Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
Charity number: 1195899
The Association of Applied Biologists
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the CIO, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| President's statement | 2 - 3 |
| Trustees' report | 4 - 20 |
| Independent examiner's report | 21 - 22 |
| Statement of financial activities | 23 |
| Balance sheet | 24 |
| Statement of cash flows | 25 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 26 - 41 |
Cover Image of the Rothamsted Broadbalk Field experiment taken during the AAB Long Term Experiments Meeting: June 2023
The Association of Applied Biologists
Reference and administrative details of the CIO, its Trustees and advisers For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Trustees | Dr M J Gooding, President |
|---|---|
| Prof D Sanders, President Elect (appointed 1 January 2023) | |
| Prof N Halford, Honorary Treasurer | |
| Dr G Barker, General Secretary | |
| Dr M Back, Programme Secretary (term ended 31 December 2023) | |
| Dr S Edgington, Nematology | |
| Dr K Topp, Conferences Treasurer (appointed 1 January 2023) | |
| Prof M Parry, Publications Officer (appointed 1 January 2023) | |
| Prof I S Donnison | |
| Prof N Spence | |
| Prof R Edwards | |
| Charity registered | |
| number | 1195899 |
| Principal office | Warwick Enterprise Park |
| Wellesbourne | |
| Warwickshire | |
| CV35 9EF | |
| Executive Officer | Mr G Parry |
| Accountants and | Dains Audit Limited |
| Independent examiner | 2 Chamberlain Square |
| Paradise Circus | |
| Birmingham | |
| B3 3AX | |
| Bankers | Barclays Bank plc |
| 150 The Parade | |
| Leamington Spa | |
| Warwickshire | |
| CV32 4A | |
| Solicitors | Harbottle & Lewis LLP |
| 7 Savoy Court | |
| London | |
| WC2R 0EX |
Page 1
for the period ended 31 December 2022
The Association of Applied Biologists
The President presents his statement for the period.
The AAB continues to address its strategy to support and engage a membership concerned with the application of excellent biology to address societal challenges relevant to our mission. By December 2023, the AAB had maintained a membership of around 1000; in part facilitated by continuing to offer a free annual membership to non-members paying full registration fees to our conferences. As in the previous year, therefore, membership reflected on a successful and full conference programme which in 2023 addressed key aspects of regenerative agriculture; sustainable intensification; crop protection, quality and storage; tree and woodland establishment; food waste volarisation; and the importance of long-term experiments. The total number of conference delegates for the year was 1068.The conference programme is closely aligned with, and driven by, the specialist groups of the association. It is important to note, therefore, that 2023 saw the addition of a new specialist group of the AAB, namely PlantEd – a group focussing on the technology, regulation, and perceptions of plant genome editing. The first AAB conference organised by PlantEd will be held in October 2024.
In 2023, AAB increased its reputation as a reliable deliverer of effective hybrid (online + in person) events and is committed to continuing and developing the format particularly as it supports the potential involvement of delegates from low and middle income countries (LMICs), and helps to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the conference programme.
Our support for early career scientists and professionals included a subsidized two-day workshop giving them opportunities to present their research and to discuss skills, careers and training. Additional support for this group includes free annual membership with nominal charge for online conference registration, and access to the AAB travel grant scheme.
For those that have demonstrated long-term commitment and achievement in the application of biology, 2023 saw the introduction of the association’s fellowship scheme. The first cohort of 24 individuals to be conferred with the title of Fellow of the Association of Applied Biologists (F App Biol) have now been formally approved by AAB Council.
The Association maintains a strong presence in the applied biology sector and throughout 2023 worked with a number of other organisations in allied subject areas. These included the Royal Society of Biology, the Global Plant Council, the Society for Experimental Biology, and the British Society for Plant Pathology.
The journals of AAB (currently Annals of Applied Biology, and Plant Biotechnology Journal), under the leadership of their Editor in Chiefs (Profs Ricardo A. Azevedo and Johnathan Napier) continue to serve the community of applied biologists and plant biotechnologists in publishing and disseminating quality-controlled research articles consistent with AAB’s mission. Importantly, the journals have provided a relatively sustainable income stream to support other AAB charitable goals (such as via conferences). The financial surplus generated by the journals, together with the return on investments, resulted in unrestricted balances carried forward increasing to over £1.5M. With annual expenditure running at around £0.4M/annum the trustees consider that AAB finances are in a relatively robust position and will allow some further investment (such as in new journals or in journal development) in the future.
Page 2
The Association of Applied Biologists
for the period ended 31 December 2022
As President, I am grateful that the AAB Council assists in providing leadership and development for the association. In particular, since January 2023, we have benefitted from the appointment of Professor Dale Sanders as President Elect and Vice President.
On behalf of AAB Council, I would like to express appreciation for the support the association has received from the staff of the AAB during a successful year: Geraint Parry (Executive Officer); Alberto Vitale (Finance and Office Manager), John Andrews (Conference Administrator), Bernadette Lawson (Financial Administrator), and Carol Millman (Annals of Applied Biology Editorial Office).
Professor M J Gooding President
Date: 25 September 2024
Page 3
The Association of Applied Biologists
Trustees' report For the year ended 31 December 2023
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The CIO also trades under the name AAB.
Objectives and activities
⚫ Policies and objectives
The Object of the Charity is to ‘promote the study and advancement of all branches of Biology and, in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) to foster the practice, growth and development of applied biology, including the application of biological sciences for the production and preservation of food, fibre and other materials and for the maintenance and improvement of the earth’s physical environment’.
We deliver this charitable mission through the publication of scientific journals in applied biology, the organisation of conferences in a range of related subject themes, the formulation and dissemination of policies to promote the discipline, the production of a newsletter and the provision of services for members.
