2025-03-31-accounts

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Wildlife Trust Trustees, Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025

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Chair’s Report

It is my great pleasure to present this year’s Annual Report as Chair of Sussex Wildlife Trust. Over the past year, we have taken bold strides towards delivering Our Wild Sussex , our Strategy for 2024–2030. But we do so in the knowledge that the challenge before us is ��

Our mission to ensure 30% of land and sea across Sussex is protected and well-managed for nature is �� The threats to wildlife are unprecedented: habitat �� to act at scale, act quickly, and act together.

Despite major successes, nature remains in overall decline. But we are not powerless. We know what must be done – and with enough support, we can turn things round.

In the past year, our teams and partners have made �� the recovery of kelp and marine ecosystems, we �� nature reserve and the inspiring work of the Gatwick ��

�� Over 38,000 members and generous donors have powered our progress – illustrated by the incredible success of our Species Recovery Appeal, which raised over £100,000. Equally invaluable are our 1,100 volunteers, including my fellow Trustees, whose ��

�� to achieve in the years ahead.

While we celebrate our achievements, we are �� challenges ahead are formidable, but so too is our ��

Left: Stop dumping on our reef campaign © Kai Hilton

Nick Pasricha

Chair

Right: Adonis Blue © Bob Eade

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 3

Objectives

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual Trustees’ report, together with the consolidated financial statements of the charity, for the year ending 31st March 2025. These are also prepared with the purpose of meeting the legal requirements for a Trustees’ report and accounts in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

�� wildlife and the public:

1 To conserve, restore and enhance the wildlife of Sussex, including that in its coastal waters. In �� and landscapes in which they occur, including the �� habitats
1 �� natural environment

��

1 ��

With regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on ��

Right: Duke of Burgundy © Bob Eade

Left: Wildlife Rangers © Roz Bassford

Sussex Wildlife Trust

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5
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Strategic Report

Diverse groups and individuals take action for wildlife and wild places across Sussex

The Nextdoor Nature �� helping them connect with local green spaces �� community visit to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. The �� to support woodland management and secure future funding for nature-based family programmes.

�� meaningful work across Sussex, encouraging people �� for, nature. While we’ve made important progress, we ��

�� create wildlife-friendly spaces and inspired thousands of children to explore the natural world through �� Wild Beach training programmes remained a vital �� to making our work more inclusive and accessible, so that everyone in Sussex can feel empowered to take ��

The Discover Rye Harbour Project was extended �� on making the Rye Harbour Discovery Centre and Nature Reserve more inclusive. A new Heritage traineeship was introduced, and accessibility was �� accessible boardwalks on the reserve.

Bug hotel at The Deneway © Sophie Atkinson

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Our �� supported grassroots wildlife projects with advice, events, courses and �� Ecologist, the team have trained community groups and provided advice to improve local greenspaces �� team to deliver eight Shoresearch events, engaging ��

EMAS wellbeing day © Roz Bassford

The Gatwick Greenspace Partnership celebrated 30 �� enjoying urban green spaces. The project engaged a �� community, and refugees – through habitat advice, �� vital role in the project’s success and ongoing impact.

We mobilised public support through a series of �� Sussex to stand up for wildlife and the natural environment. Highlights included our campaign opposing the renewal of Brighton Marina’s dredging licence, and we also joined thousands in the March �� seas, and took part in the Restore Nature Now March, amplifying the call for immediate and meaningful �� campaigns demonstrated the strength of public ��

This year, we were proud to work with over 1,100 volunteers who contributed more than 24,000 hours �� lookering and beach cleans, to habitat management �� everything we do. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment – our work simply wouldn’t be possible without them.

Our Wilder Learning team �� ran 32 adult wildlife courses , covering a wide range �� learning and deeper engagement with the natural world.

��

our commitment to youth engagement , with the �� nature reserve in Brighton and at Rye Harbour, have �� managing and caring for these special sites. We were especially proud to see Ruby Stothard, one of our inspiring young volunteers, receive the David Streeter �� in Sussex.

Forest Schools © Roz Bassford

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 7

Restore abundant wildlife across large scale landscapes and the sea

Pevensey Levels: A Landmark Year for Habitat Creation

�� and enhancement of wetland habitats, with a �� a period of uncertainty in spring and summer 2024, we successfully secured planning permission for an �� aimed to deliver large-scale ecological improvements across both private and Trust-owned land.

Despite the complexity and scale of the project, �� we achieved 95% of our planned works within a �� This project represents a major step forward in �� challenging circumstances.

�� clearance work to combat natural succession and preserve vital open water and reedbed habitats. ��

Meanwhile, at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, we ��

�� grow in impact and reach. In 2024/25, the project team engaged with 51 landowners, providing ecological advice across 860 hectares. Notably, over 40% of these engagements were repeat visits, ��

Through the Wilder Horsham Nature Recovery Award, we supported over 20 community-led projects �� The team also played a pivotal role in the Adur �� the Adur valley on an epic scale.

Above: Pevensey Levels

�� delivery of 73 leaky dams, alongside other habitat �� enhancing biodiversity.

Left: Filsham Reedbed

Sussex Wildlife Trust

�� emerging, including the spread of Blue Mussels, �� our seabed.

In partnership with NGOs, Sussex Underwater and �� marine monitoring and engagement programme, reinforcing our commitment to evidence-based ��

A major advocacy focus this year was on the proposed disposal of dredge spoil from Brighton Marina into �� Wildlife Trust joined forces with Surfers Against Sewage to raise public awareness, through a high�� underscoring our role as a vocal advocate for ��

�� Biodiversity Record Centre and County Recorders have been instrumental in analysing ecological data �� these important Sussex strategies for nature. This �� aligned with broader regional goals.

Kelp © Paul Boniface / Sussex Underwater

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 9

Create climate resilient landscapes and thriving wildlife habitats

Throughout the year, Sussex Wildlife Trust delivered a wide range of habitat improvement projects across �� designed to enhance biodiversity, support species recovery, and maintain the ecological integrity of our priority landscapes.

Heathland Enhancement

Heathland Sites (various): Invasive species, including �� and Nightjar.

Woodland Restoration and Management

�� and specialist scrub and coppice species, while also ��

West Dean Woods: Our annual programme of �� through the maintenance of structural diversity and light availability in the woodland.

Above: Dartford Warbler © Mike Read

Left: Wrinkled Peach © James and Dawn Langiewicz

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Chalk Grassland Management

Levin Down: �� undertaken on the south-facing slopes to restore �� species that has shown encouraging signs of recovery in West Sussex. Volunteers were proud to install a �� and the wider landscape in memory of much-loved ��

Malling, Southerham, Ditchling, and Seaford Head: Ongoing scrub management was carried out across �� ecological responses have been observed, with ��

Freshwater

Woods Mill: �� overall ecological resilience.

Pevensey Levels: ��

was successfully delivered. As well as the immediate �� to help this important designated site hold water for ��

Sandstone outcrops of the High Weald

Eridge Rocks: Holly was cleared from rock faces to �� of a new lichen species at the site.

�� species recovery, working with partners to assess the �� and also leading the Sussex Beaver Group as a large �� for the Government Announcement regarding the future of free-living Beavers in the UK.

At sea, we contributed to the Beachy Head East �� process and the Gatwick expansion processes, ensuring that we represent the voice of Nature ��

Smooth Newt © Dave Kilbey

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 11

Plans for the Future

A Wilder Future for Sussex: The Time to Act Is Now

�� Our Wild Sussex – a bold roadmap for reversing the alarming decline of wildlife and restoring nature’s �� It is a vision that stretches to 2030 and ��

Our strategy is driven by three urgent goals:

1 Restore abundant wildlife at scale across land and sea.
1 Diverse groups and individuals �� wildlife and wild places across Sussex.
1 Create climate resilient landscapes and ecosystems.

Across Sussex, nature is under threat. Habitats are becoming more fragmented �� disconnected from the wonders of our �� turn things around, providing we are bold and act quickly.

