THE LIS FOUNDATION (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
CHARITY NO. 1194770
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
THE LIS FOUNDATION
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 3 |
| Trustees’ Report | 4-5 |
| Independent Examiners’ Report | 6 |
| Statement of financial activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 9-13 |
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
TRUSTEES: Ian Davenport, resigned 1 March 2025 Sarah Evans Colleen Amos Stephen Isherwood Larissa Dempsey Michael Englard, appointed 1 March 2025 CHARITY NUMBER: 1194770 REGISTERED OFFICE: 20-30 Whitechapel Road LONDON E1 1EW INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: Samantha Nicholson BA (Open) (Hons) FMAAT Oakleigh Accounting Knowle House 4 Norfolk Park Road SHEFFIELD S2 3QE BANKERS: CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The trustees of the charity present their annual report and the financial statements for the year to 31 August 2025.
Structure, governance, and management
The LIS Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and was registered by the Charity Commission on 11 June 2021. The Foundation’s governing document is its constitution.
It has a Trustee Board. Trustees are typically appointed for a four-year term following an interview process and are ultimately accountable for the conduct of the organisation.
Trustees meet at least yearly. The Charity’s management is run by Anna Matei who acts on a voluntary basis.
Serving trustees in the reporting period were:
Sarah Evans Colleen Amos Stephen Isherwood Larissa Dempsey Ian Davenport, Resigned 1 March 2025 Michael Englard, Appointed 1 March 2025
Objects, activities and performance
Purposes
The Charity’s purposes are two-fold:
(i) To advance the education of students facing disadvantage attending the London Interdisciplinary School in such ways as the charity trustees think fit (including by awarding bursaries, scholarships, maintenance allowances or grants) and
(ii) to advance the education of the public in approaches to and the importance of interdisciplinary learning.
Summary of main activities
The Foundation continues to provide grants to students facing disadvantage including students from low-income households and students estranged from their parents/carers.
Statement of Charity Commission guidance on public benefit
The charity trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Summary of main achievements
The LIS Foundation continues to support student beneficiaries. The Foundation has been pleased to maintain, and where relevant, increase support to students facing significant disadvantage.
In 2024-25, the Foundation provided bursaries to a significant number of students studying at the London Interdisciplinary School. These bursaries were awarded for students from a variety of backgrounds including students estranged from their parents, from low-income households and students facing urgent financial difficulties.
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
The Foundation has a set of robust criteria for awarding bursaries on the grounds of need. Trustees review and amend criteria on an annual basis whilst taking into account the charity’s financial resources.
From 2024-25, the Foundation also provided access to career coaching for students and recent graduates transitioning from higher education to employment. Funded coaching sessions were available to students meeting the same criteria as outlined above, including students estranged from their parents, from low-income households and students facing urgent financial difficulties. Coaching was provided by two vetted career advisors and demonstrated significant impact in recipients’ ability to secure or thrive in graduate work.
Reserves Statement
The Charity holds reserves equivalent to at least a year’s expenditure on bursaries not including funding received by foundations for specific students and programmes such as career coaching for transition to work.
Chair’s Report
The Foundation’s continued to do fruitful work in its fourth year.
The Foundation continues to make an impact on its beneficiaries, including as evidenced through the high continuation rates of beneficiary students. Further, the Foundation has been able to extend the duration and impact of its activities by adding career coaching to its forms of support. This means beneficiaries from high-risk backgrounds are accompanied on their journey out of education too, demonstrably increasing their chances of being in employment.
The continued success of beneficiaries and LIS students in general is an ongoing reflection both on the value of LIS’s distinctive model of higher education and the important support offered by the LIS Foundation.
We look forward to seeing the ever-increasing impact and reach of students and graduates. For the Foundation, we have exciting and innovative plans to provide funding for focused periods of work completed by students to further the education of the public, especially local organisations around Tower Hamlets and London, and impact-driven businesses in the UK more broadly, in approaches to and the importance of interdisciplinary learning.
The trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 5 June 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Stephen Isherwood
signed on 25/06/2026, 18:10:26 BST Stephen Isherwood Chair
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The LIS Foundation for the year ended 31 August 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is required.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
I have completed my examination. I can 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:
-
the accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
-
the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
signed on 25/06/2026, 18:11:14 BST S Nicholson BA (Open) (Hons) FMAAT Oakleigh Accounting
Date: 25/06/2026
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Notes | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Incoming resources from generated | |||||||
| funds | |||||||
| Grants and donations | 2 | 0 | 19,500 | 19,500 | 8,000 | ||
| Investment income | 3 | 142 | - | 142 | 135 | ||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Incoming resources from charitable activities | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total incoming resources | 142 | 19,500 | 19,642 | 8,135 | |||
| Resources expended | 5 | ||||||
| Raising funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Charitable activities | 6 | 10,290 | 5,200 | 15,490 | 26,760 | ||
| Depreciation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Other | 500 | 0 | 500 | 500 | |||
| Total resources expended | 10,790 | 5,200 | 15,990 | 27,260 | |||
| Net income/(expenditure) for the year | (10,648) | 14,300 | 3,652 | (19,125) | |||
| Net movement in Funds | |||||||
| Fund balances at brought forward | 64,080 | 0 | 64,080 | 83,205 | |||
| Fund balances to carried forward | 53,432 | 14,300 | 67,732 | 64,080 |
All of the charity’s activities are continuing. The Statement of Financial Activities has been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
| BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025 2025 Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 0 0 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 9 0 Cash at bank and in hand 68,232 68,232 LIABILITIES Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 10 (500) Amounts falling due over one year 0 NET CURRENT ASSETS 67,732 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 67,732 INCOME FUNDS Restricted funds 11 14,300 Unrestricted funds 53,432 TOTAL FUNDS 67,732 |
2024 0 64,580 64,580 (500) 0 |
2024 0 64,580 64,580 (500) 0 |
0 0 64,080 64,080 0 64,080 64,080 |
|---|---|---|---|
0 |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for keeping accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011 and for preparing financial statements which comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
The trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 5 June 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Stephen Isherwood
signed on 25/06/2026, 18:10:26 BST Stephen Isherwood Chair
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 General Information
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales. The registered office is 20–30 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1EW.
