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2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 April 2023 Period start date To 31 March 2024 Period end date

Charity name: Refugee Employment Network

Charity registration number: 1196168

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes
of the charity as set out in
its governing document		 Para 1.17 The objects of the Refugee Employment
Network CIO as set out in our governing
document:
1. The relief of unemployment of those
granted refugee status and, to the
extent such individuals are permitted to
work in the United Kingdom, those
seeking asylum in the United Kingdom,
by:
(a) the provision of effective vocational and
skills training, advice and support, both to
beneficiaries and, more commonly, the
third parties with which they come into
contact, including without limitation local
authorities, central government
departments, non-governmental
organisations, prospective employers and
charities;
(b) the provision of advice and guidance to
employers seeking to train and recruit
refugees or, to the extent legally
permissible, those seeking asylum in the
United Kingdom; and
(c) the dissemination, to local authorities,
central government departments, non-
governmental organisations, prospective
employers, charities and any other relevant
organisation, of guidance and best practice
regarding employment and self-
employment as they affect refugees and
those seekingasylum;
1. to advance the education and training
of those (a) granted refugee status, and
(b) seeking asylum, and in each case
their dependants, so as to advance
them in life and enable them to adapt
and thrive within a new community;
2. to advance the education of employers
and the general public around issues
relating to refugees and those seeking
asylum, in order to better enable
refugees and those seeking asylum to
build their lives in the United Kingdom;
and
3. to relieve financial hardship amongst
those granted refugee status and, to
the extent such individuals are
permitted to work in the United
Kingdom, those seeking asylum in the
United Kingdom, particularly by the
provision of legal and practical advice
and guidance relating to employment
and self-employment, in each case for
the public benefit.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to
those purposes for the
public benefit, in
particular, the activities,
projects or services
identified in the accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 At the Refugee Employment Network, it’s
our mission to ensure that all refugees can
access appropriate, fulfilling and paid
employment in the UK.
The Refugee Employment Network (REN) is
the UK’s only national network dedicated
exclusively to refugee employment. With a
growing network of almost 400 members
across all four UK nations, REN is uniting a
national community committed to creating
opportunities for refugees, spanning a wide
range of industries and professions. Our
work meets both immediate and long-term
needs, ensuring comprehensive support for
refugees and employers through each stage
of employment.
We connect refugees to job opportunities
Our Jobs Board, mentoring programmes,
and job fairs connect refugees directly with
employers and employment opportunities,
and employers to refugee talent.
We strengthen the refugee employment
ecosystem
Our network includes businesses, local
authorities, and refugee charities, working
together to advance refugee employment
through joint initiatives and sharing best
practice.
We advance research and policy reform
We collaborate with businesses,
government and policy makers to advance
refugee employment rights in the UK.
Delivering public benefit through our work
Employment enables refugees to rebuild
their lives, contribute to their local
communities, and achieve financial
independence, which reduces their reliance
on public resources. By helping refugees
integrate into the workforce, REN
strengthens societal cohesion and
contributes to addressing critical labour
shortages. These benefits extend beyond
individuals to employers, local
communities, and the UK economy.
Our network of almost 400 members,
including businesses, local authorities, and
refugee charities, ensures that our impact
reaches a wide cross-section of society. The
main activities undertaken for the public
benefits include:
•
Enabling refugees to participate
fully in society as active contributors
to the economy.
•
Fostering greater inclusion and
diversity in workplaces across
industries.
•
Advancing the broader public
interest by reducing unemployment
and underemployment among
refugees.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the
guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on
public benefit		 Para 1.18 The Trustees have referred to the guidance
contained in the Charity Commission's
guidance on public benefit when reviewing
the Charity's aims and objectives and in
planning its activities. The Trustees have
specifically considered how the Charity’s
activities deliver identifiable public benefit
in line with itspurposes.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38
Policy on social
investment including
program related
investment		 Para 1.38
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 This marks the third year of partnership
between EY and the Refugee Employment
Network. A cornerstone of this
collaboration is the support provided by EY
volunteers. During the financial year, we
had a team of EY volunteers support our
events and two full-time secondees for a
six-month period, who contributed to the
operational running of REN in lieu of paid
staff.
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
Summary of the main
achievements of the
charity, identifying the
difference the charity’s
work has made to the
circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any
wider benefits to society
as a whole.		 Para 1.20 We worked directly with 1315 people
looking to enter employment and find
meaningful work through our job fairs,
mentoring programme and jobs board.
Growing the network
The
Refugee
Employment
Network’s
priority this year was to grow our network.
We focused on building the only national
network
exclusively
focused
on
collaborative and cross-sector working to
redefine and improve refugee employment
support across the UK. This year we grew
our membership to 355 members of the
Refugee Employment Network.
Sharing
best
practice
in
refugee
employment is a key focus of the network.
We ran the Refugee Employment Annual
Summit, in partnership with EY who hosted
and supported the organisation of the
event. We had 116 people register for the
event and 73 attendees.
Jobs Fairs
Refugee job fairs are a key activity we run
across the UK, tailored specifically for the
needs of refugees, making them relevant,
accessible, and welcoming for all attendees.
We convene members of our network to
form a local organising committee and work
collaboratively to plan and organise our jobs
fairs. Jobs Fairs provide job seekers with the
opportunity to meet employers who have
live vacancies across a range of sectors and
professions and access to support and
advice on navigating barriers related to
employment from support organisations.
Jobs Fairs showcase the strength of REN's
network model, with local organisations,
government
bodies,
and
businesses
collaborating
to
deliver
refugee
job
fairs. Refugee support organisations in our
network promote the event to their refugee
clients and their own networks.
This year we worked with our network to
run 3 jobs fairs in Birmingham, Leeds and
Cardiff. The events were attended by:
•
1083 job seekers
•
81 employers
•
30 refugee support services
Refugee job seekers reported engaging
with an average of 4 employers at each job
fair that matched their skills and
profession. Employers reported engaging
with an average of 70 job seekers per
event.
Mentoring
In partnership with Business in the
Community we ran a Refugee Mentoring
Programmes to address underemployment.
The mentoring programme supports
people to overcome barriers to re-building

