Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

**Charity registration number 1189257 (England and Wales)** 

**Company registration number 12566700** 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

**ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025** 




Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** 

**Trustees** Dame Christine Ryan Laura Clare Jonathan Patrick Frederick Bradley Nicholas Michael Button-Brown Philomena Gibbons Stephen Soo Lee (Appointed 9 October 2024) **Senior management** I Dodgeon Director **Charity number (England and Wales)** 1189257 **Company number** 12566700 **Registered office** 215 Euston Road London NW1 2BE **Auditor** Sedulo Audit Limited 605 Albert House 256-260 Old Street London United Kingdom EC1V 9DD 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **CONTENTS** 

||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|1 - 13|
|Independent auditor's report|14 - 16|
|Statement of financial activities|17|
|Balance sheet|18|
|Statement of cash flows|19|
|Notes to the financial statements|20 - 37|





Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025. 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". 

## **Objectives and activities** 

## **a. Policies and Objectives** 

OKRE: Opening Knowledge Across Research and Entertainment was established in April 2020 as a company, limited by guarantee, incorporated in the UK (registration number: 12566700) and a registered charity (1189257) in England and Wales. 

OKRE’s charitable objects, as set out in its governing documents, are: 

1. To advance the education of the public in social, scientific and health-related issues by making arrangements for the exchange of knowledge between charities, academics, those with lived experience of such issues and individuals working in the creative industries such that public understanding of these issues is improved. 

2. To advance the arts as regards social, scientific and health-related issues by making arrangements for the exchange of knowledge between charities, academics, those with lived experience of such issues and individuals working in the creative industries such that the quality of creative output which tackles such issues is improved. 

3. To promote research and make available the useful results, and in particular: 

- To promote research into the role of the creative industries in shaping attitudes to social, scientific and health-related issues and effective communication regarding such issues; 

- To make arrangements for the exchange of knowledge regarding, and access to, tools, technologies and skills which advance research. 

4. To promote the efficiency and effectiveness of charities by enabling them to improve their communication regarding social, scientific and health-related issues through engagement with individuals working in the creative industries. 

## **Vision** 

OKRE knows that entertainment shapes our perceptions. 

Our vision is a world where it is standard practice for entertainment creatives in the UK to collaborate with academics, charities, and individuals with lived experience in the creation of popular entertainment that expands people’s understanding of the world 

## **Mission** 

Our mission is to be a catalyst for creative collaboration between research, charity, and entertainment so each can benefit from the others’ knowledge. By bringing them together, we enable creators to produce work with greater impact, help the industry understand the impacts of entertainment on the world, and support audiences in engaging with the ideas that shape society and expand their understanding of the world. 

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## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **b. Strategies for achieving objectives** 

OKRE’s activities are informed by and assessed against a Theory of Change, which breaks down how OKRE works towards its vision: by delivering certain activities that will result in a given set out outputs, which in turn will contribute to the outcomes that will lead to the ultimate change outlined in the vision. Within this, the Theory of Change is organised into three main sections: 

- Activities are the overall areas of work that OKRE will offer. 

- Outputs are the products and services that will be produced and offered to its target audiences as a result of these activities. 

- Outcomes are the changes that the outputs will contribute toward for their audiences, such as changes in attitude, behaviour, knowledge, skills, relationships, or circumstance. These outcomes are the intermediate steps on the way to achieving the long-term vision. 


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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

From its inception, OKRE has run events & workshops, administered the OKRE Network and matchmaking, provided grants via the OKRE Fund and carried out and published research all to achieve the outcomes outlined above. 

The activity has been categorised into four main ‘pillars’ of work: 

- The Network – supporting connections across an expansive, trusted network of organisations working in research, social impact and entertainment. 

- Events – a programme focused on improving collaboration across the sectors, seeking to advance understanding of each other’s skillsets, culture and working practices. This includes the annual OKRE Summit. 

- Research – a programme of originated, commissioned or collaborative research and learning, aiming to underpin all our activities. 

- Funding – a grant scheme supporting early-stage creative ideas and aiming to drive innovation through cross-sector collaboration. 

Following the appointment of a full-time senior leadership team in 2024 (Head of Operations, Head of Marketing & Communications, Head of Programming and Engagement), OKRE reviewed its strategy and activities, resulting in a focused 18-month plan to consolidate learning, sharpen its offer, and strengthen operations. 

As a result of this, key developments have included: 

- **Moving from a responsive Network database to a programmatic networking approach** across all our work. We previously built and managed an extensive cross-sector database, facilitating cross-sector matchmaking and knowledge sharing among members. However, we now believe that our role in enabling and facilitating creative and knowledge exchange should be embedded across all our programmes and activities. 

**More defined Programmes & Engagement Activities** . Building off our learning to date, we consolidated our outputs into defined, funded programme formats, which offer opportunities to scale across a range of thematic areas. These include Laughing Matters, which brings together experts in climate and health with comedy creatives across the entertainment industries. 

- **OKRE Fund:** refocusing the OKRE Fund following a review of its first three years, shifting to a more targeted approach aimed at addressing a specific problem with more structured support and clearly defined learning goals. Two thematic funded development programmes are scheduled for delivery in 2025-2026. 

**A stronger role for Research and Insights.** We have increasingly recognised an opportunity for OKRE to bridge the gap in understanding of how entertainment shapes the world, providing evidenced learning and thought leadership on how entertainment drives meaningful change. Major projects include a BFI-funded econometrics project measuring the commercial, social, and cultural impact of UK video games, and working with BAFTA on the development of an Entertainment Impact Index. This research and learning approach will also underpin our own activities and deepen the impact of our own work. Our intent to place greater influence meant that we began recruitment for a Head of Research, Policy and Insights to join the Senior Leadership Team, to start in 2025-2026. 

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## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **c. Activities undertaken to achieve objectives** 

**The Charity’s significant activities include:** 

## **1. Funding: OKRE Fund** 

The OKRE Fund supports projects that take a fresh approach to exploring social, scientific, and health-related issues that impact our everyday lives and the ideas that shape society. 

## **2. Events: OKRE Summit** 

A unique conference that brings together leaders in the entertainment media and charity sectors to advance crosssector collaboration and understanding of content that makes a real difference in the world. The event provides networking opportunities and practical knowledge exchange through panels and presentations. Content is subsequently disseminated more widely online. 

## **3. Network: Programmes & Engagement** 

We develop entertainment industry, charity and research focussed learning, networking and engagement programmes. 

## **4. Research** 

We publish research that examines the social and cultural impact of entertainment. 

## **d. Public benefit** 

The trustees’ report presents the main activities and achievements of the period and show that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit when planning current and future activities. 

