The Turner-Kirk Trust Charity Registration No:1195585 Trustees' report and unaudited accounts
For the year ended 5 April 2024
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Legal and administrative information
| Trustees | Dr P J Turner |
|---|---|
| Dr E M Kirk | |
| Charity number | 1195585 |
| Principal address | Stonecross |
| Trumpington High Street | |
| Cambridge | |
| CB2 9SU | |
| Accountants | Evelyn Partners LLP |
| Accountants | |
| Old Library Chambers | |
| 21 Chipper Lane | |
| Salisbury | |
| Wiltshire | |
| SP1 1BG | |
| Independent examiner | Julie Mutton FCA |
| CLA Evelyn Partners Limited | |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| 4th foor, Cumberland House | |
| 15-17 Cumberland Place | |
| Southampton | |
| Hampshire | |
| SO15 2BG |
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 1 - 4 |
| Independent examiner's report | 5 |
| Statement of fnancial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the accounts | 8 - 11 |
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Trustees' report for the year ended 5 April 2024
The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 5 April 2024.
The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Structure, governance and management
Governance
The Turner-Kirk Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by the Trustees in accordance with the Constitution which was last updated on the 18 January 2022. The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales, charity number 1195585.
Trustees
The trustees who served during the year were: Dr Patricia Jane Turner
Dr Ewan McKinnon Kirk
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Constitution.
Trustees will make available to each new trustee, a copy of the constitution and any amendments made to it and a copy of the latest annual report and statement of accounts.
Trustees are required to read the guidance given by the Charity Commission relating to trustee duties and responsibilities.
Risk factors
The trustees have reviewed the risks to the charity's assets and income and are satisfied that adequate controls are in place.
Objects and activities
The charity is a family foundation that supports science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), conservation and biodiversity and early childhood development causes in the UK and developing world.
The charity aims to identify and support initiatives in line with the Trust's objectives and to enable projects and research to go ahead where the desired outcome is not necessarily certain. To give 'permission to fail' thereby giving the opportunity to learn. Learning from failures can produce faster results and ultimately generate a greater impact.
Public benefit
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
- 1 -
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Trustees' report for the year ended 5 April 2024
Main activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit
6 grants totaling £266,513 (2023: £157,102) were awarded in the year to charitable institutions within the education sector in line with the charity's objectives. Grants were typically awarded within the range of £5,000 to £120,000.
Achievements, performance and financial review
Main achievements of the charity
Of the projects noted in our report last year, there have been positive results and interesting outcomes overall.
- Thanks to the help of the Trust, the "Light a Village" project by SOLAR AID has now achieved 100% solar energy access for entire communities in sub-Saharan Africa, starting in Malawi, targeting populations unlikely to gain electricity within the next decade. They received a £120,000 fund matching grant from the Trust in June 2023 for Phase 2, aiming to secure additional funding and raise awareness. Universal solar access was achieved in Kasakula, Malawi, as a scalable model for SDG7 (Universal Energy Access).
The Trust’s co-founders visited Malawi in early 2024 to assess impacts. Expansion plans included scaling the model to an 80,000-household district in Malawi as well pilot initiatives in Sierra Leone and Senegal. They are also engaging international stakeholders to secure funding, and are working hard to form partnerships with the Government and position the project as a transformative approach to tackling energy access challenges in remote, impoverished communities
- The STEM SPACE project, a collaboration between the Turner Kirk Trust and the University of Glasgow, aims to enhance spatial thinking skills in primary school children, fostering confidence and proficiency in STEM subjects. Launched in August 2023, the initiative is based on Australia’s MathsBURST curriculum. After adapting the curriculum for Scottish classrooms and conducting teacher training, the project launched in August 2023 in 30 schools across Glasgow, Renfrewshire, and Moray, with positive outcomes: significant improvements in pupils' spatial skills (22%), maths (20%), and computational thinking (12%). Teachers reported enhanced student engagement, communication skills, and resilience, especially among students who typically struggled with maths. Initial feedback from teachers and students was highly positive, highlighting improved engagement, confidence, and problem-solving abilities. A grant of £75,000 In March 2024,enabled the project to expand to include 150 schools across six regions, introducing new curriculum levels (P5) and a Champion Programme to facilitate broader implementation.
The University of Glasgow STEM SPACE team aims to trial the program at scale, demonstrating its potential for national rollout and influencing education policy. Ongoing discussions with the Scottish Government show promise, with next steps including data sharing, detailed proposals, and collaboration on governance and resource allocation. Future plans involve creating a Turner - Kirk Spatial Skills Centre at the University of Glasgow to further the initiative. A national rollout depends on government support, including funding, analytical resources, and advocacy, to track and demonstrate the program's long-term impact on STEM education outcomes.