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)'.
Page 4
AAB Specialist Group Report for 2023
Authored by Dr Geraint Parry with input from group conveners.
February 2024
APPLIED PLANT PATHOLOGY
Group Membership on 31/12/23 - - - https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist groups/applied plant pathology/
Convener: Rumiana Ray, University of Nottingham Convener-Elect: Jon West, Rothamsted Research.
John Clarkson, University of Warwick Neil Havis, SRUC Jennifer Hodgetts, APHA Rob Jackson, University of Birmingham Rachel McGauley, AHDB Faye Ritchie, ADAS
In 2023 the APP group collaborated with the British Society of Plant Pathology (BSPP) in the organisation of their annual Plant Pathology meeting. AAB staff managed the abstract submission for the event and the AAP group organising a session entitled ‘ Climate Change-induced patterns of plant pests and pathogens’ . This session included invited speakers Debbie Hemming (The Met Office; Improving climate data and modelling to inform plant biosecurity ), Dan Bebber (University of Exeter; Climate Change-induced patterns of plant pests and pathogens ), Jon West and Kevin King (Rothamsted; The pros and cons of different surveillance and monitoring approaches ).
Group members Jon West and Faye Ritchie worked with IPM-group member Rosemary Collier to organise this session.
This event attracted 180 in-person attendees, which was the highest ever attendance at a BSPP Annual Meeting. Although we have no evidence this is related to the collaboration with AAB, we would like to think this was the case.
Looking to the Future
Jon West submitted a successful application to organise a Satellite meeting at the BSPP Annual Meeting to be held in Oxford 2024. The title of this one-day event is ‘ Surveillance and Decision Support in Action ’. AAB will work with BSPP to recruit participants for this event that will take place on September 13[th ] 2024. AAB staff are again managing the abstract submission for the meeting.
Jon West took over as group Convener on January 1[st ] 2024. Thanks to Rumiana Ray for her work in this role.
APPLIED TREE AND FOREST BIOLOGY
Group Membership on 31/12/23 - - - - - https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist groups/applied tree and forest biology/
Convener: Amanda Rasmussen, University of Nottingham
Nick Covarr, Harper Adams University Sabrine Dhaouadi, University of Birmingham Andrew Hirons Myerscough College Elisabeth Larsen, RHS Wisley Elizabeth Orton, John Innes Centre Sir Harry Studholme, Independent forester Gareth Thomas, Rothamsted Research Edward 'Ted' Wilson, Independent forester
The groups inaugural event took place on the Jubilee Campus of the University of Nottingham on November 27[th] -29[th] . This event was called ‘ Creating Canopy: the biology and practice of planting trees for people and nature’ . The first two days discussed the evidence for different tree-planting strategies whilst the third day hosted a FraxNet Network meeting that specifically looked at the pests and pathogens of Ash trees. The entire group contributed the organisation of the two-day meeting whilst Elizabeth Orton led the FraxNet event. The group organised a special issue of Annals of Applied Biology to coincide with this meeting.
It was gratifying that 97 delegates registered for the in-person event and 90 delegates joined online. DEFRA and the Scottish Forestry Trust funded the travel and accommodation of nine early career professionals. The British Ecological Society, The JABBS Foundation, DEFRA and the BSPP also sponsored the meeting.
The Tree Council organised a panel discussion during the meeting, which demonstrated the value of this event to the wider community.
Looking to the Future
The group discussed repeating this general Tree meeting every two years and in 2025 might be organised in collaboration with the UK Treescapes project.
In 2024 the group will explore the potential to ‘sponsor’ a session at the main BES conference (Kate Ward from the Forest Ecology special interest group of BES is keen to interact with the AAB group).
Organise a series of online webinar sessions (half-day) 3-4 a year (these can be organised by different individuals – and potentially by other members if people approach us). These are an opportunity to get a high-profile speaker and a few other short talks and have a discussion.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AND INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Group Membership on 31/12/23 - - - - - - https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist groups/biological control and integrated pest management/
Convener: Toby Bruce, Keele University
Elysia Bartel, ADAS Josh Burnstone, Fargro David Chandler, University of Warwick Rosemary Collier, University of Warwick Kristina Grenz, AHDB Hayley Jones, RHS Wisley Joe Roberts, Harper Adams University Richard Shaw, CABI International Neal Ward, Biobest Xiangming Xu, NIAB
The annual AAB IPM meeting took place in November 2023 at The Stuart Hotel in Derby entitled ‘ IPM and Biocontrol 2023: Increasing collaboration across the innovation cycle ’.
This was organised by Toby Bruce, Josh Burnstone, Elysia Bartel and Neal Ward and brought together a varied range of speakers from across academia, industry, NGOs, government and farming sectors.
52 delegates attended in-person with 30 online delegates. This is a slight decline in online participation, which is a general trend that we have seen across other AAB events. Invited speakers were Suzanne Wainwright (Buglady Consulting, James Phillips (UKRI-BBSRC), Sean Loakes (Syngenta) and Amanda Porter (DEFRA), who each provided a great perspective from different parts of the IPM industry. The ‘Favoured Talk Award’ was won by Isabelle Sims from ADAS and Alex Kelly from University of Warwick won the ‘Favoured Poster Award’. Both prizes received prizes from Burleigh-Dodds Publishing.
Although a good location, the reviews of The Stuart hotel were not universally popular. However all delegates said that would like the IPM meeting to continue on an annual-basis.
A Forum article entitled ‘ Constraints and solutions for development and uptake of integrated pest management in the UK’ was accepted to be published in ‘Annals of Applied Biology’. The genesis of this article was the 2022 AAB IPM meeting and was authored by Keith Walters, Elysia Bartel, Josh Burnstone, Rosemary Collier, Kristina Grenz and Geraint Parry.
