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2024-12-31-accounts

20 May 2025

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of The Iran Society will be held at 6.00 pm on Wednesday 18 June 2025 at The Army & Navy Club, 36 - 39 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5JN

Under the charity’s constitution, one-third of the Trustees and Council Members shall retire at each AGM and may offer themselves for re-election. Those retiring this year, and who are offering themselves for re-election, are:

Mr A C V Wynn Mr R M Mackenzie Dr F A Ala Prof A Ansari *Denotes Trustee

Dr S Horsman has tendered his resignation and Council has nominated Ms E Cohen-Haddon to take his place.

Nominations of further candidates to fill available vacancies for members of Council or Trustees may be made in signed form by a proposer and a seconder, accompanied by a signed letter of consent by the candidate, who may also submit a text of up to 150 words about their candidacy. Nominations must be received no later than Tuesday 04 June 2025.

Any member unable to attend the Meeting may appoint another person as a proxy to exercise all or any of that member’s rights to attend, speak and vote at the Meeting. Proxies must be appointed by sending a signed notification to the Honorary Secretary to arrive no later than Tuesday 17 June 2025.

A copy of the Agenda is given overleaf.

D GYE Honorary Secretary

Registered office: Hudson House, 8 Tavistock Street, London WC2E 7PP Telephone: 020 7235 5122 Email: info@iransociety.org Website: www.iransociety.org Registered Charity No: 1200807

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE IRAN SOCIETY TO BE HELD AT 6.00 PM ON WEDNESDAY 18 JUNE 2025 AT THE ARMY & NAVY CLUB, 36 - 39 PALL MALL, LONDON SW1Y 5JN

A G E N D A

  1. The President’s Welcome: The Right Hon. The Lord Lamont of Lerwick.

  2. To confirm the Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting held on 05 June 2024.

  3. To receive the Annual Report of the Trustees.

    • To receive the Financial Statements and Report of the Honorary Examiner

  5. To approve the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

  6. To appoint the Honorary Examiner for the ensuing year

  7. Election of Trustees and Members of Council

The following Trustees and Members of Council are retiring and offer themselves for re-election:

Mr A C V Wynn Mr R M Mackenzie Dr F A Ala Prof A Ansari *Denotes Trustee

The following Member is nominated for election to Council: Ms E Cohen-Haddon

The following Member of Council is retiring:

Dr S Horsman

  1. Election of Officers

The following Officers are nominated by Council for election:

Mr A C V Wynn Mr R M Mackenzie

Chairman Hon Treasurer

  1. Any other business.

2

THE IRAN SOCIETY (Registered Charity No. 1200807)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Contents Page
Reference and Administrative Information 4
Report of the Trustees 5
Report of the Honorary Examiner 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes forming part of the financial statements 9

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THE IRAN SOCIETY

Reference and Administrative Information

Charity number: 1200807

Trustees

The following Trustees held office during the year ended 31 December 2024 and up to the date of this report:

Mr A C V Wynn Chairman Mr D Gye Hon Secretary Mr R M Mackenzie Hon Treasurer Hon J E Buchan Miss F Hart Mrs J Rady

Advisory Council

The Trustees are also members of the Advisory Council, which also includes:

The Right Hon. The Lord Lamont of Lerwick (President) Dr F A Ala Prof A M Ansari Mr D Blow Ms N Farzad Dr T Fitzherbert Dr S Horsman Prof V Martin Dr A Tahbaz

Registered Office:

Hudson House, 8 Tavistock Street, London WC2E 7PP

Independent Examiner:

Mr J Ingham LLB, FCA

Bankers:

National Westminster Bank Plc, 1 Abbey Road, London NW10 7YQ

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THE IRAN SOCIETY

Report of the Trustees

Structure, governance and management

The Iran Society (‘the Society’ or ‘CIO’) was registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘CIO’) on 24 October 2022, and is governed by its Constitution.

On 01 January 2023, all the activities, assets and liabilities of the former charity called The Iran Society (charity number 248678) were transferred to the CIO. The former charity was then merged with the CIO.

