The CyberHub Trust
Annual Report & Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
Index:
| Reference and Administrative Details | ……………………………………………………… | 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | ……………………………………………………… | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | ……………………………………………………… | 8 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | ……………………………………………………… | 9 |
| Balance Sheet | ……………………………………………………… | 10 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | ……………………………………………………… | 11 |
| Appendix | ……………………………………………………… | 16 |
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Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees
Ms Julia von Klonowski (Chair) Digital Skills Consulting Ms Ruth Gilbert Career Colleges Trust Mr Amit Patel Experience Haus Mr Joash Howard Amazon Mr John Pittaway Retired (AWS) Mr Benjamin Franklin PGI International
Special Advisors
National Crime Agency (NCA) National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
Principal Office
The CyberHub Trust 26 Queen Victoria Street Reading RG1 1TG United Kingdom
Charity Registration Number
Reg. No. 1190988
Bankers
Hannah Jones Client Support Manager HSBC Bank 120 Edmund Street Birmingham B3 2QZ
Accountants
Jason Pyke Managing Partner Vale & West Chartered Accountants Victoria House 26 Queen Victoria Street Reading RG1 1TG
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Trustees Report
The Trustees present their report with the Financial Statements of the charity, for the year ended 31 March 2025. They have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims:
The primary purpose of the Trust is to promote education and training of Digital Technology (DigiTech) & Cyber, facilitate a pipeline of well-trained, qualified and experienced young people and to identify 'at-risk' technically capable young people and encourage them to become productive members of society.
Significant Activities:
The CyberHub Trust is advised by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and managed by the Board of Trustees. It operates within Further Education Colleges across the UK.
It relies on experts & specialists in DigiTech & Cyber, to deliver training, education and apprenticeships, and to assist with Community Outreach Programmes.
Strategy:
The Trust continually reviews & adapts its Strategy according to developments and feedback from colleges, students and other stakeholders. During the year to March 2025 the Trust focused on securing funding to continue the charity’s activities, specifically Community Outreach activities.
Sites:
By end-March 2025 the Trust had four operational sites, including Barking & Dagenham College in London, Birmingham Metropolitan College , City College Plymouth and Coleg Gwent in Newport Wales.
We continue to engage with other colleges, including Milton Keynes College , Tameside College in Manchester, University College Birmingham , and Hugh Baird College in Liverpool (limited due to their financial & resource constraints).
In line with many other, similar charities, The Trust has had to deal with funding challenges, and in particular, many of the FE Colleges have faced their own financial challenges, which in turn has had impacts on the CyberHub Trust’s work.
Events:
One of the key areas of focus is the delivery of Community Outreach activities. In 2024, the Trust continued its annual `Roadshow’ event, with some new, interactive Cyber & Security events hosted at colleges in Barking & Dagenham, Hugh Baird Liverpool, Birmingham Metropolitan and Milton Keynes. These proved to be extremely successful.
Supported by our industry leading Partners, the Events showcased interactive activities & challenges designed to engage young people in cutting-edge DigiTech and Cyber skills. Additional support came from the West Midlands Regional Cyber Crime Unit, the Metropolitan Police Service, the National Crime
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Agency, and the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology added real-world relevance to the event, giving students a glimpse into careers in cybersecurity & public safety.
Highlights of the 2024 Roadshow included:
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AXON VR Headset Taser Challenge (testing students’ decision-making and risk assessment skills)
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BAE System Cyber Quest Challenge (providing an in-depth look at cybersecurity problem-solving)
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Currys Laptop Build & Breakdown & Bomb Disposal Challenge (engaging students in hands-on activity)
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IBM Agile Project Management & Robotics Challenge (giving students a chance to flex their coding muscles)
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The Civil Aviation Authority Cyber Escape Room & Top Trumps Challenge (providing more opportunities for cybersecurity problem solving)
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The Police Criminal Minds & Escape Room activities (challenging students to apply cybersecurity & forensics in a real-world context)
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CIS Security & Vizgard Drone & AI technology demonstrations (highlighting more specific DigiTech career opportunities)
Sponsorship:
During 2024, and into 2025, it has become very obvious that the current political and economic circumstances have resulted in an almost complete lack of funding/sponsorship, resulting in a perilous state where the charity has become almost unable to continue to operate. The sole income in 2024, a modest £3,000, came from the Media Agency Wavemaker.
It is once again little comfort, but the same problem is facing many other charities, not to mention many small businesses.
