Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 April 2022 To 31 March 2023
Charity name: International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease | DOHaD
Charity registration number: 1190519
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To preserve and protect health and relieve sickness in particular but not exclusively. |
| 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 |
1. Promoting the coordination of a research strategy in different countries for the scientific exploration of early development in relation to chronic disease in later life 2. Promoting the development and application of public health strategies to prevent chronic disease 3. Supporting activities and professional development to achieve these objectives. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees have all had regard to the guidance issued by the Commission on public benefit |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment Para 1.38 including program related investment Contribution made by Para 1.38 volunteers Other
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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 | This year, the Society has focused on activities aimed at meeting its objectives, with a particular emphasis on fostering growth and enhancing community interaction for the benefit of all our members: 1) The International DOHaD Society has recently undergone governance changes, transitioning Regional Chapters and Affiliate Groups into independent Regional Societies. This shift aligns with the organisation's goal to coordinate global research and advocacy for ensuring a healthy start to life. The nine Regional Societies now receive targeted support for advocacy, education, and research tailored to their specific regions, contributing significantly to international research collaboration. With a focus on improving communication and engagement, each Regional Society centralises administrative processes, requiring members to affiliate with their local society during International Society membership renewal. This change, mandated for Charitable Status, ensures continued affiliation with the Regional Society and access to benefits from both organisations. An Associate Membership tier accommodates individuals wishing to maintain affiliation with their local society without requiring full International Society benefits. This strategic reorganisation reinforces the crucial role of Regional Societies in fostering research interests, promoting collaboration, and enhancing a sense of collegiality within the global DOHaD research community. 2) As anticipated in the year following our World Congress, there has been a slight decrease in membership. However, with the successful completion of Regional Society transitions, we expect membership to resume growth. Currently, we have 985 active members spanning 51 different countries. We remain committed to offering reduced or free memberships for individuals in low to middle-income countries. Additionally, we are actively encouraging more Trainee/ECR and Undergraduate within the DOHaD field to join, recognising their crucial roles in shaping the future of our Society. 3) The Council Subcommittees have been highly active across various fronts. InAdvocacy, the group played a key role in webinars with the Society and FIGO, publishing impactful papers on the economic and social rationale for early-life investments post-COVID. Mark Hanson's representation in the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH) resulted in the launch of the influential report "Born Too Soon" in South Africa. The Society's influence extended to climate change initiatives, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and ongoing economic analyses supporting early life investments. In the UK Preconception Partnership, Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) concepts gained prominence. TheProfessional Development & Education subcommittee oversaw the selection of a new Brain Mobility Award winner and introduced additional short courses in collaboration with the previous Education and Communications subcommittee. Looking ahead, the subcommittee aims to introduce new courses, compelling webinar topics, and revitalised award initiatives. |
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The Scientific Programme Support Sub-Committee analysed survey data from the latest World Congress in Vancouver, compiling a report shared with the Council and Vancouver organisers. With the 2025 World Congress in Buenos Aires, efforts are underway to support its organisation. In Sponsorship and Fundraising , the committee is now shifting focus to the Buenos Aires Congress in 2025, supporting activities like Brain Mobility and Travel Awards. The Trainee and Early Career Researcher Subcommittee fostered international communication, collaborating with Regional Society Representatives and initiating thematic virtual symposia. Lastly, the Workshop Subcommittee approved three workshops for 2023 and actively runs short courses, including the DOHaD Canada 2023 Meeting, the UK Preconception EMCR Network 2023 Conference, and the inaugural DOHaD ANZ Pacific Island (ANZPac) engagement workshop. 4) The DOHaD Society's journal, JDOHaD, continues to thrive, boasting a 36% publication acceptance rate in 2022. Focused on early life development and its interplay with environmental and genetic factors, the journal covers developmental programming, neonatal biology, early life nutrition, human ecology, and geneenvironment interactions. JDOHaD, a multidisciplinary platform, publishes original research, short communications, reviews, and themed issues, welcoming contributions from diverse scientific fields such as physiology, nutrition, genetics, anthropology, and public health. The journal serves as a hub for conference reports, opinions, comments, and interactions, emphasising its pivotal role in advancing scientific discourse. 5) We were delighted to announce that the Latin American DOHaD Society had won the bid to host our prestigious DOHaD World Congress in 2025 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This victory reflects their dedication and the potential of the Latin American DOHaD community. It's a significant milestone, showcasing the region's contributions to DOHaD. Additionally, we commend DOHaD Japan for an impressive bid and announce their hosting of the 2027 World Congress in Hamamatsu, Japan. These decisions mark exciting opportunities for knowledge exchange, networking, and scientific advancements.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising Para 1.41 activities against objectives set Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other
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Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The Society maintains a transparent financial record through independently audited receipts and payments accounts, approved by the governing Council. As of the end of the fiscal year 2022/23, the total balance stands at £36,297, reflecting the sound financial health of the organisation. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Society's governing Council has approved a reserves policy, carefully crafted based on both known and potential liabilities of the Society. This policy serves as a strategic guide for managing reserves. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | Currently set at £30,125.96 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | There are no uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal Para 1.47 sources of funds (including any fundraising) Investment policy and Para 1.46 objectives including any social investment policy adopted A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g., unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Association Model) |
