## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From: 1 November 2022 to 30[th] April 2024** ## **Charity Name: Research and Development Forum** ## **Charity Registration Number: 1189876** ## **Objectives and activities:** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document.|Para 1.17|The advancement of education and
learning in research and development for
professionals and the public in the health
and social care community in England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This
will have public benefit in improving the
quality and effectiveness of health and
social care research.| |Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.|Para 1.17 and
1.19|With ongoing recovery from the COVID-19
pandemic, budget pressures in the health
and care system and onboarding of new
trustees, we have been cautious in our
approach to planned events and
expenditure throughout the reporting
period. Plans are in early stage of
development as to how to invest our
funding to maximise our charitable objects,
whilst still being sensitive to our
environment.| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit.|Para 1.18|The trustees have regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity Commission on
public benefit. Planned activities will help to
improve the quality of health and care
research and the involvement of patients,
service users and the public in research,
and this is at the forefront of our decision
making as a board of trustees.| ## **Additional information (optional):** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Policy on grant making.|Para 1.38|N/A| |Policy on social investment
including program related
investment.|Para 1.38|N/A| |Contribution made by
volunteers.|Para 1.38|N/A| |Other.||N/A| ## **Achievements and performance:** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.|Para 1.20|We have been cautious in our approach
throughout the reporting period in relation
to planned events and training
opportunities. The annual conference is our
biggest event and the 2023 conference
was our most successful to date reaching
over 800 delegates from across the UK
health and care system.
For the May 2024 conference, and for the
first time, we have been able to offer CIO
paid places to the working group chairs
(volunteer roles). We have also introduced
a paid for place for a new entrant to UK
research and development to encourage
attendance from under-represented
groups.
We are buying in specialist administrative
and co-ordination support for the CIO from
the health and care system. This is an
annual provision of services agreement
charged to the CIO.
We are reviewing our training offer for the
community to ensure it meets their needs.
We increased the number of trustees to 6
in the reporting period, mitigating risk and
increasing depth and breadth of knowledge
of the community the charity is there to
serve. We have in place a compact and
skills matrix for the trustees and will be
increasing the number of trustees in the
next reporting period.| **Additional information (optional):** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Achievements against
objectives set.|Para 1.41|N/A| |---|---|---| |Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set.|Para 1.41|Fundraising will normally be from the
surplus realised from providing relevant
events. We have maximised this in the
reporting period, transferring a high
contingency from the trading arm due to the
success of the 2023 conference.
We have increased our expertise in
financial management and oversight with
the appointment of new trustees.| |Investment performance
against objectives.|Para 1.41|N/A| Other. NIA ## **Financial review:** |**Financial review:**||| |---|---|---| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period.|Para 1.21|We have transferred a large contingency
that had been held in the trading arm in the
reporting period. This is the result of the
success of the 2023 conference. Plans are
in early stage of development as to how to
invest our funding to maximise our
charitable objects.| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held.|Para 1.22|We will hold a reasonable level of reserve
to cover unexpected/substantial disruption
to activities. This was tested during the
COVID-19 pandemic, and work is already
underway to determine what is reasonable
as part of our planning.| |Amount of reserves held.|Para 1.22|£433,852| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves.|Para 1.22|N/A| |Details of fund materially in
deficit.|Para 1.24|N/A| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a
going concern.|Para 1.23|Training and conferences continue to be
well attended and we respond to the needs
of the UK research and development
community. We are also involved in
national discussions with funders and policy
makers to ensure we respond the needs of
the wider system. This is part of our
strategy to ensure the charity operates as a
going concern.| |**Additional information (optional):**
You may choose to include further statements||where relevant about:| |The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising).|Para 1.47|Surplus from training events, symposia,
workshops, and an annual conference**.**| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted.|Para 1.46|N/A| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity.|Para 1.46|Events planned during late 2024 and into
2025 may not realise funds anticipated.| |Other.||N/A| ## **Structure, governance and management:** |Description of charity’s
trusts:||| |---|---|---| |Type of governing
document.|Para 1.25|Research and Development Forum
Constitution.| |How is the charity
constituted?|Para 1.25|Charitable Incorporated Organisation.| |Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees.|Para 1.25|Open advertisement to the community to
increase number of trustees to 6 in the first
instance. The constitution allows up to 12
trustees and we plan to increase the
number of trustees over time. This will be
done in a staggered way to ensure
continuity on the board and will become
more targeted as we critically evaluate the
skills needed to take the charity forward.
