Company Registration Number 10016228 Registered Charity Number 1190629
COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS For the year ending 5 April 2025
COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT For the year ended 5 April 2025
The Trustees, who are also Directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 5 April 2025.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity Name Company of Others
Charity Registration Number 1190629 Company Registration Number 10016228 Registered Office The Bricks, c/o St Anthony Of Egypt Church Hall, Belmont Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne And Wear NE6 3SN
Trustees
For the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, the Board of Trustees is the Board of Directors of the charitable company and is referred to as the Trustees throughout this report.
The Trustees of Company of Others during the period and to the date of signing this report are as follows:
Hilary Knight (Chair) Syed Nadeem Ahmad Appointed 27 January 2025 Sathya Bala Nadia Iftkhar Dr Vanessa Montesi Sharminy Ragunathan Resigned 15 June 2024 Elif True Gareth Whalley Louise Wiggins
Company Secretary Emma Whitenstall (from 28 October 2024) Independent Examiner Pete O’Hara FCA, Chartered Accountant, 26 La Sagesse, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AF
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Documents
Company of Others is a charitable company limited by guarantee founded by Nadia Iftkhar, incorporated on 19 February 2016 and registered as a charity on 29 July 2020.
The charity is controlled by its governing document, its Memorandum & Articles of Association, as amended by Special Resolution on 15 May 2015, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act.
The Directors of the company are also Trustees of the charity.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT
For the year ended 5 April 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (Continued)
Governing Documents (Cont.)
Eligibility for membership of the charity, and membership of the Board of Trustees, is governed by the Articles of Association. There are no restrictions in the governing document on the operation of the charity other than those imposed by general charity law.
Charitable Purpose
Company of Others’ charitable objects are, for the public benefit, the advancement of contemporary dance, in particular but not exclusively through the commissioning and producing public performances, dance sessions, workshops and educational events and material using film, music, visual arts and other theatre-related art forms.
The Company’s principal activity is developing, commissioning and producing public performances, dance sessions, workshops and educational events in collaboration with people and communities who are othered by society. Company of Others believes that its work can be a force for social change, and that by working creatively and collaboratively, it can help to tackle injustice and inequality and be a safe and courageous artistic space for the communities it works with.
Structure and Governance
The charity currently has a Board comprised of seven non-executive Trustees and the Artistic Director/CEO.
The Company’s Board of Trustees meet every three months. At each meeting it considers a detailed report from the CEO/Artistic Director about past, current and future activity. The Board also receives and considers financial reports presented by the CEO/Artistic Director and also considers proposals for future medium and long-term strategy. At appropriate times, individual Trustees or pairs of Trustees may also convene to focus on particular areas of activity such as Trustee recruitment and Board development.
Trustees’ responsibilities are detailed in Company of Others’ Trustees Terms of Reference, in line with the Charities Commission requirements and in full compliance with the Companies Act. The Board reviews its performance against these terms annually and develops action plans to ensure they continue to meet their responsibilities on an ongoing basis.
Recruitment and Appointment of Board of Trustees
Trustees are appointed following a review by the Board of the relevant skills and experience the Company requires. Emphasis is currently placed on securing a committed, engaged and diverse board who can reflect the lived experience and interests of Company of Others’ communities and partners. In particular skills are sought across communications, the arts, community engagement and representation of the North East.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT
For the year ended 5 April 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (Continued)
Trustee Induction and Training
New Trustees receive an induction from the Chair and nominated Trustees which includes detailed background information about the Company and Charity Commission documents outlining their responsibilities under charity law. In addition, they spend time with the CEO/Artistic Director to ensure that they are familiar with the work of the Company, its priorities and how it is run and understand the communities they work with, as well as viewing work in rehearsal and performance when possible.
Ongoing development opportunities are provided to the board to ensure Trustees are upskilled and able to serve the organisation to the best of their abilities.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have reviewed the charity's needs for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission.
The Trustees aim to firstly hold a level of unrestricted Reserves which enables the charity to have sufficient financial resources to meet various liabilities which would crystallise if Company of Others’ funding were to be withdrawn and/or it were unable to continue operating. At present, the Trustees estimate that the Unrestricted Reserves required for such purposes amount to approximately £94,300, the equivalent of four months’ running costs.