�� by our values which underpin everything we do – �� . If we stay true to these values, we can develop bigger �� with others, and inspire and involve more people in ��

Above: Beautiful Demoiselle

Left: Fledgling Rangers © Kai Hilton

Right: Binoculars at Rye Harbour Discovery Centre café

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Transforming How We Work

To meet the scale of the challenge, we will be pursuing �� impact needed:

1. 30 by 30: Protecting Nature at Scale

At the heart of our mission is the need to protect, restore and manage land for nature. Building on the experience of ��

�� including Biodiversity Net Gain, which we are exploring. �� for our work.

Managing nature reserves is expensive but it is also the most secure way to restore and manage wildlife. �� year we hope to launch our biggest ever programme to support the expansion and management of our nature reserves over the next four years.

However, we cannot save nature simply by buying nature reserves. The scale of the threats from development on land and sea is immense. Making sure we are defending important sites will remain central to our work, and we �� protected. However, such is the scale of the challenge, we cannot do it alone. We will need to support and �� local area as well as support our wider advocacy and campaigning work.

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Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 13
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The other focus area for the coming year will be �� plan to play a major role.

Our work on land is important, but our work in the �� permission to dump dredgings from Brighton Marina �� to challenge this decision, which highlights the plight and second class treatment of marine sites, which ��

The centrepiece of our work in the marine �� remains the largest marine rewilding programme in the UK. There have been early signs of ecosystem recovery and we hope to see further progress in the coming year.

2. Mobilising Action

The future of wildlife depends on rebuilding the �� the nature on their doorstep. Strengthening this ��

�� want to provide the support and encouragement to ��

We will also be rolling out a new Wilder Schools �� young people to become lifelong advocates for wildlife.

�� gives young people the opportunity to shape, manage, and care for their own urban nature reserve. These �� closer to our goal of inspiring 1 in 4 people in Sussex ��

Above: Welcome desk at Rye Harbour Discovery Centre

Left:

Dormouse

Right: Beach Clean with ESCC

Sussex Wildlife Trust

3. Inclusion at our core

4. Net Zero and Climate Resilience

�� diversity of Sussex – one where everyone feels they belong and can contribute meaningfully to our mission. Supported by our Wild About Inclusion team, ��

�� do. In the coming year we will be looking to increase our work with young people, including the delivery of our youth-led project at The Deneway Nature Reserve in Brighton. We want to take this further and give young people a bigger role in the running �� Trustees. Our work with young people will be a focus, but we also need to build our links with other �� programmes and spaces to be welcoming for all.

�� lower emissions, changing our business travel and ��

�� radical changes to the way we work.

Of course the impacts of climate change are already �� summers occurring on a more regular basis. We will �� reserves, as we have done at both our Woods Mill and �� role in the wider landscape, retaining water and ��

The scale of the challenge facing nature is immense and we will only bring about change if we can inspire more people from a wider range of ages and backgrounds to connect with nature. When more people understand and care about nature, more ��

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 15

��

To realise this future, we are strengthening the ��

1 �� of our nature reserves
1 ��
1 �� to guide every decision
1 �� training, leadership, and development
1 �� unlock larger scale funding

Volunteers:

The Heartbeat of Nature’s Recovery – And We Need You More Than Ever

We now have over 1,100 registered volunteers – a 10% rise on last year, and a powerful reminder that people are stepping up for nature . But to meet the challenges ahead, we must go even further. We urgently need more hands and more voices to support us.

Our volunteering programme is expanding rapidly, with over 50 diverse roles tailored to suit a wide spectrum �� work, there’s a place for you here.

Behind the scenes, we’ve strengthened our volunteer infrastructure – building a smarter, more responsive system that helps us:

1 ��

1 Monitor and measure impact for funding success

1 ��

�� can volunteer and get involved will be a priority for the coming year.

�� be more engaged and inspired. Volunteers are crucial to helping drive this change.

We must remember the Sussex Wildlife Trust is �� volunteers, we are run by our Trustee volunteers �� paid employees.

Together, We Are Nature’s Turning Point

As we look ahead, one truth stands clear: the scale �� Sussex Wildlife Trust is rising to meet that call. Our strategy is not just a roadmap; it’s a rallying cry for everyone who believes in a wilder, more resilient �� Beavers, to empowering young people and embedding �� must work together, be brave, think big and take risks. If we can do this there is a chance to ensure nature is thriving across Sussex once again

Donated services

We were very pleased during the year to receive the following pro-bono support:

1 Website support from Million Monkeys to the ��
1 �� the value of £317.
1 �� Midnight to the value of £1,500.

Voluteer Induction Day © Victoria Barrell

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing document

The Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee ��

footprint through our systems, policies and ways of working, ��

1 Environmental

Organisation

The Sussex Wildlife Trust is governed by its Council, which �� SWT and the Companies Act 2006. The CEO, under delegated ��

1 ��
1 ��
1 �� all buildings and nature reserves

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

�� Director, a further year must lapse before that person shall �� new Trustees are considered each year prior to the AGM and �� requirement for any specialist skills needed.

Trustee induction and training

��

Trustee review and evaluation

�� which uses the seven Charity Governance Code principles �� a need to strengthen our work on diversity, which is now a strategic aim and has been included as a target area of focus for future recruitment by the Governance & ��

Environmental, social

and corporate governance

�� for wildlife in Sussex. We protect and restore natural habitats for both people and wildlife. However, to ensure we have the ��

2 Social

1 �� improvement
1 �� annual leave allowances and pension provision
1 ��
1 �� volunteer teams

3 Governance

1 Working with the Charity Governance Code to develop high standards of integrity and accountability
1 �� processes to promote wider diversity and inclusion
1 Regular Trustee skills audits with recruitment, linked to ��

Remuneration of Senior Leadership Team

Trustees delegate the management of SWT to the CEO. �� of all 46 Wildlife Trusts and where available, other similar ��

The Wildlife Trusts partnership

�� (registered as the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, registered �� Wildlife Trusts. The charity has the use of The Wildlife Trusts �� speciality experience of other member Trusts. Membership ��

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 17

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity name: Sussex Wildlife Trust

Charity number: 207005

Company number: 00698851

��

��

Directors and Trustees:

�� Trustees for the purposes of charity law and throughout this ��

The elected Trustees serving during the year and since the year-end were as follows:

��

�� Causeway House 1 Dane Street �� Herts CM23 3BT

��

Bank:

�� The Old Bank 30 Old Broad Street High Street �� EC2N 1HT East Sussex ��

��

�� Andrew Clinton

Mark Braithwaite

��

Helen Marshall

Dr Sean Ashworth Sarah Bonnôt Danielle Harvey Mark Mallalieu

��

�� Dr Alan Stewart

Chair of Council

��

�� 

��

President

Dr Tony Whitbread

Vice Presidents

��

Mr David Streeter OBE

Senior Leadership Team

Chris Corrigan CEO Henri Brocklebank Angela Croucher Nikki Hills Maria Jonsson

��

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Financial Review

Despite the on-going challenges of our external �� strong this year, with a surplus of £558k.

Total income for the year increased against last year to an �� also generated appeal income (for our species recovery �� income at our Rye Harbour Discovery Centre (increased ��

�� larger visitor numbers at our Rye Harbour Discovery Centre, all of which helped support our unrestricted income for the year. We are indebted to those who have remembered us in their wills and are grateful for their huge generosity, �� increases in these areas of work are primarily linked to the �� Centre to help provide an excellent visitor experience to a growing number of visitors.

and hybrid vehicles and increased charging infrastructure capability at two of our sites to ensure our future resilience ��

��

Having assessed these accounts and reviewed the income and expenditure forecast and three-year business plan, the Trustees consider the charity to be a going concern, on the �� trading for the foreseeable future, including twelve months from the date of approval of these accounts.

Bike outside Rye Harbour Discovery Centre © Rebecca Brooker

Our expenditure increased in 2024/25 to £6.7m (2023/24 �� Our unrestricted expenditure rose by 18% to £5.2m (£4.4m �� nature reserves.