## **e. Social investments** 

OKRE did not make any social investments as defined by the SORP in the period ended 30 September 2025. 

## **f. Grant making policy** 

The OKRE Fund is intended to catalyse development of new approaches in how media content can engage with social, scientific and health-related issues. Cross-sector collaboration between media professionals, academic researchers and experts through experience is a core criteria. Grants are available of between £500 and £25,000 to organisations and individuals. 

OKRE has an interest in providing larger grants. A fundraising strategy to support this is being developed. 

Applications are reviewed by a Funding Committee chaired by the OKRE Director; the committee is made up of OKRE staff and includes at least one external member with sector expertise. Committee funding recommendations are made to trustees who have final sign off on grant-making decisions and for ensuring that all funds awarded are used to further OKRE’s charitable objects OKRE’s grant-making policy sets out the principles and procedures that guide funding priorities, applications, decision-making, due diligence and reporting. 

Full details of the grant-making policy are available online at https://okre.org/okre-grant-making-policy 

## **g. Volunteers** 

OKRE does not use volunteers to produce any of its activity. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **Achievements and performance** 

## **Key Achievements** 

## **Laughing Matters** 

OKRE was awarded funding from Wellcome to deliver ‘Laughing Matters’, an innovative programme designed in response to a brief from Wellcome to mobilise the UK comedy sector around climate and health issues. This programme, built upon OKRE’s previous work with BBC Comedy, developed connections between comedy writers and producers and academic expertise on the impacts of climate change and health.  The programme was designed to engage the wider UK comedy sector through industry roundtables, networking events, and initiatives designed to involve writers, producers, and other creative partners across the sector in addressing climate and health issues. 

In this period, the programme was activated, setting in motion activities that will continue for 18 months.  Core elements of the programme include: 

- Funded Fellowships for emerging comedy writer/producer partnerships to develop new work addressing climate and health themes. 

- Research and thought leadership outputs from high-profile industry roundtables. 

- Networking and engagement events, including Climate and Cocktails, in collaboration with BBC Comedy. 

- Development funding for a major new BBC comedy series exploring real-world climate and health impacts. 

Recruitment for the project lead role was undertaken, with the appointment of an experienced comedy writer and producer to lead the initiative. OKRE’s marketing and communications team developed dedicated branding for Laughing Matters, establishing a clear visual identity to support the programme’s engagement, outreach, and sector-wide recognition. 

During the reporting period, OKRE delivered a series of live engagement activities as part of the Laughing Matters programme, designed to explore how comedy can address climate and health issues in creative and impactful ways. The programme launched with a roundtable at the BBC Comedy Festival in Belfast, bringing together commissioners, execs and writers to surface what were the real and perceived barriers to reflecting climate issues on screen.   Following this, OKRE delivered a live comedy workshop as part of BAFTA’s Green Light Season, where panelists demonstrated how situational choices, character development, and episode scenarios - such as a hospital setting affected by flooding - could create opportunities for humour while communicating climate-related messages. 

OKRE also hosted the second ‘Comedy x Climate x Cocktails’ event in partnership with BBC Comedy, providing a space for industry and research professionals to share insights, build connections, and generate fresh story ideas. In mid-October – post reporting period –OKRE held a workshop in Newcastle, in partnership with North East Screen. This connected local production companies specialising in comedy with a climate specialist from Newcastle University, supporting practical exploration of storytelling approaches through a lens specific to the Northeast. 

Alongside these live activities, the programme published the report ‘Comedy & Climate – Finding the Funny Side’, offering practical strategies for embedding climate and health topics into comedy, drawing on decades of British and American comedic examples. 

A 900-word article about the initiative, summarising the Belfast launch event and providing an overview of the programme, was published in content business trade publication C21’s ‘Big Picture’ editorial strand on 17 June. 

Together, these outputs engaged a wide range of stakeholders, strengthened collaborations across the sector, and laid the groundwork for ongoing engagement and content creation beyond the reporting period. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **The OKRE Summit** 

During the reporting period, OKRE undertook preparatory work for its third annual OKRE Summit, Be the Bigger Picture, which subsequently took place on 31 October 2025 at Google London, Kings Cross. 

A key focus of this preparatory work was establishing a new editorial advisory board, which played a central role in shaping the Summit’s direction, content, and speaker selection. The board brought together industry leaders, commissioners, academics, and diversity advocates, including representatives from BBC Comedy, Channel 4, UKTV, arts and humanities institutions, and social impact organisations, ensuring a breadth of perspectives and expertise informed the event. 

OKRE’s marketing and communications team developed a new visual identity for the summit and launched a marketing campaign to attract attendees and raise awareness across the sector. During the reporting period, OKRE worked closely with the advisory board to prepare the content agenda, curate sessions, confirm speakers, and launch the ticket application process. 

## **BFI Innovation Challenge Fund - An Impact framework for the Video Games Sector** 

OKRE received funding from the BFI National Lottery Innovation Challenge Fund to undertake a scoping study of the UK video games sector. The study, launched following the award, aimed to address the lack of a consistent way to understand the sector’s full impact, not just in terms of its economic value, but particularly in relation to its wideranging social and cultural contributions. OKRE began by establishing a clear sector definition, developing an overarching impact framework, and introducing new approaches to understanding both economic and social value. The project set out to provide a shared foundation for researchers, policymakers, and the industry to better evidence, understand, and maximise the sector’s contribution to society. 

## **Lived Experience Network Pilot Programme** 

OKRE ran a pilot series of four Lived Experience Roundtables held monthly, with 12 lived experience and communications leads from charities including Amnesty International, Trussell Trust, Freedom Fund, and Mind. The sessions were facilitated in conjunction with the organisations Counterpoints Arts and Heard and brought participants together to explore the intersections between the charity sector and the entertainment industry. 

Each session focused on understanding how TV and film development teams operate, where lived experience can meaningfully inform storytelling, and the practicalities of working with creative professionals. Guest speakers from the industry, including heads of comedy and drama development, shared insights into commissioning processes, creative collaboration, and approaches to character-led, ethically grounded narratives. Participants discussed challenges such as media fatigue, budget constraints, and ethical dilemmas when involving lived experience, while also exploring innovative storytelling methods across genres like comedy, drama, podcasts, and exhibitions. 

The roundtables encouraged interactive dialogue, enabling charities to reflect on their current engagement with the entertainment sector, share contacts and ideas, and consider new ways to collaborate with writers and production teams. The programme concluded with the planning of curated networking sessions that were held – post-year - at the OKRE Summit, where charities met directly with creative decision-makers from production companies, providing a space to discuss creative approaches, ethical storytelling, and long-term collaboration. Overall, the series combined expert-led presentations, facilitated discussion, and practical exercises to give charities a detailed, handson understanding of how to engage with the entertainment industry responsibly and effectively. 