If possible, the Trustees then aspire to retain an additional allowance of £10,000 in designated funds as a Risk Mitigation fund to enable the charity to respond flexibly to issues or appropriate initiatives which might be identified outside of its annual budgeting process.
The required level of Reserves is therefore £104,300.
The charity’s Unrestricted Reserves at 5 April 2025 are £150,157 (2024: £138,920). Free Reserves, defined as non-designated Unrestricted Reserves of £10,000 minus the £2,552 value of Tangible Fixed Assets, are £137,605 (2024: £137,372).
This currently exceeds the target level of Reserves, but delays in appointing key staff members have meant that a number of projects originally scheduled for 2023/24 and 2024/25 will now take place in 2025/26 and consequently the charity expects to use the “excess” reserves in the next financial period.
This policy will be reviewed by the Trustees on an annual basis as part of the charity’s budgeting processes.
Grant Making Policy
The charity does not currently engage in grant-making activity.
The Contribution of Volunteers
The charity does not currently make use of volunteers to support its activities.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT
For the year ended 5 April 2025
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Public Benefit
The Trustees understand and have discussed the implications of the provisions of the Charities Act 2006, which state that all charities must demonstrate that they are established for public benefit and have had due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission. The Trustees believe that the charity meets both of the key principles.
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Principle 1 – There must be an identifiable benefit, or benefits
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Principle 2 - Benefit must be to the public, or a section of the public
By encouraging and promoting contemporary dance through the creation and production of new artistic works the charity brings dance to audiences in the North East.
This provides benefits such as artistic education, artistic inspiration and artistic experiences to the general public. It also benefits and contributes to the dance sector in the North East and nationally.
The Company has a positive impact on the North East’s artistic reputation for being a cultural region with innovative art being made and celebrated. Company of Others’ productions are presented within the communities it works with, in community-led spaces.
This benefits those communities by bringing high-quality dance experiences to them, removing the barriers of money, transport or traditional theatre venues which can be intimidating to people who don’t usually attend the theatre. By presenting work in local, socio-economically deprived areas the benefits are also improved community cohesion, stronger identity with local community, pride in the local community, increased positive social interaction and a more vibrant local community.
Risk Management
The Trustees of the charity regularly review the major governance, operational and financial risks which the charity faces as part of its annual business planning process and confirm that systems have been established to mitigate these risks.
Company of Others has a risk management strategy in place which comprises:
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an annual review of the strategic risks the charity may face via the business plan
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the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified
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regular review of the statuses of key risks and any emerging risks as part of the quarterly Trustee meeting, with updates to risks and their mitigation made as required
The Trustees are satisfied that appropriate financial systems and controls and employment policies and practices are in place.
The Trustees have reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and systems or procedures have been put in place to manage those risks. These are reviewed regularly at quarterly meetings, with updates to risks and their mitigation made as required.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT
For the year ended 5 April 2025
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (Continued)
Risk Management (Cont.)
The Trustees consider the current key risks facing Company of Others and the associated mitigation action being taken to be:
Uncertain economic climate : After salaries, creative production are the Company’s greatest costs. All creative and production work is funded, and work does not commence until funds are confirmed and secured. In addition, the Company is operating a strict policy of moving all unspent unrestricted funds into reserves at the end of each quarter, with the target of maintaining a fourmonth reserves policy.
Loss of key personnel : The Company staff is extremely small and therefore succession planning is hard and the loss of key staff has a significant impact. To mitigate this risk, key staff have a three-month notice period and are discouraged from building up large reserves of untaken leave. Company of Others always pays more than the minimum wage and pays the Real Living Wage as a minimum for all salaried staff. Every effort is made to create and maintain a working culture which is equitable, kind and creative and in which staff feel safe, supported and valued.
Recruitment and capacity : Along with the rest of the sector, recruitment for key leadership roles remains challenging. This is particularly acute in the North East as long-term under-investment in arts leadership in the region has led to a significant skills gap in senior positions in the arts. The nature of Company of Others' work with communities and vulnerable groups is particularly sensitive and nuanced, making recruitment into key, senior, community-facing roles all the more difficult. The company adapts to this by reconfiguring roles and distributing responsibilities between a very small group of staff. While this ensures that quality is maintained, it presents a risk to the volume of planned activity that can be delivered and to the wellbeing of staff who are working at and beyond capacity on an ongoing basis. Trustees and company leadership will continue to monitor this issue and seek out new routes to bringing high quality leadership skills to the company.