Looking to the Future
The group will organise the Biocontrol and IPM meeting in November 2024 at the University of Leicester. This event is entitled ‘ Biocontrol and IPM in Uncertain Climatic and Economic Environments ’. The entire IPM group will contribute to selecting invited speakers and preparing the final schedule.
A smaller number of group members will collaborate with the PAG to organise an event on ‘ Application of Biological Pesticides ’ that will take place in January 2025 at Syngenta in the UK.
CROPPING AND THE ENVIRONMENT (CATE)
Group Membership on 31/12/23 - - - - https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist groups/cropping and the environment/
Convener: Kairsty Topp, SRUC
Jake Bishop, University of Reading Rose Boyko, SRUC Lucie Buchi, University of Greenwich Naomi Jones, Fera Science Henny Lowth, AHDB Syed Shah, NIAB William Smith, Gowan Company Kate Smith, ADAS Mark Fletcher, Agrovista
2023 was a very active year for the CATE group with the organisation of two successful events.
In April the CATE group collaborated with the Soil Biology group to organise an event on ‘ Regenerative Agriculture – Understanding the opportunities and challenges ’ held in York and online. This was led by Kate Smith and Kairsty Topp and included sponsorship from ADAS, CHAP-Solutions and DIAGEO. 73 attendees attended in-person and 97 joined the meeting online. The meeting featured an excellent mix of delegates from academia, industry and farming communities, including a panel session with three prominent farmers who have experience with RegenAg approaches.
In June 2023 the Kairsty Topp worked with colleagues at Rothamsted Research, CGIAR and USDA to organise a meeting entitled ‘ Long Term Experiments: meeting future challenges ’ at Rothamsted. This event was supported by the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Project and USDA. The meeting featured plenary, concurrent, workshop and poster sessions and was attended by 124 in-person and 91 online delegates. This event included a tour of Rothamsted Museum, Archive, and a tractor ride out to the Broadbalk experiment.
Looking to the Future
The CATE group is involved in the organisation of a session at Groundswell 2024 on the topic on ‘On-Farm Experimentation’. This is in collaboration with the Soil and Root Biology group. Jake Bishop is leading the CATE contribution to this event.
A follow-up to the RegenAg meeting will take place in Autumn 2025. CATE group members will be involved in a follow-up to the LTE experiments meeting, which might be hosted in Southern Africa.
The Biomass and Energy Crops VI event will be organised on behalf of the CATE group by Iain Donnison. This will take place at Aberystwyth University on October 1[st] -3[rd ] 2024. https://cvent.me/yKqGXw
FOOD SYSTEMS
Group Membership on 31/12/23 - - https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist groups/food systems/
Convener: Christine Bosch, University of Leeds
Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso, University of Leeds Emilie Combet, University of Glasgow Darren Greetham, University of Leeds Joseph Hubert Galani Yamdeu, Canterbury Christchurch University Gabriela Toledo-Ortiz, James Hutton Institute
The Food Systems group organised an event in October 2023 hosted at the University of Leeds on ‘ Plant Food Waste Valorisation- Opportunities and Challenges ’. 34 delegates attended the meeting in-person with a similar number online. The meeting hosted an excellent mix of academic and industrial contributions from experts in this area.
Looking to the Future
The group has discussed a potential collaboration with the Hort Quality Group in order to arrange an event that will link upstream and downstream processes with the overall aim of maximising productivity from food crops and their waste products. This event will hopefully be planned for 2025.
HORTICULTURAL QUALITY AND FOOD LOSS
Group Membership on 31/12/23 - - - - - https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist groups/horticultural quality and food loss/
Convener: Natalia Falagan, Cranfield University
MariCarmen Alamor, Cranfield University Hassan Bagheri, ADAS Luke Bell, University of Reading Jo Hepworth, Durham University Ciara O'Brien, Cranfield University Susan McCallum, James Hutton Institute Wasim Siddiqui, Bihar Ag University Hazel Smith, Barfoots Christina Supramaniam, University of Greenwich Lindsay Williams, University of Edinburgh
2023 was the first year of activity of this group, which has emerged from the UKRI-BBSRC funded HortQFL Network (https://foodlossnetwork.com/). In March 2023 the group organised the ‘ HortQFLNet_AAB Kick-off Meeting ’ hosted at Cranfield University. This event was part-funded by the HortQFL network so was free to attend. 50 delegates travelled to Cranfield and 106 joined online. The event featured plenary sessions and a discussion about the current challenges facing the horticultural industry.
Looking to the Future
In March 2024 the group will organise an event at the University of Reading entitled ‘ Horticultural Science: From Discovery to Application’ . This is a collaboration with the ‘Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology’ which is celebrating its 100[th ] edition. Day 1 of the event with have an ‘applied’ focus and day 2 is organised by JHBS to highlight excellence in horticultural science.
NEMATOLOGY
Group Membership on 31/12/23 - https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist groups/nematology/
Convener: Steve Edgington, CABI
Matt Back, Harper Adams University Richard Binks, FreshTec Keith Davies, University of Hertfordshire Lindy Holden-Dye, University of Southampton Catherine Lilley, University of Leeds Valeria Orlando, Fera Science James Price, James Hutton Institute
Alistair Wright, BBRO
The annual ‘ Advances in Nematology ’ meeting was organised in December 2023 at the Linnean Society in London. 39 in-person and 90 online delegates registered for the event.
The entire group participated in the organisation of the meeting. The meeting featured two invited talks, 8 ‘standard’ talks, 10 ‘short’ talks and a special tribute from Wim Bert to long-time AAB member Professor Rolo Perry. The Brian Kerry prize award for ‘Best Student talk’ was won by Beth Molly from the University of Cambridge whilst the AAB Nematology prize for the favoured short talk was won by Vongkai Chekanai from Harper Adams University. Both winners won a book kindly donated by CABI Publishing.
