2025-03-31-accounts - The Refugee Employment Network

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From Period start date: 1 April 2024 To Period end date: 31 March 2025

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: 3.1.1. the relief of unemployment and underemployment of Beneficiaries, 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 Beneficiaries; 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 Beneficiaries; 3.1.2. to advance the education and training of Beneficiaries and in each case their dependants, so as to advance them in life and enable them to adapt and thrive within a new community;

		3.1.3. to advance the education of employers and the general public around issues relating Beneficiaries, in order to better enable such Beneficiaries to build their lives in the United Kingdom; and 3.1.4. to relieve financial hardship amongst Beneficiaries, particularly by the provision of legal and practical advice and guidance relating to employment and self-employment; and 3.1.5. the relief of unemployment generally, in each case for the public benefit. "Beneficiaries" means (a) individuals who have at any time been granted legal refugee status in any country who are resident in the United Kingdom, (b) individuals granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom having fled conflict, persecution or any other actual or potential humanitarian crisis in another country, (c) to the extent such individuals are permitted to work in the United Kingdom, those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom, and (d) individuals who hold British citizenship but who have met one or more of these criteria in the past.
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 (REN), our mission is to ensure that all refugees in the UK can access appropriate, fulfilling, and paid employment. Rebuilding a life in a new country is challenging; we make rebuilding a career easier. REN is the UK’s national network dedicated exclusively to refugee employment. The three key pillars of REN’s strategic focus and activities are: 1.Equitable Access to Employment Resources and Opportunities:Connecting refugees and employers with essential guidance, tools, resources, and opportunities for sustainable employment in the UK. Activities: We connect refugees to job opportunities and employers and employers to a skilled, motivated displaced talent through:

Refugee Jobs Board - The Refugee Employment Network (REN) is the UNHCR’s UK partner in their network of European Refugee Employment Platforms. The Refugee Employment Platform initiative has been designed in collaboration with partners and refugees across Europe to enhance employment prospects for forcibly displaced people. REN’s Jobs Board features live job vacancies from employers spanning industry and sectors, connecting refugee job seekers with employers. Mentoring programmes Our mentoring programmes focus on addressing the under employment and unemployment of professionals, looking to rebuild their career in the UK. We work with partners to match qualified and skilled refugees with mentors working in equivalent roles and industries. We also work with employers and industry bodies, to identify, understand and remove or lower barriers to specific professions for refugee professionals. Job Fairs We work with local and regional members in the Refugee Employment Network to codesign local/regional job fairs that connect refugee job seekers directly with local employers and live vacancies and employment support from local refugee support organisations. We also connect local and regional employers to a refugee talent pipeline and provide training in creating inclusive hiring practices for refugees. 2. Systemic Change & Collective Impact: Collaborating with our network and across sectors, including refugee charities, industry bodies, businesses, employers, and local authorities we share best practices and work together to advance refugee employment through joint initiatives. Activities: We strengthen the refugee employment ecosystem through: Partnerships with network members to pilot refugee employment initiatives that improve employment outcomes for refugees and work

locally and regionally to co-design refugee employment opportunities. Convene Network Meetings Bringing together network members to share best practice, insights and share solutions and challenges around refugee employment. These including online bi-monthly meetings, member welcome sessions and issue specific groups Network Newsletters We share news, insights, reports, opportunities and live vacancies and programmes with our network via the REN Newsletter Refugee Employment Summit We run an annual Refugee Employment Summit, bringing together key stakeholders including employers, businesses, policy makers, local authorities, charities and displaced people to share learning, build partnerships and connections and leave with practical actions they can implement. 3. Employer Education, Guidance & Best Practice We advance employer understanding and share evidence-based guidance on refugee employment, to better enable refugees, and asylum seekers with the right to work to rebuild their lives in the United Kingdom. Activities: Training for employers, HR and talent professionals We provide training, advice and practical guidance for employers, hiring managers and business leaders on implementing inclusive recruitment and employment practices for refugees Roundtables and shared learning We convene employers, industry bodies, local authorities, charities and other partners to share learning, guidance and best practice on refugee employment, supporting consistent and effective approaches across sectors.