Wellbeing : Related to the challenges of maintaining staff capacity is the risk to key staff members of burnout and poor health relating to overwork. The company maintains a staff wellbeing budget line and has a company policy for rest, which enables staff to step away if they need to. Staff and artists associated with delivering activities also have access to free counselling.
The Trustees manage wider financial and operating risks by ensuring that:
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Prudent budgets have been set for the next financial year
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The charity maintains a low operating cost base
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Regular management accounts are provided
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Contingency plans are in place to mitigate all identified risks
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All creative and production work is fully funded with funds in place before work commences
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The charity maintains its Reserves Policy and continues to grow its unrestricted reserves in line with this policy
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The charity works to maintain a culture which is equitable, kind and creative and in which staff feel safe, supported and valued
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The charity operates an Appreciation and Care budget for all staff to be used at the discretion of the CEO to enhance staff wellbeing
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT
For the year ended 5 April 2025
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Aims, Values & Objectives
Company of Others is a dance theatre company based in the North East of England, led by Artistic Director and Choreographer Nadia Iftkhar. We collaborate with people who have experience of being 'othered' by the society we live in, to co-create dance theatre experiences which highlight and share stories of the human experience through their lens.
Our values are Artistry, Equity and Integrity.
The Company’s objectives for 2024-25 were to:
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Deliver ACE NPO requirements in ways that are mission-aligned and support Company of Others' development.
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Grow audience for Grief Floats, and deliver compelling dance performances of the highest quality in accessible spaces to audiences in the North East.
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Continue to strengthen ties with artists and our local communities through a balanced programme of artist development and community activities at The Bricks.
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
2024-25 was Company of Others' second year as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) and we have grown in confidence in devising mission- and values-aligned ways of delivering our activities and measuring our success. Along with the rest of the sector, recruitment to key staff roles has remained challenging but we have been delighted to welcome new colleagues and collaborators, and proud that we have continued to deliver high-quality work and experiences to all who encounter us.
Ensemble , our cohort of dancers aged over 60 welcomed new members this year, developed a new work which they shared at their first public performance since before the pandemic - a significant moment for so many who had to isolate for so long. Meanwhile, Walker Youth Dance Project continues to be an active and dynamic strand and this year has added ballet classes to its offer, with all dancers provided with leotards, tights and slippers in their skin tones. All of our groups enjoy workshops with professional dancers, trips to the theatre, and create work to perform at Walker Youth Dance Festival, as well as other public performances at The Bricks and other venues such as Dance City. Particular highlights include the 12-17s group taking part in a piece of choreography for a film which was screened as part of the MOBO Awards, a visit from Northern Ballet's only Black ballerina Aerys Merril, and Summer School with guest artist Michael Heatley.
This dedicated, ongoing engagement means it is no surprise that Walker Youth Dance Festival was the most successful yet, with over 150 children and families gathering for a day of dance and community.
Moving Together , our project which brings together refugee- and asylum-experienced women entered its second year and has grown in membership and enjoyed welcoming guest artists to some of its biweekly sessions. As they did last year, Moving Together members curated our Winter Gathering at The Bricks, which included dancing, mehndi, banner-making, and enjoying a shared meal together.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT
For the year ended 5 April 2025
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (Cont.)
Our programme of artist development, Rooted in Movement also entered its second year. We continued to host artist dinners, welcoming Global Majority artists from across the North East to meet and develop networks of supportive relationship. This year we were delighted to partner with Bradford-based company Kala Sangam which enabled us to offer two travel bursaries - one to India and one to Italy to work with an Iranian artist collective - and three artist residencies.
We built on the success of our innovative new work Grief Floats with a return to the North Sea at King Edwards Bay. This second production welcomed returning and new cast members, and incorporated dedicated audio description for every performance. The work continues to be popular with many audiences returning, and received very positive national press and TV coverage. A fulllength film of the work is in post-production and there has been significant interest in tours of the work from prospective international partners.
Company of Other's home, The Bricks , is a welcoming space for connection creativity for our artists, neighbours, and the communities we work with. It continues to be a space of connection and creativity for artists, and our communities and neighbours. As well as the space we work in, it is also where we have hosted three seasonal Community Gatherings including our communitycentred AGM. It is a signal of Company of Others' continued growth and success that we are now approaching capacity at The Bricks. At the same time, the church that The Bricks building is adjoined with is in a significant state of disrepair. So our growing demand and concerns about the fabric of our building means that we will be exploring options for new premises in the next two years.