- RAISE YOUR HANDS is a charitable organisation that provides unrestricted funding and resources to small, impactful charities, enabling them to focus on supporting disadvantaged children across the UK. The initiative connects donors and companies with a carefully curated portfolio of charities, offering unique experiences like Midnight Madness, an overnight puzzle-solving challenge, and the corporate social impact program. In 2023, £23,000 was donated to Midnight Madness. This organisation supports charities specialising in areas such as education, mental health, conservation, arts, and family support.
Raise Your Hands also offers consulting, awareness-building, and networking opportunities, fostering knowledge-sharing among charities. By focusing on small, agile organizations, the initiative addresses pressing issues without the bureaucracy of larger institutions, ensuring maximum impact
- 2 -
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Trustees' report for the year ended 5 April 2024
- In 2023, the Turner Kirk Trust launched the IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON - SPRINT CHALLENGE FUND aimed at funding innovative research to address conservation challenges using applied mathematics. The fund supported new, collaborative, high-risk projects to tackle unsolved conservation issues, with a focus on research that could potentially lead to transformative solutions. The 2024 funding call, supported by a donation of £8,000 from the Trust, encouraged applicants to propose breakthrough ideas at the intersection of mathematics and biodiversity conservation. Interested participants were invited to an Information, Brainstorming, and Networking Session and attendees could then submit short abstract proposals.
Three interdisciplinary research teams at Imperial College London were chosen to tackle environmental challenges using mathematical approaches. The projects, united expertise from the Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP), Department of Life Sciences (DoLS), and Department of Mathematics (DoM), address critical conservation issues. These projects highlighted the transformative potential of integrating mathematics with conservation science to address global environmental challenges
- In October 2023, a £35,000 donation was made to the TURNER KIRK TRUST ANTARCTIC KRILL PROJECT, a collaboration between Imperial College, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), and other partners. The project focused on using advanced spatio-temporal modeling to understand Antarctic krill distribution and its role in the Southern Ocean ecosystem, particularly within the Southwest Atlantic's CCAMLR Area 48, home to 70% of the global krill stock. The project incorporated high-resolution ocean and sea-ice models with new data from drifting buoys, yielding improved predictions of krill abundance. It addressed key processes like retention, dispersal, and movement pathways affecting krill availability for predators and fisheries and the modeling has been successful in the South Orkney Islands region, which is critical for understanding krill availability in the Scotia Sea.
Future research aims to expand these insights to other regions and investigate broader impacts on the carbon cycle and fishery management. Two PhD projects have been launched to build on this work, focusing on biological carbon sinks and ocean dynamics modeling. Further discussions with BAS are planned in 2025 to explore next steps and implications of the findings. While the funded portion has concluded, the collaboration will continue to advance understanding of krill ecology, with applications for climate change sensitivity and sustainable fisheries management. The project has also supported career development, with lead researcher Dr. André Ribeiro Amaral securing a lectureship at the University of Southampton. The donation has facilitated significant progress in understanding krill dynamics, with potential impacts on conservation, climate research, and fisheries management.
- In March 2024 a grant of £5,262.50 was given to Darwin College, for a BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION for students to encourage and reward entrepreneurial activity among students, building on existing interest in innovation and start-ups. This initiative fostered entrepreneurship among Darwin students and connected them with valuable alumni and institutional resources.
Financial review
The financial results for the year show an overall deficit of £157,486 (2023: surplus of £14,086) on unrestricted reserves. Income for the charity was £201,000 (2023: £250,000) and expenses, including grants, of £358,486 (2023: £235,914).
Going concern
The Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
- 3 -
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Trustees' report for the year ended 5 April 2024
Reserves policy
The reserves on account for this financial term are £64,204 (2023: £221,690). These reserves are held on account to be accessed readily when a grant has been agreed and is to be made by the Trustees on behalf of the Trust.
All reserves are held as unrestricted funds.
Trustees' responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable regulations). Under that law the trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the trustees for that year.
In preparing the accounts, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and
-
prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which are sufficient to show and explain the trustees' transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the relevant Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the charity's governing document. 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.
Signed on behalf of the board of trustees:
.............................
Dr E M Kirk Trustee
10/03/2025 Date: ......................
- 4 -
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Turner-Kirk Trust for the year ended 5 April 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Turner-Kirk Trust for the year ended 5 April 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and the notes to the accounts, including a summary of significant accounting policies.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner and basis of report
As the charity's trustees, 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 charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the 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.
Julie Mutton
Julie Mutton (Mar 10, 2025 14:04 GMT)
.................................................