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| 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 | 1. Elections are held biennially, to elect one-third of the charity trustees, thus replacing each charity trustee every six years. If the number of charity trustees is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest to one-third shall retire from office but if there is only one charity trustee, he or she shall retire. 2. The charity trustees to retire by rotation shall be those who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment. If any trustees were last appointed or reappointed on the same day those to retire shall (unless they otherwise agree among themselves) be determined by lot. 3. Elections are held by an electronic mail process completed not later than the end of June in the relevant year. Charity trustees shall hold office from the conclusion of the next scientific meeting after the election. Serving charity trustees may be re-elected. If any charity trustee should retire mid-term, interim elections may be held. 4. The date of any election shall be notified by the Secretary in a call for nominations. The call for nominations shall precede the ballot by at least 28 days and ballot papers shall be circulated 14 days in advance if posts are contested. The names of those elected shall be circulated to members or announced at the AGM. 5. The charity trustees may in addition appoint not more than 2 co-opted charity trustees but so that no-one may be appointed as a co-opted member if, as a result, more than one third of the charity trustees would be co-opted. Each appointment of a co-opted member shall be made at a special meeting of the charity trustees called under clause 19(c) and shall take effect from the end of that meeting unless the appointment is to fill a place which has not been vacated in which case the appointment shall run from the date when the post becomes vacant. 6. The members of the CIO or the charity trustees may at any time decide to appoint a new charity trustee, whether in place of a charity trustee who has retired or been removed in accordance with clause 15 (Retirement and removal of charity trustees), or as an additional charity trustee, provided that the limit specified in clause 12(3) on the number of charity trustees would not as a result be exceeded. 7. A person so appointed by the members of the CIO shall retire in accordance with the provisions of sub- clauses (2) and (3) of this clause. A person so appointed by the charity trustees shall retire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting after the date of his or her appointment, and shall not be counted for the purpose of determining which of the charity trustees is to retire by rotation at that meeting. |
|---|---|---|
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures Para 1.51 adopted for the induction and training of trustees The charity’s organisational Para 1.51 structure and any wider network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other
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Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | As Above |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charity number | As Above |
| Charity’s principal address | MRC LifeCourse Epidemiology Centre University of Southampton Southampton General Hospital Southampton SO16 6YD |
| Charity’s postal address | DOHaD Society KCL Dept Women and Children’s Health 10th Floor North Wing St Thomas’ Hospital Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7EH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Lucilla Poston | President | |||
| Professor Nuruddin Mohammed | Secretary | |||
| Professor Torsten Plösch | Treasurer | |||
| Professor Caroline Fall | Trustee | |||
| Professor Mark Hanson | Trustee | |||
| Professor Shane Norris | Trustee |
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved N/A
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity N/A
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity No assets are held by the Society in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this N/A falls within the custodian charity’s objects
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Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets N/A 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)
Professor Lucilla Poston (President) Professor Nuruddin Mohammed (Secretary) Professor Torsten Plösch (Treasurer)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A
Other optional information
N/A
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signed on behalf of the | charity’s trustees | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (e.g., Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
| Professor Nuruddin Mohammed | Professor Torsten Plösch | |
Secretary |
Treasurer | |
| 22ndNovember 2023 | ||
| 22ndNovember 2023 |
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THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE | DOHAD
1190519
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period 01/04/2022 from
To 31/03/2023
CC16a
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds
Total funds
Last year
to the nearest £
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
| A1 Receipts | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membership subscriptions (standard, student & affiliate) |
26,967 | - | - | 26,967 | 14,086 | ||||
| Returned OHSU workshop payment | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| DOHaD Journal income | 8,429 | - | - | 8,429 | 12,925 | ||||
| Account bankingadjustment | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Sponsorships for DOHaD Congress 2022 travel awards |
- | 12,030 | - | 12,030 | - | ||||
| Donations | 100 | - | - | 100 | - | ||||
| Interest received | 126 | - | - | 126 | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 35,622 | 12,030 | - | 47,652 | 27,011 |
| A2 Asset and investment sales, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (see table). | |||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| **Total receipts ** | 35,622 | 12,030 | - | 47,652 | 27,011 |
A3 Payments
| A3 Payments | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administration including teleconference charges, promotional materials & secretariat support |
28,256 | - | - | 28,256 | 15,021 | ||||
| Congress Travel Awards | 11,324 | 12,030 | - | 23,354 | - | ||||
| Brain mobilityaward | 3,050 | - | - | 3,050 | 3,083 | ||||
| Web & journal promotion of Society objectives | 9,170 | - | - | 9,170 | 8,716 | ||||
| DOHaD Congress 2022 expenditure | 8,851 | - | - | 8,851 | - | ||||
| DOHaD Chapters Membership processing | 5,655 | - | - | 5,655 | 1,419 | ||||
| Workshopsupport awards | 1,500 | - | - | 1,500 | - | ||||
| Bank charges | 1,571 | 1,571 | |||||||
| Accountingfees | 84 | 84 | |||||||
| Insurance | 920 | 920 | |||||||
| Sundries | 100 | 100 | |||||||
| - | - | - | 1,024 | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 70,481 | 12,030 | - | 82,511 | 29,261 |
| A4 Asset and investment | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| purchases, (see table) | |||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Total payments | 70,481 | 12,030 | - | 82,511 | 29,261 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 1
30/11/2023
Net of receipts/(payments) - 34,859 - - - 34,859 - 2,250 A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end 71,156 - - 71,156 73,406 Cash funds this year end 36,297 - - 36,297 71,156
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
30/11/2023
2
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Details DOHaD Society general funds Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Details |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 36,297 - - 36,297 OK Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - OK Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Amount due (optional) - - - - - |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| OK | ||||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| Current value (optional) |
||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| Current value (optional) |
||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| When due (optional) |
||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - |
CCXX R3 accounts (SS)
30/11/2023
3
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
| Signature | Print Name Professor Torsten Plösch Professor Nuruddin Mohammed |
Date of approval |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Torsten Plösch | 25/05/2023 | |
| Professor Nuruddin Mohammed | 25/05/2023 |
CCXX R4 accounts (SS)
30/11/2023
4
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