�� during the year ahead to add to our recent purchase of the extension to our Ebernoe Common nature reserve. Other capital expenditure included an investment in electric

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 19

Financial performance highlights:

Total Income £7.23m ��

Unrestricted and Designated Income £5.5m ��

1 ��
1 ��
1 ��

Restricted Income £1.73m ��

1 ��
1 ��

Income

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Restricted
28%
Unrestricted
72%
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Total expenditure £6.68m ��

Raising Funds £1.2m ��

Rye Harbour Discovery Centre £824k �� �� ��

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Expenditure
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Membership

We saw an overall increase in membership numbers in 202425 of 316 memberships. This was due to an improvement in �� face membership recruitment. We also ended the year with �� previous year. Income from membership was £1,987,441, a similar level to the previous year. On 31st March 2025, the ��

Charitable 69%

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Non
Charitable
31%
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Designated Funds Allocated

Expenditure during the year was mainly for the Sussex �� strategic aims and have also created a land purchase fund of ��

Fundraising Revenue

Direct cost of fundraising 18%

Capital Projects

SWT invested in three new electric and hybrid vehicles which have replaced older, higher carbon emission vehicles which had come to the end of their useful life. Other items of expenditure involved necessary computer and plant and machinery upgrades.

Net fundraising revenue 82%

Retained Funds £15.4m (2023/24 £14.8m)

Our total funds at year-end were £15.4m, of which £4.6m are restricted funds and £10.8m unrestricted funds. Unrestricted �� usable funds of £2.6m, including cash of £1.7m.

��

Member numbers

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2023 2024 2025
38,110 37,964 38,313
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Sussex Wildlife Trust

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

�� of the ongoing economic challenges of increasing costs and economic uncertainty. There has been a further review of the risk register to ensure the principal risks are clear and can be managed.

��

�� including land purchase. The main risks to income and ��

Financial

1 �� developing budget training and providing more ��
1 Improving the quality, regularity, and accessibility �� management and decision making. A three-year business plan has been developed, alongside the ��

Compliance

1 �� management processes, controls, and ways of ��
1 Ensuring a culture of compliance adherence and �� a process of internal audit monitored through the ��
1 ��

Other risks

1 ��
1 �� management plans.

Financial reserves policy

�� relevant guidance. The revised policy, in place at the end ��

‘The reserves policy requires unrestricted reserves to be maintained at a level which would allow the core �� held in a readily useable form; that is readily available or ��

At year-end our readily useable reserves were £2.6m. At this level, the Trustees feel that we would be able to �� drop in funding.

Investment powers and policy

�� to deposit or invest funds. The investment policy is:

1 To invest those surplus funds not required for immediate use
1 To obtain a reasonable income, liquidity �� given prevailing market returns
1 ��

�� of its funds on deposit and the Trustees are of the opinion that this policy has been a prudent one. The Trustees �� change this approach in the past year.

Professional Fundraising Practices

Sussex Wildlife Trust uses third party agencies to fundraise �� telephone fundraising. The charity has agreements in place with its partners to ensure that the legal requirements ��

��

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 21

Trustees’ responsibilities in

The Trustees (who are also Directors of Sussex Wildlife �� responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the ��

�� including the income and expenditure, of the charitable �� statements, the Trustees are required to:

1 �� consistently
1 ��
1 �� prudent
1 �� have been followed, subject to any material departures ��
1 �� basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the ��

�� records that disclose, with reasonable accuracy, at any �� with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and ��

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

1 �� charitable company’s auditor is unaware
1 The Trustees have taken all reasonable steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any ��

The Trustees’ Annual Report is approved by order of the Council of Trustees and the Strategic Report included therein is approved by the Council of Trustees in their �� and signed on their behalf by:

On behalf of the Trustees

�� Chair

��

Willand Wood, Ebernoe Common © Mark Monk-Terry

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Sussex Wildlife Trust ��

Opinion

�� (United Kingdom ��

In our opinion the financial statements:

1 give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable �� its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
1 have been properly prepared in accordance with United ��
1 have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

�� with respect to going concern are described in the relevant ��

Other information

�� statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees �� extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our �� obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears �� inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material �� based on the work we have performed, we conclude that �� we are required to report that fact.

Basis for opinion

We have nothing to report in this regard.

�� independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of �� We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is ��

Conclusions relating to going concern

��

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

1 �� includes the Strategic Report and the Director’s Report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the ��
1 the Strategic Report and the Director’s Report included within the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

�� concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the ��

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained �� material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Director’s Report.

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 23

We have nothing to report in respect of the following �� require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

1 �� kept by the charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
1 ��
1 �� by law are not made; or
1 ��

Responsibilities of trustees

�� statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the �� and for such internal control as the trustees determine is �� that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

�� responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability �� intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease ��

Auditor responsibilities for the audit

We have been appointed as auditor under the Companies �� under those Acts.

�� material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance �� when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the �� the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these ��

��

�� including fraud. The extent to which our procedures �� detailed below:

We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the charitable company and the sector in which it operates and considered the risk of the charitable company not complying with the applicable laws �� company, this included compliance with the Companies Act ��

The risks were discussed with the audit team, and we ��

�� correspondence with the Charity Commission, agreeing the �� of the charitable company. We have also reviewed the ��

To address the risk of management override of controls, we �� for appropriateness. We reviewed systems and procedures ��

�� risk increases the more that compliance with a law or �� likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. �� due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves ��

�� auditor’s report.

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of �� company’s trustees. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members �� in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the �� responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company, the charitable company’s members as a body and the charitable company’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

�� (Senior Statutory Auditor)

�� Statutory Auditor Causeway House 1 Dane Street ��

Date: 29 October 2025

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Corkwing Wrasse
© Paul Parsons
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Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 25

Statement of Financial Activities

Company Number: 00698851

for the Year ended 31 March 2025 (including Income and Expenditure Account)

Notes Unrestricted Funds Income from: £ Donations and legacies � 3,499,899 Other trading activities � 740,434 Investments – including cash 4 157,919 Charitable activities � 815,781	Restricted Funds Designated Funds £ £ 445,922 - 11,540 - - - 1,275,821 286,633	Total Funds 2025 Total Funds 2024 £ £ 3,945,821 4,191,013 751,974 665,862 157,919 68,552 2,378,235 2,025,392
Total income 5,214,033	1,733,283 ��	7,233,949 ��
Expenditure on: Raising funds � 1,244,910 Rye Harbour Discovery Centre � 824,078 Charitable activities � 2,846,799	- - - - 1,482,698 277,509	1,244,910 1,102,257 824,078 590,871 4,607,006 4,025,679
Total expenditure 4,915,787	�� 277,509	�� 5,718,808
Net income 298,247 Transfers between funds �� (931,695)	250,585 9,124 (355,694) 1,287,389	557,955 1,232,011 - -
Net movement in funds (633,448) �� Balances brought forward at 1 April 2024 10,073,736	(105,109) 1,296,513 4,699,701 27,055	557,955 1,232,011 14,800,491 13,568,480
Balances carried forward at 31 March 2025 9,440,288	4,594,592 ��	��14,800,491

��

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Balance Sheet

Company Number: 00698851

at 31 March 2025

Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets �� Heritage assets �� Investments ��	2025 2024 £ £ 5,244,988 5,413,257 3,938,960 3,927,199 100 100
��	9,184,048 ��
Current assets Stock Biological assets �� Debtors �� Cash at bank and in hand	26,305 31,828 288,950 306,470 1,141,321 2,145,500 5,104,971 3,378,983
Total current assets	�� ��
�� Creditors: amounts falling due within one year ��	387,149 402,847
Net current assets	6,174,398 5,459,936
Total net assets	�� 14,800,491
Funds Unrestricted Restricted Designated	9,440,287 10,073,736 4,594,592 4,699,700 1,323,568 27,055
Total funds ��	�� 14,800,491

