TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT Period: 1 January- 31 Decernber 2024 Charity Number: 1185514 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES The Objects The objects of the Academy are'to improve public health and well-being by supporting research, education and associated activities which advan the knowledge and application of evidence-based nutrition scien. Charitable Purposes for Public Benefit As a charity the Academy must have aims that fall within the descriptions of charitable purposes set out in the Charities Acl 2006. The charitable purposes of the Academy in pursuit of its objeGls are.. The advancement of health The advancement of scien The advancement of animal welfare The Trustees have complied with the duty in s.17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charily Commission's published general and relevant sub-sector guidance concerning the operation of the public benefit requirement under that Act. The beneficiaries are considered to be= Members of the Academy.. Membership of the Academy is open to organisations only. Currently Ihere are 4 members: the Association for Nutrition., The British Dieletic Association., the British Nutrition Foundalion., The Nutrition Society. The Academy plans lo open membership lo other organisations who are inleresled in furthering the Academy's objects in 202516. Through these organisations the Academy can significantly extend its publiG benefit. Hurnanity: All people benefit from the scientific advi given to government departmenls, public agencies, Ihe scienlific Gommunily and the food industry., and from the dissemination of nutritional science. Examples include the Academy publishing position papers, participating in relevant public consultations, and scientific Gonferences.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Introduction and Foundation The Academy of Nutrition Sciences is a joint initiative between the Association for Nutrition {AfN), the British Dietetic Association (BDAI, the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) and The Nutrition Society. established in October 2019 to. In7prove publiG health and wellbeing by supporting excellence in research, education and associated activities to advance the knowledge and application of evidence-based nutrition science., This objecl will be furthered, in collaboration with both the founding member organisations and additional new member organisations, through common goals and collective aclivities. The focus will be in four main areas.. Leadership The Academy will provide a collective Vol to engage with slakeholders in the area of nutrition and dietetics, including government and industry. It will also work with partner organisations to ensure publicly available nulrition and diet advice is evidence- based. CommuniGation, Education and Training The Acadernywill champion nutrition science in eViden-baSed policy making and as a subject in education at all levels. The Academy will also promote education. training, information and guidance and advocate for greater nutrition education for medical students. Stakeholder Relationships The Academy will champion research, knowledge transfer and public engagement in the nutrition field. The Academy will champion the public's greater awareness of the Importan of properly regulated nutritionists and dietitians with suitable qualifications and experience. Advancing the Research Agenda The Academy will develop a concordat for funders and universilies about what constitutes rigorous and ethically sound research in the nutrition field. 2024 Activities Governance and Strategy Throughout 2024, the fifth year of activities for the Academy, the trustees met on three occasions to transact Academy business. The strategic plan, following consultation with the member organisations. was completed in 2021. It Gontains the following.. Vision.. To be an authoritative VOiGe advancing and promoting evidence-based nulrition science.
Mission.. To champion nutrition science, enhancing its impact on policy and health for public benefit. Three Strategic Priorities- 1. Promoting collaboration and partnerships= (1.11 Promote collaborations between the ANS member organisations. {1.21 Promote external collaborations by developing and maintaining working relationships with appropriate partners (1.31 Eslablish a collaborative model to enable wider membership of the Academy 2. Influencing science and policy.. 12.1) Influence nutritionally-relevant policies at national and inlernational levels by highlighting issues in nutrition science and encouraging action to address them {2.2) Promote nutrition science research for the public benefit and actively engage with groups determining nutrition policy {2.3} Improve the representation of nutrition Scien on research stralegy groups and funding panels, and actively engage in disGussions to help shape funding calls (2.41 Publish position papers that promote and champion evidence-based nutrition science and to make recommendations that inform policy and practice 3. Developing organisational resilience.. 13.11 Determine operational priorities for action and desired outcomes wilhin the strategic plan 13.2) Develop a financial plan to enable stability and growth {3.3) Extend membership of ANS lo societies and organisations which satisfy the membership criteria (3.4) Encourage extension of Academy activities through task and finish group (3.5} Develop and implement a communicalions stralegy to raise the profile of the Academy's work.
