## **Gavin Menzies Research Foundation (GMRF)** ## **Trustees’ Annual Report** For the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 ## **1. Charity Information** **Charity Name:** Gavin Menzies Research Foundation **Charity Registration Number:** 1198599 **Registered Address:** Unit 302, Finsbury Business Centre 40 Bowling Green Lane LONDON EC1R 0NE ## **Phone:** 02074157000 **Email:** contact@GavinMenziesResearchFoundation.org **Website:** https://www.GavinMenziesResearchFoundation.org Trustees serving during the year: - Marcella Menzies - Vanessa Menzies - Samantha Menzies - Ian Hudson ## **2. Structure, Governance and Management** The Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), governed by its Constitution. The Trustees meet regularly throughout the year to oversee the Foundation’s activities, finances, and long-term strategy. Day-to-day management of the Foundation’s communications, fundraising initiatives, and research support is overseen by Ian Hudson. During 2024, the Foundation was entirely volunteer-led, which limited the pace of progress. While this model ensures strong commitment and low overheads, it also means that operational development has been gradual. Despite these constraints, 2024 marked a significant step forward toward our strategic goals. ## **3. Objectives and Activities** The Foundation exists to preserve, develop and promote the legacy of the late Gavin Menzies, supporting public understanding of global maritime exploration before the voyages of Columbus. Key charitable purposes include: - Funding and publishing original historical research - Supporting public engagement through events, exhibitions, and media - Developing partnerships with academics and institutions, globally - Ensuring Menzies’ work remains accessible and relevant to future generations ## **4. Achievements and Performance (2024 Highlights)** During 2024, the Foundation made significant strides in stabilising its operations and preparing for future growth: - The Foundation received royalty contributions and donations from the estate of Gavin Menzies. - The Foundation continued correspondence and support for research into multiple maritime archaeology projects. - Ian Hudson delivered lectures and talks, via webinar and in person, including an event at the Bristol Adult Learning Centre. - New academic partnerships were initiated in UK, and Southeast Asia, notably with the ASEAN Archaeometry Institute and Commonwealth of World Chinatowns - Collaborative groundwork was laid with City St George’s University, London for the “1421 AI Project,” structuring 25 years of historical research data for use with artificial intelligence. - The Foundation “soft-launched” an updated website with new blog functionality that enabled it to disseminate research findings to the public. This year marked a transition from foundational setup to active charitable operations. Following initial registration in 2022 and infrastructure development in 2023, the Foundation undertook its first major steps in research activity and public engagement in 2024. ## **5. Public Benefit Statement** The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. The Gavin Menzies Research Foundation provides public benefit by supporting educational research, public lectures, exhibitions, and media relating to global maritime exploration before the European Age of Discovery. These activities are freely shared with the public via lectures, newsletters, and digital content, and are designed to promote historical understanding and inspire curiosity about our global past. ## **6. Financial Review** - Opening balance (1 Jan 2024): £5000 - Total income: £16,365 - Total expenditure: £667 - Closing balance (31 Dec 2024): £15,698 Income includes a £5,000 donation originally received in 2023 and carried forward to support 2024 activities. Additional income in 2024 came from estate royalties. ## **7. Receipts & Payments Account (2024)** |Receipts|Amount(£)| |---|---| |Donations (individuals)|5,000| |Royalties (estate)|5,000| |Countercredit(estate)|1,365| |Total Receipts|11,365| |Payments|Amount(£)| |---|---| |Website/emailservices|630| |Bankcharges|37| |Total Payments|667| Bank balance at start of year: £5,000 ## **Bank balance at end of year: £15,698** ## **8. Plans for the Future** Looking ahead to 2025, the Foundation aims to: - Secure new funding to support a sustainably salaried research and development post - Develop academic and fieldwork partnerships in UK, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico and Western Australia - Launch the “1421 AI Project” in collaboration with City St George’s University, which will develop an online, searchable archive of key documents, maps, and correspondence - Expand the charity’s international network of researchers and supporters - Recruit an expanded volunteer advisory council to support archaeological fieldwork projects. ## **9. Declaration and Approval** This report was approved by the Trustees on 29[th] October 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Signed: ____Marcella Menzies____ Trustee Date: _____29/10/2025________ Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2024 ## **Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA)** ## **Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31/12/2024** |**INCOME**
Donations
Donations
Donations
**EXPENDITURE**
Bank Charges
Charity Set Up Expenses
**Accumulated Funds for the**
**Year**
Add Opening Bank Balance
TOTAL GMRF funds 31/12/24|**2024**
**£**
5,000
5,000
1,365
**11,365**
37
630
**667**
10,698
5,000
15,698|**2023**
**£**
5,000
**5,000**| |---|---|---| |||**0**| |||5,000| |||5,000| ## **Notes to the Accounts** - Donation Income: The Foundation received donations totaling £16,365 in 2024. - Expenditure: £667.00 was spent on bank charges and charity setup expenses. - Funds Carried Forward: The remaining balance of £15,698 is carried forward to support future activities.