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## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **The OKRE Fund** 

In this period, OKRE Fund committees met on several occasions to review applications for production funding. Three committees were held on 8th, 22nd, and 29th October 2024 to consider a total of 90 applications. Of these, one project was recommended for funding, two were recommended for conditional funding, and the remaining applications were not approved. 

A further committee took place on 28th January 2025 to review 11 applications submitted prior to the Fund pausing new submissions. One project was deferred, while the remaining ten were rejected. 

On 20th May 2025, the committee reviewed Hear Me Roar, a feature drama based on a historical court case concerning trans rights. Following the committee’s conditional recommendation, funding was awarded. 

## _OKRE Fund Strategy_ 

OKRE undertook a review of the first three years of the OKRE Fund, leading to a process of re-strategising to refine the Fund’s remit and focus. The review examined how effectively the Fund had been meeting its objectives, the challenges encountered, and the potential for supporting impact beyond individual projects. In response, OKRE planned a relaunch of the Fund with a more targeted approach, aimed at addressing a specific problem and structuring support to encourage knowledge-driven, socially relevant storytelling. The updated strategy includes clearly defined learning goals, opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, and mechanisms for embedding lived experience and expert insight into funded projects. 

As part of this re-strategising, OKRE launched ‘Thriller Lab’ on 30th September 2025. This thematic funding opportunity will support UK-based writer-producer duos to develop thrillers that combine creative ambition with research and experience. Backed by £75,000 from the OKRE Fund, the programme will invite applications from teams seeking to explore editorial themes including inequality and injustice, mental health, and infectious disease. These themes are designed to provide participants with authentic contexts and perspectives to inform storytelling and to encourage projects that engage audiences while reflecting social realities. 

OKRE structured Thriller Lab as a cohort offering participants a combination of financial support, workshops, peerto-peer learning, and collaboration with expert advisors drawn from academia and the charity sector. The planning process is designed to connect creative teams with knowledge and mentorship that will strengthen worldbuilding, research, and narrative development. Applications opened on 30th September with the cohort beginning in January 2026. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **Other OKRE Funded Projects** 

## _Smoggie Queens_ 

OKRE provided support for the production of Smoggie Queens, a six-episode BBC Three sitcom broadcast on 28th November 2024, with all episodes available on BBC iPlayer. Written by Middlesbrough native Phil Dunning, the series follows a working-class LGBTQ+ community in Middlesbrough. The series includes a fictional Pride event and foregrounds drag performers in scripted roles, making it the UK’s first drag-focused sitcom and one of very few original sitcoms commissioned in the current market. 

OKRE’s support, provided through production funding raised via the ‘KindQueerHeart’ fundraising campaign, focused on embedding lived experience and local cultural context into the production. OKRE advised the production team on the depiction of the fictional Middlesbrough Pride event, facilitated contact with local LGBTQ+ organisations, and supported the involvement of staff and service users from these groups as performers for the relevant scenes. 

OKRE also facilitated connections to support engagement directly with the experiences of older queer people and working-class LGBTQ+ communities. Historical and cultural information, including the UK’s first lesbian network founded in Middlesbrough, was provided to the writer and creative team to incorporate into the storyline. 

The show was produced by Hat Trick Productions, which has experience producing socially engaged comedy. 

## _Motherboard_ 

Motherboard had its national theatrical run in July and August 2025, followed by a BAFTA members screening on 5th September 2025. Coverage of the documentary included a feature in The Guardian and interviews on BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour and Channel 5 News. The film has also been nominated for Best Cinema Documentary at the Grierson Awards 

## _The Ceremony_ 

The Ceremony opened in cinemas on Friday 22nd August 2025, following a sold-out preview at Bradford the 2025 UK City of Culture. Coverage included a feature in The Guardian. The film received two nominations at the British Independent Film Awards. 

## _The Things We Don’t Say_ 

This documentary, produced by Ornella Mutoni and supported by the OKRE Fund was released on The Guardian’s online platform. The documentary explores survivors’ experiences of healing in Rwanda following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis, focusing on the complexities of reconciliation and the persistence of love and hope alongside trauma. 

## _Twenty Twenty Six_ 

‑ Twenty Twenty Six is a six part BBC comedy series in which Hugh Bonneville reprises his role as Ian Fletcher, following previous iterations in Twenty Twelve and W1A. The commissioning of the show was announced in June 2025, to be broadcast in 2026. Set around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the series follows Fletcher as Director of Integrity for the event’s oversight team in Miami. OKRE supported the development of Twenty Twenty Six through its Laughing Matters programme, which provided production funding as well as access to expert insight and research support to help the creative team develop the project with authenticity and social relevance. 

## _Sunny Dancer_ 

Supported by the OKRE Fund, this feature film, directed by George Jaques and starring Bella Ramsey, follows 17year-old Ivy, a cancer survivor attending a summer camp for young people affected by cancer, where she discovers unexpected friendships and experiences. Principal photography took place in Scotland in 2025, and the film was pre-sold across Europe and Latin America ahead of its 2026 release. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **Climate and Health Researcher Network** 

The Climate and Health Researcher Network concluded its initial phase of activity, having engaged researchers in events, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at building understanding of, and relationships with, the entertainment industry. The Network highlighted both challenges and opportunities: time and capacity constraints, accessibility barriers, and limited diversity in participation were noted, alongside strong interest from researchers in contributing to industry-relevant projects. Lessons learned around event formats, in-person engagement, speaker preparation, and feedback mechanisms will inform future initiatives to ensure broader inclusion, higher-quality outputs, and more effective knowledge exchange between researchers and the creative sector. 

In line with OKRE’s refreshed strategy to develop networks through strategic partnerships, an online session was held with the British Academy on 22nd April 2025. The session introduced OKRE to members of the Early Careers Researchers Network (ECRN), an inclusive 10,000-strong membership body for UK-based early career researchers in the humanities and social sciences. The event aimed to raise awareness of OKRE and explore the potential for programmes tailored to ECRN members, funded by the British Academy. Follow-up discussions have been positive, and work is underway to develop a formal programme proposal. 

## **The Archers** 

OKRE continued to support Radio 4’s ‘The Archers’ through writers’ room sessions connecting academic research with the soap’s creative team. In November 2024, Professor Hannah Cloke (University of Reading) contributed research that informed the major sewage flooding disaster storyline introduced in February 2025. 