Looking to the Future
The Linnean Society remains a popular venue so the 2024 edition of the ‘ Advances in Nematology ’ meeting will take place there on December 5[th ] 2024.
Matt Back and Kasia Dybal are leading on the organisation of the ‘6[th ] Potato Cyst Nematode Symposium’ (https://cvent.me/0OKzgB) which will take place at Harper Adams in September 2024. A special issue of Annals of Applied Biology has been arranged to coincide with this event.
PESTICIDE APPLICATION
Group Membership on 31/12/23 - - https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist groups/pesticide application/
Convener: Emilio Gil-Moya, Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña, Spain
Paolo Balsari, UNITO, Italy Clare Butler-Ellis, Silsoe Spray Applications Unit Simon Cooper, Harper Adams University Richard Glass, CHAP-Solutions Colin Mountford-Smith, BASF Ben Magri, Syngenta David Nuyttens, ILVO Vlaanderen, Belgium James Thomas, Syngenta Jan Van De Zande, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
In May 2023 Jan Van De Zande organised a two-day workshop held at Wageningen University on ‘ Targeted Application, Spray Technology and Authorisation ’. We expected 50 delegates so were pleasantly surprised when to 80 people attended the meeting. Jan submitted a paper for Aspects 148 at the IAPA24 meeting that reported on the findings from the meeting.
The IAPA24 meeting took place in Brighton in January 2024 where 80 inperson delegates joined 40 online delegates in a meeting that coincided with the publication of Aspects 148. A special issue of Annals of Applied Biology has been arranged to coincide with this event.
Looking to the Future
Ben Magri will lead the organisation of an event on ‘ Application of Biological Pesticides ’ that will take place in January 2025 at Syngenta in the UK.
The IAPA26 meeting will take place in a Mediterranean location in January 2026.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY and CROP IMPROVEMENT
Group Membership on 31/12/23 https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist-groups/plant-physiology-and-crop-improvement/
Convener: Guy Barker, University of Warwick
Nirit Bernstein, Volcani Centre Israel Nigel Halford, Rothamsted Research Jagadis Gupta Kapuganti, NIPGR India Jim Monaghan, Harper Adams University Mike Gooding, Aberystwyth University
2023 was a quiet year for the PP-CI group although previous member Luke Bell transferred to the ‘Hort Quality’ group and in that role co-led an event in March 2023 that launched the AAB-HortQFL network.
Looking to the Future
In early September Nigel Halford leads an event co-organised with the ACRYRED COST-Action (https://acryred.eu/) which will take place in Brussels. The title of the event is ‘ Acrylamide and process formed contaminants: A supply chain approach ’ (https://cvent.me/ez5DNo).
The PP+CI group will organise the AAB Presidential meeting organised by Mike Gooding taking place in Birmingham in September 2024. The title of the event is ‘ Cereal Quality for sustainable production and human health ’ (https://cvent.me/WPvk5G). We have received support from the Rank prize for this event.
SOIL and ROOT BIOLOGY
Group Membership on 31/12/23 - - https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist groups/soil biology/
Convener: Charlotte White, ADAS
Lizzie Emmett, Wensum Farmers Harry Henderson, AHDB Mark Hodson, University of York Felicity Roos, The National Trust
Early in 2023 Charlotte White and Harry Henderson were on the organising committee of the CATE-Soil Biology group event on ‘ Regenerative Agriculture – Understanding the opportunities and challenges ’ held in York in April 2023.
At the end of 2023 this group changed name to the Soil and Root Biology Group with Charlotte White as the new Convener.
Looking to the Future
The Soil and Root Biology group is involved in the organisation of a session at Groundswell 2024 on the topic on ‘On-Farm Experimentation’. This is in collaboration with the CATE group. Charlotte White and Felicity Roos are leading the group contribution to this event.
For later in 2024 we are exploring the possibility of organising a general ‘ Advances in Soil and Root Biology ’ meeting.
VIROLOGY
Group Membership on 31/12/23 - https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist groups/virology/
Convener: Andrew Love, James Hutton Institute
Miguel Aranda, CEBAS CSIC, Spain Sabrina Bertin, CREA-DC, Italy Betty Chung, University of Cambridge Fabrizio Cillo, CNR, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Italy Charlotte Nellist, NIAB Jens Tilsner, University of St Andrews Trisna Tungadi, Keele University Mark Varrelmann, University of Goettingham, The Netherlands Jeanmarie Verchot, Texas A+M University, USA John Walsh, University of Warwick
It has been a quiet year for the Virology group in 2023. The planning for the next ‘International Advances in Plant Virology (IAPV)’ was paused due to potential clashes with other high-profile plant virology events. The group has recruited ~5 new ‘Description of Plant Viruses’ article submissions to be submitted to Annals of Applied Biology in 2024. These DPV articles are often highly cited and so are important for raising the profile of the journal.
Looking to the Future
The IAPV25 meeting is planned for April 2025 hosted by Miguel Aranda in Murcia, Spain. We look forward to recruiting speakers and collaborators for this meeting during 2024.
Other AAB Specialist Group Activities
During 2023 the AAB has set up a new specialist group entitled ‘PlantEdGenome Editing in Plants’ . This follows on from the previously funded COST Action PlantEd (https://plantgenomeediting.eu/). By moving this group into the AAB we hope to be able to keep together this pan-European community of researchers.
We hosted the inaugural group meeting in January 2024 and are looking to organise webinars and possibly a meeting later in 2024.
