2024-10-31-accounts

Annual Report & Financial Statements For the year to 31 October 2024

Brunswick Vocal Arts (a company limited by guarantee) Registered Charity - England & Wales No: 1202624 Company No: 14431143

Contents

Contents
Objects & activities	1
Achievements & performance	1
Financial Review	3
Future Plans	3
Reference & Administrative details	4
Independent Examiner’s Report	5
Statement of Financial Activities
(including Income & Expenditure account)	6
Balance Sheet	6
Notes to the fnancial statements	8

Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31 October 2024

The trustees, who are the directors of the company for the purposes of company law, are pleased to present their report and financial statements together with the Independent Examiner’s report for the year ended 31 October 2024.

Objects & activities

Objects

For the public benefit, to advance the arts and education in England through the provision of performing opportunities alongside professional musicians, public workshops, and individual coaching sessions for classical singers, pianists and conductors in the final stages of their studies and/or the early stages of their careers; and through engagement with non-professional chorus singers from the wider community.

Public Benefit

We declare that the trustees of Brunswick Vocal Arts have had consistent regard to the public benefit requirement guidance issued by the Charity Commission when starting, registering, running and reporting on the charity.

Achievements & performance

In its second year of operation, Brunswick Vocal Arts presented two large-scale, public performances with professional chamber orchestra. The first, ‘Highlights in concert of Mozart’s Don Giovanni ’ benefitted eight singer soloists, and the second, ‘Highlights in concert of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin ’ benefitted five.

These concerts provided each of the 13 solo singers with the following to aid their artistic development at the beginning of their careers:

• Role Debut Opportunities: Many talented singers struggle to secure their first professional role performances of a role owing to limited opportunities. We directly addressed that difficulty by providing the thirteen early career artists with a chance to study, develop and showcase their characters for the first time, in a thoroughly prepared, high-standard performance setting.

• Professional Coaching and Rehearsals: Each singer received up to six hours of one-to-one coaching with Artistic Director Gary Matthewman, alongside ensemble piano rehearsals and two full cast orchestra rehearsals before the performance. This level of intense preparation allowed for crucial developing of technical, linguistic, and interpretative skills.

• Industry Exposure: These performances were attended by (invited) senior casting representatives from leading opera companies (including the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, English National Opera and Garsington), along with several artistic agents, creating vital networking and future performance opportunities for the performers.

• High-Quality Video Production: Professionally recorded footage from the concerts was provided to each singer to ensure they have up to date recordings for their own, noncommercial use. In the current climate, this is essential material for auditions and

1

Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31 October 2024

competition applications and can increasing their chances of becoming known to decision makers and securing future work.

BVA's amateur Opera Chorus, benefitting members of the wider non-professional singing community (all are welcome, no auditions), featured in our Eugene Onegin event, having been intensively coached in singing Russian. In addition, in October 2024 we began rehearsals for a November Opera Chorus Showcase concert with piano, enabling them to sing in Italian, German, English and Russian. This concert included much-loved opera and operetta choruses and allowed us to give the spotlight to amateur singers who wish to make music for the joy of it, underlining BVA's belief that opera is ultimately for everyone.

Left: Solo performers from our ‘Highlights in concert of Don Giovanni’ concert, with artistic director and conductor Gary Matthewman.

Right: Solo performers from our ‘Highlights in concert of Eugene Onegin’ with Narrator Dillie Keane and artistic director and conductor Gary Matthewman.

2

Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31 October 2024

Having further consolidated its donor ‘consortium’ through regular and clear communications; Brunswick Vocal Arts is now seeking support from other UK based trusts, charities and organisations dedicated to helping the development of young singers. It is our belief that we are in a wellestablished and helpful position when it comes to making good use of funds granted in support of our regular, twice-yearly concerts.

We have established a mailing list for effective communication with our current donors, as well as those who have subscribed after purchasing tickets to our previous concerts.

BVA has continued to develop and grow its online presence through social media channels and our simple yet attractive website. We are also in the process of developing an annual newsletter format to send to our donors and mailing list subscribers. This will allow them to look back over the events from the previous year, see details re. our forthcoming concerts and find out what some of our former artists are doing now.

Financial Review

The vast majority of Brunswick Vocal Arts’ financial support is currently drawn from two sources:

• generous private individuals’ charitable giving

• other charitable trusts and funds whose aims are in alignment with those of BVA, and whose objectives include supporting other charities

During the year £32,587 was received from generous donors and £3,777 from ticket sales. Two public concerts were given during the year at a cost of £44,007. After incidental expenses of £122 a deficit of £7,765 was incurred, leaving reserves of £23,760

Reserves policy

Brunswick Vocal Arts’ trustees resolved (in their second trustee meeting, in December 2022) that in the longer term, the charity will aim to provide reserves of 50% of its average yearly expenditure. Reserves held at the end of the year are in line with this policy.

Future Plans

Brunswick Vocal Arts will continue to educate and provide opportunities for young musicians in the final stages of study or early stages of their careers. We have two further concerts with orchestra in the planning pipeline and intend to add some education workshops to our activities moving forward.

Structure, Governance & Management

Governing document

Private Limited Company by guarantee without share capital with use of ‘Limited’ exemption.

Memorandum and articles - incorporated 20 October 2022.

Organisational structure

Trustees are elected by existing trustees.