their career in the UK, supporting with qualification recognition, expanding professional networks and increasing understanding of UK hiring practices. Refugees from across our network could join the refugee mentoring programme. The 2023 - 2024 programme supported the following: -43 refugees were matched to 43 mentors - 22 out of the 43 jobseekers/mentees achieved a positive outcome (employment, education, training, or volunteering) within 3 – 6 months of completing the programme. One of the mentees shared their experience, stating: “The mentor sessions were successful; I have found my first job in the UK. I am working for the last 3 months. I am very pleased for the help… It was the most useful sessions in my life, thank you so much for support.” A mentor also reflected on their experience, saying: “My client has been successful in getting a job… it was an absolute pleasure speaking to him and helping him with his job search.” Refugee Jobs Board We developed a refugee jobs board advertising roles that meet inclusive recruitment criteria as laid out by the Refugee Employment Network and UNHCR. We are the UNHCR’s UK partner for their European Refugee Employment Platform initiative. 161 roles were posted by employers on the jobs board and 449 applications were submitted by refugee job seekers.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set

Performance of Para 1.41 fundraising activities against objectives set Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s
financial position at the
end of the period		 Para 1.21 For the financial year 2023/24, the Refugee
Employment Network (REN) reported an
income of £95,109 and an expenditure of
£33,208.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 The trustees of the Refugee Employment
Network (REN) recognise the importance of
maintaining reserves to ensure financial
stability and safeguard the charity’s ability
to meet its obligations, particularly in
unforeseen circumstances. REN aims to
hold reserves equivalent to three months of
operating costs, currently calculated at
£31,380. These reserves provide essential
protection for core services, staff salaries,
and operational continuity during periods of
income fluctuation.
To achieve and maintain this target, the
trustees employ careful financial planning,
income
diversification,
and
prudent
expenditure management. This includes
securing
multi-year
grants,
expanding
corporate partnerships, and developing
new income streams such as paid training
and a charging model for the Jobs Board.
Reserves are monitored monthly, reviewed
at Board meetings every 6-8 weeks, and any
year-end surplus is allocated to reserves
until the target level is met.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £105,921 (26,321 unrestricted and
79,600 restricted.)
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22
Details of fund materially
in deficit		 Para 1.24
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a
going concern		 Para 1.23 The trustees are satisfied that the charity
will continue to be a going concern for the
foreseeable future.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal
sources of funds		 Para 1.47 We successfully secured a three-year grant
from This Day Foundation to employ our
first member of staff, who will also serve as
(including any
fundraising)		 CEO. Jenny officially joined REN in July
2024.
In addition to the grant from This Day
Foundation, we secured income through
partnerships with HSBC, the Welsh
Government, corporate and individual
donations.
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46
A description of the
principal risks facing the
charity		 Para 1.46
Other The Refugee Employment Network (REN)
received £40,000 of in-kind support from
its long-term partner EY in the 2023/24
financial year. This support was provided in
the form of two full-time secondees for a
six-month period, who contributed to the
operational running of REN in lieu of paid
staff. This is shown in our SOFA as Other
income and Other Expenditure and nets to
zero.