PlantEd- Genome Editing in Plants
Group Membership on 31/12/23 https://www.aab.org.uk/specialist-groups/planted/
Convener: Goetz Hensel, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
Sebastien Carpentier, KU Leuven, Belgium Maria Dellino, University “Aldo Moro” Bari, Italy Dennis Eriksson, SLU, Sweden Sadiye Hayta, John Innes Centre, UK Ankica Kondić Špika, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia Dragana Miladinovic, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Serbia Mladen Petreš, University of Novi Sad, Serbia Agnes Ricroch, Paris-Saclay University, France Jeremy Sweet, Sweet Environmental Consultants, UK Katrijn Van Laere, Ghent University, Belgium Ewa Woźniak, IBCH PAS, Poland
The Association of Applied Biologists
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023
Objectives and activities (continued)
⚫ Conferences
Details of the scientific conferences held in the year to 31 December 2023:
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The Association of Applied Biologists
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023
Financial review
⚫ Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the CIO 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.
⚫ Reserves policy
To address the need for long-term financial stability we have approved a reserves policy which is set out here. A core purpose of the Association is to promote the study and advancement of Applied Biology. This obligation brings with it the need to ensure that the charity has sufficient funds over the short to medium term to continue to operate. To achieve this, the Association must achieve a sufficient positive annual operating contribution, or have sufficient reserves to call upon, to continue operations. The main features of the Association’s reserves policy are as follows:
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they are an inherent part of the Association’s risk management process. The amount of reserves needed will vary depending on the Association’s financial position and our continuous assessment of the many risks the Association faces at a particular time;
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the need for reserves will be assessed as part of our strategic planning and combined with an annual test of solvency;
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reserves exist either to provide short-term protection against downward fluctuations in annual revenues, or to provide long-term strategic financial support for future projects as has been carried out in the recent past with the establishment of the Food and Energy Security journal;
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the reserves policy balances the need to maintain long-term reserves against the need for short-term spending on our core purpose.
This reserves policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it accurately reflects the circumstances of the Association and the views of the Trustees.
Currently the Trustees believe that the Association holds sufficient reserves.
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The Association of Applied Biologists
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023
⚫ Treasurer's report
Income and expenditure
Before net gains/(losses) on investments, the total income for 2023 was greater than expenditure by £63,067. The Association continues with the long-term aim of operating with a small positive cash flow, or cash neutrality, as part of a sustainable long term business plan.
Investments
The Association’s investments continue to be managed by Evelyn Partners and in 2023 incurred a gain of £90,611. This is due to market recovery during the year.
Publications
The two journals in the Association’s portfolio, Plant Biotechnology Journal and Annals of Applied Biology, both performed well in 2023, providing a total income of £286,629 to the Association. This includes income from Subscriptions and Royalties.
Management and admin, including staff costs
Management and admin costs increased from £139,497 in the 11 months to 31 December to £143,412 in the year to 31 December 2023. This can be explained by increased staff costs due to inflationary rises and staff employed at higher grades.
Conferences
Conferences are an important Association activity and the conference programme continued to expand in 2023. As standard the AAB continues to organise hybrid events, using the experience gained in running virtual conferences during the pandemic. The Association subsidised conferences in 2023 by £69,452. We also received £29,665 in sponsorships (11 months to 31 December 2022 - £19,129).
Membership
Membership income remained steady, from £14,784 in the 11 months to 31 December 2022 to £14,513 in the year to 31 December 2023. Overall membership at year end stayed at 1,000 members in line with the AAB longterm strategy to increase the member cohort through free registrations offered for conference attendees.
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The Association of Applied Biologists
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023
Balance Sheet
The Association’s net assets were £1,593,457 at 31 December 2023, compared with £1,439,779 at 31 December 2022. The Association’s financial situation is on a very sound footing as a result of a generous legacy bequest and the sale of the Food and Energy Security journal in 2020.
Future Plans
The long-term AAB strategy aims to build the membership through organisation of more and higher quality hybrid events. By offering free membership to meeting attendees we hope to engage a cohort of scientists who value AAB membership. The 2023-24 AAB strategy document outlines this plan in more detail.
Proposed Membership Fees 202 5
The Trustees propose to keep the membership fees for 2025 the same as 2024, as follows: Full membership £65.00, Retired membership £32.50, Student/ECP membership £22.00.
⚫ Sponsorship and donations
The following were received during the year to 31 December 2023:
Regenerative Agriculture - Understanding the opportunities and challenges
Digeo £750 MIRICO £479 ADAS £750 CHAP £1,250
Targeted Application - Spray Technology and Authorisation Workshop
Oxford Lasers £750 Long Term Experiments - meeting future challenges USDA £3,989 IITA £5,000 Fargro £750 Biobest £750 Bioline £850
Long Term Experiments - meeting future challenges
IPM and Biocontrol 2023 - increasing the collaboration cross the innovation cycle
Creating Canopy - the biology and practice of establishing trees and woodlands for people and nature
DEFRA £3,750 BES £750 BSPP £4,000 JABS £2,000
AAB Early Career Professional Science and Skills Workshop
The Gatsby Charitable Foundation £2,000
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The Association of Applied Biologists
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023
⚫ Principal risks and uncertainties
The charity’s activities expose it to a number of financial risks including credit risk, cash flow risk and liquidity risk. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the charity’s policies approved by the board of trustees, which provide written principles on the use of financial derivatives to manage these risks. The charity does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
Cash flow risk
The charity’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The charity uses foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures. Interest bearing assets and liabilities are held at fixed rate to ensure certainty of cash flows.
Credit risk
The charity’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, and investments. The charity’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows. The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high creditratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The charity has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers.
Liquidity risk
In order to maintain liquidity to ensure that sufficient funds are available for ongoing operations and future developments, the charity uses investment funds.
