FIRST YEAR ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS
THE 1833 COMMEMORATION GROUP
Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Charity Registration Number: 1207247
First Year micro entity accounts to the 31 March 2025
Period of accounts (First Year)
Start date: 28 February 2024
End date: 31 March 2025
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
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For the period 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025
THE 1833 COMMEMORATION GROUP
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Charity Registration Number: 1207247
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
For the period 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025
1. Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name: The 1833 Commemoration Group
Charity Number: 1207247
Legal Form: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Registered Address: c/o Akin Palmer LLP, 12 ANGEL GATE 326A CITY ROAD LONDON EC1V 2PT
Trustees during the period:
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Prof. Penelope J Corfield – Chair
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Mr Tim Modu – Treasurer
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Mr Dele Ogun – Trustee
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Ms Marsha Chantal de Cordova MP – Trustee
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Ms Jennifer Craig – Trustee
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Ms Jo Wealleans – Trustee
(Collectively referred to as “the Trustees” in this report.)
2. Structure, Governance and Management
The 1833 Commemoration Group is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 28 February 2024.
The charity is governed by its constitution. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the provisions set out in that governing document. New trustees are recruited based on their skills, experience and commitment to the charity’s aims, and are provided with appropriate induction and background materials.
During this first period, the charity has operated on a fully volunteer-led basis. No staff are employed and all work has been undertaken by trustees and volunteers. Day-to-day decisions are
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delegated to the Chair, Treasurer and other officers as appropriate, with strategic matters reserved for the full trustee body.
3. Objectives and Activities
Charitable Objects
The objects of the CIO, as set out in its constitution, are:
To inform and educate the public on the transatlantic slave trade and the legal abolition of slavery; and, towards the achievement of these objectives:
(1) to promote and conduct or assist in the promotion and conduct of research, surveys and investigations and publishing the results thereof; and
(2) organising conferences, seminars, exhibitions and commemorative installations, and the production of other memorabilia.
In preparation for the bicentenary of the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 in August 2033, the charity ultimately aims to:
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support public education and awareness around slavery, abolition, and their legacies;
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work collaboratively with communities, institutions and stakeholders across the UK and internationally; and
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contribute to the creation of lasting commemorative and educational initiatives, including potential monuments or public markers.
Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that, in planning the charity’s activities, they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Although there was no financial activity during this initial period, the charity’s planned activities are intended to provide public benefit through:
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raising awareness and understanding of the 1833 Act and the long struggle for abolition;
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contributing to reflection on historic injustice and its contemporary implications; and
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supporting dialogue, education and commemoration at local, national and international levels.
4. Achievements and Performance in the Period
This was the charity’s first reporting period, covering the time from registration (28 February 2024) to 31 March 2025. During this period:
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The CIO was formally registered and its basic governance structures put in place.
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The initial trustee body was confirmed and began meeting to shape the emerging strategy.
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Early work was undertaken on:
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clarifying the long-term vision for the 2033 bicentenary;
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mapping potential partnerships, patrons and stakeholders; and
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developing foundational governance and policy documents.
No grants, donations, or other income were received during this period, and no expenditure was incurred in the charity’s name. All work undertaken was voluntary and unfunded.
The Trustees agreed that it was appropriate to align the charity’s financial year end to 31 March, so that reporting aligns with the wider UK public and charity sector practice. The Charity Commission has confirmed this adjustment and the first financial period now runs from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025.
5. Financial Review
Income and Expenditure
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Total income for the period: £0
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Total expenditure for the period: £0
Though the charity has a bank account in its name, it has a nil balance, and there were no assets or liabilities at the period end. All trustee and volunteer time was given without charge.
Reserves Policy
Given that the charity had no income and no expenditure during this first period, it did not hold any reserves as at 31 March 2025.
As the charity begins to receive funds in future periods, the Trustees intend to adopt a simple reserves policy that is proportionate to the scale of activity, ensuring that sufficient unrestricted reserves are held to meet basic commitments and manage risk.
6. Plans for Future Periods
Over the next reporting periods, subject to securing appropriate funding, the Trustees intend to:
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further develop the charity’s strategic plan towards the 2033 bicentenary;
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establish a basic operational infrastructure (including banking arrangements and digital presence);
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pursue initial seed funding for governance, consultation and planning; and
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- build partnerships with communities, institutions, churches and other stakeholders who share the aim of a meaningful and inclusive commemoration of the 1833 Act.
7. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the receipts and payments accounts in accordance with applicable law and the charity’s constitution.
The Trustees are satisfied that this report, together with the attached receipts and payments accounts, fairly reflects the position of the charity during its first financial period, in which there was no financial activity.
This report was approved by the Trustees on [insert approval date] and signed on their behalf by:
Prof. Penelope J Corfield Chair
Date: 22 January 2026
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS (NIL)
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THE 1833 COMMEMORATION GROUP
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
Charity Registration Number: 1207247
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
For the period 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025
Statement of Receipts and Payments
| Statement of Receipts | and Payments |
|---|---|
| Receipts | £ |
| Donations and legacies | 0.00 |
| Grants | 0.00 |
| Other charitable receipts | 0.00 |
| Total receipts | 0.00 |
| Payments | £ |
| Charitable activities | 0.00 |
| Governance costs | 0.00 |
| Support costs | 0.00 |
| Other payments | 0.00 |
| Total payments | 0.00 |
Net receipts / (payments) for the period: £0.00
Cash and bank balances at start of period: £0.00 Cash and bank balances at end of period: £0.00
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 March 2025
Cash Assets
- Cash at bank and in hand: £0.00
Other Assets
- No other assets were held at the period end.
Liabilities
- The charity had no outstanding liabilities at the period end.
Notes to the Accounts
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1. Legal Form and Basis of Accounting
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered in England and Wales. These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis, appropriate for a small charity with no income or expenditure in the period.
2. First Accounting Period
This is the charity’s first accounting period since registration on 28 February 2024. The Charity Commission has approved the financial year end of 31 March, so this first period runs from 28 February 2024 to 31 March 2025.
3. Financial Activity
The charity had no financial transactions during this period. All work undertaken was on a voluntary basis and unpaid.
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 22 January 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Prof. Penelope J Corfield
Chair
Mr Tim Modu
Treasurer
Date: 22[nd] January 2026
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