notes to the financial statements|9|
**ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
|**Trustees**|Theresa Booth|
|---|---|
||Helen-Jane Colston-Inge|
||Michael Cole-Fontayn|
||Peter Batey|
||Amanda Jane Mellor|
||Charles Collins|
||Gareth Edward Doodes (appointed 15 July 2024)|
|**Company secretary**|Theresa Booth|
|**Company number**|11020718 (England & Wales)|
|**Charity number**|1184881 (UK)|
|**Registered office**|52 Gloucester Terrace|
||London|
||W2 3HH|
|**Bankers**|MetroBank|
||One Southampton Row|
||London|
||WC1B 5HA|
|**Independent examiner**|David Wallis ACA|
||DJW Accounts Consulting Ltd|
||8, 3 Chivalry Road|
||London|
||SW11 1HT|
**1**
**ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
Engage With China Limited is a registered charity incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. The Trustees are also Directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act.
The Trustees present their report and unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024. The report is also prepared to meet the requirements for a Directors' report and financial statements for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 8 of these financial statements and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011, UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (specifically FRS 102), and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
## **Aims and objectives**
The Company was established to allow UK school children and the communities to discover China for themselves, particularly modern China, its history, culture and music so they understand better the role that China will play globally in their lifetime and be aware of opportunities that may exist for them.
This aim has been achieved through one day, off timetable, China Challenge days and online Model UN (Good COP Bad COP) Conferences focussing on Climate Change resolutions for schools in UK and China along with since July 2023, the establishment of the Engage with China Scholars programme where UK students have an opportunity to study for two years for their A’ levels at an international school in China.
The Company has continued to be supervised by the Charity Commission in the UK, following the guidelines set the Commission. In the period under review, Engage with China Limited has continued to focus on finding funders to implement their Engage with China programme and delivering China related pilot projects with the specific funds granted.
## **Public benefit**
The trustees have considered the activities of the company against the Public Benefit Guidance issued by the Charity Commission. The purpose of the company is enshrined in its objectives as outlined above.
The trustees ensure that this is carried out.
## **Structure, governance, and management**
The Company is limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. The company was incorporated on 18 October 2017. The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and in the period were:
Theresa Booth Helen-Jane Colston-Inge Michael Cole-Fontayn Peter Batey Amanda Mellor Charles Collins Gareth Edward Doodes (from 15 July 2024)
All the trustees are members of the company. The trustees meet on a regular basis. Presently the company does not have any employees.
Special thanks are due to our patron and all the Ambassadors of Engage with China Limited for their support.
**2**
**ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** (Continued)
## **Review of activities during the year**
Having received a generous donation in late 2023 we were able to deliver ten free China Challenges days in both primary and secondary UK schools reaching over 1000 pupils as well as build new connections with these schools in order to return in 2025, as well as market our services to even more schools by referral.
We have now reached over 6,500 pupils. Our 2024 Climate Change Model UN Conference, _Good COP Bad COP_ , involved increased the participation of schools in both the UK and China along with additional schools in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Domenica as well as attracting a host of Climate Change expert speakers to open the Conference. This programme has seen a year-on-year increase in the number of participating schools bringing vital funding to the Charity. Again we collaborated with the Museum of Royal Worcester and the Worcester Chinese Association to mastermind another very successful Chinese New Year event which served well to market our services to schools in the area. We have created more China Challenge Day content including modules suitable for KS2 for primary years involving early Chinese Civilization modules.
In August 2024, we saw the second cohort of 28 new Engage with China Scholars leave for a period of two years to study for their A ‘levels in China thereby creating new young ambassadors to promote China literacy in UK Schools. This programme continues to grow with collaboration with new schools in the pipeline who will be taking Scholars in 2025.
We also raised valuable funds through a London networking event supported by the Chinese embassy and law firm Wedlake Bell as well as a dinner in Worcester where may local school representatives were invited as speakers to explain to diners the relevance of our China Challenge Days and other programmes.
We have received donations throughout the year earmarked for specific purposes, some given by generous benefactors and others, smaller amounts generated through a _Just Giving_ campaigns. Much of work carried out by Charity continues to be unfunded which in part is due to the difficult political global relations between the UK and China. To date the Charity has no employees due to insufficient funds.
## **Financial Review**
The results for the year ended 31 October 2024 are set out in the accompanying financial statements. Total income for the year was £78,181 (2023: 49,392), while total expenditure was £78,007 (2023: £24,185). This resulted in a net increase in funds for the year of £174 (2023: a net increase in funds of £25,207 for the year).
## **Reserves Policy**
As at 31 October 2024, the charity held free reserves (unrestricted general reserves) of £20,834 (2023: £26,835), being a subset of the charity’s total funds at 31 October 2024 of £32,009 (2023: £31,835).
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level to cover the operational costs of the charity for approximately three to six months. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that there are sufficient funds to continue the activities of the company and to meet its liabilities and commitments. The current level of free reserves held is within the ‘target range’ as set by the policy.
## **Risk Management**
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the company is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate any exposure to major risks.