Further details regarding liquidity risk can be found in the Statement of accounting policies in the financial statements.
⚫ Investment policy
There are no restrictions on the Association’s power to invest. Its investment portfolio is currently managed by Evelyn Investment Management Services Ltd whose performance the Trustees review. It is the Association’s policy to avoid high risk investments.
Page 18
The Association of Applied Biologists
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023
Structure, governance and management
⚫ Constitution
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The charity is a registered charity under the charity number 1195899.
The trust became a CIO on 31 January 2022 following the signing of a transfer deed to convert it from an unincorporated charity to a CIO. It was previously constituted under Laws of Association revised December 1977 and was registered as a charity under the charity number 275655.
⚫ Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
All Trustees of the Association must be members of the Association of Applied Biologists. Trustees of the Association of Applied Biologists include the Honorary Officers of Council (the President, the President-elect, who shall normally succeed the President, the General Treasurer, the Conference Treasurer, the General Secretary, the Programme Secretary, the Membership Officer, the Publications Officer plus any other person designated as an Honorary Officer at the Annual General Meeting) together with the Conveners of the Association’s Specialist Groups. The Conveners are notified to the Annual General Meeting. The other Honorary Officers are elected at an Annual General Meeting. In the case of an unfilled position, trustees may be co-opted to office but must be elected at the following Annual General Meeting. The President of the Association of Applied Biologists will serve a maximum period of two years as President. The President-Elect will serve a maximum period of two years as President-elect.
Conveners are elected by members of the Group (at the last meeting of the year preceding the year of office) and may serve for up to six consecutive years, subject to annual re-election (a term of office for Conveners is deemed to be three years).
⚫ Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees
Potential Trustees of the Association of Applied Biology will be given copy of Association’s Laws and copies of any other key documents relevant to the Charity or post.
The booklet ‘Responsibilities of Charity Trustees’ published by the Charity Commission gives a complete guide to the responsibilities of Charity Trustees and will be issued to all new Trustees who are expected to read it.
Trustees of the Association of Applied Biologists are expected to read the Laws of the Association of Applied Biologists, additional information provided by the Association and the booklet ‘Responsibilities of Charity Trustees’.
A ‘job description’ of each Trustee post will be given to each new Trustee upon appointment. It is the responsibility of each post holder to review and update their particular job description by the end of October each year. Any changes are to be agreed by Council at its last full meeting of the year.
New trustees will be given an induction session with the Executive Officer and/or a serving Trustee of the Association.
Page 19
The Association of Applied Biologists
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023
Structure, governance and management (continued)
⚫ Organisational structure
The business of the Association is conducted by a Council of Members. Council shall consist of the Honorary Officers; President, President elect, General Secretary, General Treasurer, Publications Officer, Membership Officer, Programme Secretary, Meetings Treasurer and Early Career Scientist Champion, together with Conveners of the AAB Specialist Groups.
Wider network
Affiliations were maintained with the Institute of Biology, the Foundation for Science and Technology and the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers. The Association has a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Society for Agronomy.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report 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 & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the CIO and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
-
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the CIO will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the CIO's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the CIO and 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 Laws of Association. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the CIO and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Professor M J Gooding President
Date: 25 September 2024
Page 20
The Association of Applied Biologists
Independent examiner's report For the year ended 31 December 2023
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of The Association of Applied Biologists ('the CIO')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the CIO'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 Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the CIO has prepared the accounts 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
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 that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the CIO as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
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.
Page 21
The Association of Applied Biologists
Independent examiner's report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023
This report is made solely to the CIO's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the CIO's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the CIO and the CIO's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed:
Dated: 25 September 2024
Mark Gurney FCCA
Birmingham
Page 22
The Association of Applied Biologists
Statement of financial activities For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments 5 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income before investments Net gains/(losses) on investments Net movement in funds 16 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 16 Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward 16 |
Unrestricted funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 29,665 417,840 11,800 459,305 394,964 394,964 64,341 90,611 154,952 1,434,280 154,952 1,589,232 |
Restricted funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ Total funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ - 29,665 - 417,840 - 11,800 - 459,305 1,274 396,238 1,274 396,238 (1,274) 63,067 - 90,611 (1,274) 153,678 5,499 1,439,779 (1,274) 153,678 4,225 1,593,457 |
Total funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 19,129 554,824 5,743 579,696 628,554 628,554 (48,858) (35,386) (84,244) 1,524,023 (84,244) 1,439,779 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 26 to 41 form part of these financial statements.
Page 23
The Association of Applied Biologists Registered number: 1195899
Balance sheet As at 31 December 2023
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 12 Investments 13 Current assets Debtors 14 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 15 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds 16 Unrestricted funds 16 Total funds |
138,711 149,795 288,506 (65,152) |
2023 £ - 1,370,103 1,370,103 223,354 1,593,457 4,225 1,589,232 1,593,457 |
90,017 294,197 384,214 (91,538) |
2022 £ 913 1,146,190 1,147,103 292,676 1,439,779 5,499 1,434,280 1,439,779 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Professor M J Gooding President
Date: 25 September 2024
The notes on pages 26 to 41 form part of these financial statements.
Page 24
The Association of Applied Biologists
Statement of cash flows For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Cash flows from operating activities Note Net cash used in operating activities 19 Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interests and rents from investments Proceeds from sale of investments Purchase of investments Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 20 The notes on pages 26 to 41 form part of these financial statements |
12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ (22,900) 11,800 235,507 (357,355) (110,048) (132,948) 294,197 161,249 |
11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ (108,235) 5,743 189,363 (185,423) 9,683 (98,552) 392,749 294,197 |
|---|---|---|
Page 25
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
1. General information
The Association of Applied Biologists is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales under number 1195899.