�� and signed on their behalf by:

Mr N. Pasricha Chair

Mr M Braithwaite Treasurer

��

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 27

Year ended 31 March 2025

Notes 2025 �� £ Operating activities �� 1,934,792	2024 £ 545,008
�� Dividends, interest and rents from investments 157,919 �� 250 Purchase of property, plant and equipment (51,133)	68,552 - (210,860)
�� (208,802)	(142,308)
Raising funds �� �� 1,725,990	402,700
�� �� 2025 £ Net (expenditure) for the reporting period 557,955 Adjustments for: Depreciation 208,294 Dividends, interest and rents from investments (157,919) �� (250) �� (651) (Increase)/Decrease in stock 5,523 (Increase)/Decrease in biological assets 17,520 (Increase)/Decrease in trade and other debtors 1,004,179 Increase/(Decrease) in trade and other creditors (15,697)	2024 £ 1,232,011 226,081 (68,552) - - (7,889) (26,647) (852,947) 42,951
�� 1,934,792	545,008
�� 2025 £ Balance at 1st April 3,378,981 �� 1,725,990	2024 £ 2,976,281 402,700
Balance at 31st March 5,104,971	3,378,981

��

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Notes to the Accounts

31 March 2025

1. Accounting Policies

��

a) ��

��

�� the Companies Act 2006.

��

�� of this is transferred to income each year. Corporate Support ��

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis, where the amount can be measured reliably.

c) Expenditure

�� guarantee and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. Sussex ��

As at 31 March 2025 the Sussex Wildlife Trust has £15.3m in Total Net Assets including £5.1m Cash at Bank of which �� The Trustees have considered the appropriateness of �� statements to September 2025.

b) Income

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity is �� measurable, and probable. Income is deferred only when the ��

�� the charity’s objects where these amount to a contract �� response to an appeal or with greater freedom of use.

�� when its receipt is considered probable, when the amount ��

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis when �� respect of a future period they are categorised as such.

1 Raising funds includes expenditure on the recruitment of new members, the employee costs of the membership departments, the costs of the annual appeal and the �� together with publicity costs and legacy development.
1 Rye Harbour Discovery Centre costs include the total costs of running the shop, cafe and Visitor Centre and ��
1 �� with the main objects of the charity – these are wildlife ��
1 �� incurred in providing centralised services for the charity �� and buildings maintenance. Support costs are allocated ��

d) Donated services and volunteers

�� that would normally be purchased from suppliers this �� the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic ��

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 29

��

e) ��

�� designated as nature reserves are stated at cost with an �� for other asset classes this rises to £1,000. Assets under ��

f) Heritage assets

SWT’s interests in land designated as nature reserves ��

g) Investments

SWT had no Equity investments during the year other than its investment in its subsidiary company Sussex Wildlife �� year and the previous year.

h) ��

��

��	��
Buildings,carpark & services	2-10%
Temporarystructures,fencing,etc.	20%
Motor vehicles	20%
��	��
Bird Hides	10%

i) Stock

�� held in each of these categories are disclosed in Note 17.

l) Pension schemes

�� scheme rules.

�� Wildlife Trusts and is managed in accordance with the ��

��

A liability is recognised by SWT, where material, for the �� 30 June 2011 (and not 30 September 2005 as originally �� liability and payments of £27.62 per month are due between 1 April 2028 and 31 March 2031.

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

m) ��

j) Livestock (biological assets)

��

k) ��

�� further any of the purposes of the charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity ��

�� risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the Company as lessee, or the lessee, where the company is a lessor.

�� straight line basis over the life of the lease.

n) ��

Where possible non-recoverable VAT is charged against the category of resource expended for which it was incurred. Otherwise it is charged to support costs.

o) ��

�� company as an individual undertaking and not about its group. The subsidiary undertaking is dormant.

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Barn Owl © Paul Parsons

p) Cash at hand

Cash at bank includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with short maturity of twelve months or less.

q) Financial instruments

��

t) ��

The Charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling �� they are applied to its charitable objects.

u) ��

��

r) Debtors

�� are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

A provision for impairment of trade debtors is established when there is evidence that the amounts due will not be collected according to the original terms of the contract. ��

s) ��

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity �� probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and �� trade discounts due.

v) ��

�� are based on historical experience and other factors, �� to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Charity �� causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts �� discussed below:

�� of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts ��

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 31

Income and endowments from:

Donations and legacies Unrestricted funds £ a. Income from members 1,987,441 b. Donations 185,206 c. Legacies 1,224,786 d. Public appeals 102,466	Restricted funds Designated funds £ £ - - 37,690 - 408,232 - - -	2025 TOTAL 2024 TOTAL £ £ 1,987,441 1,986,575 222,896 145,186 1,633,018 1,933,915 102,466 125,337
3,499,899	445,922 -	3,945,821 4,191,013
Other trading activities a. Corporate support 17,777 b. Other fundraising income 1,169 c. Rye Harbour Discovery Centre 721,488	11,540 - - - - -	29,317 11,855 1,169 44,089 721,488 609,917
740,434	11,540 -	751,974 665,862
Investments a. Deposit interest 157,919	- -	157,919 68,552
157,919	- -	157,919 68,552
Charitable activities Restore and protect at least 30% of Sussex a. Project grants 155,289 b. Rents, grazing income, sales of meat and timber 41,574 c. Grants and stewardship income 485,364 d. Other income 2,023	384,059 - - - 608,638 - - -	539,347 230,144 41,574 67,311 1,094,002 672,497 2,023 6,231
684,249	992,697 -	1,676,946 976,182
Connect people with nature e. Grants and income - f. Schools, events and courses 131,532	254,369 - 5,734 -	254,369 551,081 137,266 155,106
131,532	260,103 -	391,635 706,187
�� g. Project grants and income -	23,022 286,633	309,654 343,022
-	23,022 286,633	309,654 343,022
�� 815,781	1,275,821 286,633	2,378,235 2,025,392
TOTAL INCOME 5,214,033	1,733,283 286,633	7,233,949 6,950,819

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Last year’s total income of £6,950,819 was made up of £5,546,648 unrestricted, £1,404,171 restricted split between the following:

the following:
	Unrestricted	Restricted
	£	£
Donations and legacies	4,107,235	83,778
Other trading	665,862	-
Investments	68,552	-
Charitable activities	704,999	1,320,393
Other	-	-

�� support our conservation activity. The funding received, incorporates levels of conditional service and supports the management of our nature reserves.

	2025	2024
��	£	£
Single Farm Payment	63,398	85,060
Higher Level Stewardship grant income	485,912	324,174

Expenditure on:
6 Raising funds	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Designated funds	2025 TOTAL	2024 TOTAL
	£	£	£	£	£
a. Staff costs	327,675	-	-	327,675	341,004
b. Membership promotion	333,021	-	-	333,021	325,648
c. Interpretation and website development	1,131		-	1,131	13,108
d. Other fundraising costs	43,590	-	-	43,590	51,116
e. Allocated support costs	539,494	-		539,494	371,381
	1,244,910	-	-	1,244,910	1,102,257
��	824,078	-	-	824,078	590,872

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 33

7	Charitable activities Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Designated funds £ £ £ Restore and protect at least 30% of Sussex a. Staff costs 648,262 277,370 - b. Conservation work 450,226 747,690 - c. Depreciation and other costs 65,018 33,810 - d. Allocated support costs 586,700 - -	2025 TOTAL 2024 TOTAL £ £ 925,632 910,201 1,197,916 695,287 98,828 122,442 586,700 471,181
	1,750,206 1,058,870 -	2,809,076 2,199,111
	Connect people with nature e. Staff costs 439,928 265,679 - f. Interpretation, education and other costs 40,385 135,128 - g. Depreciation 56,556 - - h. Allocated support costs 387,761 - -	705,607 667,874 175,512 314,223 56,556 56,169 387,761 353,386
	924,630 400,807 -	1,325,436 1,391,651
	�� i. Staff costs - 22,714 223,238 j. Depreciation - - 2,437 k. Data recording - - 35,099 l. Other costs - 307 16,735 m. Allocated support costs 171,964 - -	245,953 271,796 2,437 1,194 35,099 38,472 17,043 5,659 171,964 117,795
	171,964 23,022 277,509	472,494 434,916
	�� 2,846,799 1,482,698 277,509	4,607,006 4,025,679
	TOTAL EXPENDITURE 4,915,787 1,482,698 277,509	6,675,994 5,718,809