The charity’s principal activity is to advance the education of students facing disadvantage attending the London Interdisciplinary School.
1.2 Basis of preparation
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”), the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis and are presented in sterling (£).
1.3 Going Concern
After reviewing the charity’s forecasts and available resources, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The trustees therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
1.4 Incoming resources
Donations and grants received are allocated between restricted and unrestricted funds and between the different types of incoming resources according to their nature. Grants for revenue expenditure and capital expenditure are recognised in the statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. Other incoming resources, including investment income, are recognised in the statement of financial activities on a receivable basis.
1.5 Resources expended
Resources expended are recognised in the year in which they are incurred and include irrecoverable VAT. Resources expended are allocated to headings within the Statement of Financial Activities based on the purpose of the expenditure.
Charitable activities represent the direct costs incurred in carrying out the charity’s activities and include relevant support costs.
Governance costs represent the costs of administering the charity and meeting its statutory obligations.
1.6 Accumulated funds
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purpose and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
2. GRANTS AND DONATIONS
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Donations and gifts | ||||
| Private donations | 0 | 0 | ||
| LSEG Foundation | 19,500 | 0 | ||
| Fidelity International (Restricted) | 0 | 5,000 | ||
| Leverhulme (Restricted) | 0 | 3,000 | ||
| 19,500 | 8,000 | |||
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME | |||
| Interest receivable | 142 | 135 | ||
| 4. | INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | |||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
| funds | funds | 2025 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Charitable activities | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Included within income relating to community | activities are the following grants | |||
| Total | Total | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted | ||||
| 0 | 0 | |||
| Others | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 0 | |||
| Restricted | ||||
| 0 | 0 | |||
| Other | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 0 |
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
5. TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
| Community activities Community activities Activities undertaken directly Grant funding of activities Total Other costs |
Staff costs Depreciation £ £ 0 0 - - 0 0 - - 0 0 |
Other costs £ 15,490 - 15,490 500 15,990 |
2024 Total £ 26,760 - 26,760 500 27,260 |
|---|---|---|---|
Other costs include payments to the independent examiner of £500 for independent examination fees.
6.
ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN DIRECTLY
| Other costs relating to community activities: Project costs Bank charge Insurance Legal IT Software & Consumables Subscription & Memberships Telephone & Internet Travel & Subsistence |
2025 2024 £ £ 15,430 26,700 60 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15,490 26,760 |
|---|---|
7. TRUSTEES
During the year, neither the charity trustees nor any persons connected with them received any remuneration or benefits from the charity.
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
8.
EMPLOYEES
| EMPLOYEES | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Number of employees | ||
| The average monthly number of employees | ||
| during the year was: | ||
| Charity employees | 0 | 0 |
| Trustees | 5 | 5 |
| Volunteers | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | 6 |
The Foundation has no corporate trustees or trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity.
| Employment costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wages and salaries | 0 | 0 |
| Social security costs | 0 | 0 |
| Other pension costs | 0 | 0 |
| Other Staffing costs | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 |
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more. There were no staff employed during the year.
9.
10.
| DEBTORS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Trade debtors | 0 | 0 |
| Amounts owed by group undertakings | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | |
| CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Trade creditors | 0 | 0 |
| Loans | 0 | 0 |
| Taxes and social security costs | 0 | 0 |
| Other creditors | 0 | 0 |
| Accruals | 500 | 500 |
| 500 | 500 |
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THE LIS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
11. RESTRICTED FUNDS
The income funds of charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:
| Balance at | Incoming | Resources | Balances | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| start of | resources | expended | at year | |
| year | end | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| LSEG Foundation | 0 | 19,500 | 5,200 | 14,300 |
| 0 | 19,500 | 5,200 | 14,300 |
LSEG Foundation was received for transition coaching.
All restricted funds have sufficient resources that they may be applied in accordance with the restrictions.
12. SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENT
| Balance | Income | Expenditure | Balance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brought | carried | |||
| forward | forward | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | 64,080 | 142 | 10,790 | 53,432 |
| Restricted: | ||||
| LSEG Foundation | 0 | 19,500 | 5,200 | 14,300 |
| 64,080 | 19,642 | 15,990 | 67,732 |
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