Financial Review
The out-turn for the year is an unrestricted surplus of £11,237 (2024: Surplus £112,245). The surplus will be added to Unrestricted Funds which now stand at 5 April 2025 at £150,157 (2024: £138,920).
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
In the year ahead our key priorities are to build our capacity through recruiting experienced senior roles to support the management of the organisation and continue to explore new modes of equitable leadership; to continue refining our activities to ensure we always deliver high-quality, meaningful experiences to our communities; to secure further financial support through targeted fundraising; and to develop pathways to touring Grief Floats to international partners.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT
For the year ended 5 April 2025
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES
The Trustees (who are also the Directors of Company of Others for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 14 July 2025.
Hilary Knight Chair/Trustee Company Registration Number 10016228
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS OF COMPANY OF OTHERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
I hereby report to the Trustees of Company of Others (Charity Registration Number 1190629) on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2025 set out on pages 11 to 24.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity’s Trustees (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountant in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods or principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Pete O’Hara, FCA, Chartered Accountant
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
26 La Sagesse, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AF
14 July 2025
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| Note Income Income from Investments 3 Income from Grants, Donations & Legacies 4 Income from Charitable Activities 5 Total Income Expenditure Expenditure on Raising Funds 6 Expenditure on Charitable Activities 7 Total Expenditure Net Income/(Expenditure) Funds brought forward Funds carried forward 14 |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 £ £ £ £ 3,391 - 3,391 2,038 253,490 32,085 285,575 295,911 27,375 - 27,375 35,099 |
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| 284,256 32,085 316,341 333,048 6,469 - 6,469 10,000 266,550 41,850 308,400 239,965 |
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| 273,019 41,850 314,869 249,965 |
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| 11,237 (9,765) 1,472 83,083 138,920 51,137 190,057 106,974 |
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| £150,157 £41,372 £191,529 **£190,057 ** |
The notes on pages 13 to 24 form part of the financial statements.
All of the activities of the company are classed as continuing.
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION/BALANCE SHEET AS AT 5 APRIL 2025
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets 9 Current Assets Debtors 10 Cash At Bank & In Hand Creditors – Amounts Falling Due Within 1 Year 11 Net Current Assets/(Liabilities) Total Net Assets 12 Represented by: Unrestricted General Reserves 13, 14 Unrestricted Designated Reserves 13, 14 Restricted Reserves 13, 14 |
2025 2024 £ £ 2,552 1,548 9,853 37,919 186,745 166,067 |
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| 196,598 203,986 (7,621) (15,477) |
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| 188,977 188,509 |
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| £191,529 £190,057 |
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| 140,157 128,920 10,000 10,000 |
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| 150,157 138,920 41,372 51,137 |
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| £191,529 £190,057 |
The notes on pages 13 to 24 form part of the financial statements.
The Trustees are satisfied that for the year ended 5 April 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption under section 477(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees also confirm that the Members have not required the charity to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:
(i) ensuring that the charity keeps adequate accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act, and
(ii) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of its profit or loss for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of section 393, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Act relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charity.
These financial statements were approved and signed by a Member of the Board of Trustees on 14 July 2025.
Hilary Knight Chair/Trustee Company Registration Number 10016228
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of Accounting
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 – 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' ('FRS 102'), and with the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair value.
Advantage has been taken of the provisions in the SORP for Charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a statement of cashflows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity.
Going Concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue and hence the accounts are prepared on the going concern basis.
The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.
Income
All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income, any performance related conditions attached have been met or are fully within the control of the charity, the income is considered probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
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Donations and legacy income is received by way of donations, legacies, grants and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable.
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Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
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Investment income is included when receivable.
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Income from charitable trading activity is accounted for when earned.
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Other income is accounted for when receivable.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1. Accounting Policies (Continued)
Operating Leases
The charity classifies the lease of certain types of equipment as operating leases as the title to the equipment remains with the lessor. Rental charges are charged against income on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Individual Fixed Assets costing £100 or more are capitalised at cost.
Depreciation is provided on any fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the assets over their remaining useful lives as follows:
IT & Office Equipment - 33% per annum straight line
A full year’s depreciation charge is applied in the year of acquisition and no charge is made in the year of disposal.