The principal office address is Warwick Enterprise Park, Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, CV35 9EF.
The principal activity of the charitable trust is to organise conferences and support publications, in order to support those working in the area of applied biology, and to promote advances in the field.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The Association of Applied Biologists meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The financial statements are presented for a 12 month period, and therefore, comparative amounts presented in the financial statements, including the related notes, are not entirely comparable. The prior period was a shortened period following the creation of the CIO by virtue of a transfer agreement dated 31 January 2022 to transfer the activities, assets and liabilities of the previous unincorporated charity The Association of Applied Biologists to the new CIO, The Association of Applied Biologists (registered charity number 1195899). Assets and liabilities were transferred to the CIO at their book value in line with the principles of merger accounting.
The financial statements are presented in the CIO's functional currency of GBP (Sterling). They are prepared to the nearest £.
2.2 Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the CIO 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.
Page 26
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.3 Income
All income is recognised once the CIO has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the CIO has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the CIO, can be reliably measured.
Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
Gifts in kind donated for distribution are included at valuation and recognised as income when they are distributed to the projects. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
2.4 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the CIO's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
Page 27
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.5 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the CIO; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
2.6 Foreign currencies
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date.
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.
Exchange gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of financial activities.
2.7 Taxation
The Association of Applied Biologists has charitable status and is registered with the Charity Commission and is therefore exempt from paying Corporation Tax on charitable activities.
2.8 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets costing £350 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
At each reporting date the CIO assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined to be the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
Office equipment - 4 years straight line
2.9 Investments
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities.
Page 28
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.10 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
2.11 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
2.12 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the CIO anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
2.13 Financial instruments
The CIO only has financial assets and financial 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.
2.14 Pensions
The CIO operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge in the Statement of financial activities represents the amounts payable by the CIO to the fund in respect of the year. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Charity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the Charity has no further obligations.
Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Balance Sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the Charity in independently administered funds.
2.15 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 CIO and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the CIO for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
Page 29
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
3. Income from donations and legacies
| Donations Donations 4. Income from charitable activities Conferences Publications Membership Fees |
Unrestricted funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 29,665 Unrestricted funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 19,129 Unrestricted funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 116,698 286,629 14,513 417,840 |
Total funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 29,665 Total funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 19,129 Total funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 116,698 286,629 14,513 417,840 |
|---|---|---|
Page 30
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
4. Income from charitable activities (continued)
| Conferences Publications Membership Fees 5. Investment income Income from listed investments Bank interest received Income from listed investments Bank interest received |
Unrestricted funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 317,324 222,716 14,784 554,824 Unrestricted funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 11,799 1 11,800 Unrestricted funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 5,738 5 5,743 |
Total funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 317,324 222,716 14,784 554,824 Total funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 11,799 1 11,800 Total funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 5,738 5 5,743 |
|---|---|---|
Page 31
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
6. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
Summary by fund type
| Conferences Publications Membership Fees Student travel grants Management & administration costs Conferences Publications Membership Fees Student travel grants Management & administration costs |
Unrestricted funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 218,411 24,497 8,644 - 143,412 394,964 Unrestricted funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 436,773 36,274 7,465 - 139,497 620,009 |
Restricted funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ - - - 1,274 - 1,274 Restricted funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ - - - 8,545 - 8,545 |
Total 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 218,411 24,497 8,644 1,274 143,412 396,238 Total 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 436,773 36,274 7,465 8,545 139,497 628,554 |
|---|---|---|---|
Page 32
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
7. Analysis of expenditure by activities
| Conferences Publications Membership Fees Student travel grants Management & administration costs Conferences Publications Membership Fees Student travel grants Management & administration costs |
Activities undertaken directly 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 218,411 24,497 8,644 - - 251,552 Activities undertaken directly 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 436,773 36,274 7,465 - - 480,512 |
Grant funding of activities 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ - - - 1,274 - 1,274 Grant funding of activities 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ - - - 8,545 - 8,545 |
Support costs 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ - - - - 143,412 143,412 Support costs 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ - - - - 139,497 139,497 |
Total funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 218,411 24,497 8,644 1,274 143,412 396,238 Total funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 436,773 36,274 7,465 8,545 139,497 628,554 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 33
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of support costs
| Staff costs Depreciation Staff training and welfare Office costs Miscellaneous expenses Independent examiner fees Legal fees Marketing and publicity Establishment costs Travel and accommodation Governance costs |
Total funds 12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 76,004 913 4,000 4,816 13,730 3,100 830 - 24,703 1,312 14,004 143,412 |
Total funds 11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 59,840 1,756 8,000 5,024 14,075 3,575 4,921 821 25,550 620 15,315 139,497 |
|---|---|---|
8. Analysis of grants
| Student travel grants Student travel grants |
Grants to Individuals 2023 £ 1,274 Grants to Individuals 2022 £ 8,545 |
Total funds 2023 £ 1,274 Total funds 2022 £ 8,545 |
|---|---|---|
Page 34
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023
9. Independent examiner's remuneration
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Fees payable to the CIO's independent examiner for the independent | ||
| examination of the CIO's annual accounts | 3,100 | 2,850 |
10. Staff costs
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Staff pension costs The average number of persons employed by the CIO during the year was as Charitable Activities Governance |
12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 142,232 13,226 13,484 168,942 follows: 12 months ended 31 December 2023 No. 4 1 5 |
11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ 114,603 11,619 11,913 138,135 11 months ended 31 December 2022 No. 4 1 5 |
|---|---|---|
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
11. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2022 - £NIL).