Last year’s total expenditure of £5,718,809 was made up of £4,362,717 unrestricted, £1,333,145 restricted and £22,946 designated, split between the following:

designated, split between the following:
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Designated
	£	£	£
Raising funds	1,080,634	16,716	4,907
Rye Harbour Discovery Centre	590,872	-	-
Charitable activities	2,691,211	1,316,429	18,039
	��	1,333,145	��

��

SWT pays an annual insurance premium to:

a) protect the charity from loss arising from the defaults of its Trustees, employees or agents

��

Sussex Wildlife Trust

8 Allocation of support cost

SWT allocates its support costs as shown in the table below and then further apportions those costs between the three charitable activities undertaken. The costs of our Nature Reserves operations have been incorporated into our strategic transformation ‘Restore & protect at least 30% of Sussex’ and last year’s allocations have also therefore been re-stated. Support costs are allocated on the basis of staff numbers per department and where appropriate a percentage of time worked.

��

Management and central overheads Finance department Information technology Human resources General administration Health and Safety/Buildings maintenance Governance	Restore & protect at least 30% of Sussex £ 202,914 67,554 70,139 65,035 84,540 69,123 27,394	Connect people with nature Retain & �� �� dence base Charitable �� Total Raising funds Total 2025 Total 2024 £ £ £ £ £ £ 134,110 59,475 396,499 186,588 583,087 560,320 44,648 19,800 132,003 62,119 194,122 100,354 46,356 20,558 137,053 64,495 201,548 182,166 42,983 19,062 127,080 59,802 186,882 105,822 55,874 24,779 165,193 77,738 242,931 108,685 45,685 20,260 135,068 63,561 198,629 191,800 18,105 8,029 53,529 25,190 78,719 59,690
	586,699	387,761 171,964 1,146,424 539,494 1,685,918 1,308,837
Restated for 2024 Management and central overheads Finance department Information technology Human resources General administration Health and Safety/Buildings maintenance Governance	�� Restore & protect at least 30% of Sussex Connect people with nature Retain & �� �� dence base Charitable �� Total Raising funds Total 2024 £ £ £ £ £ £ 201,715 151,286 50,429 403,430 156,890 560,320 36,128 27,096 9,031 72,255 28,099 100,354 65,580 49,185 16,395 131,160 51,006 182,166 38,096 28,572 9,524 76,192 29,630 105,822 39,127 29,345 9,782 78,254 30,432 108,686 69,048 51,786 17,262 138,096 53,704 191,800 21,489 16,116 5,372 42,977 16,712 59,689 471,183 353,386 117,795 942,364 366,473 1,308,837
	Restore & protect at least 30% of Sussex £ 201,715 36,128 65,580 38,096 39,127 69,048 21,489
	471,183

9

Staf costs 2025 �� £ Salaries and wages 2,949,846 Social security costs 275,178 Pension costs 177,349 Redundancy and termination costs 43,095	2024 £ 2,666,588 236,649 155,086 18,380
3,445,469	3,076,703
�� 2025 £80-90k 2 More than £60k 2	2024 - 2

These employees were all in Key management personnel.

�� pension contributions.

Employer’s National Insurance paid £48,147(2024: £46,574)

��

The average number of employees was 111 (2024: 110) with an average FTE of 83 (2024: 83)

	2025	2024
Management FTE	6	6
Other FTE	77	77

Other costs

In the current and prior year no travel, subsistence or training expenses were reimbursed to Trustees. One Trustee was remunerated in the current year as a tutor in Adult Education to the value of £1,020.

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 35

10 Pension costs

��

	2025	2024
	£	£
��	3,888	3,766
��	3,888	3,766
Category 1 – Life assurance only (Standard Life)	-	-
Standard Life Stakeholder Pension scheme	23,720	27,940
Royal London Group Pension scheme	153,786	127,216
Life Assurance Costs	6,402	5,152
	187,797	164,074

��

The following pension contributions were payable at the year-end and are included within creditors:

	2025	2024
	£	£
Royal London Group Pension scheme	15,242	15,242
Standard Life Stakeholder Pension scheme	4,811	4,811
	20,053	20,053

11 Net income/(expenditure) for the year

��	2025	2024
	£	£
Operating lease rentals	17,837	49,861
Depreciation	208,294	226,081
Auditors remuneration in respect of:
Price Bailey LLP: Audit services	28,500	24,917
Price Bailey LLP: Non audit services	-	3,500
��	250	-

Sussex Wildlife Trust

12 Tangible and heritage fixed assets

Land and buildings Cost £ At 1 April 2024 6,297,077 Historical adjustments - Additions - Disposals - Impairment - Movement from L&B to HA (11,761)	Furniture, �� equipment Plant & �� Motor �� Assets under �� Total tangible assets �� Assets £ £ £ £ £ £ 380,812 124,393 308,367 - 7,110,650 3,927,199 - - - - - - 21,958 - 29,175 - 51,133 - (23,623) - (14,638) - (38,261) - - - - - - - - - - - (11,761) 11,761	TOTAL £ 11,037,849 - 51,133 (38,261) - -
At 31 March 2025 6,285,316	379,147 124,393 322,905 - 7,111,761 3,938,960	11,050,722
�� At 1 April 2024 1,125,169 Historical adjustments (817) Charge for year 121,978 Disposals -	306,399 69,830 195,996 - 1,697,394 - - - - - (817) - 23,271 19,171 43,874 - 208,294 - (23,461) - (14,638) - (38,099) -	1,697,394 (817) 208,294 (38,099)
At 31 March 2025 1,246,330	306,210 89,002 225,233 - 1,866,773 -	1,866,773
Net book value 31 March 2025 5,038,986	72,937 35,391 97,672 - 5,244,988 3,938,960	9,183,949
Net book value 31 March 2024 5,171,908	74,412 54,563 112,371 - 5,413,257 3,927,199	9,340,456

��

SWT has received no gifts of land during the year. (2024: £NIL).

��

Heritage assets consist of land designated as nature reserves by SWT and acquired either by purchase, gift or lease.

�� the early 1960s and cover a total 1,763 hectares of Sussex downland, woodland, wetland, heath, meadow, and farmland. ��

�� conventional valuation is currently available.

A nature reserve will be considered for acquisition if:

a) its ownership will enhance the viability or conservation value of an existing SWT reserve or simplify its management b) the land is required: 1) to demonstrate best conservation practice, 2) for education, 3) for the local community or, 4) to achieve a joint conservation project with other agencies

c) ownership of the land will help to achieve one or more targets as set out in the Trust’s Nature Reserves Acquisition Strategy SWT maintains a register of title deeds for all nature reserves in its ownership and land management is carried out to preagreed management plans.

Disposal of any nature reserve will only be considered if the original objectives for ownership have been met or the site meets the Trust’s Nature Reserves Acquisitions and Disposals Policy. The Trust has a policy of allowing open access to all its nature reserves unless this is impossible to achieve due to physical location or will compromise the Trust’s conservation objectives.

��

��	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
	£	£	£	£	£
Streels Lane	-	-	-	78,406	-
Willand Woods	-	-	-	413,026	-
Ebernoe Forest Copse	-	108,404	-	-	-
Total additions	-	108,404	-	491,432	-

�� in 2022.

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 37

13 Fixed asset investments

��	2025	2024
	£	£
Cost
At 31 March 2024 and at 31 March 2025	100	100
Net book value at 31 March 2024 and at 31 March 2025	100	100

SWT owns 100% of the ordinary share capital of Sussex Wildlife Enterprises Ltd, a company incorporated in the UK. The company has not traded since its incorporation.