In April 2025, Mark Shucksmith (Newcastle University) provided insights on social exclusion, rural housing, and rural development, feeding into ongoing storylines. The Archers’ editorial team described OKRE’s input as highly valuable, with research insights actively shaping the programme’s narratives. 

## **Experimental Stories** 

In November 2024, two radio dramas, ‘The Mosquito’ and ‘Chloe’s Ark’, were broadcast on BBC Radio 4. ‘The Mosquito’ explored the threat of mosquito-borne diseases in a changing climate, combining scientific insight with human stories of vulnerability and resilience. ‘Chloe’s Ark’ examined the ethical and emotional challenges of conservation and environmental activism, focusing on the tension between human communities and wildlife in the face of ecological change. Both projects were developed through OKRE’s 2024 Experimental Stories programme, an annual workshop series run in partnership with Wellcome and the BBC. The workshops, which took place prior to this reporting period, brought together scientists, academic researchers, radio producers, and writers to translate climate and health research into compelling storytelling. Participants were matched into small teams and supported through structured sessions to develop story ideas. 

## **Charity & Broadcaster Consultancy Project** 

In May 2025, OKRE was commissioned to review an ongoing partnership between a major UK broadcaster and a charity, considering contextual factors including changing audience interests and behaviours. OKRE delivered the review through desk research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement, conducting 34 interviews with representatives from both organisations as well as three external experts with relevant experience. The review focused on defining what success would look like, identifying potential changes to the current offering, and clarifying the overall purpose of the collaboration, while also examining ambition, differentiators, underlying values, assumptions, and the scope of opportunity for the partnership for greater impact. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **Financial review** 

Income for the period was £998,786 (2024: £1,108,417), of which £853,174 (2024: 1,000,634) was given for restricted purposes. 

Total expenditure for the period was £958,510 (2024: £1,034,046), of which £59,002 was unrestricted (2024: £41,942) and £899,808 was restricted (2024; £992,104). 

Transfers from unrestricted funds to restricted funds totalled £27,958 and related to adjustments to restricted expenditure allocations (2024: £602 transfer from restricted funds unrestricted funds in relation to an asset purchase). 

The unrestricted surplus for the period was £58,652 (2024: £66,443) and the total surplus for the period was £39,976 (2024: £74,371). 

The cash balance at 30 September 2025 was £394,095 (2024: £410,651) 

Total funds amounted to £404,559 (2024: £364,583), of which £273,648 (2024: £214,996) was unrestricted and £130,911 (2024: £149,587) was restricted. 

## _Going concern_ 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. OKRE Have assessed the financial position of the charity including its level of unrestricted reserves and expected cash flows for the period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. 

Based on current reserves, cash flow forecasts and the actions being taken, the trustees are confident that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they consider it to be appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. 

## _Reserves policy_ 

As of 30 September 2025, the charity held £273,648 in unrestricted reserves, which represents approximately 2.5 months of core operational expenditure, under the set reserves policy target of six month’s core costs. However, the charity remains in a strong financial position, in part thanks to a seven-year funding commitment that covers OKRE’s core costs. 

Trustees have reviewed detailed budgets and cash flow forecasts and are confident that the charity will be able to maintain financial stability and meet future challenges. 

As part of the three-year strategic review, OKRE will also be reviewing and revising its reserves policy in line with a new revenue strategy to build unrestricted funding steadily before the end of the seven-year funding commitment. OKRE aims to raise sufficient reserves to ensure the charity can remain operational for a minimum of 6 months and budget to successfully wind down the charity should it cease to be a going concern. 

## _Funding and fundraising_ 

The majority of OKRE’s funding is currently through grants. OKRE also raises funds through consultancy work (charitable trading) and donations. 

Grant funding will continue to support the piloting of activities. Successful projects will aim to attract funding support from non-grant sources to sustain and grow them. 

No complaints have been received about OKRE fundraising activity. OKRE does not currently actively seek donations from members of the public. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## _Major risks_ 

Significant risks facing the organisation are reviewed annually by the trustees and measures agreed to mitigate them. 

OKRE’s key risk is relying on funding solely from a small number of grant funders. OKRE is addressing this by working to diversify sources of funding beyond traditional grant funders and developing a strategy for alternative and sustainable funding options. 

## **Structure, governance and management** 

OKRE: Opening Knowledge Across Research and Entertainment is registered as a charitable company in England and Wales by limited guarantee and was set up by a Trust deed. 

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: 

Dame Christine Ryan Laura Clare Jonathan Patrick Frederick Bradley Nicholas Michael Button-Brown Philomena Gibbons Simon Ruddick (Resigned 19 July 2025) Yvonne Veronica Thompson CBE (Resigned 30 September 2025) Stephen Soo Lee (Appointed 9 October 2024) 

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up. 

## **Board of Trustees** 

The charity is governed by the Board of Trustees. The trustees are responsible for overseeing the management of all the affairs of OKRE and delegate day-to-day management of the charity to the Director. 

The Chair and new trustees are appointed by existing Board members. A longlist of candidates are identified through recruitment consultancy, advertising, talent research and nomination by existing trustees, with consideration of skills needed on the Board. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed, and existing Board members make a final appointment decision. 

Trustees serve for a period of three years. Retiring trustees are identified to the Board annually. Any retiring Trustee who remains qualified may be re-appointed provided that no Trustee may serve for more than three consecutive terms of office. 

New trustees receive an orientation pack including governing documents, minutes from previous trustee board meetings, business plan and strategy documents, and charity commission guidance for trustees. We also arrange opportunities for trustees to meet each other and the OKRE staff team. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role. 

The trustees manage the business of the charity, including exercising oversight of the charity’s financial affairs, strategic decisions, major funding initiatives and planned activities. 

The trustees appoint a Director to manage day-to-day running of the charity. 

The Director has delegated authority for matters including programme development & delivery, staffing, recruitment and finances. The terms and extent of this delegated authority is determined by the trustees. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## _Organisational structure_ 

During the period ended September 2025, OKRE employed two full time staff. Additional freelancers were recruited to provide support on the OKRE Summit and the BFI Video Games Econometrics Project. 

As of September 2025, the staff team consisted of: 

Director (1 FTE) 

Head of Operations (1 FTE) 

Team Officer (1 FTE) 

Head of Marketing and Communications (1 FTE) 

Marketing and Communications Executive (1 FTE) 

Head of Programmes and Engagement (1 FTE) 

Programmes and Engagement Manager (0.6 FTE) 

Climate and Comedy Programme Manager (1 FTE) 

## _Remuneration policy_ 

All trustees give their time on a voluntary basis and receive no renumeration for their role. The pay of staff is benchmarked against pay levels in other charities with similar required skillsets and responsibilities. 