All trustees were part of the recruitment
and selection process for the new trustees,
and also agreed the new Chair, who took
on the role in October 2023.| |**Additional information (optional):**
You may choose to include further statements|**Additional information (optional):**
You may choose to include further statements|where relevant about:| |---|---|---| |Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees.|Para 1.51|New trustees will be directed to the:
•
Charity Commission’s ‘Roles and
Responsibilities of trustees’ guidance
•
Constitution.
•
Trustees annual report and financial
statements.
•
Minutes of the trustee meetings.
•
Have access to dedicated SharePoint
for charity business. We will be moving
to Future NHS in the coming year as
has increased functionality and
accessibility.| |The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works.|Para 1.51|N/A| |Relationship with any
related parties.|Para 1.51|N/A| |Other.||| ## **Reference and administrative details:** |Charity name:|Research and Development Forum| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses:|| |Registered charity number:|1189876| |Charity’s principal address:|39 Mill Crescent
Hebburn
Tyne and Wear
NE31 1UG| |---|---| **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity:** |**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not**
**for whole year**|**Name of person (or**
**body) entitled to**
**appoint trustee (if**
**any)**| |---|---|---|---| |Maria Palmer|Chair|To May2023|| |Angela Topping|Chair|From October 2023|| |Shona Haining|Secretary||| |Nicola Williams|Treasurer|To May2023|| |Margaret Cooper|Treasurer|From June 2023|| |Carolyn Maloney||From June 2023|| |Sean Scott||From June 2023|| |Dipak Patel||From June 2023|| ## **Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved:** |**was approved:**|| |---|---| |**Director name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year**| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| |**Name of trustees holding title to**|**property belonging to the charity:**| |**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year**| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others:** Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity. Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects. Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets. ## **Additional information (optional):** Names and addresses of advisers (optional information): **Type of adviser Name Address** Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (optional information): ## **Exemptions from disclosure:** Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details: ## **Other optional information:** **Declarations:** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity trustees: Signature(s): Full name(s):** Angela Topping **Position:** Chair **Date:** 2[nd] December 2024 **Charity Name No (if any) Research and Development Forum Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period** Period start date Period end date **To from** 01.Nov.22 30.Apr.24 ## **Section A Receipts and payments** |**A1 Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest**
**£**
**366,257**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**366,257**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**366,257**
**2,143**
**193**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,336**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,336**
**363,921**
**-**
**-**
**363,921**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**
**366,257**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**366,257**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**366,257**
**2,143**
**193**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,336**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,336**

**363,921**|**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**
**366,257**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**366,257**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**366,257**
**2,143**
**193**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,336**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,336**

**363,921**|**Last year**
**to the nearest £**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Transfer of funds trom tradingactivities|**366,257**|||||**70,000**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| |**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for_
_AR)_|**366,257**|||||**70,000**| |||||||| |**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**||||||| ||**-**|||||| ||**-**|||||**-**| |**_Sub total_**|**-**|||||**-**| |**_Total receipts_**
**A3 Payments**||||||| |||||||**70,000**| |||||||| |Expenses|**2,143**|||||**69**| |External Services|**193**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| ||**-**|||||**-**| |**_Sub total_ **|**2,336**|||||**69**| |||||||| |**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**||||||| ||**-**|||||| ||**-**|||||| |**_Sub total_ **|**-**|||||**-**| |**_Total payments_**
**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**
**A5 Transfers between funds**
**A6 Cash funds last year end**
**_Cash funds this year end_**||||||| |||||||**69**| |||||||| ||**363,921**|**-**|**-**|
**363,921**||**69,931**| ||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**| ||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**||**-**| ||**363,921**|**-**|**-**|**363,921**||**69,931**| CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 1 03.12.2024 |**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at**|**the end of the period**|| |---|---|---|---| |**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B1 Cash funds**|**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
**Details**
**Details**
Signature|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**433,852**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**433,852**
**-**
Agreement Error
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name
Angela Topping|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||OK| ||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**When due**
**(optional)**| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||Date of
approval| |||Angela Topping|02.12.2024| ||||| CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 2 03.12.2024 ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** **Report to the trustees/** Charity Name **members of** Research and Development Forum **On accounts for the year** 2023/24 **Charity no ended (if any)**[1189876] **Set out on pages** (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30/04/2024. **Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation **basis of report** of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. **Independent** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: *accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or *the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. * _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._ **Date:** 3[rd] December 2024 **Signed: Name:** Averil Armstrong **Relevant professional** Fellow Chartered Management Accountant (FCMA) **qualification(s) or body (if any):** 5 Dene Terrace West Wylam **Address:** Northumberland NE41 8AZ 1 **October 2018** **IER** IER October 2018