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing
document
(trust deed, royal charter)		 Para 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organisation
constitution
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 CIO
Trustee selection
methods including details
of any constitutional
provisions e.g. election to
post or name of any
person or body entitled to
appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 New Trustees will be appointed by the
Board when and if the need arises. New
trustees are required to apply for the
position and are interviewed to assess their
suitability.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:		 Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees		 Para 1.51 Training and induction of trustees is
undertaken as needed, including
safeguarding training and an introduction
to the REN Safeguarding Policy.
The charity’s
organisational structure
and any wider network
with which the charity
works		 Para 1.51
Relationship with any
related parties		 Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charityname Refugee Employment Network
Other name the charity
uses
Registered charitynumber 1196168
Charity’s principal address 54 Crewys Road, London, NW2 2AD

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
year		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee(if any)
Janice Lopatkin Chair
Douglas Ridley Treasurer
Akeela Ahmed
Nour Eddin Al Talli
Elizabeth Bowles
Sally Bailey
Charlie Fraser

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Jenny Walton, Chief Executive Officer

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Refugee Employment Network Refugee Employment Network Refugee Employment Network Refugee Employment Network Refugee Employment Network 1196168 1196168 CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period
from		 01-Mar-23 To 30-Apr-24
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted funds Endowment
funds		 Total funds Last year
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Donations and legacies 17,109 78,000 - 95,109 61,677
Charitable activities - - 697
Other trading activities - - - - -
Investments - - - - -
Separate material item of income - - - - -
Other - 40,000 - 40,000 -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total_(Gross income for AR) _ 17,109 118,000 - 135,109 62,374
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 17,109 118,000 - 135,109 62,374
A3 Payments
Raising funds 5,424 - - 5,424 3,456
Charitable activities 19,384 8,400 - 27,784 14,898
Separate material expense item - -
Other - 40,000 - 40,000 -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
**Sub total ** 24,808 48,400 - 73,208 18,354
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
**Sub total ** - - - - -
Totalpayments 24,808 48,400 - 73,208 18,354
Net of receipts/(payments) - 7,699 69,600 - 61,901 44,020
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds lastyear end 34,020 10,000 - 44,020 -
Cash funds thisyear end 26,321 79,600 - 105,921 44,020

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unr•s¢rtrt•d R••lrkl•d fuDd$ Endowmont fund5 funds n•Mbt£ Cat or Detdls to £ B1 CaBh fund8 B•r Toi cash fund$ 26,321 79.600 Unr•s¢Trl¢t•d fund5 R•strkl•d fund$ Endowmont funds Details to £ F￿nd ts *hl¢h b•long4 c￿l￿1t¥￿￿• Details F￿nd ts whlth •long• Details B4Ass•ls r•taln•d for th• charflV5 ovm use whith tdu• loPt5¢in￿l Wh•b) d¥• Details 15ab115ty BS Llabllltlos Slgned by one Or￿ tnjstees on behalf of all the Irustsès Siwwe Print Name D8ted8pproval Doug Rldlay 3010112025

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WAIES Independent examiner's rnport on the accounts SÈctlon A Indeptrnd¢nt Èxamlner'$ Report Roport to th• tru$t••* REFUGEE EMPLOYMENT NETWORK On •¢¢ounts fry th• year onded $T 31 MARCH 2024 Charlty no lit any) 1196168 Sot out on page• I report to the trustees on my exarnin8tion ol the accounts of thè above Charity I"tt)e Trust'l for the year ended R•sponslblllth$ and b•$l$ of rwirt As the chariws trustees, you are responsible for the prepar81ion of the a¢count5 in a￿ordarnCe with the requirernents of the Charities Act 2017 llhe Act-i. l ￿port in respect of my exatnillat￿n ol the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in ￿grr￿ng out my examination. I have followed all th8 applicable Directions given by the Charity Commiss under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent tThe tharty's gr055 incorne exceeded £250.000 and l am qualifred to examinerfs statemènt undertake the examination by being a qualified member of linsert name of applicable li$tsd bodyll. Delete I l if not applicable. I have completed my exarnination. I confirtn that no rnaterial rnatt8rs hav8 come to my attention in connection wth the exarnination lother than that disd05e(I below") which gives me cause to believe that in, 8ny material respect.. the accounting ￿￿rdS were not kept in accordan￿ wrth section 130 ol the Charities Act.. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts clid not comply with the applscable requirements colloming the form and ￿nIent of a¢counts set out in the Charits"es IAccounls znd Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requir8ment that the account5 gwe a'lrue and fairf view which is not a tnatter consid8r8d as part of an Independent exarnination. I hav8 no con￿M$ and have come across nts oth8r m8tters in CL￿ne¢￿0n with the examination to which attentltsn should be drawn In this report in order lo enable 3 proper understanding of the acCO￿nts lo be reachad. P188se delete Ihe bvorés in the brack8ts if they do not apply. Slgn•d.. Dat•.. Nam•'. BRIAN DEMIDOFF R¢lo¥8nt profv$6lonal quallll¢atlonl•l or body FSnanckn Managor, GlngèrbrOAd, th8 Ch8rfty for Slngle Parent F&milies O¢t 2018