The Society is administered by the Trustees. There must be at least 3 trustees, being initially ex officio the Chairman, the Honorary Treasurer and the Honorary Secretary. Up to a further 3 trustees may be appointed from among the members of Council. One third of the trustees shall retire at each AGM after the first AGM.

The Trustees are also members of a Council which advises the Trustees on all matters for which the Trustees have responsibility. There shall be no fewer than 3 nor more than 14 members of Council, including Officers and Trustees, but excluding the President. One third of the members of the Council shall retire at each AGM after the first AGM.

Objectives and activities

The Objects for which the Society is established are to advance education in the subject of Iran, its peoples and culture (but so that in no event should the CIO take a position on, or take any part in, contemporary politics) in particular through the study of language, literature, art, history, religions, antiquities, usages, institutions and customs of Iran.

The principal activity of the Society is to hold a series of lectures on subjects connected with Iran, its peoples, and culture.

Travel grants are awarded to enable students from UK universities to further their studies in Iran or other Persianate countries on subjects deemed of interest to members.

Membership of the Society is open to all those with an interest in Iran. The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and consider that the activities of the charity meet its charitable objects and provide a benefit to the public.

Achievements and performance

Our speakers during 2024 included Nahid Assemi, Michael Zirinsky, Antony Wynn, Alan Dillon, Rowena Abdul Razak, Robert Steele, and Fuchsia Hart, who lectured members at our Christmas party on Fath-Ali Shah’s shrine patronage in early Qajar Iran.

During 2024, three travel grants for a total of £5,000 were awarded to university students to assist with Persian language studies and research into Shi’i hadith contradictions. A sum of £500 was granted to the National Trust to support the Persian Paradise exhibition at Sissinghurst, the former home of Harold Nicholson and Vita SackvilleWest, in particular a continuous screening of the film Grass showing the Bakhtiari migration in 1922.

The membership of the Society is made up of Ordinary members (224), Student members (24) and Honorary and Life members (28), making a total of 276 members.

5

Financial review

Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are required by law to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, safeguarding the assets of the charity, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Reserves Policies

The Trustees have given special consideration to the level of reserves required to carry on the Society’s activities, and have determined to apply the following principles:

Financial Report

The Financial Statements show the Society’s financial position as at 31 December 2024. Total income for the year ended on that date was £11,749 (2023: £15,169). Total expenditure in the year was £15,901 (2023: £16,651). The result, excluding investment gains, was a deficit of £4,152, compared with a deficit of £1,482 recorded in the previous year. The value of the Society’s investments increased during the year by £4,264, or 3.4%. At 31 December 2024, the portfolio was valued at £129,964. The Society’s reserves at that date amounted to £139,236, of which £2,720 were classed as restricted funds. The Trustees consider that the financial position of the Society remains sound.

A C V WYNN Chairman

REPORT OF THE HONORARY EXAMINER TO THE MEMBERS OF THE IRAN SOCIETY ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

In my opinion, the Financial Statements on pages 7 - 12 give a true and fair view of the state of the Society’s affairs at 31 December 2024 and of its Expenditure over Income for the period ended on that date.

John Ingham, LLB, FCA

Hon Examiner

6

THE IRAN SOCIETY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 31 December 2024

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from
Note 2
charitable activities
Investment income
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable Activities
Note 3
Other expenditure
Note 3
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES
TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS
GAINS/(LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS
Note 6
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
Year ended 31.12.2024

The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements.

7

THE IRAN SOCIETY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year ended 31 December 2024

BALANCE SHEET

FIXED ASSETS
Investments
Note 6
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Note 7
Cash at bank
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within 1 year
Note 8
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS
Note 9
FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Note 10
Restricted Fund
General Fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 31.12.2024
31.12.2023
£
£
129,964
125,700
1,130
3,681
9,475
16,885
10,605
20,566
(1,333)
(7,142)
9,272
13,424
139,236
139,124
2,720
7,143
136,516
131,981
139,236
139,124

The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements.

Approved by the Trustees on xx April 2025 and signed on their behalf by:-

A C V Wynn Chairman

R M Mackenzie Hon Treasurer

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THE IRAN SOCIETY

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 31 December 2024

Notes to the financial statements

1 Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of accounting

The Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of fixed asset investments at market value, and in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the Statement of Recommended Practice FRS102 “Accounting and Reporting by Charities”, issued in January 2019. The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.