## **Statement of trustees' responsibilities** 

The trustees, who are also the directors of OKRE: Opening Knowledge Across Research and Entertainment 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; 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity 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 charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

## **Auditor** 

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Sedulo Audit Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **Disclosure of information to auditor** 

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information. 

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees. 

.............................. Dame Christine Ryan 

## **Trustee** 

30-Apr-2026 | 6:44 AM PDT Date: ............................................. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT** 

## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of OKRE: Opening Knowledge Across Research and Entertainment (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 30 September 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

## In our opinion, the financial statements: 

- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 30 September 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended; 

- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

## **Basis for opinion** 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. 

We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

## **Conclusions relating to going concern** 

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the Trustees’ assessment of the entity’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included critical reviews of budgets and forecasts provided. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. 

## **Other information** 

The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)** 

## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006** 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit: 

- the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and 

- the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors’ report. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

- adequate accounting records have not been kept by the charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or 

- the charitable company’s financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

- certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

- the Trustees were entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the Directors’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report. 

## **Responsibilities of trustees** 

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ responsibilities statement included in the Trustees’ Annual Report, the Trustees (who are also the Directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

## **Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: 

- Obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that the entity operates in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the financial statements; 

- Enquiry of management to identify any instances of known or suspected instances of fraud; 

- Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims; 

- 15 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)** 

## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

- Reviewing legal and professional nominal accounts to identify any potentially undisclosed legal or regulatory expenditure 

- Enquiry of management about any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations; 

- Reviewing the design and implementation of control systems in place. 

- Testing the operational effectiveness of the controls; 

- Performing audit work over the risk of management override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness; 

- Evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business; 

- Reviewing accounting estimates for bias; 

- Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; 

- Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations 

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: 

https://www.frc.org.uk/Our-Work/Audit/Audit-and-assurance/Standards-andguidance/Standards-and-guidance-forauditors/Auditors-responsibilities-for-audit/Description-of-auditorsresponsibilities-for-audit.aspx. 

This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

## **Use of our report** 

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 


Katelyn Dutton **(Senior Statutory Auditor)** 

For and on behalf of Sedulo Audit Limited, Statutory Auditor 

605 Albert House 256-260 Old Street London EC1V 9DD United Kingdom Date: ......................... 06-May-2026 | 9:42 AM BST 

Sedulo Audit Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006. 

- 16 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**Notes**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Income from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**3**<br>78,746<br>853,174<br>Charitable activities<br>**4**<br>65,945<br>-<br>Other trading activities<br>**5**<br>100<br>-<br>Investments<br>**6**<br>821<br>-<br>**Total income**<br>145,612<br>853,174<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Raising funds<br>**7**<br>-<br>1,176<br>Charitable activities<br>**8**<br>59,002<br>898,632<br>**Total expenditure**<br>59,002<br>899,808<br>**Net income/(expenditure)**<br>86,610<br>(46,634)<br>Transfers between<br>funds<br>(27,958)<br>27,958<br>**Net movement in**<br>**funds**<br>**11**<br>58,652<br>(18,676)<br>**Reconciliation of funds:**<br>Fund balances at 1 October<br>2024<br>214,996<br>149,587<br>**Fund balances at 30**<br>**September 2025**<br>273,648<br>130,911|**Total Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>931,920<br>2<br>999,619<br>65,945<br>97,310<br>-<br>100<br>10,471<br>-<br>821<br>-<br>1,015<br>998,786<br>107,783<br>1,000,634<br>1,176<br>-<br>69,332<br>957,634<br>41,942<br>922,772<br>958,810<br>41,942<br>992,104<br>39,976<br>65,841<br>8,530<br>-<br>602<br>(602)<br>39,976<br>66,443<br>7,928<br>364,583<br>148,553<br>141,659<br>404,559<br>214,996<br>149,587|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>999,621<br>97,310<br>10,471<br>1,015|
|---|---|---|
|||1,108,417|
|||69,332<br>964,714|
|||1,034,046|
|||74,371<br>-|
|||74,371<br>290,212|
|||364,583|



The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 

- 17 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **BALANCE SHEET** 

## _**AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

|**2025**<br>**Notes**<br>**£**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Intangible assets<br>**15**<br>Tangible assets<br>**16**<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>**17**<br>118,140<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>394,095<br>512,235<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due within**<br>**one year**<br>**18**<br>(116,455)<br>**Net current assets**<br>**Total assets less current liabilities**<br>**The funds of the charity**<br>Restricted income funds<br>**21**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>**22**|**£**<br>8,375<br>404<br>8,779<br>395,780<br>404,559<br>130,911<br>273,648<br>404,559|**2024**<br>**£**<br>25,825<br>410,651<br>436,476<br>(90,850)|**£**<br>18,425<br>532|
|---|---|---|---|
||||18,957<br>345,626|
||||364,583|
||||149,587<br>214,996|
||||364,583|



The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 30 September 2025. However, the directors have elected for the financial statements to be audited under the requirements of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. 

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements. 

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, for the year in question in accordance with section 476. 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. 

30-Apr-2026 | 6:44 AM PDT 

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on ......................... 

.............................. Dame Christine Ryan **Trustee** 

Company registration number 12566700 (England and Wales) 

- 18 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

|**Notes**<br>**Cash flows from operating activities**<br>Cash (absorbed by)/generated from<br>operations<br>**26**<br>**Investing activities**<br>Purchase of tangible fixed assets<br>Investment income received<br>**Net cash generated from investing activities**<br>**Financing activities**<br>Proceeds from borrowings<br>Repayment of borrowings<br>**Net cash (used in)/generated from financing**<br>**activities**<br>**Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash**<br>**equivalents**<br>Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at end of year**|**2025**<br>**£**<br>-<br>821<br>-<br>(10,000)|**£**<br>(7,377)<br>821<br>(10,000)<br>(16,556)<br>410,651<br>394,095|**2024**<br>**£**<br>(638)<br>1,015<br>10,000<br>-|**£**<br>63,930<br>377<br>10,000|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||74,307<br>336,344|
|||||410,651|



- 19 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **Charity information** 

OKRE: Opening Knowledge Across Research and Entertainment is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE. 

## **1.1 Basis of preparation** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. 

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 

## **1.3 Charitable funds** 

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives. 

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

## **1.4 Income** 

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. 

Grants are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance Sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued. 

Income for performance-related grants is recognised when the expenditure is incurred as this reflects the service levels and the conditions met. Income for non-performance-related grants is recognised when awarded as this represents entitlement. 