14	Biological assets 2025 £ Fair value at 1 April 2024 306,470 Purchases 6,900 Sales (17,475)	2024 £ 279,823 3,850 (46,269)
	Gain/(Loss) (6,945)	69,066
	Fair value at 31 March 2025 288,950	306,470

Livestock were valued during the year to 31 March 2025 at £1200 (Breeding Heifers) £700 Cull Cows and at £800 (Heifers) and £700 Yearlings per head of cattle. Sheep: at £120 (ewes) , cull £60, and £200 (rams) per head. Goats: at £150 (Nanny and Billy) and £100 (Whether).

Debtors	2025	2024
	£	£
Trade debtors	94,956	158,203
Other debtors	983,512	1,860,329
Prepayments	62,853	126,968
	1,141,321	2,145,500

Liabilities: amounts falling due within one year	2024	2024
	£	£
Trade creditors	155,844	213,974
Other taxes and social security costs	74,792	57,819
Other creditors and accruals	68,426	82,485
Deferred income	68,455	27,903
Life membership subscriptions	19,633	20,666
	387,149	402,847
Deferred income:
Balance as at 1 April	27,903	27,903
Income recognised in the year	(27,903)	(16,203)
Income deferred in the year	68,455	16,203
Balance as at 31 March	68,455	27,903

��

Sussex Wildlife Trust

17 Funds


Funds Balance 1 April 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers Restricted £ £ £ £ Nature reserves 2,324,238 - - - Projects 2,375,462 1,733,284 1,482,697 (355,694)	Balance 31 March 2025 £ 2,324,238 2,270,354
4,699,700 1,733,284 1,482,697 (355,694)	4,594,592
Designated 27,055 286,633 277,509 1,287,389	1,323,568
Unrestricted 10,073,736 5,214,033 4,915,788 (931,695)	9,440,287
Total all funds 14,800,491 7,233,950 6,675,994 �15,358,446

					Balance
	Balance				31 March
��	1 April 2024	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	2025
	£	£	£	£	£
Behaviour Change	4,726	65	219	-	4,572
��	6,400	-	-	-	6,400
Chalk Downland Fund	1,098,044	33,530	-	-	1,131,574
Community Ecologist Project	12,000	-	5,206	-	6,794
Creating Space & RSWT 30 by 30	9,120	-	-	(570)	9,690
Culvert Project at Rye Harbour	10,234	-	-	-	10,234
CIL (SDNPA) Iping Common	2,741	-	-	-	2,741
CIL (SDNPA) Levin Down	854	4,636	5,490	-	-
Woods Mill Nature Reserve	273	-	-	-	273
Deneway Nature Reserve	2,272	-	1,922	-	350
Ebernoe Woods Appeal	1,250	-	-	1,250	-
Friends of Gillham Wood	1,034	-	-	-	1,034
Friends of Rye Harbour	-	73,990	70,391	-	3,599
Gallus Trust	3,855	-	-	-	3,855
Gatwick Greenspace Partnership	41,813	100,261	104,520	-	37,553
LEI Butcherlands	-	25,100	25,100	-	-
Legacies	13,963	367,111	50,000	-	331,074
Lost Woods	-	17,129	17,129	-	-
Lottery 833 Club	-	5,630	-	-	5,630
National Highways Peveney Restoration	30	511,568	511,598	-	-
National Trust Changing Chalk	-	23,022	23,022	-	-
Natural Capital Sussex Nature Partnership	41,873	26,650	22,280	-	46,243
Owls In Mem Donation	-	6,700	-	-	6,700
People and Wildlife	10,261	-	-	-	10,261
Rapid Response Fund	20,791	-	-	-	20,791
RSWT Appeal 30 by 30	570	-	-	570	-
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve	10,588	-	10,588	-	-
Rye Harbour Discovery Centre	152,367	-	19,236	-	133,131
Rye Harbour Discovery Centre Operational Grant	1,937	83,598	85,535	-	-
Sea Changes Net recycling	-	3,540	1,080	-	2,460
Sussex Ornithological Society Heathland Improvements	-	(1,322)	(1,322)	-	-
Southerham Barn	20,670	-	19,042	-	1,628
Southern Water	14,413	-	-	-	14,413
Summer Appeal 20.21	5,954	-	5,954	-	-
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre	255,628	-	-	255,628	-
Sussex Kelp Recovery Project	107,758	127,396	113,962	-	121,192
Sussex Local Wildlife Site Initiative	98,816	-	-	98,816	-
Sussex Wetlands Wilder Ouse	63,252	66,547	68,012	-	61,787

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 39

17 Funds continued

Fundscontinued
�� Balance 1 April 2024 Income Expenditure £ £ £ Species Recovery 32,089 57,034 41,344 The Leysdown Conservation Trust 47,108 40,000 59,326 TWT Next Door Nature - 5,895 5,895 National Lottery Heritage Fund - Wild Coast Sussex 9,963 17,478 27,441 Wilder Horsham District 19,513 137,726 129,298 Winter Woodland Appeal 51,308 - 51,308 Winter Reserves Appeal 65,030 - - Wetlands Appeal 22 42,975 - 9,121 Woodland Legacy 93,987 - -	Transfers Balance 31 March 2025 £ £ - 47,779 - 27,781 - - - - - 27,941 - - - 65,030 - 33,854 - 93,987
2,375,462 1,733,284 1,482,697	355,694 2,270,354

Fundscontinued

��
Balance
1 April 2024
Income
Expenditure
£
£
£
Species Recovery
32,089
57,034
41,344
The Leysdown Conservation Trust
47,108
40,000
59,326
TWT Next Door Nature
-
5,895
5,895
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Wild Coast Sussex
9,963
17,478
27,441
Wilder Horsham District
19,513
137,726
129,298
Winter Woodland Appeal
51,308
-
51,308
Winter Reserves Appeal
65,030
-
-
Wetlands Appeal 22
42,975
-
9,121
Woodland Legacy
93,987
-
-

Transfers
Balance
31 March
2025
£
£
-
47,779
-
27,781
-
-
-
-
-
27,941
-
-
-
65,030
-
33,854
-
93,987

2,375,462
1,733,284
1,482,697

355,694
2,270,354

Restricted projects:

�� Looking at behaviour change in Nature Tots and Wildlife Watch.

��
�� �� chalk downland.

�� Access improvements to Iping Common nature reserve.

�� Access Improvements to Levin Down nature reserve.

�� �� 
�� ��
��

Ebernoe Appeal: �� Woodsmill Nature Reserve: �� private individual.

Deneway Community Nature Reserve: Fund from the Co-op Local

��

�� ��

��

�� ��

��

�� Enhancing green spaces

��

Gallus Trust: ��

�� ��

�� ��

�� Lost Woods of the Low Weald

��

Natural Capital: ��

Owls: ��

�� ��
�� �� Rye Harbour Nature Reserve: ��

RSWT Appeal 30 by 30: Development of the strategic aim to ensure �� Sea Change Net Recycling: �� Southerham Barn: �� Southern Water: ��

Species Recovery: ��

Summer appeal: �� managing our nature reserves.

Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre: ��

��

�� Establishing a coherent and �� �� Sussex Wetlands Wilder Ouse: Enhancing the awareness of wetland ��

�� Training and development of trainees.

�� their doorstep.

�� A partnership �� Wetlands Appeal 22: �� wetland habitats.

Wilder Horsham District: �� District Council.

Winter Woodland Appeal: ��

Winter Reserves Appeal: For land management work. �� ��

Rye Harbour Discovery Centre: ��

��

�� For development ��

Sussex Wildlife Trust

17 Funds continued

��

Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with the Trust’s charitable objectives.

The Trustees have designated funds from unrestricted funds for various planned future projects, as well as contingency funds for future eventualities.