## **Investment Power and Policy**
The company may deposit or invest funds in any manner after obtaining advice from a financial expert and having regard to the suitability of investments and the need for diversification. At present funds do not exist so the question of investing them are not applicable at this stage.
**3**
**ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** (Continued)
## **Future Plans and Developments in the Coming Year**
The charity has continued to receive more school invitations, many repeat business, testimony to the interest in our China Challenge days in building global mindset and curiosity in China and we have been able to deliver twice as many the face-to-face programmes in schools since January 2024 as funding was been provided by a grant to deliver some of these programmes for free.
However, state funded schools continue to face budgetary and timetabling constraints. We have continued to submit more funding applications to various funding and grant making bodies and are seeking collaboration on resources with universities and China related bodies to market our programme.
We will continue to raise funds with online webinars where donations to the charity are made, aimed at the general public and marketing our programme to the educators as well as fundraising events Our 2026 Model UN event will be our 5[th] year running this event and we are actively seeking sponsorship to make this an even more attractive Conference for schools. We are also building more ties with International schools in China, to send more Scholars to China in 2025-26.
We now have funding to build a new website as well as create more online resources for teachers to download so that the programme can reach even more pupils. The charity is continuing to build its volunteer and support base as well as its reserves through fundraising events.
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES**
The trustees, who are also the directors of Engage with China Limited for the purpose 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 year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable it to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. It is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
……………………………………
## **Theresa Booth Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees**
**Date:** 7 July 2025
**4**
**ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED.**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the above charity (“the charity”) for the year ended 31 October 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: ·
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or ·
- the financial statements did not accord with the accounting records; or ·
- the financial statements did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no material concerns and have come across no material other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
## **Signed:**
## **David Wallis ACA**
Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
DJW Accounts Consulting Ltd 8, 3 Chivalry Road London, SW11 1HT.
**5**
## **ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
(INCORPORATING INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024**
|**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Fundraising and trading activities
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
Fundraising and events costs
Other expenditure
Net income (expenditure) for
the year before transfers
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds for
the year
Funds as at 1 November 2023
Funds as at 31 October 2024|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**fund**
**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
2,133
19,175
**21,308**
53,816
-
**53,816**
3,057
-
**3,057**
59,006
19,175
**78,181**
60,064
13,000
**73,064**
1,192
-
**1,192**
3,751
-
**3,751**
65,007
13,000
**78,007**
6,001
-
6,175
**174**
-
-
**-**
6,001
-
6,175
**174**
26,835
5,000
**31,835**
20,834
11,175
**32,009**|_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_Restricted_
_fund_
_Total_
_funds_
_2023_
_£_
_2023_
_£_
_2023_
_£_
_34,150_
_5,000_
_39,150_
_5,105_
_-_
_5,105_
_5,137_
-
_5,137_
_44,392_
_5,000_
_49,392_
_5,250_
_-_
_5,250_
_6,832_
_-_
_6,832_
_12,103_
_-_
_12,103_
_24,185_
_-_
_24,185_
_20,207_
_5,000_
_25,207_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_20,207_
_5,000_
_25,207_
_6,238_
_-_
_6,238_
_26,835_
_5,000_
_31,835_|
|---|---|---|
All amounts above related to continuing operations.
The policies and notes set out on pages 8 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
**6**
## **ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2024**
|Note
Tangible fixed assets
Debtors
3
Cash at bank
Creditors due in less than one year
4
Net current assets (liabilities)
Total net assets
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
5
Designated funds
Restricted funds
Total funds|**2024**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
_2023_
_£_
-
210
37,626
31,835
37,836
31,835
5,827
-
32,009
32,009
20,834
-
11,175
32,009|_2023_
_£_
-
-
31,835
31,835
26,835
-
5,000
31,835|
|---|---|---|
The company was entitled to exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies’ regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.
The policies and notes set out on pages 8 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
Signed by a trustee on behalf of the Board on July 2025:7th
**Theresa Booth Trustee**
**7**
## **ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES & GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024**
## **Accounting policies**
## _Accounting convention_
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (UKGAAP), under the historical cost convention and comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity, with amounts rounded to the nearest pound. These financial statements have been prepared also in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice and Reporting for mainstream UK Charities, the Charities SORP (FRS102), and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, FRS102.
## _Income_
Income is recognised in the charity's financial statements at the point at which the charity is entitled to the income, it is probable the amount will flow to the charity, and the amount can be measured reliability.
Donations and other forms of voluntary income are recognised within income at the point at which the donor has notified the charity of the gift, and the amount is receivable.
Income related charitable activities, for example the charity's learning courses and events, is recognised at the point at which the school (or similar organisation) has made a commitment to engaging the charity to run the course or event. Income from fundraising and events is recognised at the point at which the charity is entitled to the income, and the aforementioned criteria of probablity and measurability are also met.
The value of services provided by volunteers has not been quantified within income and expenditure in these financial statements in line with the provisions of the Charities SORP.
## _Expenditure_
Expenditure is recognised in the financial period in which the costs are incurred. This is at the point at which a constructive obligation arises for the charity to incur the cost for the respective good or service. Expenditure is recorded inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered.