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. 

Income from the sale of tickets to events is recognised after the event has taken place. Any income received in advance of the event is deferred on the Balance Sheet. 

Income from the performance of service contracts is recognised in line with the milestones/objectives included in the contract. 

- 20 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **1.5 Expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. 

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. 

## **1.6 Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill** 

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business costing £500 or more are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. 

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity. 

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases: 

Website 25% on cost 

- **1.7 Tangible fixed assets** 

Tangible fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably. 

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. 

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases: 

Computer equipment 20% on cost 

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities. 

## **1.8 Impairment of fixed assets** 

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). 

## **1.9 Cash and cash equivalents** 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. 

- 21 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **1.10 Financial instruments** 

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. 

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. 

## _**Basic financial assets**_ 

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. 

## _**Basic financial liabilities**_ 

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_ 

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. 

## **1.11 Employee benefits** 

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. 

## **1.12 Retirement benefits** 

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. 

- 22 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements** 

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount 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 where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. 

## **3 Income from donations and legacies** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Donations and gifts<br>96<br>58,559<br>Grants<br>78,650<br>794,615<br>78,746<br>853,174|**Total Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>58,655<br>2<br>362,819<br>873,265<br>-<br>636,800<br>931,920<br>2<br>999,619|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>362,821<br>636,800|
|---|---|---|
|||999,621|



## **4 Income from charitable activities** 

||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|**Charitable activities**|||
|Consultancy and workshops|65,945|76,800|
|OKRE Summit|-|5,510|
|Fleming Centre, Imperial College London|-|15,000|
||65,945|97,310|



- 23 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **5 Income from other trading activities** 

|||||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**funds**|**funds**|
||||||**2025**|**2024**|
||||||**£**|**£**|
|Fundraising events|||||-|10,050|
|Reimbursement of costs|||||100|421|
|Other trading activities|||||100|10,471|
|**Income from investments**|||||||
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
||**funds**|**funds**||**funds**|**funds**||
||**2025**|**2025**|**2025**|**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Interest receivable|821|-|821|-|1,015|1,015|



## **6 Income from investments** 

## **7 Expenditure on raising funds** 

||**Restricted**|**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|**Fundraising and publicity**|||
|Transaction fees|1,176|767|
|Event costs|-|66,765|
|Consultancy|-|1,800|
||1,176|69,332|



- 24 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **8 Expenditure on charitable activities** 

|**Research**<br>**Funding Networking**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Direct costs**<br>Staff costs<br>87,935<br>91,635<br>110,340<br>Communications and marketing<br>-<br>-<br>2,608<br>Professional fees<br>115<br>8,160<br>10,200<br>Equipment and supplies<br>-<br>179<br>14<br>Travel, accommodation and meals<br>-<br>604<br>8,097<br>Project and event costs<br>23,040<br>1,300<br>3,507<br>Fees and honoraria<br>-<br>1,650<br>150<br>111,090<br>103,528<br>134,916<br>Grant funding of activities (see note 9)<br>-<br>198,628<br>-<br>**Share of support and governance costs (see note 10)**<br>Support<br>50,248<br>46,827<br>61,025<br>161,338<br>348,983<br>195,941<br>**Analysis by fund**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>4,601<br>5,502<br>35,787<br>Restricted funds<br>156,737<br>343,481<br>160,154<br>161,338<br>348,983<br>195,941|**Events**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>138,479<br>1,169<br>-<br>-<br>641<br>32,044<br>750<br>173,083<br>-<br>78,289<br>251,372<br>13,112<br>238,260<br>251,372|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>428,389<br>3,777<br>18,475<br>193<br>9,342<br>59,891<br>2,550|
|---|---|---|
|||522,617<br>198,628<br>236,389|
|||957,634|
|||59,002<br>898,632|
|||957,634|



- 25 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **8 Expenditure on charitable activities** 

|**Previous year:**<br>**Research**<br>**Funding Networking**<br>**2024**<br>**2024**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Direct costs**<br>Staff costs<br>60,529<br>89,527<br>87,660<br>Communications and marketing<br>1,500<br>-<br>-<br>Professional fees<br>-<br>20,640<br>-<br>Equipment and supplies<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Travel, accommodation and meals<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Project and event costs<br>30,000<br>6,500<br>-<br>Fees and honoraria<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>92,029<br>116,667<br>87,660<br>Grant funding of activities (see note 9)<br>-<br>199,822<br>-<br>**Share of support and governance costs (see note 10)**<br>Support<br>56,450<br>71,563<br>53,770<br>148,479<br>388,052<br>141,430<br>**Analysis by fund**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>10,156<br>-<br>-<br>Restricted funds<br>138,323<br>388,052<br>141,430<br>148,479<br>388,052<br>141,430|**Events**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>80,063<br>707<br>1,575<br>2,137<br>8,147<br>81,305<br>3,800<br>177,734<br>-<br>109,019<br>286,753<br>31,786<br>254,967<br>286,753|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>317,779<br>2,207<br>22,215<br>2,137<br>8,147<br>117,805<br>3,800|
|---|---|---|
|||474,090<br>199,822<br>290,802|
|||964,714|
|||41,942<br>922,772|
|||964,714|



- 26 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **9 Grants payable** 

|**Grants payable**|||
|---|---|---|
||**Funding**|**Funding**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Grants to institutions:|||
|Athenaeum Productions|19,900|-|
|Cake Tin Productions|19,988|-|
|F4FILM|240|5,000|
|First Person Films|18,500|95,000|
|Hat Trick (SQ)|100,000|-|
|Indefinite Films|-|25,000|
|Naomi Abel-Hirsch|-|13,880|
|Re-Evaluation|-|15,000|
|Knickerbocker Glory|-|(24,756)|
|Broedmachine|-|(15)|
|BBC|-|500|
|Story Compound & Independent Film Trust|-|22,758|
|Saffron Cherry Productions|-|17,000|
|Remedy Studios|-|12,300|
|Plan Nine Pictures|-|9,900|
||158,628|191,567|
|Grants to individuals|40,000|8,255|
||198,628|199,822|



Included within grants payable in the year ended 30 September 2025 are 2 grants to individuals and 5 grants to institutions. 

