Company number: 11020718 Charity Number: 1184881
ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED
A charity incorporated as a company limited by guarantee with no share capital.
(Unaudited) Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 October 2025
ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED (Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881). FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
| 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 2025
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Trustees | Theresa Booth |
|---|---|
| Helen-Jane Colston-Inge | |
| Michael Cole-Fontayn | |
| Peter Batey | |
| Amanda Jane Mellor (resigned December 2025) | |
| Charles Collins | |
| Gareth Edward Doodes | |
| 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 FCA |
| 3 Chivalry Road | |
| London | |
| SW11 1HT |
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ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED (Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881). YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
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 2025. 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 (Resigned December 2025) Charles Collins Gareth Edward Doodes
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.
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ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED (Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881). YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (Continued)
Review of activities during the year
Having received a generous donations in the 2024-25 period we were able to deliver eight free China Challenges days in both primary and secondary UK along with Schools who paid. We reached over 800 new pupils along with building new connections with these schools in order to return in 2026, as well as market our services to even more schools by referral and encourage them to take part in our annual Model UN Conference and apply for Engage with China Scholarships. We have now reached over 7,500 pupils. Our 2025 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 Thailand and China . The event also attracted environmental experts speakers for the plenary session including the current Chair of the Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change, Professor Sir Jim Skea, and the British Ambassador to China. This programme has seen a year-on-year increase in the number of participating schools bringing vital funding to the Charity and is totally self sustaining financially.
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 and Tea and Porcelain. In August 2025, we saw the third cohort of 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 from 2026. We also took existing and aspiring scholars to both the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office and the Chinese Embassy where they were very well received and their Mandarin fluency greatly impressed.
Valuable funds were raised through a networking event 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 2025 are set out in the accompanying financial statements. Total income for the year was £39,404 (2024: 78,181), while total expenditure was £54,559 (2024: £78,007). This resulted in a net decrease in funds for the year of £15,155 (2024: a net increase in funds of £174 for the year).
Reserves Policy
As at 31 October 2025, the charity held free reserves (unrestricted general reserves) of £5,487 (2024: £20,834), being a subset of the charity’s total funds at 31 October 2024 of £16,854 (2024: £32,009). 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.
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.
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ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED (Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881). YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
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 as many the face-to-face programmes in schools as in previous years 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, including a fundraising concert in March 2026 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 2027 Model UN event will be our 6th year running this event and we are actively seeking sponsorship to make this an even more attractive Conference for schools. We have also built more ties with International schools in China, to send more Scholars to China in 2027-29. We have renewed the charity’s website as well as created more online social media videos to help with marketing.
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:
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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 SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
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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: 22 July 2026
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ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED (Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881). YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
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 2025.
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: ·
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or ·
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the financial statements did not accord with the accounting records; or ·
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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 FCA
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales DJW Accounts Consulting Ltd 3 Chivalry Road London, SW11 1HT.
Date: 22 July 2026
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ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED (Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881). STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(INCORPORATING INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
| 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 2024 Funds as at 31 October 2025 |
Unrestricted funds Restricted fund Total funds 2025 £ 2025 £ 2025 £ 3,680 5,220 8,900 12,568 - 12,568 17,936 - 17,936 34,184 5,220 39,404 44,075 5,028 49,103 5,456 - 5,456 - - - 49,531 5,028 54,559 15,347 - 192 15,155 - - - - 15,347 - 192 15,155 - 20,834 11,175 32,009 5,487 11,367 16,854 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
All amounts above related to continuing operations.
The policies and notes set out on pages 8 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
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ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED (Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881). BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2025
| 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 |
2025 £ 2025 £ 2024 £ - - 210 17,304 37,626 17,304 37,836 450 - 16,854 16,854 5,487 - 11,367 16,854 |
2024 £ - 5,827 - 32,009 32,009 20,834 - 11,175 32,009 |
|---|---|---|
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 2026:22
Theresa Booth Trustee
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ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED (Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881). STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES & GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
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 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.
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ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED (Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881). NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
1. Employees
The charity did not employee any members of staff during the year (2023/24: 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 charity's programme activity. The Directors of Chopsticks Club are also two of the trustees of the charity. The Board considers the arrangement to be compliant with charity law and within the provisions of the charity's governing document.
Donations of £2,350 were received from one trustee in the year ended 31 October 2025 and were unrestricted. (2024: £250 in donations received was received from one trustee).
3. Debtors
The charity's prior year 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.
4. Creditors
The charity's creditor balances as at 31 October are analysed as follows:
| Accruals Deferred income |
2025 £ 450 - 450 |
2024 £ 540 5,287 5,827 |
|---|---|---|
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 Scholarship Funds Administration and Website Fund |
At 1 November 2024 £ 1,200 4,975 5,000 11,175 At 1 November 2023 £ 5,000 - - 5,000 |
Income £ 4,380 840 - 5,220 Income £ 1,200 12,975 5,000 19,175 |
Expenditure £ -2,798 -2,230 - -5,028 Expenditure £ -5,000 -8,000 - -13,000 |
At 31 October 2025 £ 2,782 3,585 5,000 11,367 At 31 October 2024 £ 1,200 4,975 5,000 11,175 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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ENGAGE WITH CHINA LIMITED (Company number 11020718, Charity Number 1184881). NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
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 2025 and 2024 were all unrestricted general funds, with no portion of those having been formally designated by the Trustees for specific purposes.
As at 31 October 2025 and 2024, all of the charity's restricted fund balances were held as cash at bank.
6. Independent examiner's remuneration
Fees payable to the independent examiner in respect of the charity's statutory annual accounts were:
| Preparation of statutory annual financial statements Independent examination |
2025 £ 150 300 450 |
2024 £ 180 360 540 |
|---|---|---|
7. Related party transactions
In the year ended 31 October 2025 the charity paid consultancy costs of £39,252 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 2025. (2023/24: £46,502 of costs were paid, £nil remaining due at 31 October 2024).
8. Subsequent events
There were no significant events which occurred after the balance sheet date of 31 October 2025 that necessitated revision to those financial statements or that warranted additional disclosure.
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