Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 January 2025 Period start date To 31 December 2025 Period end date
Charity name: Islington Festival of Music and ARt
Charity registration number: 1198568
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The charity’s principle aim is to produce and provide a summer music and arts festival in the London borough of Islington |
| 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 |
The 5th festival took place in July 2025, with 15 events and concerts spread over a 3 week period. There were concerts of classical music, jazz, swing dance, yoga classes with live harp. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The 5 Trustees are constantly mindful of the Charity’s Governing Document, both in the preparation and execution of the Festival. As is traditional with the IFMA, young dults and children were able to attend either free of charge, or for a nominal cost. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | NA |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The Festival is now renowned for bringing international level musicians to perform live in a variety of different venues in Islington: this year, attendees were able to attend swing dance classes free of charge in the piazza of Angel Central, a shopping centre in the heart of Islington. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The Trustees invite and select Volunteers who form a loyal and hard-working group, assisting the Directors in the Production of the events. This hyear the volunteers were given Yellow Festival Shirts to wear (yellow is the flagship |
colour associated with IFMA) and this gesture was appreciated by all the volunteers as well as the public. 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 | July 2025 witnessed 15 concerts/events over 3 weekends, and sometimes there were as many as 3 events per day. The Festival promotes and celebrates many different Multi Bundles and Passes, which allow attendees to attend multiple events for a fraction of the normal price. The feedback during and after the Festival continues to be enthusiastic full of wonderment that such a high quality and varied splash of culture can be enjoyed in North London. |
| 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: |
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The objective from the very beginning was to put on live music/art in Islington, initially for the residents of the Borough, who could attend such events virtually on their doorstep, |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | January saw the 4th Fundraising Concert, given in St Pancras Clock Tower by the 2 festival Directors, who as a matter of principle decline to receive any renumeration for their performance of incredibly beautiful music. This Concert raised substantial funds, which is crucial for the health and future of the Festival, in that it goes some way to allow the guest musicians to receive a reasonable performance fee. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | NA |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The 2025 Festival made a small loss for the first time, which is happily balanced by the considerable income raised from the Fundraising Concert. This small loss was predicted, in that an artistic decision was made to open the Festival with music by Gershwin and Copland, which involved 13 musicians, considerably more than ever before. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Despite this, the trustees hold sufficient funds to be able to programme and plan the 2026 Edition without the need to use any sponsorship or ticket money during 2026, which will obviously happen. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £24,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | NA |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | NA |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | NA |
| 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 (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Ticket sales, donations, concert sponsors, fundraising concert. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | none |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | none |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
none | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | CIO Foundation Charity |
| 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 as necessary by a resolution passed at a convened meeting of the Charity’s 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 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Charity name | Islington Festival of Music and Art |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1198568 |
| Charity’s principal address | 4 Witherington Road London N5 1PP |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Johnson | Chair | |||
| Martin André | General Manager | |||
| Joana Ly | Artistic Director | |||
| Frances Hills | Secretary | |||
| AnthonyFoster | Production Manager | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name NA
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| NA | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets NA held in this capacity Name and objects of the NA charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for NA 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)
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.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Martin André Full name(s) Martin Paul André
Position (eg Secretary, General Manager Chair, etc)
Date
16 January 2026