**Elders for Social Entrepreneurship** Trustees’ Annual Report to the Charity Commission of England and Wales Reporting Period: November 2024 – October 2025 ## **1. Charity Information** - **Charity Name:** Elders for Social Entrepreneurship (trading as Elders Council for Social Entrepreneurs) - 1196281 - **Charity Registration Number:** - **Principal Address:** The Old Vicarage, Daventry Road, Norton, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 2ND. ## **2. Public Benefit Statement** The charity exists to support social entrepreneurs worldwide in leadership succession, transition, and wellbeing. All activities during the reporting period were undertaken to advance education, promote intergenerational knowledge-sharing, and strengthen the resilience of social enterprises. Trustees confirm they have complied with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. ## **3. Summary of Activities and Achievements** - **Insight Launch:** Free online learning resource featuring webinars, articles, and podcasts. - **Webinars:** Two high-profile events on succession and co-leadership with guest speakers from Coutts - Institute and Greenpeace UK. - **Skoll World Forum 2025:** Moderated sessions on succession and transition; hosted Friendship Bench - peer-support. - **Peer Support:** Confidential support through Friendship Bench Zimbabwe partnership. - **Conflict Resolution:** Assisted individual social entrepreneurs facing organisational challenges. ## **4. Governance and Leadership** - Chris Underhill MBE - **CEO (part-time):** - **Board of Trustees:** Andrea Coleman (Chair), Mel Young, Therese Drammeh - Governance remains robust with clear risk management protocols and financial oversight. ## **5. Staffing and Operational Growth** - **Operations:** Katelynne Kirk promoted to Operations Manager; planned transition to Operations Director in December 2025. - **External Contractors:** Writers, sound engineer, fundraising consultant, and external examiners engaged. - **Fundraising:** Consultant Victoria Nicholson advanced fundraising strategy and outreach. Elders for Social Entrepreneurship (which trades as the Elders Council for Social Entrepreneurs) is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity Commission No. 1196281. 1 ## **6. Membership and Learning Initiatives** - International membership grew to **370+ members** by November 2025 in a number of countries worldwide. - Insight resource launched in June 2025 with curated content in Leadership, Succession/Transition, Money, and Wellbeing. Focus groups across three continents provided feedback to improve usability. ## **7. Programme Delivery and Convenings** ## **Webinars:** Capital, Culture and Change: Perspectives on Succession (Jan 2025) - Co-leadership – How Greenpeace Do It (Feb 2025) - **Skoll World Forum 2025:** Moderated sessions and hosted Friendship Bench. - **Partnerships:** Expanded collaboration with Friendship Bench Zimbabwe and supported Tostan’s succession dialogue. ## **8. Strategic Development** - **Strategic Retreat (Edinburgh, June 2025):** Trustees and staff refined 2025–2027 framework. - External input from Ashoka UK & Ireland and fundraising consultant strengthened planning. ## **9. Financial Management and Oversight** Clear division of duties ensures accountability in payments and approvals. - Funding from the Skoll Foundation supported staffing and programme expansion. - External examination conducted by Lucy Soar of Soar Consulting Services Limited. ## **10. Risk and Governance Assurance** - **Key Risks:** Departure of CEO/Operations Manager, reduction in trustee capacity, - limited financial reserves. - **Mitigation:** Strengthened signatory protocols, reconciliation processes, and active fundraising strategy. ## **11. Looking Ahead (2026)** Expand Insight with new content. Host Friendship Bench at Skoll World Forum 2026. - Launch mentoring programme for social entrepreneurs. - Grow membership and diversify income streams. - Continue positioning as leader in succession, transition, and intergenerational learning. Elders for Social Entrepreneurship (which trades as the Elders Council for Social Entrepreneurs) is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity Commission No. 1196281. 2 ## **12. Financial Summary** Total Income: 0 Total Expenditure: £41,842 Reserves: £68,232 Trustees confirm that financial management is prudent and aligned with the charity’s objectives. ## **13. Conclusion** The reporting year demonstrates resilience, innovation, and growing recognition. With refreshed strategy, expanded programming, and strengthened partnerships, Elders for Social Entrepreneurship is well positioned to continue supporting social entrepreneurs worldwide in leadership succession, transition, and wellbeing. 3 **External Examiner’s Report** ## **Elders for Social Entrepreneurship (trading as Elders Council for Social Entrepreneurs) Reporting Period: November 2024 – October 2025** ## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Elders for Social Entrepreneurship** I report on the accounts of Elders for Social Entrepreneurship for the year ended 31 October 2025, which are set out in the charity’s annual financial statements. ## **Responsibilities and Basis of Report** The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that the audit requirement of section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 does not apply and that an independent examination is appropriate. ## **It is my responsibility to:** Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011; - Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission; and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Examination** My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions issued by the Charity Commission. An independent examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also considers whether the accounts comply with the relevant requirements of the Charities Act 2011. The examination provides a limited level of assurance and does not constitute an audit. Accordingly, I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. ## **Statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 2011, have not been met; or 2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 4 ## **Commentary on Financial Management** During the reporting period, the charity demonstrated prudent financial oversight: Clear division of duties in payments and approvals was maintained. Funding from the Skoll Foundation supported modest staffing and programme expansion. - Financial reserves remain limited but are actively managed through strengthened fundraising strategies. Risk mitigation measures, including reconciliation processes and signatory protocols, were observed. The charity continues to operate within its means, aligning expenditure with its charitable objectives and demonstrating accountability in financial stewardship. ## **Examiner’s Details** **Name:** Lucy Soar **Company:** Soar Consultancy Services Limited **Professional Qualification:** Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) **Date:** 6 February 2026 **Address:** 37 Montefiore Road Hove BN3 1RD United Kingdom 5 ## **Financial Report: Receipts and Payments Accounts** **Charity Name:** Elders for Social Entrepreneurship **Charity Number:** 1196281 **Financial Year Ended:** 31 October 2025 ## **Statement of Receipts and Payments** |**Category**|**Receipts (£)**|**Payments (£)**| |---|---|---| |Donatons and legacies|–|–| |Grants received|–|–| |Fundraising events|–|–| |Charitable actvites income|–|–| |Travel|–|2,521| |Staf and volunteer expenses|–|34,714| |Ofce supplies and admin|–|505| |Marketng|–|4,103| |**Total**|–|41,842| ## **Net Receipts for the Year: £41,842** ## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities** |**Assets**|**Value (£)**| |---|---| |Cash at bank|68,232| |Pety cash|–| |Debtors (unpaid grant)|–| |**Total Assets**|68,232| |**Liabilites**|**Value (£)**| |Unpaid invoices (utlites)|–| |**Total Liabilites**|–| |**Net Assets:**£68,232|| The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 October 2025. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and 6 (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 11[th] February 2026 and were signed on its behalf by: Signature(s) Full name(s) Andrea Constance Coleman Chair Position (e.g. Secretary, Chair, etc.) Date 11/02/2026 ## **Notes to the Accounts** 1. **Accounting Basis:** These accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis. 2. **Restricted Funds:** There are no restricted funds. 3. **Trustee Remuneration:** No trustees received any remuneration or expenses. 4. **Independent Examination:** Accounts were independently examined by Lucy Soar, Soar Consultancy Services Limited. 7