- 27 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **10 Support costs allocated to activities** 

|Staff costs<br>Depreciation<br>Communications and marketing<br>Professional fees<br>Other staff costs<br>Equipment and supplies<br>Insurance<br>Subscriptions<br>Premises costs<br>Travel, accommodation and meals<br>Fees and honoraria<br>Project and event costs<br>Governance costs<br>**Analysed between:**<br>Research<br>Funding<br>Networking<br>Events<br>**Governance costs comprise:**<br>Audit fees<br>Accountancy<br>Meeting costs<br>Legal fees<br>**11**<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):<br>Fees payable for the audit of the charity's financial statements<br>Release of prior year over-accrual of audit fees<br>Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets<br>Amortisation of intangible assets<br>Operating lease charges|**2025**<br>**£**<br>58,461<br>10,178<br>1,791<br>52,298<br>36,577<br>1,851<br>5,668<br>1,196<br>51,030<br>1,339<br>100<br>1,500<br>14,400<br>236,389<br>50,248<br>46,827<br>61,025<br>78,289<br>236,389<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>11,460<br>2,400<br>-<br>540<br>14,400<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>15,270<br>(3,810)<br>128<br>10,050<br>51,030|**2024**<br>**£**<br>27,915<br>10,156<br>3,597<br>39,790<br>13,172<br>407<br>5,381<br>5,847<br>50,948<br>24,039<br>228<br>87,072<br>22,250|
|---|---|---|
|||290,802|
|||56,450<br>71,563<br>53,770<br>109,019|
|||290,802|
|||**2024**<br>**£**<br>12,725<br>6,210<br>15<br>3,300|
|||22,250|
|||**2024**<br>**£**<br>12,725<br>-<br>106<br>10,050<br>48,885|



- 28 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **12 Trustees** 

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity in respect of their activity as trustees during the year nor the year ended 30 September 2024. 

In the year ended 30 September 2025 Nicholas Michael Button-Brown, who served as a trustee throughout the period, was paid £4,000 in respect of services delivered to the charity as a contractor in relation to a oneoff project. Such a payment is permissible under the charity's Articles of Association. The trustees consider that the decision to renumerate was made in the best interests of the charity, related to services needed by the charity and that the remuneration made was reasonable in relation to the value of the services obtained. The approval process included consideration of potential conflicts of interest and the remunerated trustee was excluded from all relevant discussions. No such payments were made in the year ended 30 September 2024. 

There were no expenses paid to the trustees in the year nor the year ended 30 September 2024. 

## **13 Employees** 

The average monthly number of employees during the year was: 

|**Employment costs**<br>Wages and salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Other pension costs<br>Medical insurance|**2025**<br>**Number**<br>8<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>419,149<br>43,459<br>24,242<br>5,537<br>486,850|**2024**<br>**Number**<br>7|
|---|---|---|
|||**2024**<br>**£**<br>297,524<br>29,306<br>18,864<br>6,076|
|||351,770|



The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000 is as follows: 

|is as follows:|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**Number**|**Number**|
|£60,001 - £70,000|1|-|
|£80,001 - £90,000|1|-|
|£100,001 - £110,000|1|1|



- 29 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **13 Employees** 

## **Remuneration of key management personnel** 

The Key Management Personnel in the year ended 30 September 2025 were the trustees and the Managing Director. The total amount of employee benefits (including employer's national insurance and pensions contributions) received by Key Management Personnel was: 

||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Aggregate compensation|134,043|131,392|



## **14 Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes. 

## **15 Intangible fixed assets** 

|**Intangible fixed assets**||
|---|---|
|**Cost**<br>At 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025<br>**Amortisation and impairment**<br>At 1 October 2024<br>Amortisation charged for the year<br>At 30 September 2025<br>**Carrying amount**<br>At 30 September 2025<br>At 30 September 2024|**Website**<br>**£**<br>40,200|
||21,775<br>10,050|
||31,825|
||8,375|
||18,425|



- 30 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **16 Tangible fixed assets** 

|**16**|**Tangible fixed assets**|||
|---|---|---|---|
||||**Computer**|
||||**equipment**|
||||**£**|
||**Cost**|||
||At 1 October 2024||638|
||At 30 September 2025||638|
||**Depreciation and impairment**|||
||At 1 October 2024||106|
||Depreciation charged in the year||128|
||At 30 September 2025||234|
||**Carrying amount**|||
||At 30 September 2025||404|
||At 30 September 2024||532|
|**17**|**Debtors**|||
|||**2025**|**2024**|
||**Amounts falling due within one year:**|**£**|**£**|
||Trade debtors|35,100|-|
||Other debtors|5,000|5,001|
||Prepayments and accrued income|78,040|20,824|
|||118,140|25,825|
|**18**|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|||
|||**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Trade creditors|30,435|4,515|
||Trustee loan|-|10,000|
||Grant commitments|54,539|50,264|
||Other creditors|5,409|2,827|
||Accruals and deferred income|26,072|23,244|
|||116,455|90,850|
|**19**|**Grant commitments**|||
||Grant commitments at 1 October 2024|50,264|59,820|
||Paid in year|(194,353)|(209,378)|
||Committed in year|198,628|199,822|
||Grant commitments at 30 September 2025|54,539|50,264|



- 31 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

|**20**|**Retirement benefit schemes**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**2025**|**2024**|
||**Defined contribution schemes**|**£**|**£**|
||Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes|24,242|18,864|



The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. 

## **21 Restricted funds** 

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. 

||**At 1 October**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 30**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2024**|**resources**|**expended**||**September**|
||||||**2025**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Wellcome Trust|(188,414)|641,574|(682,118)|28,723|(200,235)|
|Joseph Rowntree Foundation|42,793|-|-|-|42,793|
|Comic Relief|(9,982)|83,350|(34,605)|-|38,763|
|"Motherboard"|5,000|-|(5,000)|-|-|
|OKRE Fund|63,683|-|(15,000)|-|48,683|
|Kind Queer Heart Campaign|235,742|33,559|(100,240)|-|169,061|
|Other Restricted Funds|765|-|-|(765)|-|
|Wellcome Trust - Sunset|-|39,691|(39,691)|-|-|
|"Hear Me Roar"|-|25,000|-|-|25,000|
|BFI Innovation Fund|-|30,000|(23,154)|-|6,846|
||149,587|853,174|(899,808)|27,958|130,911|



- 32 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

|**21**<br>**Restricted funds**<br>**Previous year:**<br>**At 1 October**<br>**2023**<br>**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Wellcome Trust<br>(132,083)<br>599,315<br>(655,646)<br>Joseph Rowntree Foundation<br>42,793<br>-<br>-<br>Unbound Philanthropy<br>31,976<br>-<br>(31,374)<br>Comic Relief<br>71,410<br>38,500<br>(119,892)<br>"Motherboard"<br>100,000<br>-<br>(95,000)<br>OKRE Fund<br>27,563<br>50,000<br>(13,880)<br>Kind Queer Heart Campaign<br>-<br>307,819<br>(72,077)<br>Other Restricted Funds<br>-<br>5,000<br>(4,235)<br>141,659<br>1,000,634<br>(992,104)|**Transfers**<br>**At 30**<br>**September**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>(188,414)<br>-<br>42,793<br>(602)<br>-<br>-<br>(9,982)<br>-<br>5,000<br>-<br>63,683<br>-<br>235,742<br>-<br>765<br>(602)<br>149,587|
|---|---|



- 33 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **21 Restricted funds** 

## **Wellcome Trust** 

Restricted funding to support the setup, operation and activities of OKRE over five years, to create a more sustainable transformation in the engagement of research with mass media, in particular as relates to health related issues. 