					Balance
	Balance				31 March
	1 April 2024	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	2025
	£	£	£	£	£
Strategy development	15,093	-	-	(15,093)	-
Ash Dieback crisis	11,962	-	-	(11,962)	-
Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre	-	272,332	247,650	255,628	280,311
Sussex Local Wildlife Sites	-	14,300	29,859	98,816	83,257
Build a stronger, more inclusive and diverse organisation	-	-	-	60,000	60,000
Restore and protect at least 30% of Sussex land and sea for nature by 2030	-	-	-	61,000	61,000
Become a net zero and climate resilient organisation	-	-	-	105,000	105,000
Connect people with nature and inspire 1 in 4 to take meaningful action for wildlife	-	-	-	31,000	31,000
Undergo a comprehensive digital transformation	-	-	-	80,000	80,000
Strengthen and develop our organisation to deliver the scale of ambition	-	-	-	12,000	12,000
Fund a better future: grow and diversify our supporter base and income streams	-	-	-	11,000	11,000
Land Purchase Fund	-	-	-	600,000	600,000
	27,055	286,633	277,509	1,287,389	1,323,568

Designated funds:

Strategy development: ��

Ash Dieback crisis: ��

Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre: �� contractual arrangements.

�� contractual arrangements.

�� �� ��

��

�� ��

��

18 Funds – Previous Year


Funds – Previous Year Balance 1 April 2023 Restricted £ Nature reserves 2,324,238 Projects 2,408,671	�� Income Expenditure Transfers £ £ £ - - - 1,404,171 1,333,145 (104,235)	Balance 31 March 2024 £ 2,375,462 2,583,932
4,732,909	1,404,171 1,333,145 (104,235)	4,699,700
Designated 252,568	- 22,946 (202,567)	27,055
Unrestricted 8,583,002	5,546,649 4,362,717 306,802	10,073,736
Total all funds 13,568,479	6,950,820 5,718,808 �	14,800,491

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 41

18 Funds – Previous Year continued

�� �� Balance 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure £ £ £ Badger Appeal 15 50 65 Behaviour Change 4,726 - - �� 10,000 - 3,600 Chalk Downland Fund 1,098,044 - - Community Ecologist Project 12,000 - - Creating Space 6,070 3,050 - Culvert Project at Rye Harbour 10,234 - - Woodsmill Nature Reserve - 8,513 8,240 CIL Iping Common (SDNPA) 23,203 - 20,462 CIL Levin Down (SDNPA) 1,254 - 400 Deneway Nature Reserve 3,760 - 1,488 Ebernoe Woods Appeal - 118,931 9,277 Friends of Rye Harbour - 31,294 31,294 Friends of Gillham Wood 1,034 - - Gallus Trust - 5,000 1,145 Gatwick Greenspace Partnership 31,041 99,882 93,280 HPAI Seabird Colony Rye - 26,798 26,798 National Lottery Heritage Fund - �� 301 - 301 Legacies 21,963 - 8,000 National Grid's Landscape Enhancement Initaive - 7,873 7,843 National Highways Peveney Restoration - 54,521 54,521 Natural Capital 46,038 26,278 30,443 National Lottery Heritage Fund Next Door Nature - 42,629 42,629 People and Wildlife 10,261 - - Portsmouth Water Fund - 260 260 Rapid Response Fund 20,791 - - RSWT Appeal 30 by 30 570 - - Rye Harbour Nature Reserve 10,588 - - Rye Harbour Discovery Centre 203,400 51,033 - Rye Harbour Discovery Centre Appeal - - - Rye Harbour Discovery Centre Operational Grant - 119,463 117,526 3 C's (Championing Coastal Coordination) 5,790 800 6,590 Scottish Power Foundation 14,087 - 14,087 Southerham Barn 39,712 - 19,042 Southern Water 25,000 - 10,587 Summer Appeal 20.21 5,954 - - Sussex Ornotholigical Society No Fence - 9,025 9,025 Sussex Ornotholigical Society Heathland Improvements - 12,396 12,396 Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre 236,906 297,091 278,369 Sussex by the Sea Appeal 1,714 - 1,714 Sussex Kelp Recovery Project 120,047 82,814 95,103 Sussex Local Wildlife Site Initiative 91,638 45,931 38,753 Sussex Wetlands 26,555 76,978 40,281 Species Recovery - 49,588 17,499 The Leysdown Conservation Trust 40,919 30,000 23,811 National Lottery Heritage Fund - Wild Coast Sussex 5,507 173,120 168,665 Wilder Horsham District 9,148 129,611 119,246 Winter Woodland Appeal 66,436 - 15,128 Winter Reserves Appeal 70,289 20 5,278 Wetlands Appeal 22 39,689 3,286 - Woodland Legacy 93,987 - -	Transfers Balance 31 March 2024 £ £ - - - 4,726 - 6,400 - 1,098,044 - 12,000 - 9,120 - 10,234 273 - 2,741 - 854 - 2,272 108,404 1,250 - - - 1,034 - 3,855 (4,169) 41,812 - - - - - 13,963 30 - - - 41,873 - - - 10,261 - - - 20,791 - 570 - 10,588 - 152,367 - - - 1,937 - - - - - 20,670 - 14,413 - 5,954 - - - - - 255,628 - - - 107,758 - 98,816 - 63,252 32,089 - 47,108 - 9,963 - 19,513 - 51,308 - 65,030 - 42,975 - 93,987
2,408,671 1,404,171 1,333,145	104,235 2,375,462

��
��
Balance
1 April 2023
Income
Expenditure
£
£
£
Badger Appeal
15
50
65
Behaviour Change
4,726
-
-
��
10,000
-
3,600
Chalk Downland Fund
1,098,044
-
-
Community Ecologist Project
12,000
-
-
Creating Space
6,070
3,050
-
Culvert Project at Rye Harbour
10,234
-
-
Woodsmill Nature Reserve
-
8,513
8,240
CIL Iping Common (SDNPA)
23,203
-
20,462
CIL Levin Down (SDNPA)
1,254
-
400
Deneway Nature Reserve
3,760
-
1,488
Ebernoe Woods Appeal
-
118,931
9,277
Friends of Rye Harbour
-
31,294
31,294
Friends of Gillham Wood
1,034
-
-
Gallus Trust
-
5,000
1,145
Gatwick Greenspace Partnership
31,041
99,882
93,280
HPAI Seabird Colony Rye
-
26,798
26,798
National Lottery Heritage Fund -
��
301
-
301
Legacies
21,963
-
8,000
National Grid's Landscape Enhancement Initaive
-
7,873
7,843
National Highways Peveney Restoration
-
54,521
54,521
Natural Capital
46,038
26,278
30,443
National Lottery Heritage Fund Next Door Nature
-
42,629
42,629
People and Wildlife
10,261
-
-
Portsmouth Water Fund
-
260
260
Rapid Response Fund
20,791
-
-
RSWT Appeal 30 by 30
570
-
-
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
10,588
-
-
Rye Harbour Discovery Centre
203,400
51,033
-
Rye Harbour Discovery Centre Appeal
-
-
-
Rye Harbour Discovery Centre Operational Grant
-
119,463
117,526
3 C's (Championing Coastal Coordination)
5,790
800
6,590
Scottish Power Foundation
14,087
-
14,087
Southerham Barn
39,712
-
19,042
Southern Water
25,000
-
10,587
Summer Appeal 20.21
5,954
-
-
Sussex Ornotholigical Society No Fence
-
9,025
9,025
Sussex Ornotholigical Society Heathland
Improvements
-
12,396
12,396
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
236,906
297,091
278,369
Sussex by the Sea Appeal
1,714
-
1,714
Sussex Kelp Recovery Project
120,047
82,814
95,103
Sussex Local Wildlife Site Initiative
91,638
45,931
38,753
Sussex Wetlands
26,555
76,978
40,281
Species Recovery
-
49,588
17,499
The Leysdown Conservation Trust
40,919
30,000
23,811
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Wild Coast Sussex
5,507
173,120
168,665
Wilder Horsham District
9,148
129,611
119,246
Winter Woodland Appeal
66,436
-
15,128
Winter Reserves Appeal
70,289
20
5,278
Wetlands Appeal 22
39,689
3,286
-
Woodland Legacy
93,987
-
-