## _Debtors_
Debtors consist of amounts paid in advance in respect of future costs. In the instance that funds are receivable by the charity but are not yet received, a corresponding debtor is recognised.
## _Creditors_
Creditors consist of costs which the charity is obligated to pay, which have not yet been paid. Within creditors also, the charity recognises any amounts of income that have been received in advance of the criteria as set out in the Income accounting policy above, being satisfied, for example in respect of the future events.
## _Funds_
The charity's funds are equal to its net assets, being the value of the charity's assets less its liabilities, at a point in time. They consist of unrestricted general funds (being amounts the charity may use for any purpose in line with its charitable objectives), and restricted funds (being amounts upon which a third-party has placed a legal restriction over their use).
## _Financial instruments_
The charity's financial statements include only basic financial instruments, being constituents of debtor and creditor balances on the balance sheet.
## **General background**
## _Company status_
The company is limited by guarantee. The Directors of the company are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the charity.
**8**
## **ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024**
## **1. Employees**
The charity did not employee any members of staff during the year ended 31 October 2024. (2023: no staff employed).
## **2. Transactions with Trustees**
See note 7 for details of amounts paid to Chopsticks Club Limited in respect of the work of two Trustees on the delivery and operation of the programmes run by the charity. The Directors of Chopsticks Club are also two of the Trustees of the charity. The arrangement has been approved by the charity's Trustees (who are not the two Directors of Chopsticks Club Limited) and the Board considers the arrangement to be compliant with the Charities Act, with Charity Commission guidelines and the Charity’s Articles of Association.
No other Trustees received remuneration for their roles as Trustees. (2023: £nil).
Aside from through the arrangement described in note 7, no Trustee received reimbursement of personal expenses, relating to travel or accomodation for example, in the year ended 31 October 2024. (2023: £1,131 was paid to two Trustees as reimbursement of travel costs).
Donations of £250 were received from one Trustee in the year ended 31 October 2024, and were unrestricted. (2023: £nil donations received from Trustees).
## **3. Debtors**
The charity's debtors balance of £210 as at 31 October 2024 related to prepayment of costs incurred in respect of a planned event, held after the year-end in November 2024. (2023: £nil debtors).
## **4. Creditors**
The charity's creditor balances as at 31 October are analysed as follows:
|Accruals
Deferred income - in respect of ticket sales and sponsorship
of an event held after the year-end, in November 2024.|**2024**
**£**
540
5,287
**5,827**|_2023_
_£_
_-_
_-_
_-_|
|---|---|---|
## **5. Movements in funds**
Movements in the charity's restricted fund balances for the years ended 31 October, are analysed as follows:
|China Challenge Days Fund
Scholarship Funds
Administration and Website Fund
_China Challenge Days Fund_|**At 1 November**
**2023**
**£**
5,000
-
-
**5,000**
_At 1 November_
_2022_
_£_
_5,000_
_5,000_|**Income**
**£**
1,200
12,975
5,000
19,175
_Income_
_£_
_1,200_
_1,200_|**Expenditure**
**£**
-5,000
-8,000
-
-13,000
_Expenditure_
_£_
_-5,000_
_-5,000_|**At 31 October**
**2024**
**£**
1,200
4,975
5,000
**11,175**
_At 31 October_
_2023_
_£_
_1,200_
_1,200_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
**9**
## **ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED** _(Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881)._ **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024**
## **5. Movements in funds** (continued)
The charity's China Challenge Days fund originates from gifts from donors to be utilised for the costs of running the charity's signature China-related day-learning sessions in UK schools.
Scolarship funds held by the charity relate to sums gifted by donors to fund scholarships awarded to young people who embark on study and development programmes in China.
The charity's Administration and Website fund originates from the generous gift of a donor, towards costs related to the administration of the charity's activities and associated compliance, governance and record-keeping obligations.
Other than the restricted funds detailed above, the charity's funds as at 31 October 2024 and 2023 were all unrestricted general funds, with no portion of those having been formally designated by the Trustees for specific purposes.
As at 31 October 2024 and 2023, all of the charity's restricted fund balances were held as cash at bank (as opposed to within debtors, creditors, or as other asset or liability balances).
## **6. Independent examiner's remuneration**
Fees payable to the independent examiner in respect of the charity's statutory annual accounts (inclusive of VAT) are analysed as follows:
|Preparation of statutory annual financial statements
Independent examination|**2024**
**£**
180
360
**540**|_2023_
_£_
_-_
_540_
_540_|
|---|---|---|
## **7. Related party transactions**
In the year ended 31 October 2024, the charity paid consultancy costs of £46,502 to Chopsticks Club Limited - a company registered in England and Wales, of which two of the charity's Trustees, Theresa Booth and Helen Jane Colson-Ing are Directors, with each holding a 50% interest. £nil amounts were due to Chopsticks Club Limited from the charity at 31 October 2024. (2023: £11,850 of costs were paid; £nil remaining due at 31 October).
## **8. Subsequent events**
There were no significant events which occurred after the balance sheet date of 31 October 2024, that necessitated revision to those financial statements, or that warranted additional disclosure.
**10**