The CyberHub Trust embarked on a determined campaign in 2024 to generate new sources of income, including attempts to secure sponsorship from CIS Security, Tech company AXON, and applying for Grant income from the Department of Skills, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), CyberFirst and a US-based organisation Kyndryl .
Some of these funds were `promised’ but then did not materialise, which is why planning and execution continued. Not one of these endeavours has borne fruit, and the charity is now nearing the end of its limited funds.
The Trustees are now in discussion to determine when to formally close the charity and remove it from the Charities Commission’s Register.
Continuing the Work:
Although the CyberHub Trust is facing closure due to its financial circumstances, some of the work will continue through the services & events delivered by Digital Skills Consulting Ltd. It is worth noting that this consultancy has been working alongside the charity since its launch in 2020, and many of the recent Community Outreach (roadshow) activities have, at least in part, been funded by DSC.
It is also worth noting that both the CEO and the Chair of Trustees, who are responsible for the majority of the charity’s operations (including administration, event planning and delivery, stakeholder engagement, and liaison with the Charity Commission) have invested significant time and effort in fundraising activities.
They feel strongly that the charity’s primary purpose is to create and deliver opportunities for young people - and believe that their time would be better spent working directly with beneficiaries, rather than focusing on fundraising efforts.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial Position:
The closing fund balance on the 31 March 2025 was £4,814.00 (2024 - £51,412).
Trustees oversee expenditure in accordance with the agreed parameters - and a basic stipend was authorised to compensate the CEO for his management and other duties, and to cover reasonable expenses for the Chair and CEO, who do the majority of the work of the charity. These payments were terminated in 2024, due to diminishing funds - and as it became clear that promised financial support was not forthcoming.
The Trust is not registered for VAT and, as such, no VAT liability existed.
Reserves Policy:
The Trustees recognise that it is very important for the Trust to have sufficient reserves in the future to continue its objectives. This will be to ensure that there are funds available to meet the commitments of the charity. In the absence of funds, the charity will not be in a position to continue its work.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The CyberHub Trust is a CIO `in association'.
Management structure:
The Trust is managed by a CEO, with assistance from paid contractors (website design & administration, PR & Communications, videography, etc.) and voluntary stakeholders (e.g. marketing agencies assisting with the Trust's projects, RCCU teams, Wavemaker, etc.).
Decision making:
Trustees have been consulted on the details in the Annual Report and discussed & debated in the regular Trustees Meetings (recorded in the minutes) to ensure that the Report matches with the Trust's Mission.
Risk Assessment:
The CEO and Trustees assess major risks facing the Trust and address them in accordance with agreed processes. In 2023 the Trustees agreed to focus activities on its Community Outreach activity, which significantly removed the previous key risk (working with external Service Providers).
Trustees acknowledged that the loss of the original AWS sponsorship put pressure on delivery - and have been actively seeking other sources of funding/sponsorship during 2023, 2024 and 2025.
In 2024 the Trust determined to focus on the following:
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seeking funding opportunities, through government grants (DSIT, CyberFirst, etc.)
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seeking funding opportunities from corporate partners (AXON, CIS Security, etc.)
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the expansion of CyberHub centres of excellence
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development & expansion of Community Outreach & Experiences/Events
The overarching risk, however, has come from the UK’s political & economic situation, leading to an extreme contraction in the ability of small charities to continue to survive.
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STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed 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 charity for that period. In preparing those 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 Charity SORP
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.
This Annual Report was approved by the CyberHub Board of Trustees on the 27[th] November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Julia von Klonowski Chair of Trustees
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STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of The CyberHub Trust ('the CIO') for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the Charity Trustees of the CIO, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the 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 applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
……………………………………….