In the year ended 30 September 2025 a transfer was made from unrestricted funds to this fund in order to correct previous over-allocations of expenditure. The fund was in deficit at 30 September 2025 due to a pending grant payment request; income relating to this deficit was received post-year end. 

## **Joseph Rowntree Foundation** 

Restricted funding to pilot a programme of activity including across research, events, funding and network building, for working with the entertainment industries focused on the intersection of poverty and health. 

## **Comic Relief** 

Restricted funding towards the OKRE Summit and the running of the Entertainment Industries Taskforce on Social Impact. Funding has also been provided to support OKRE's work at the intersection of popular culture and social change in the UK, with a particular focus on migration and racial justice. 

## **"Motherboard" film fund** 

Restricted fund to support OKRE's production funding of "Motherboard" and associated costs. 

## **OKRE Fund** 

Restricted donations for the OKRE fund. 

## **Kind Queer Heart Campaign** 

Funding for the OKRE entertainment fund, called #KindQueerHeart. This fund helps to accelerate the development of new queer friendly content with the mission of increasing visibility and representation, notably of marginalised communities, including queer people of colour and trans and non-binary people. 

## **Other Restricted Funds** 

Represents funding towards the OKRE screening and reception event held at Charlotte Street Hotel in London. Unused funds from this balance were released to general funds in the year ended 30 September 2025 with agreement of the funder. 

## **Wellcome Trust - Sunset** 

Continuation funding from the Wellcome Trust, following on from the grant outlined above, to allow OKRE to achieve financial and operational independence over the course of 7 years. 

## **"Hear Me Roar" film fund** 

Restricted fund to support OKRE's production funding of "Hear Me Roar" and associated costs. 

## **BFI Innovation Fund** 

Funding for the UK Video Games Econometrics project to deliver insights into the UK games sector’s economic, social, and cultural impact. 

- 34 - 



Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **22 Unrestricted funds** 

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes. 

||**At 1 October**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 30**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2024**|**resources**|**expended**||**September**|
||||||**2025**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|General funds|214,996|145,612|(59,002)|(27,958)|273,648|
|**Previous year:**|**At 1 October**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 30**|
||**2023**|**resources**|**expended**||**September**|
||||||**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|General funds|148,553|107,783|(41,942)|602|214,996|



## **23 Analysis of net assets between funds** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2025**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**At 30 September 2025:**<br>Intangible fixed assets<br>8,375<br>-<br>Tangible assets<br>404<br>-<br>Current assets/(liabilities)<br>264,869<br>130,911<br>273,648<br>130,911<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2024**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**At 30 September 2024:**<br>Intangible fixed assets<br>18,425<br>-<br>Tangible assets<br>532<br>-<br>Current assets/(liabilities)<br>196,039<br>149,587<br>214,996<br>149,587|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>8,375<br>404<br>395,780|
|---|---|
||404,559|
||**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>18,425<br>532<br>345,626|
||364,583|



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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

## **24 Operating lease commitments** 

## **Lessee** 

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows: 

||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Within one year|12,485|12,296|



## **25 Related party transactions** 

## **Philomena Gibbons - employment with Wellcome Trust** 

OKRE trustee Philomena Gibbons was an employee of the Wellcome Trust until June 2025, which is the principal funder of the Charity. Her position on the Board of Trustees follows clause 8.5 in OKRE’s Articles of Association and involvement in decision-making follows OKRE’s conflict of interest policy. 

## **Simon Ruddick - Loan** 

During the prior year ended 30 September 2024, the purchase of venue tickets for the Sister Act Charity Gala fundraising event was underwritten by a £66,765 loan provided by Simon Ruddick who served as a trustee during the year until 19 July 2025. The loan was unsecured, non-interest-bearing and repayable on demand. Following the Gala, £56,765 of the loan was waived and converted into a donation towards the Kind Queer Heart campaign; the remaining £10,000 was repayable and shown in creditors in the prior year ended 30 September 2024 and has been repaid in full during the current year ended 30 September 2025. 

## **Simon Ruddick - Donations** 

Simon Ruddick also made a restricted donation of £25,000 in the year but after the date of his resignation as a trustee. The donation is restricted to the 'Hear Me Roar' project with any balance to be transferred to the Kind Queer Heart fund. 

In the prior year, a donation of £72,500 was received from Albourne Partners for the OKRE fund and the Kind Queer Heart Campaign. Simon Ruddick (trustee of the charity throughout the year ended 30 September 2024) is a director and person with significant control of Albourne Partners. 

## **Nicholas Michael Button-Brown - Services Delivered to Charity** 

In the year ended 30 September 2025 Nicholas Michael Button-Brown, who served as a trustee throughout the period, was paid £4,000 in respect of services delivered to the charity as a contractor in relation to a oneoff project. Further details relating to this transaction are included in note 12 to the financial statements. 

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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F3084E0-A63E-892C-8011-434E0CFB36C6Docusign Envelope ID: 8F0C2B3D-A2F3-8075-80CA-81C0C4BB283A 

## **OKRE: OPENING KNOWLEDGE ACROSS RESEARCH AND ENTERTAINMENT** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**_ 

|**26**|**Cash (absorbed by)/generated from operations**||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**£**|**£**|
||Surplus for the year||39,976|74,371|
||**Adjustments for:**||||
||Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities||(821)|(1,015)|
||Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets||10,050|10,050|
||Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets||128|106|
||**Movements in working capital:**||||
||(Increase) in debtors||(92,315)|(25,825)|
||Increase in creditors||35,605|90,850|
||**Cash (absorbed by)/generated from operations**||(7,377)|148,537|
|**27**|**Analysis of changes in net funds**||||
|||**At 1 October**|**Cash flows At 30 September**||
|||**2024**||**2025**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|
||Cash at bank and in hand|410,651|(16,556)|394,095|
||Loans falling due within one year|(10,000)|10,000|-|
|||400,651|(6,556)|394,095|



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