		Dissemination and public education We work with industry publications, media and partners to disseminate evidence, guidance and case studies that improve understanding of refugee employment among employers and the wider public, supporting more informed dialogue and practice. Delivering public benefit through our work Access to meaningful employment offers forcibly displaced people hope, dignity, and the chance to rebuild their lives after fleeing war, conflict, or persecution. By supporting fair access to career opportunities and removing barriers that can limit the potential of displaced talent, REN helps refugees participate fully in society and contribute their skills and experience. Economic inclusion reduces reliance on public resources while strengthening community connections and social cohesion. By enabling refugees to enter the workforce in roles that reflect their abilities, REN also supports employers to benefit from a wider range of talent, increase workplace inclusion, and address key labour shortages. These outcomes create advantages for individuals, businesses, local communities, and the wider UK economy. Our network of almost 400 members, including businesses, local authorities, education providers, and refugee organisations, ensures our impact reaches across sectors and communities. The key activities delivering public benefit include: ● Enabling the economic and social inclusion of refugees ● Fostering greater inclusion and diversity in workplaces across industries. ● Advancing the broader public interest by reducing unemployment and underemployment among refugees and strengthening community cohesion.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidanceissued by	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

the Charity its activities. The Trustees have specifically Commission on considered how the Charity’s activities deliver public benefit identifiable public benefit in line with its purposes.

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 fourth 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 REN organisational development, day to day operations, events and one full-time secondee between April 2024 - July 2024 who contributed to the operational running of REN in lieu of paid staff prior to ourCEO joiningin July2024.
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		1.Equitable Access to Employment Resources and Opportunities: We supported1447 refugees and people who have been forcibly displacedlooking to enter employment and find meaningful work through our job fairs, mentoring programme and employment initiatives. Jobs Fairs Refugee Jobs Fairs are a key activity we deliver across the UK, designed specifically around the needs of refugee job seekers to ensure each event is relevant, accessible and welcoming. We convene local members of our network to form organising committees and work collaboratively to plan and deliver each fair. These events give refugees direct access to employers with live vacancies across a range of sectors, as well as tailored support to navigate barriers to employment. They also demonstrate the strength of REN’s network model, bringing together local organisations, government bodies and businesses to deliver place-based solutions. This year, working with our partners, we delivered five Jobs Fairs inAberdeen, London, Belfast, Bristol and Glasgow. Across these events, we engaged: ● 1,083 job seekers ● 102 employers ● 35 refugee support organisations ● 29 network partnersinvolved in local organising committees Employers reported engaging with an average of63 job seekers per event. The attendance of the Lord Mayor of Belfast and the Lord Mayor of Bristol signalled strong civic support for the economic and social inclusion of refugees in both cities. These events strengthened local and regional partnerships and demonstrated the collective impact achieved when organisations work together to reach more employers, engage more refugees, and share best practice across sectors. Mentoring

We launched two Refugee Mentoring
Programmes designed to address the
underemployment of highly skilled refugee
professionals seeking to re-enter their careers
in the UK but facing significant barriers. These
programmes matched 25 mentees with 25
mentors working in equivalent roles, providing
industry guidance to strengthen CVs and
applications, build interview confidence,
expand professional networks, and gain a
clearer understanding of UK recruitment
practices within their profession.
In partnership with Business in the
Community, we delivered a mentoring
programme with the Royal Household,
training27 Royal Household staffin
mentoring approaches tailored to supporting
displaced professionals. We matched17
refugees with 17 mentorsworking in
equivalent professions for example,
accountants, HR specialists, IT professionals
and marketing leads ensuring relevant,
industry-specific support for mentees.
Mentees were referred through REN’s
national network, ensuring they had ongoing
holistic support alongside specialist career
guidance from mentors.
Impact

● 100% of mentees reported professional growth and significantly higher levels of confidence in job searching and career planning following the programme. ● Networking capacity strengthened with 66% reporting strong professional networks by programme end. ● 100% gained a deeper understanding of the UK job market, recruitment processes and how to present their experience effectively to employers. ● 73% left the programme with a clear career direction , compared with 10% at the start.

Mentee feedback:

“The mentor sessions were successful; I found my first job in the UK and have now been working for three months. It was the most useful programmeof my