Impairment of Fixed Assets
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
Financial Instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost where there is a material adjustment.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the purposes of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for specific purposes.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1. Accounting Policies (Continued)
Judgements and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
There are no significant judgements or estimation uncertainty included within the financial statements.
Taxation Status
Company of Others is a Charity registered under the 1960 Charities Act and is accorded exemption from liability to taxation on its income under S505 Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.
Pensions
Company of Others contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme. Further details can be found in Note 9.
For the defined contribution scheme, the amount charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in respect of pension costs is the contributions payable in the year. Differences between contributions payable in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as either accruals or prepayments in the Balance Sheet.
2. Legal Status
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1. The company law members of the charity are the members of its Board of Trustees.
3. Income from Investments
| Interest on cash balances | Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ 2025 £ 2024 £ 3,391 - 3,391 2,038 |
|---|---|
| £3,391 £- £3,391 £2,038 |
The 2024 total of £2,038 related wholly to Unrestricted Funds.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
4. Income from Grants, Donations & Legacies
| Donations Donations - General Grant Income Arts Council England – National Portfolio Organisation Community Foundation/Curtin PARP Fund Catherine Cookson Trust - PowerFULL Curtin PARP Foundation – WYDF Workshops Curtin PARP Foundation – Ballet+ Garfield Weston Foundation Newcastle CC – Wellbeing Hub National Garden Scheme Newcastle Cultural Investment Fund North East Cultural Learning Fund – Welcome Project Northumbria Police Pargiter Trust – Ensemble Programme & Outreach Postcode Neighbourhood Trust Ringtons - PowerFULL Street Games UK – Summer Schools Tyne & Wear High Sheriff Awards - WYDP Wellesley Trust Willan Charitable Trust |
Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ 2025 £ 2024 £ 3,490 - 3,490 1,024 220,000 - 220,000 220,000 - - - 1,000 - - - 1,000 - 1,990 1,990 - - 6,570 6,570 - - - - 25,000 - 1,250 1,250 - - - - 2,887 30,000 - 30,000 30,000 - 2,000 2,000 - - 4,980 4,980 - - 8,764 8,764 - - - - 15,000 - 2,916 2,916 - - 3,555 3,555 - - 1,000 1,000 - - (10,000) (10,000) - - 9,060 9,060 - |
|---|---|
| 250,000 32,085 282,085 294,887 |
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| £253,490 £32,085 £285,575 £295,911 |
The 2024 total of £295,911 comprises £291,024 in respect of Unrestricted Funds and £4,887 in respect of Restricted Funds.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
5. Income from Charitable Activities
| Income from Charitable Activities | |
|---|---|
| Classes & Workshops Commissions, Ticket Sales & Fee Income Premises Hires Other Income |
Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ 2025 £ 2024 £ 14,375 - 14,375 10,957 10,304 - 10,304 23,532 2,280 - 2,280 360 416 - 416 250 |
| £27,375 £- £27,375 £35,099 |
The 2024 total of £35,099 related wholly to Unrestricted Funds.
6. Expenditure on Raising Funds
| Expenditure on Raising Funds | |
|---|---|
| Fundraising Consultancy | Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ 2025 £ 2024 £ 6,469 - 6,469 10,000 |
| £6,469 £- £6,469 £10,000 |
The 2024 total of £10,000 related wholly to Unrestricted Funds.
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
7. Expenditure on Charitable Activities
| Production/Project Costs Salaries & On Costs Production/Project Costs Support Costs Rent Depreciation Freelance Support Other Administration & Running Costs Governance Costs Independent Examiner’s Fees Other Accountancy Fees Legal & Professional Fees |
Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total 2025 £ Total 2024 £ 123,091 17,511 140,602 123,851 77,368 18,546 95,914 82,272 |
|---|---|
| 200,459 36,057 236,516 206,123 3,865 2,135 6,000 6,000 1,977 - 1,977 1,879 25,145 - 25,145 2,154 32,910 3,658 36,568 21,241 |
|
| 63,897 5,793 69,690 31,274 1,800 - 1,800 1,800 360 - 360 720 34 - 34 48 |
|
| 2,194 - 2,194 2,568 |
|
| £266,550 £41,850 £308,400 £239,965 |
Of the 2024 total of £239,965, £205,916 related to Unrestricted Funds and £34,049 to Restricted Funds.