1.2 Accounting period

The Financial Statements cover the year 01 January to 31 December 2024.

Figures for the prior year covered the period from the date of registration of the charity on 24 October 2022 to 31 December 2023.

1.3 Transfer of undertaking

On 01 January 2023, all the activities, assets and liabilities of The Iran Society (charity number 248678) were transferred to the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) called The Iran Society (charity number 1200807).

The Iran Society (charity number 248678) was merged into The Iran Society (charity number 1200807) with effect from 01 January 2023.

1.4 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor.

1.5 Incoming resources

Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities ('SoFA') when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, and the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Members' subscriptions are included in the SoFA when received.

1.6 Expenditure and liabilities

Resources expended on charitable activities comprise the costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services.

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

1.7 Fixed assets

Investments held as fixed assets are revalued at mid-market value at the balance sheet date and the gain or loss taken to the SoFA.

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Notes to the financial statements (cont)

2 Analysis of incoming resources

Charitable activities
Membership subscriptions
Special events income
Royalties on book sales
Analysis of resources expended
Charitable activities
Lectures and other functions
Special events expenditure
Travel awards
Other grants
Other costs
Website
Other administration costs		 Year ended
31.12.2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total		 Period ended
31.12.2023
Total
£
£
£
5,703
-
5,703
2,060
-
2,060
-
-
-
7,763
-
7,763		 £
5,484
5,404
144
11,032
Year ended
31.12.2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total		 Period ended
31.12.2023
Total
£
£
£
2,496
-
2,496
2,255
-
2,255
-
5,000
5,000
500
-
500
5,251
5,000
10,251
5,142
-
5,142
508
-
508
5,650
-
5,650		 4,098
4,789
750
5,200
14,837
1,302
512
1,814

4 Trustee Remuneration & Related Party Transactions

No trustees received any remuneration during the period .

No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the period.

5 Taxation

As a charity, The Iran Society is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or s256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

10

Notes to the financial statements (cont)

6
Investments
General Fund
BP Plc
COIF Charities Global Equity Fund
M&G Fixed Interest 'Charibond' Fund
Restricted Fund
COIF Charities Global Equity Fund
Total investments at market value
Reconciliation of investments
Market value of investments at 01 January
Disposals
Net realised gains/(losses)
Net unrealised gains/(losses)
Market value of investments at 31 December
7
Debtors and prepayments
Amounts falling due within one year
Taxation - Gift Aid
Other debtors
Prepayments
8
Creditors and accruals
Amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
Accruals
Deferred income		 2024
£
9,821
114,089
3,334
127,244
2,720
129,964
2024
£
125,700
-
-
4,264
129,964
2024
£
924
-
206
1,130
2024
£
625
578
130
1,333		 2023
£
11,649
103,452
3,456
118,557
7,143
125,700
2023
£
118,958
(7,322)
798
13,266
125,700
2023
£
894
2,587
200
3,681
2023
£
5,000
2,062
80
7,142

The charity did not have any outstanding guarantees to third parties or any debts secured on assets of the charity during or at the end of the period.

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Notes to the financial statements (cont)

9 Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds

Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 December 2023		 General Designated
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
127,244
2,720
129,964
10,605
-
10,605
(1,333)
-
(1,333)
136,516
2,720
139,236
10 Movements in Funds
Restricted fund
Rosemary Halsted Fund
Movements during the period
General funds
General Fund
Movements during the period
Total funds		 At
Incoming
Outgoing
Gains and
Trans-
At
31.12.2023
Resources
Resources
Losses
fers
31.12.2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
7,143
176
(5,000)
401
-
2,720
7,143
176
(5,000)
401
-
2,720
131,981
11,573
(10,901)
3,863
-
136,516
131,981
11,573
(10,901)
3,863
-
136,516
139,124
11,749
(15,901)
4,264
-
139,236

Purpose of restricted fund

The Rosemary Halsted bequest was made to provide income for travel grants to students for research or visits to Iran.

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