J Pyke FCA
Vale & West Chartered Accountants Victoria House 26 Queen Victoria Street Reading Berkshire RG1 1TG
Date: 01 December 2025
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities 3 Charitable activities Total EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 4 Other - Total NET INCOME (EXPENDITURE) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
31.03.25 Unrestricted Fund £ 3,000 - 3,000 20,304 33,886 54,190 (51,190) 51,353 __ ____ 163 |
31.03.24 Total Funds £ - - - 33,599 31,575 65,174 (65,174) 116,527 __ ____ 51,353 |
|---|---|---|
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BALANCE SHEET
31 MARCH 2025
| Notes CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 8 Cash at Bank CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 9 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS 10 Unrestricted Funds TOTAL FUNDS |
31.03.25 Unrestricted Fund £ - 2,364 2,364 (2,201) _ 163 163 _ 163 163 163 |
31.03.24 Total Funds £ 55,664 55,664 ( 4,311) __ 51,353 51,353 _ 51,353 51,353 51,353 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 5[th] December 2025 and were signed on its behalf by :
Julia von Klonowski Chair of Trustees
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. STATUTORY INFORMATION
The CyberHub Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The registration and principal office address can be found on the reference and administrative details page.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102 , have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 ) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011 . The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
3. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Grants Charitable activities 4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Advertising Travelling and Subsistence Consultancy Information Technology Other 5. SUPPORT COSTS Management and administration Accountancy |
31.03.25 £ 3,000 31.03.25 £ 7,780 1,902 9,230 1,322 70 20,304 31.03.25 £ 32,500 1,386 33,886 |
31.03.24 £ - 31.03.24 £ 12,182 15,276 3.250 2,525 366 33,599 31.03.24 £ 30,000 1,575 31,575 |
|---|---|---|
6. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no Trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025, nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees’ Expenses
Julia Klonowski was reimbursed £552 (2024 - £3,458) out of pocket expenses for travelling and subsistence.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donation and Legacies Charitable activities Charitable activities Total: EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Other Total: NET INCOME RECONCILLIATION OF FUNDS Total Funds Brought Forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade Debtors 9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade Creditors Other Creditors |
Unrestricted Fund £ - - - 33,599 31,575 65,174 (65,174) ______ 116,527 51,353 31.03.25 £ - 31.03.25 £ 250 1,951 2,201 |
31.03.24 £ - 31.03.24 £ 1,050 3,261 4,311 |
|---|---|---|
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At Net 01.04.24 Movement in funds £ £ Unrestricted Funds General Fund 51,353 (51,190) _ _ TOTAL FUNDS 51,353 (51,190) Net movement in funds, including in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources Resources Expended £ £ Unrestricted Funds General Fund - (51,190) _ _ TOTAL FUNDS - (51,190) Comparatives for Movement in Funds At Net 01.04.23 Movement in funds £ £ Unrestricted Funds General Fund 116,527 (65,174) _ TOTAL FUNDS 116,527 (65,174) Comparative net movement in funds, included in above are as follows: Incoming Resources Resources Expended £ £ Unrestricted Funds General Fund - (65,174) _ __ TOTAL FUNDS - (65,174) |
At 31.03.25 £ 163 __ 163 Movement in funds £ (51,190) _ (51,190) At 31.03.24 £ 51,353 51,353 Movement in funds £ (65,174) ___ (65,174) |
|---|---|
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted Funds General Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 01.04.24 £ 51,353 _____ 51,353 |
Net Movement in funds £ (51,190) ______ (51,190) |
At 31.03.25 £ 163 ______ 163 |
|---|---|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above as follows:
| Unrestricted Funds General Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming Resources £ 3,000 _ 3,000 |
Resources Expended £ (54,190) __ (54,190) |
Movement in funds £ (51,190) ______ (51,190) |
|---|---|---|---|
11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Michael Klonowski
The CEO, Michael Klonowski, was reimbursed £1,350 (2024 - £,466) out of pocket expenses for travelling and subsistence.
Digital Consulting Limited
Digital Skills Consulting Limited is a company controlled by Michael and Julia Klonowski. During the year, the charity paid the company £32,500 (2023 - £30,000) for management and administration services.
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Appendix
| AWS | Amazon Web Services |
|---|---|
| AXON | AXON (Protect Life) |
| BDC | Barking & Dagenham College |
| BIT Group | Bluescreen IT Ltd. (incl. BIT Training) |
| BMET | Birmingham Metropolitan College |
| CCP | City College Plymouth |
| CEO | Chief Executive Officer |
| CIO | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| DigiTech | Digital Technology |
| DSIT | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology |
| ELIoT | East London Institute of Technology |
| FE | Further Education (Colleges) |
| HBC | Hugh Baird College (Liverpool) |
| IoT | Institute of Technology |
| MK | Milton Keynes College |
| NCA | National Crime Agency |
| NCSC | National Cyber Security Centre |
| RCCU | Regional Cyber Crime Unit |
| SCIoT | South Central Institute of Technology |
| SOC | Security Operations Centre |
| SORP | Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities) |
| TCS | Tata Consultancy Services |
| UX | User Experience |
| VAT | Value Added Tax |
| WM-RCCU | West Midlands Regional Cyber Crime Unit |
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