3

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 October 2024

Reference & Administrative details

Charity name Brunswick Vocal Arts Charity number 1202624 C ompany number 14431143 Registered office 53 Ringford Road, London, SW18 1RP Website address www.brunswickvocalarts.com Current trustees David Wakefield - Chair Gary Matthewman - Artistic Director Dr Claire Barnett-Jones Carl Jackson Bankers NatWest Bank - sort code: 50-21-01 Independent Examiner Robert Andrews 3 Sewards End, Wickford SS12 9PB

Approval

This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

David Wakefield Chair Date: 31 May 2025

4

Independent Examiner’s Report

For the 12 months ended 31 October 2024

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Brunswick Vocal Arts

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31October 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 10.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act).

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that:

• accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or

• the accounts do not accord with such records; or

• the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

• the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102).

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

Robert Andrews MA ACIB FCIE 3 Sewards End, Wickford SS12 9PB

Relevant professional qualification: Fellow of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners

Date: 31 May 2025

5

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income & Expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 October 2024

All activities are regarded as continuing.

Note Income from: Donations Charitable activities Total incoming resources 4 Expenditure on: Charitable activities Support costs Total expenditure 5 Net income (expenditure) Reconciliation of funds Total funds as at 1 November 2023 Total funds as at 31 October 2024	Unrestricted funds 2023/2024 £ 32,587 3,777 36,364 44,007 122 44,129 (7,765) 31,525 23,760	Unrestricted funds 2022/2023 £ 51,827 1,575
		53,402
		21,608 269
		21,877
		31,525
		-
		31,525

Balance Sheet

As at 31 October 2024

nce Sheet 1 October 2024
Note Current assets Debtors and prepayments 6 Bank and cash 7 Net assets Funds Unrestricted income funds Creditors: amounts falling due within one	Unrestricted funds 2023/24 £ 6,187 17,573 - 23,760 23,760	Unrestricted funds 2022/23 £ 6,672 24,853 -
		31,525
		31,525

6

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) confirm that for the 12 month period ended 31 October 2024:

• the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and

• members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of the accounts.

The Notes on pages 8 to 10 form an integral part of these accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP and were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

David Wakefield Chair Date: 31 May 2025

Signature of director authenticating accounts being sent to Companies House.

David Wakefield Chair

7

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 October 2024

1. Basis of preparation

• i. These accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historic cost convention, with items recognised at cost or transaction value, unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s), in accordance with:

• a. The Charities Act 2011

• b. The Companies Act 2006

• c. The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK: FRS102

• d. Accounting & Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP FRS102)

• ii. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102

• iii. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

2. Accounting policies

• i. Fund accounting

• a. Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.

• b. Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor, or when funds are raised for specific purposes. There are currently no restricted funds.

• c. The purposes of the funds are shown in Note 8.

• ii. Income

• a. Income is recognised and included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the income, receipt is probable, and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

• b. Where income has related expenditure the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.

• c. Bank interest is recognised when credited to the account.

• iii. Expenditure and liabilities

• a. Expenditure is recognised on the accruals basis.

• b. The charity is not registered for VAT, thus all costs are shown inclusive of VAT charged.

• c. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay out resources.

• d. Governance costs include the cost of preparation and examination of the statutory accounts, the cost of trustee meetings, the cost of the Annual General Meeting of the company and the costs of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

• iv. Investment assets

• a. are valued at the mid-market price on the last day of the accounting year.

• v. Tangible assets

• a. Tangible assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000.

• b. The charity does not currently have any capitalised tangible assets.

8

vi. Debtors

• a. Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due.

• b. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

• vii. Cash

• a. Cash comprises bank deposits repayable on demand and any short-term highly liquid investments with a maturity date of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

viii. Creditors

• a. Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at the settlement amount, usually the invoice amount.

• b. Accrued charges are normally valued at their settlement amount.

ix. Taxation

• a. The charity is not liable to income tax or capital gains on its charitable activities.

3. Transactions with trustees and related parties

• i. Transactions with trustees

• a. £4,000 was paid to Gary Matthewman for directing two concerts during the year. This is permitted by the Articles of the Company and was approved by the remaining trustees. No other trustee received any remuneration during this year or in the previous year.

• ii. No travelling expenses were reimbursed during the year.

• iii. Claims for out of pocket expenses such as stationery and postage are reimbursed as incurred.

• iv. There were no transactions with related parties.

Note Income Income from donations Donations Income tax recovered on Gift Aid Income from Charitable activities Concert - ticket sales & refreshments Total income	Unrestricted funds 2023/2024 £ 26,400 6,187 32,587 3,777 36,364	Unrestricted funds 2022/2023 £ 45,155 6,672
		51,827
		1,575
		53,402

9

4. Income

Note Expenditure on charitable activites Direct costs Concerts Soloists Musicians Venue hire Music & equipment hire Recording of concerts Catering costs Printing & publicity Support costs Sundries Website and IT costs Gifts Total expenditure	Unrestricted funds 2023/2024 £ 6,230 31,100 2,273 1,119 2,420 234 631 44,007 122 - - 122 44,129	Unrestricted funds 2022/2023 £ 4,280 14,063 1,160 1,138 - 305 662
		21,608
		68 156 45
		269
		21,877

5. Expenditure

6. Debtors & prepayments

The 2024 debtor of £6,187 is HMRC in relation to Gift Aid claimed on donation income.

7. Cash at bank and in hand

During the year a new charities account was opened with NatWest Bank, but the old business account remained open. The balance on the new account at 31 October 2024 was £17,574, but the old account was overdrawn by £1, the result of bank charges passed that day and transferred to the new account on the next working day.

8. Purpose of funds

The General Fund is the balance of accumulated surpluses and is available for the day to day running costs of the charity.

9. Paid employees

The charity has no paid employees

10. Governance costs

The Independent Examiner is registered by the Association of Charity Independent Examiners as a voluntary examiner and has made no charge for the examination of the accounts.

10