life. Thank you so much for the support.” Mentee feedback: “My mentor helped me refine my CV and prepare for interviews, but most importantly, to believe in my own skills and experience. I finally secured my dream job.” We also launched the Refugee Engineer Mentoring Pilot Programme in partnership with the Engineering Council. The programme received over 70 applications from professional engineers from the Institute of Civil Engineers, from which we trained and matched 8 mentors with 8 mentees , pairing them by engineering specialism. Several mentors brought lived experience of forced displacement and rebuilding their careers in the UK, adding significant value to the programme. The pilot will run until October 2025 . Mentors were strongly motivated not only to support refugee engineers to re-establish their careers in the UK, but also to help ensure their skills, expertise, and professional experience are recognised and contribute to the UK engineering sector. As one mentor explained: “I can imagine the difficulties individuals are facing when it comes to adapting to a new environment and a new employment market. I would like to contribute to help professionals bridge the gap, and hopefully manage to settle in and continue building their career so they do not have to compromise their passion and profession and be able to utilise their expertise” Refugee Jobs Board The Refugee Employment Network (REN) is the UNHCR’s UK partner within their network of European Refugee Employment Platforms. This initiative has been developed in collaboration with partners and refugees across Europe to strengthen employment opportunities for forcibly displaced and stateless people.

	We focused on assessing and strengthening
	the potential of technology to improve
	employment outcomes for refugees in the
	UK. We worked with EY to undertake a full
	digital audit and review to identify areas for
	improvement, inform the development brief
	for the next phase, and shape an income
	strategy to support its transition into the UK’s
	Refugee Employment Marketplace.
	With organic engagement alone and no
	active marketing or promotion during the
	year, employers posted160 roles, and
	refugee job seekers submitted392
	applications, an average of two applications
	per applicant. These engagement figures
	demonstrate clear demand and validate the
	platform’s potential ahead of the next stage
	of development.
	2. Systemic Change & Collective Impact:
	Strengthening the network
	The Refugee Employment Network’s priority
	this year was to grow engagement and
	strengthen the profile and impact of our
	network.
	This year we strengthened our understanding
	of the network by completing a detailed
	membership audit with support from EY. The
	process reviewed all existing members,
	removed inactive and duplicate entries, and
	categorised organisations by sector and
	industry. REN records351 active member
	organisations during this period, reflecting
	all organisations with confirmed member
	status after excluding duplicates, closed
	organisations, and rejected applications. Of
	our updated351 active members,61% are
	private sector organisations, 23% are
	charities and non-profits (including refugee
	support organisations), 14% are local
	authorities or government bodies, and 3% fall
	into other public or regulated sectors. This
	enhanced insight has strengthened our
	outreach and engagement and is helping us
	tailor our support more effectively to the
	needs of organisations across the network.

	This year westrengthened local and
	regional partnershipsby working with
	members inAberdeen, London, Belfast,
	Bristol and Glasgowto deliver Refugee Jobs
	Fairs tailored to each area’s employment
	landscape and refugee communities. By
	convening local and regional employers,
	refugee support organisations, local
	authorities and DWP, we supported more
	joined-up, cross-sector working and helped
	partners reach far more employers and
	refugee job seekers than they could alone.
	REN’s role as a convener continues to build
	collective impact, enabling local and regional
	networks to share best practice, deepen
	collaboration and improve outcomes for
	refugee communities locally and across the
	UK.
	3. Employer Education, Guidance & Best
	Practice
	Refugee Employment and Mentoring
	Forum
	REN convened the Refugee Employment
	and Mentoring Forum at Buckingham
	Palace, supported by our longstanding
	partner EY. The forumbrought together
	over 100 business and industry leaders
	from across sectors to increase
	understanding of refugee employment and to
	share evidence, learning and best practice.
	The event provided a structured space for
	employers and organisations to explore
	practical approaches to improving
	employment outcomes for refugees in the
	UK. Discussions focused on common
	challenges faced by employers, including
	understanding employment rights and
	responsibilities, navigating security clearance
	processes, recognising overseas
	qualifications, and supporting language
	development. Participants also considered
	practical actions that organisations can take
	to improve recruitment and retention
	practices.

Speakers with lived and professional experience shared insights that helped deepen employer understanding of refugee experiences, while also highlighting the skills and expertise refugees bring to the UK labour market. Dissemination and public education REN supported public education and awareness by contributing evidence and case studies to national media coverage on refugee employment issues. During the year, we worked with The Guardian to support an article highlighting the employment challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees due to uncertainty around visa extensions. The article included case studies from refugees involved in REN programmes, helping to ensure accurate representation of lived experience and to improve public understanding of the barriers refugees can face when seeking work.