8. Net Income/(Expenditure)
| Net Income/(Expenditure) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): | ||
| Independent Examiner’s Fees – Independent Examination | 1,800 | 1,800 |
| Independent Examiner’s Fees – Other Services | 360 | 720 |
| Depreciation of owned Fixed Assets | 1,977 | 1,879 |
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COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
9. Staff Costs & Trustees’ Remuneration
| Gross Salary Costs Employer’s National Insurance Employer’s Pension Contributions |
2025 £ 2024 £ 131,630 116,472 6,323 4,927 2,649 2,452 |
|---|---|
| £140,602 £123,851 |
No employee received remuneration of more than £60,000 during the year (2024 - Nil).
The key management personnel comprise the Trustees, Artistic Director and CEO, and the General Manager. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the Charity were £69,819 (2024: £74,678)
The average number of staff employed during the year, calculated as full-time equivalents, was as follows:
| was as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| No. | No. | |
| Artistic Production and Support | 4 | 4 |
Pension benefits are provided through a Group Personal Pension Scheme, which is a defined contribution scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in a separately administered fund. In the year to 5 April 2025 Company of Others made an employer's contribution of 3% of pensionable pay, provided that the employee makes a minimum contribution of 5%.
These amounts are paid over to the scheme on a monthly basis. No contributions were outstanding at 5 April 2025 (2024: £Nil).
During the year, N Iftkhar received remuneration in her role as Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director of the charity of £50,299 (2024: £47,573). This payment was made in accordance with the provisions in the governing document of the charity. N Iftkhar receives no remuneration in her role as a Trustee.
No remuneration has been paid to any other Trustees/Directors in the year (2024: £Nil).
Travel expenses totalling £1,824 (2024: £998) have been reimbursed to N Iftkhar during the year for her role as Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director. No expenses have been reimbursed for her role as a Trustee.
Other reimbursement of Travel and Subsistence expenses in respect of their attendance at meetings of the charity amounted to £78 to 1 Trustee (2024: £138 to 1 Trustee).
19
COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| 10. | Tangible Fixed Assets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT & Office | Total | ||||
| Equipment | |||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Cost | |||||
| At 6 April 2024 | 9,436 | 9,436 | |||
| Additions in year | 2,981 | 2,981 | |||
| At 5 April 2025 | 12,417 | 12,417 | |||
| Accumulated Depreciation | |||||
| At 6 April 2024 | 7,888 | 7,888 | |||
| Charge for year | 1,977 | 1,977 | |||
| At 5 April 2025 | 9,865 | 9,865 | |||
| Net Book Value | |||||
| At 5 April 2025 | £2,552 | £2,552 | |||
| At 6 April 2024 | £1,548 | £1,548 | |||
| 11. | Debtors | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Trade Debtors | 1,532 | - | |||
| Accrued Income | 6,046 | 36,835 | |||
| Prepayments | 2,275 | 1,084 | |||
| £9,853 | £37,919 | ||||
| 12. | Creditors – Amounts Falling Due Within | 1 Year | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Trade Creditors | 1,832 | 7,447 | |||
| Other Taxes & Social Security Costs | 3,512 | 1,970 | |||
| Accruals | 2,277 | 6,060 | |||
| £7,621 | £15,477 | ||||
| 13. | Analysis of Net Assets between Funds | ||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | 2025 |
2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ |
£ | ||
| Fixed Assets | 2,552 | - | 2,552 |
1,548 | |
| Debtors | 3,807 | 6,046 | 9,853 |
37,919 | |
| Cash at Bank and In Hand | 150,553 | 36,192 | 186,745 |
166,067 | |
| Creditors – Amounts Due Within 1 Year | (6,755) | (866) | (7,621) |
(15,477) | |
| £150,157 | £41,372 | £191,529 |
£190,057 |
20
COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
14. Analysis of Charitable Funds
| Analysis of Charitable Funds | |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted Funds Charity General Fund Designated Risk Mitigation Fund Restricted Funds Arts Council England – Grief Floats Baltic – HELD Commission Baring Foundation Catherine Cookson Trust - PowerFULL Community Foundation/Wellesley Trust – Art & Social Justice Curtin PARP Foundation – Ballet+ Curtin PARP Foundation – WYDF Workshops National Garden Scheme Newcastle CC – Wellbeing Hub North East Cultural Learning Fund – Welcome Project Northumbria Police Pargiter Trust – Ensemble Programme & Outreach Ringtons - PowerFULL Street Games UK – Summer Schools Tyne & Wear High Sheriff’s Fund - WYDP Willan Charitable Trust - WYDP Total Restricted Funds Total Funds Name of Designated Fund |