Transfers
Balance
31 March
2024
£
£
-
-
-
4,726
-
6,400
-
1,098,044
-
12,000
-
9,120
-
10,234
273
-
2,741
-
854
-
2,272
108,404
1,250
-
-
-
1,034
-
3,855
(4,169)
41,812
-
-
-
-
-
13,963
30
-
-
-
41,873
-
-
-
10,261
-
-
-
20,791
-
570
-
10,588
-
152,367
-
-
-
1,937
-
-
-
-
-
20,670
-
14,413
-
5,954
-
-
-
-
-
255,628
-
-
-
107,758
-
98,816
-
63,252
32,089
-
47,108
-
9,963
-
19,513
-
51,308
-
65,030
-
42,975
-
93,987

2,408,671
1,404,171
1,333,145

104,235
2,375,462

Sussex Wildlife Trust

18 Funds – Previous Year continued

Restricted projects:

Badger Appeal: �� bovine TB. �� �� behaviour change in Nature Tots and Wildlife Watch. �� �� chalk downland. �� Deneway Community Nature Reserve: Fund from the Co-op Local �� Gateway to Nature: To develop further Youth Ranger work and �� �� Enhancing green spaces �� Grant to support nature reserves during Covid-19. �� To develop a �� �� �� �� Issuing a nature book about declining use of nature �� Natural Capital: �� �� �� �� Rye Harbour: �� Rye Harbour Discovery Centre: ��  Rye Harbour Discovery Centre Appeal: �� 

�� The development �� �� habitat improvements. Southerham Barn: �� Southern Water: ��

Summer/Winter/Downland Appeal: �� Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre: ��  Sussex by the Sea Appeal: �� Sussex Downland appeal: For downland management and maintenance.

��

�� Establishing a coherent and ��

�� �� 

Sussex Wetlands: Enhancing the awareness of wetland habitats ��

�� Training and development of trainees.

�� �� �� enhancing the wooded landscape of an area ��

�� A partnership �� Fund for delivering a Nature �� District Council. �� ��

��

Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with SWT’s charitable objectives. The Trustees have designated funds from unrestricted funds for various planned future projects, as well as contingency funds for future eventualities.

funds for future eventualities.
					Balance
	Balance				31 March
	1 April 2023	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	2024
	£	£	£	£	£
Business Plan strategic development capacity	11,583	-	-	(11,583)	-
Membership recruitment	142,908	-	-	(142,908)	-
Integrated software project	9,866	-	-	(9,866)	-
Strategy development	2,043	-	4,907	17,958	15,093
Land management equipment (sinking fund)	25,000	-	-	(25,000)	-
Interpretation	21,460	-	-	(21,460)	-
HR system upgrade	2,534	-	-	(2,534)	-
Ash Dieback crisis	500	-	18,039	29,500	11,961
Woods Mill Repairs	21,674	-	-	(21,674)	-
Tree Safety Implementation Fund	15,000	-	-	(15,000)	-
	252,568	-	22,946	(202,567)	27,055

Designated funds:

Strategy development: ��

Ash Dieback crisis: ��

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 43

19 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible & �� Assets �� Net Current Assets Restricted £ £ £ Nature reserves 2,324,238 - - Projects - - 2,270,354 Unrestricted 6,859,711 100 2,580,476 Designated - - 1,323,568	Total £ 2,324,238 2,270,354 9,440,287 1,323,568
9,183,949 100 6,174,398	15,358,446
�� Tangible & �� Assets �� Net Current Assets Restricted £ £ £ Nature reserves 2,324,238 - - Projects - - 2,375,462 Unrestricted 7,016,216 100 3,057,420 Designated - - 27,054	Total £ 2,324,238 2,375,462 10,073,736 27,055
9,340,454 100 5,459,936	14,800,491

20 Contingent liabilities

There are no contingent liabilities for the repayment of grants and gifts. (2024: £NIL).

SWT owns Castle Water, part of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. As previously reported SWT carried out an investigation to �� and the work done so far comprises a series of studies on the extent of contamination in other areas of Rye Harbour. Monitoring ��

��

21 (a) Operating lease commitments

SWT has commitments in the year to 31 March 2025 to pay minimum rentals on buildings and equipment under non-cancellable operating leases.

under non-cancellable operating leases.
	2025	2024	2025	2024
	Buildings	Buildings	Equipment	Equipment
��	£	£	£	£
Within one year:	-	-	4,358	16,652
��	-	-	11,424	18,804
��	-	-	15,782	35,456

(b) Capital commitments

No capital commitments (24:£11.5k)

Sussex Wildlife Trust

22 Related party transactions

During the year to 31 March 2025 related party transactions were £1,020 (2024: £NIL).

23 Prior Year Adjustment

�� needed to the recategorised.

Catergorisation of Nature Reserves income should now be included in Restore and protect 30% of Sussex
Unrestricted income £554,128 and restricted income £185,680 for 2024.
Catergorisation of Nature Reserves expenditure should now be included in Restore and protect 30% of Sussex
Unrestricted expenditure £1,219,903, restricted expenditure £250,756 and designated expenditure £18,039 for 2024.

24 Non-adjusting events after the end of the reporting period

�� Brighton in October 2025. We will be retaining ownership of our meeting and classroom facilities on the site.

Trustees’ Report & Annual Accounts 2024-2025 | 45

Sussex Wildlife Trust, Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD

Tel: 01273 492630

Email: enquiries@sussexwt.org.uk Website: sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk

Registered Charity No: 207005

Chair’s Report

Nick Pasricha

Objectives

Strategic Report

Diverse groups and individuals take action for wildlife and wild places across Sussex

����������������������������������������������

Restore abundant wildlife across large scale landscapes and the sea

Pevensey Levels: A Landmark Year for Habitat Creation

Create climate resilient landscapes and thriving wildlife habitats

Heathland Enhancement

Woodland Restoration and Management

Chalk Grassland Management

Freshwater

Sandstone outcrops of the High Weald

Plans for the Future

A Wilder Future for Sussex: The Time to Act Is Now

Transforming How We Work

1. 30 by 30: Protecting Nature at Scale

2. Mobilising Action

Left:

3. Inclusion at our core

4. Net Zero and Climate Resilience

��������������������������������

Volunteers:

Together, We Are Nature’s Turning Point

Donated services

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing document

1 Environmental

Organisation

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

Trustee induction and training

Trustee review and evaluation

Environmental, social

and corporate governance

2 Social

3 Governance

Remuneration of Senior Leadership Team

The Wildlife Trusts partnership

Reference and Administrative Details

Directors and Trustees:

��������

Bank:

President

Vice Presidents

Senior Leadership Team

Financial Review

Financial performance highlights:

Total Income £7.23m ����������������

Unrestricted and Designated Income £5.5m ����������������

Total expenditure £6.68m ����������������

Membership

Designated Funds Allocated

Capital Projects

Retained Funds £15.4m (2023/24 £14.8m)

Member numbers

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Financial

Compliance

Other risks

Financial reserves policy

Investment powers and policy

Professional Fundraising Practices

Trustees’ responsibilities in

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Sussex Wildlife Trust ��������������������������������

Opinion

In our opinion the financial statements:

Other information

Basis for opinion

Conclusions relating to going concern

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

Responsibilities of trustees

Auditor responsibilities for the audit

Use of our report

����������������������� (Senior Statutory Auditor)

Statement of Financial Activities

Balance Sheet

Notes to the Accounts

��

��

��

Total Income £7.23m ��

Unrestricted and Designated Income £5.5m ��

Total expenditure £6.68m ��

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Sussex Wildlife Trust ��

�� (Senior Statutory Auditor)

a) ��

e) ��

h) ��

m) ��

k) ��

n) ��

o) ��

t) ��

u) ��

s) ��

v) ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�� Enhancing green spaces

��

��