## **FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES CIO** **Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ending 31 December 2023** ## **1. Legal and Administrative Details** - 1.1 The Charity - Friends of The National Archives CIO, The National Archives, Ruskin Avenue, Richmond, TW9 4DU. Charity No. 1185971 - 1.2 Legal Structure Charitable Incorporated Organisation - 1.3 Trustees Charles Waddicor (from September 2023); Eileen Wicks; Maggie Deighton; Suzy Bibko; Brian Smith; Steven Gould; Rebecca Gregory; Toby Ewin; Harald Wollinger - 1.4 Governing document CIO Constitution, approved by CC on 24 October 2019 and is unamended. - 1.5 Objects - The objects of the Charity are for public benefit to advance the education of the public, in particular but not exclusively by promoting, supporting and assisting The National Archives in the following ways; 1. Preserving and improving public access to documents that are of national, cultural, academic and historical importance. 2. Educating the public about the documents and records held by The National Archives. ## **2. Explanation of the Work of the Charity** During the reporting year the Charity continued the work of the former unincorporated association charity, Friends of The National Archives, registered charity number 328630. . The long serving chair of trustees stepped down in 2022. Without the dedication of several trustees who took over some of his responsibilities, the FTNA would have struggled significantly as it and the country emerged from the impact of the pandemic. A new chairman was appointed in September 2023. One of the lasting impacts of Covid for membership organisations, like FTNA, is we have lost a number of members. Membership fees are our principal source of income. Without this we cannot support the National Archives in its work. This is why we have made growing the membership numbers our major strategic objective for 2024, whilst holding the fees at 2022 levels. Membership fees enable us to sponsor and support projects at the National Archives. In 2023 these included work on the Prize Papers (which has received national recognition), work with school children on the archival collections, including those with special educational needs, and helping to fund the exhibition which celebrated 75 Years of the NHS and attracted over 13,000 visitors. Activities like these enable us to help make the national records and archives relevant and accessible to all. ## **3. Organisation and Sources of Support** ## 3.1 Organisational structure The Charity is governed by the trustees, collectively known as the ‘Council’. The trustees are supported by volunteers who in operational roles provide information needed to assist in the decision making process. During 2023 the trustees met for Council Meetings every two months, as well as for sub-committee meetings. These were either held via zoom, or live at TNA, Kew. There was also an AGM which was held live at TNA Kew in June. ## 3.2 Sources of funding Funding is derived primarily from membership subscriptions, public donations and legacies received. ## 3.3 Contribution of volunteers The volunteers consist of trustees, some currently with operational roles, and members who undertake a range of operational responsibilities in supporting the management activities of the Charity. ## **4. Policies** The trustees took full account of the Charity Commissions Guidance on Public Benefit when formulating the objects for the CIO. The Charity has a Codes of Practice which contains a wide range of policies and role descriptions that provides a sound foundation for the Charity’s governance and management. Policies include: Reserves; Grant-Making; Investment; Investment; Complaints; Data Protection and Equality and Diversity. The policies are reviewed and updated. With regards to health and safety, and safeguarding, the Charity observes the policies of The National Archives as related activities only occur on The National Archives premises. The Codes of Practice also serve as an induction source for new trustees, as well as for the voluntary assistants when joining the management team to undertake non-trustee operational roles. The CIO maintains a Risk Register and a Succession Plan. The Charity also has a memorandum of understanding with The National Archives, to ensure the independent identity and interests of the Charity are clearly defined and maintained. ## **Trustees approval and signature** I confirm that the trustees have reviewed and approved this report. Charles Waddicor Chair of The Friends of The National Archives I WH 11 NN ) O o o 40 w n- c3c-