Position Papers TheAcademy's third Position Paperwas accepted for publication by the British Journal of Nutrition and published in January 2024. The paper is lilled 'Nature of the evidence base and approaches to guide nutrition interventions for individuals.. a position paper from the Academy of Nuti7tion Sciences,. This Position Paperfocusses on applying complex research evidence to inform dietary interventions for individuals and is the result of a collaboration with dietitians and nutritionists from the UK, Canada and USA, and was led by Professor Mary Hickson. It was published in the British Journal of Nutrition {Hickson et al. 2024), accompanied by an editorial by Bultriss et al., in Nutrition Bulletin, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and Nutrition and Dietetics. which summarise challenges identified and recommendations made. The editorial, which summarises the full paper, has been downloaded over 2000 times. As of 8 April 2025 this paper has been viewed in full 2390 limes and the pdf downloaded 1853 times. The three open-access Position Papers thus far published by the Academy provide a valuable resource for students of nutrition and dietelics as well as qualified professionals. Viewing and download metrics for the first and second Position Papers are as follows. Paper one Williams el al. 2021 focusses on how dietary recommendations are formulated for populations for prevention of non-communicable diseases (4657 views and 2047 downloads) and papertwo focusses on evidence used to support health claims for specific foods Ashwell et al. 2022 and has achieved 2832 views and 1897 downloads, as of 8 April 2025. The three Posilion Papers were the focus of a series of webinars hosted by the British Dietetic Associalion during the summer 2024. They also featured in a scienlific symposium al The Nulrition Society Congress in Belfast in July 2024. The symposium was titled Navigating the complexity of applying nutrition evidence.- Recommendations fmm the Academy of Nutn"tion Sciences and attracted 159 attendees. Course leaders in nutrition and dietetics in the UK, as well as the Federation of European Nutrition Societies {FENS) have also been made aware of the existence of these reSoUrs, and an article was published in Complete Nutrition. Internal Policy Development The internal foGUS of Ihe Academy during 2024 saw the continued development of its policies and professional practi. A reserves policy, and process for collecting proposals for future work projects were created, as well as a process for collecting trustee declarations of interest. A Communications Workshop was hosted by the British Nutrition Foundalion in May 2024 to develop the Academy communications practice and strategy. The Academy is exlremely grateful for the volunleer assistance provided by a number of individuals and the support from ils Member Organisations.
FINANCIAL REVIEW Income and Expenditure The seed funding provided by the 4 member organisations in 2020 (total of £20,000) was designed to allow sufficient time for Ihe Academy lo develop a member fee structure and annual budget. A methodology for the calculation of annual membership fees was agreed by trustees in 2022 and is based on a combination of Ihe operational fiscal requirements of the Academy, and the relative gross income of the member organisalions (to eslablish a membership band system). In 2024 the Academy recorded membership income of £2,199. In addition. interest was received from the Academy's bank totalling £37. On the expense side administrative Gosts during 2024 totalled £359. The resulting total funds for the Academy on 31 December 2024 were recorded as £18,520 {2023 £16,830). Policy for Holding Reserdes The free reserves are defined as funds that are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees. In 2024 a Reserves Policy was agreed which mainlains an adequate level of reserves to safeguard ANS, operations and sustainability, manage financial risk, and support future development and strategic priorities. The policy sets out the rationale for holding reserves, the target level of reserves, and the procedures for monitoring and reviewing Ihe reserves. Risk Management The main areas of risk that have been identified by the Trustees are.. damage to the Academy's reputation Ihrough adverse publicity- significant loss of member organisalions- financial losses through fraud or loss of income. In these cases, preventative measures and financial controls have been agreed and established and the Trustees have implemented procedures for the Secretariat reporting internal control failures immediately to the Trustees, together wilh details of corrective action being taken. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Introduction The governing document is the Constitution as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, dated 9 May 2019, and available here on the Academy website. https=IlwwW.academynutrilionsciens.0rg.klcOnSlItut1On-l How the Academy is Constituted The Academy's governing body is the Trustee Board, which has 9 members. Three Trustees undertake the duties of Chair, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. The Trustees exercise all the powers of the Academy, subject to the provisions of the charity laws currently in force and with Ihe assistan and advi of an Operational Support Group and a Secretariat. The Operational Support Group comprises of the CEOS of the 4 founding member organisations. The Secretarial provides adminislrative services, at no cosl, lo the Academy. The Secretariat is hosled by the
Nutrition Society, one of the founding member organisations. In addition, there are from time-lo-lime, sub-committees and working groups reporting to the Trustees on specialisl areas of Ihe Academy's activities. With these arrangements in pla, the Trustees at all times have a detailed knowledge of the business being transaGted by the Academy. Methods Used to Appoint Trustees Procedures for election for Trustee posts are in place. When nominations are needed they will be sought, as proscribed in Ihe Constitution, from the membership and through advertising on the website to which members, attention is drawn by personal email alerts. Trustees will be elecled by decision of the members at the annual general meeting. The Constitution, containing the appointment of trustees, procedure, is available on the Academy's website. New Trustees receive an indLJCtion pack and guidance from the Trustees. An induction meeting is held with the Head of the Secretarial to ensure that the incoming Trustees have the opportunity to ask questions about policy and actions of the board so thal they can lake up their dulles with clear understanding of the current position of the Academy. In addition, all new trLJStees will attend within their first 6 monlhs in posl an external governance training workshop. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The name.. The Academy ol Nutrition Sciences Charity registration number.. It is a charity registered with Ihe Charity Commission for England and Wales, number 1185514 Address of the principal office and address of the registered office: Boyd Orr House, 10 Cambridge Court, 210 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7NJ The Trustees at 31 De¢ember 2024 Dr Judy Buttriss - Chair Professor Christine Williams Professor Kevin Whelan Professor Julie Lovegrove Dr Frank Thies- Honorary Secretary & Treasurer Professor Fiona Mccullough Dr Margaret Ashwell Dr Adrian Brown Dr Tara Coppinger Bankers: Charities Aid Foundation ICAF). CAF Bank. 25 Kings Hill Avenue. Kings Hill. Wesl Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ By Order of the Trustees Mark Hollingsworth, Secretary Approved by the Trustees 14 April 2025.
Academy of Nutrition Sciences Balance Sheet Year Ending.. 31 December 2024 2024 2023 CURRENT ASSETS Bank 18,520 17,780 Debtors 18,520 17,780 Creditors - amounts falling due within one year 950 18,520 16.830 ACADEMY FUNDS Unrestricted Funds Isee Note 11 18,520 16,830 TOTAL FUNDS 18.520 16,830 Note I.. Contains a Reserye Fund of £1,000) Registered Chartty Nutnber 1185514
Academy of Nutrition Sciences Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) Year Ending: 31 December 2024 Note 2024 2023 Income from: Membership Creditor adj Donations Bank Interest 2,199 14 200 37 1,875 17 Total Income 2,450 1,892 Expenditure on., Charitable Activities Administration 700 35 2,454 828 31-Dec-23 735 3,282 Net movement in funds 1,715 {1,3901 Fund balance at l January 2024 16.830 18,545
Academy of Nutrition Sciences Profit and Loss Account Year Ending: 31 December 2024 Date Item Income Expenditure 31-Dec-24 Bank fees 31-Dec-24 Interest 31-Dec-24 M'ship Fees 31-Dec-24 Donations 31-Dec-24 WebsitellT 31-Dec-24 Creditor Adj 31-Dec-24 Travel 60.00 36.68 2,199.00 200.00 14.39 699.98 2.450.07 759.98 31-Dec-24 Net profit/loss 1,690.09