Julie Mutton FCA
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
CLA Evelyn Partners Limited Chartered Accountants 4th floor, Cumberland House 15-17 Cumberland Place Southampton Hampshire SO15 2BG
Date: 10/03/2025
- 5 -
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Statement of financial activities for the year ended 5 April 2024
| Unrestricted funds 2024 Note £ Income: Donations 2 201,000 Total income 201,000 Expenditure: Charitable activities - grants 3 266,513 Charitable activities - support costs 4 91,973 Total expenditure 358,486 Net movement in funds (157,486) Total reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 221,690 Total funds carried forward 64,204 |
Total funds 2024 £ 201,000 201,000 266,513 91,973 358,486 (157,486) 221,690 64,204 |
Total funds 2023 £ 250,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 250,000 | ||
| 157,102 78,812 |
||
| 235,914 | ||
| 14,086 207,604 |
||
| 221,690 |
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 8 to 11 form part of these accounts.
- 6 -
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Balance sheet as at 5 April 2024
| Notes Current assets Debtors 7 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 8 Net current assets Net assets Charity funds Unrestricted funds |
£ 395 69,024 69,419 (5,215) |
2024 £ 64,204 64,204 64,204 64,204 |
£ - 225,791 225,791 (4,101) |
2023 £ 221,690 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 221,690 | ||||
| 221,690 | ||||
| 221,690 |
The accounts were approved by the board, authorised for issue and signed on their behalf by:
..............................
Dr E M Kirk
Trustee
10/03/2025
Date: ..............................
The notes on pages 8 to 11 form part of these accounts.
- 7 -
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2024
1 Accounting policies
1.1 General information
The Turner-Kirk Trust is a UK charity (No 1195585).
The principal address of the charity is Stonecross, Trumpington High Street, Cambridge, CB2 9SU.
1.2 Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with 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).
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified to include gifts to the Foundation at fair value on the date they were gifted.
The trustees confirm that the charity is a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity's presentational currency is GBP.
1.3 Going concern
The trustees have reviewed the financial position of the charity and consider that the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate. There are no material uncertainties in relation to the going concern status of the charity.
1.4 Income
Donations and gifts are credited to the Statement of financial activities in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to the respective asset, receipt is probable and the value can be measured.
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Grants payable are payments made to third parties in furtherance of the charitable objects of the Trust. Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made and the recipient has reasonable expectation that they will receive the grant, except in those cases where the offer is conditional. Such grants are recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled (or when it is probable that conditions will be fulfilled and satisfaction of the conditions is outside the control of the Trustees).
Support costs consist of costs not directly attributable to direct charitable expenditure but which are in respect of the general administration of the charity and overall management of the funds.
1.6 Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
1.7 Pensions
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.
- 8 -
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2024
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.8 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
2 Income from donations
| 2 Income from donations |
||
|---|---|---|
| Donations 3 Grants payable Grants to institutions - 6 Grants (2023: 3) Darwin College, University of Cambridge Imperial College London Raise Your Hands Solar Aid University of Glasgow Grants under £1,000 (1 grant / 2023: none) |
2024 £ 201,000 201,000 2024 £ 5,263 43,000 23,000 120,000 75,000 250 266,513 |
2023 £ 250,000 |
| 250,000 | ||
| 2023 £ - 70,102 15,000 - 72,000 - |
||
| 157,102 |
- 9 -
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2024
| 4 Support costs Staf costs (note 5) Events and networking Legal expenses Rent Payroll processing costs Bank charges The following costs are considered to be costs of governance: Accountancy fees Independent examiner fees 5 Staf costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Contribution to defned contribution pension schemes |
2024 £ 62,561 13,897 1,283 7,360 666 152 85,919 4,794 1,260 6,054 91,973 2024 £ 54,237 5,682 2,642 62,561 |
2023 £ 60,001 3,876 3,093 7,764 756 102 |
|---|---|---|
| 75,592 - 3,220 |
||
| 3,220 | ||
| 78,812 | ||
| 2023 £ 51,333 6,082 2,585 |
||
| 60,001 |
The average number of persons employed during the year was 1 (2023: 1).
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
6 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or other benefits during this year or the previous year.
7 Debtors
| Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Other debtors | 2024 £ 395 395 |
2023 £ - |
| - |
- 10 -
The Turner-Kirk Trust
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5 April 2024
| 8 Creditors Accruals and deferred income Trade creditors Other creditors |
2024 £ 3,804 252 1,159 5,215 |
2023 £ 3,000 144 957 |
|---|---|---|
| 4,101 |
9 Related parties
The charity received aggregate unconditional donations from trustees of £200,000 (2023: £250,000).
- 11 -