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

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	The fundraising objective for the year was to secure multi-year and core support to lay strong foundations for REN’s growth, impact and long-term sustainability as a new charity. This objective was achieved. During the year, we received the second instalment of a three-year grant fromThis Day Foundation, originally secured in the previous financial year. This funding supported organisational capacity and enabled the appointment of the charity’s first member of staff. We also received project funding from the Evan Cornish Foundationto support Refugee Job Fairs in the Northwest and North Eastof England, deliveredin

		partnership with local and regional members of REN. In addition, we secured two years of organisational development support from theLloyds Bank Foundationand were awarded a three-year unrestricted grant from theRayne Foundationin March 2025, with grant payments commencing from April 2025. Together, these outcomes demonstrate strong performance against fundraising objectives and reflect growing external confidence in REN’s work, strengthening the charity’s financial resilience and capacity to plan for long-term impact.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	For the financial year 2024–2025, REN received total income of £63,422, primarily from trusts and foundations, along with £800 in donations and £700 in earned income. This represents a decrease from £95,109 in the prior year, reflecting the planned reduction of a key multi-year grant that decreases year on year over its three- year term. Expenditure increased as we invested in leadership capacity through the recruitment of REN’s first part-time CEO. This resulted in a surplus of £36,028 for the period, reflecting the timing of grant income received in advance of planned delivery,

		which will be applied to costs in the next financial year. Unrestricted reserves grewfrom £26,321 to£58,157,representing approximately five months of running costs and remaining within the charity’s reserves policy target of three to six months. These reserves position the charity to continue strengthening organisational capacity, extend impact, and grow the reach of the network, while managing a challenging fundraising environment, rising costs, and increasing demand for services. Restricted funds at year end totalled £84,572. The year-end balance reflects the timing of expenditure, including £53,291 relating to CEO salary costs accrued in the year and settled after the year end.
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 to six months of operating costs. Our unrestricted reserves are currently sitting within this. 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	Total reserves £142,726,including £58,157 unrestrictedreserves and £84,572 restrictedreserves.
Reasons for holding zeroreserves	Para 1.22
Details of fund materiallyindeficit	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:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	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 CEO. Jenny Walton joined REN as Chief Executive in July 2024. We received project funding from the Evan Cornish Foundation to support Refugee Jobs Fairs in the North West and North East of England, in partnership with local and regional members of REN. We secured two years of organisational development support from the Lloyds Bank Foundation, provided in the form of tailored organisational development support rather than a financial grant. We were awarded a three-year unrestricted grant from the Rayne Foundation, with grant payments covering the period from April 2025 to March 2027.
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

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’strusts:
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. All new trustees have to be approved by the Board of Trustees.

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’s policies, including 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	RefugeeEmployment Network
Other name the charityuses
Registered charity number	1196168
Charity’s principal address	54 Crewys Road, London, NW2 2AD

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
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)

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.

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Refugee Employment Network On accounts for the year 31/03/25 Charity no 1196168 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 and 2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/25 .

Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 23/01/26 Signed: Name: FJ Wilde Relevant professional FCCA DChA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 4 Marigold Drive Bisley Surrey GU24 9SF

October 2018

IER

Charity Name No (if any) Refugee Employment Network 1196168 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01/04/2024 31/03/2025

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 58,450 - - - - - - - 58,450 - - - 58,450 6,250 21,144 - - - - - - - 27,394 - - - 27,394 31,056 - 27,101 58,157	Restricted funds to the nearest £ 4,972 - - - - - - - 4,972 - - - 4,972 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4,972 - 79,600 84,572	Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total funds to the nearest £ 63,422 - - - - - - - 63,422 - - - 63,422 6,250 21,144 - - - - - - - 27,394 - - - 27,394 36,028	Last year to the nearest £
Donations and legacies	58,450				95,109
Charitable activities	-				-
Other	-				40,000
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	58,450				135,109

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
	-
	-				-
*Sub total*	-				-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments
					135,109

Raisingfunds	6,250				5,424
Charitable activities	21,144				27,784
Other	-				40,000
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
**Sub total **	27,394				73,208

A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
	-
	-
**Sub total **	-				-
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*
					73,208

	31,056	4,972	-	36,028	61,901
	-	-	-	-	-
	27,101	79,600	-	106,701	44,800
	58,157	84,572	-	142,729	106,701

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

23/01/2026

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

J. Lopatkin Signature Details Details Metro account CAF account PayPal Details Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 54,872 84,572 2,330 - 955 - 58,157 84,572 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Souleiman Lazrak Janice Lopatkin	Endowment funds to nearest £
		-
		-
		-
		-
		OK
		Endowment funds to nearest £
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		Current value (optional)
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		Current value (optional)
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
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		When due (optional)






		Date of approval
	Souleiman Lazrak	22/01/2026
J. Lopatkin	Janice Lopatkin	23/01/2026

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

23/01/2026