During the period ended 31 December 2023, expenses totalling £1,209 were reimbursed to 7 Trustees (2022 - £1,405 to 10 Trustees). The expenses reimbursed primarily related to travel and subsistence costs incurred in attending Council meetings and various other meetings, and general administration costs.
Page 35
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
12. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 January 2023 At 31 December 2023 Depreciation At 1 January 2023 Charge for the year At 31 December 2023 Net book value At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2022 13. Fixed asset investments Market valuation At 1 January 2023 Additions Disposals Revaluations Income net of fees Cash transfers in/(out) At 31 December 2023 |
Listed investments Cash in portfolio £ £ 1,146,190 34,381 357,355 (357,355) (225,895) 233,752 80,999 - - 676 - 100,000 1,358,649 11,454 |
Office equipment £ 75,530 75,530 74,617 913 75,530 - 913 Total £ 1,180,571 - 7,857 80,999 676 100,000 1,370,103 |
|---|---|---|
The historical cost of the listed investments at the period end was £1,288,333.
Page 36
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
14. Debtors
| Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income |
2023 £ 10,082 124,468 4,161 138,711 |
2022 £ 7,667 82,350 - 90,017 |
|---|---|---|
15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals and deferred income Deferred income at 1 January Resources deferred during the year Amounts released from previous periods |
2023 £ 15,836 3,635 1,228 44,453 65,152 2023 £ 74,541 40,733 (74,541) 40,733 |
2022 £ 11,821 1,099 1,228 77,390 91,538 2022 £ 103,145 74,541 (103,145) 74,541 |
|---|---|---|
Deferred income relates to membership fees received in advance, fees for conferences taking place in the following year and advances receivable on publications in respect of the following year.
Page 37
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
16. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds General Funds Restricted funds Student travel grants Total of funds |
Balance at 1 January 2023 £ 1,434,280 5,499 1,439,779 |
Income £ 459,305 - 459,305 |
Expenditure £ (394,964) (1,274) (396,238) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ 90,611 - 90,611 |
Balance at 31 December 2023 £ 1,589,232 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,225 1,593,457 |
The restricted fund balance constitutes only one restricted fund, historically brought forward to be utilised for providing student travel grants, subject to applications being approved by the Association, and overseas travel grants. The grants are available to all students, whether members of the Association or not, but only available to students attending AAB conferences and meetings. For overseas travel grants, these are primarily for invited speakers and guests travelling from afar to attend conferences.
Statement of funds - prior period
Balance at Balance at 31 1 February Transfers December 2022 Income Expenditure in/out 2022 £ £ £ £ £ Unrestricted funds General Funds 1,509,979 579,696 (620,009) (35,386) 1,434,280 Restricted funds Student travel grants 14,044 - (8,545) - 5,499 Total of funds 1,524,023 579,696 (628,554) (35,386) 1,439,779
Page 38
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
17. Summary of funds
Summary of funds - current year
| Balance at 1 January 2023 £ General funds 1,434,280 Restricted funds 5,499 1,439,779 Summary of funds - prior period Balance at 1 February 2022 £ General funds 1,509,979 Restricted funds 14,044 1,524,023 |
Income £ 459,305 - 459,305 Income £ 579,696 - 579,696 |
Expenditure £ (394,964) (1,274) (396,238) Expenditure £ (620,009) (8,545) (628,554) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ 90,611 - 90,611 Transfers in/out £ (35,386) - (35,386) |
Balance at 31 December 2023 £ 1,589,232 4,225 1,593,457 Balance at 31 December 2022 £ 1,434,280 5,499 1,439,779 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
18. Analysis of net assets between funds Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
| Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 1,358,649 296,255 (65,672) 1,589,232 |
Restricted funds 2023 £ - 4,225 - 4,225 |
Total funds 2023 £ 1,358,649 300,480 (65,672) 1,593,457 |
|---|---|---|---|
Page 39
The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
18. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period
| Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year l |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 913 1,146,190 378,715 (91,538) 1,434,280 |
Restricted funds 2022 £ - - 5,499 - 5,499 |
Total funds 2022 £ 913 1,146,190 384,214 (91,538) 1,439,779 |
|---|---|---|---|
Total
19. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities
| Net income/expenditure for the Activities) year (as per Statement of Financial Adjustments for: Depreciation charges (Gains)/losses on investments Dividends, interests and rents from investments (Increase)/decrease in debtors (Decrease) in creditors Net cash used in operating activities |
12 months ended 31 December 2023 £ 153,678 913 (90,611) (11,800) (48,694) (26,386) (22,900) |
11 months ended 31 December 2022 £ (84,244) 1,756 35,386 (5,743) (28,638) (26,752) (108,235) |
|---|---|---|
20. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
| Cash in hand Cash held by investment managers Total cash and cash equivalents |
2023 £ 149,795 11,454 161,249 |
2022 £ 259,816 34,381 294,197 |
|---|---|---|
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The Association of Applied Biologists
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
21. Analysis of changes in net debt
| At 1 | At 31 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| January | December | ||
| 2023 | Cash flows | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 294,197 | (144,402) | 149,795 |
22. Pension commitments
The pension cost charge for the period represents contributions payable by the Charity to the scheme and amounted to £13,484 (11 months to 31 December 2022: £11,913). The contributions payable to the fund at the balance sheet date were £Nil (2022 - £Nil).
23. Operating lease commitments
At 31 December 2023 the CIO had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:
| Not later than 1 year Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years |
2023 £ 11,534 - 11,534 |
2022 £ 11,534 11,534 23,068 |
|---|---|---|
24. Related party transactions
The CIO has not entered into any related party transaction during the year, nor are there any outstanding balances owing between related parties and the CIO at 31 December 2023.
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Association of Applied Biologists Warwick Enterprise Park Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9EF http://www.aab.org.uk