Fund at 6 April 2024 £ Incoming Resources in Year £ Resources Expended in Year £ Fund at 5 April 2025 £ 128,920 284,256 (273,019) 140,157 10,000 - - 10,000 |
| 138,920 284,256 (273,019) 150,157 9,000 - - 9,000 3,000 - - 3,000 25,250 - (17,927) 7,323 1,000 - (1,000) - 10,000 (10,000) - - - 6,570 (5,285) 1,285 - 1,990 - 1,990 2,887 - - 2,887 - 1,250 (1,250) - - 2,000 - 2,000 - 4,980 (290) 4,690 - 8,764 (2,928) 5,836 - 2,916 (2,916) - - 3,555 (3,555) - - 1,000 (750) 250 - 9,060 (5,949) 3,111 |
|
| 51,137 32,085 (41,850) 41,372 |
|
| £190,057 £316,341 £(314,869) £191,529 Description, Nature & Purpose of the Designated Fund |
Risk Mitigation
To provide extra contingency against unforeseen costs
21
COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
14. Analysis of Charitable Funds (Cont.)
Name of Restricted Fund Description, Nature & Purpose of the Restricted Fund
Arts Council England – Grief Floats Towards the cost of Grief Floats, a long-term project which offers ways of reconnecting the mind and body during times of grief through workshops, discussions and performances. Baltic/Dance City - HELD Towards the cost of HELD, a delayed 2019 project which offers a reconnection with touch through workshops, discussions and performances Baring Foundation Towards the cost of a 2-year programme of bespoke movement workshops for women who are Refugee and/or Asylum experienced and/or of the Global Majority in the North East Catherine Cookson Trust – PowerFULL Towards the cost of PowerFULL Community Foundation/Wellesley Trust Towards the cost of an art and social justice – Art & Social Justice project with young people Curtin PARP Foundation – Ballet+ Towards the cost of Walker Youth Dance Project 12-17s group and ballet productions Curtin PARP Foundation – WYDF Towards the cost of extending Walker Youth Workshops Dance Project to increase the participation of young women from the East End of Newcastle National Garden Scheme Towards the costs of developing a community garden Newcastle CC – Wellbeing Hub Towards the cost of operating a wellbeing hub at The Bricks North East Cultural Learning Fund – Towards the cost of for 20 professional dance Welcome Project sessions for 300+ Year 7 students at Benfield School and Walker Riverside
22
COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
14. Analysis of Charitable Funds (Cont.)
Name of Restricted Fund
Description, Nature & Purpose of the Restricted Fund
Northumbria Police & Crime Towards the cost of grass roots projects who Commissioner’s Community Fund provide locally designed support for vulnerable people, diversionary activities or to support those who seek to turn things around and improve their local neighbourhood and increase community cohesion Pargiter Trust – Ensemble Programme & Towards the cost of supporting 9 months of a Outreach programme of free-to-access dance for people aged 65+ Ringtons - PowerFULL Towards the cost of the creation of PowerFULL, a group for diverse, Walker/Byker women aged 1825 estranged from dance and experiencing poverty Street Games UK To deliver, in partnership with Street Games, a series of summer schools Tyne & Wear High Sheriff’s Fund – Towards the cost of delivering a youth dance WYDP project in Walker Newcastle Wellesley Trust Towards the cost of an art and social justice project with young people Willan Charitable Trust Towards the cost of Walker Youth Dance Project
23
COMPANY OF OTHERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
15. Related Party Transactions
Details of transactions with Trustees are set out in Note 9.
There were no other transactions in the year with related parties, such as are required to be disclosed under the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (Effective April 2008) (2024: None).
16. Taxation
The company is a registered charity and no provision is considered necessary for taxation.
17. Financial Commitments
No material financial commitments have been made in respect of future financial periods.
18. Company Limited by Guarantee
The charity is incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 and is limited by guarantee, each member having undertaken to contribute such amounts not exceeding £10 as may be required in the event of the company being wound up whilst he or she is still a member or within one year thereafter.
There are currently 8 members of the company (2024 - 8 members).
24