THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
CHARITY No. 212401
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
Charity Information
| Trustees | The Society of Authors |
|---|---|
| Charity Number | 212401 |
| Charity Offices | c/o The Society of Authors |
| 24 Bedford Row | |
| London WC1R 4EH | |
| Independent Examiner | Simon Goodridge FCA |
| Knox Cropper LLP | |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| 65 Leadenhall Street | |
| London EC3A 2AD | |
| Bankers | HSBC |
| The Peak | |
| 333 Vauxhall Bridge Road | |
| Victoria | |
| London SW1V 1EJ | |
| Investment Managers | LGT Wealth Management |
| 14 Cornhill | |
| London | |
| EC3V 3NR |
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1 - 2 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 - 9 |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The name of the Fund was changed on 25[th] November 2015 to The P. D. James Memorial Fund from its original name, The Society of Authors Pension Fund.
The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2025. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Accounting and Reporting by Charities, Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (second edition effective 1 January 2019).
Trustees
The appointment of Trustees is governed by the Trust Deed of the charity. From 25[th] November 2015, by a change in the trust deed, The Society of Authors is now the sole Corporate Trustee and the previous Trustees retired from office.
Investment powers and Risk Management
The Trust Deed authorises the Trustees to make and hold investments using the Capital Funds of the charity. These are shown in detail in the notes to the financial statements. The principal area of risk concerns the management of the investments, the income from which provides the main source of funds from which the awards are paid. The investments are therefore kept under constant review by the investment managers.
Public Benefit
In reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities, the Trustees refer to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.
Constitution, objects and policies
This charity was originally constituted under a Trust Deed dated 18[th] October 1900 and amended in 1980 and 2015. The Fund is in the nature of a benevolent fund to provide pensions to members of the Society of Authors over 60 years of age or totally incapacitated for work, who have been long standing members of The Society of Authors, and whose circumstances warrant such a benefit. Benefits are paid at the discretion of the Trustees for life or until the recipient's circumstances change such that he or she no longer qualifies for the benefit. The policy of The P.D. James Memorial Fund continues to be to pay benefits in accordance with the terms of the Trust Deed out of the income generated by the investments, subscriptions and donations.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees policy is to operate on the basis of being able to continue to generate sufficient incoming resources to use toward meeting their charitable objectives and to accord with their principal terms. The Trustees are of the opinion that the funds remain sufficient to enable them to continue this ongoing objective. The charity has sufficient but not excessive funds to service its objective of making future charitable distributions.
Financial Review
The results for the year ended 31[st] December 2025 are attached and show a net decrease in funds of £22,550 (2024: £21,054 decrease) before adding the realised gain on sale of investments of £4,082 (2024: £745 gain) and unrealised increase in market value of investments amounting to £nil (2024: £28,538 increase). Benefits were paid during the year to 22 beneficiaries (2024: 23) and amounted to £46,250 (2024: £53,275), and other expenditure totalled £23,142 (2024: £21,138). The investments appear in the Balance Sheet at their market value of £911,900 (2024: £912,386). The Accumulated Fund carried forward at the year-end stands at £922,496 (2024: £940,964) and the Trustees consider that the charity has sufficient income and capital to meet its obligations in the foreseeable future.
1
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’.
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and the principles of the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue to operate.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the board of Trustees on 21 May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin – Chair of the Management Committee, The Society of Authors
2
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2025
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The P. D. James Memorial Fund.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The P. D. James Memorial Fund for the year ended 31[st] December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts as required under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in any material aspect:
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a) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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b) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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c) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than the requirement that the accounts give a “true and fair view” which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
Simon Goodridge FCA Knox Cropper LLP Chartered Accountants 65 Leadenhall Street London EC3A 2AD
Date: 16 June 2026
3
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2025
| -----------Unrestricted | Funds-------- | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Restated | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income | |||
| Investment Income - Dividends | 2 | 36,027 | 29,894 |
| - Bank Interest | 565 | 387 | |
| Donations and Legacies | - | 4,169 | |
| Other income | 3 | 10,250 | 18,909 |
| Total | 46,842 | 53,359 | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Raising funds: | |||
| Investment Management Costs | 7,345 | 6,026 | |
| Charitable activities | 4 | 62,047 | 68,387 |
| Total | 69,392 | 74,413 | |
| Net income/(expenditure) before | |||
| Investment gains/(losses) | (22,550) | (21,054) | |
| Net gains/(losses) on investments | 7 | 4,082 | 29,283 |
| Net income/(expenditure) | (18,468) | 8,229 | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 940,964 | 932,735 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 922,496 | 940,964 |
The notes form part of these Financial Statements
4
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
BALANCE SHEET
31[st] DECEMBER 2025
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Investments 5 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 8 Cash held by Investment Managers Cash at bank CURRENT LIABILITIES Amounts due within one year 9 Net Current Assets TOTAL NET ASSETS Represented by: ACCUMULATED FUND Total Unrestricted Funds TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
2025 £ £ 911,900 - 11 16,139 16,150 (5,554) 10,596 922,496 922,496 922,496 |
£ 317 16,584 14,701 |
2024 £ 912,386 28,578 940,964 940,964 |
2024 £ 912,386 28,578 940,964 940,964 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31,602 (3,024) |
||||
| 940,964 | ||||
| 940,964 | ||||
| 940,964 |
Approved by the Trustees on 21 May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin – Chair of the Management Committee, The Society of Authors
The notes form part of these Financial Statements
5
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- a) These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 and the Charities SORP (FRS102 second edition) and in compliance with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity is a public benefit entity under FRS102.
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b) The income from investments and bank interest received represent the actual income receivable in the year.
-
c) Awards paid include all amounts payable in the year in accordance with the terms of the Trust Deed.
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d) Other expenditure is included on the basis of amounts payable for the year.
-
e) The quoted investments are included in the Financial Statements at market value to comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice.
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f) The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements.
The Trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
2. INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS
| COME FROM INVESTMENTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| NON GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS Volare Global Fixed Interest Offshore Fund Z Income Volare Sterling Fixed Interest Offshore Fund Z Income MULTI ASSET CHARITY INVESTMENT FUNDS Volare Income Offshore Fund Z CASH PRODUCTS Blackrock ICS Sterling TOTAL |
Gross Income 2025 £ 2,840 2,835 18,151 12,201 36,027 |
Gross Income 2024 £ 3,635 3,448 22,811 - |
| 29,894 |
7
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
3. OTHER INCOME
| Royalties | 2025 £ 10,250 10,250 |
2024 £ 18,909 18,909 |
|---|---|---|
4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| DIRECT Awards paid Vouchers for pensioners INDIRECT Administration costs Other expenses Professional Fees GOVERNANCE Independent Examination Fee |
2025 £ 46,250 1,640 10,080 1,951 206 1,920 62,047 |
Restated 2024 £ 53,275 1,200 9,792 2,061 199 1,860 |
|---|---|---|
| 68,387 |
Other Expenses totalling £1,295 in 2024 which related to an Investment review have been reclassified as Costs of Raising Funds – Investment management costs.
5. INVESTMENTS
INVESTMENTS |
||
|---|---|---|
| CASH PRODUCTS Blackrock ICS Sterling TOTALSat – 31stDecember 2025 31stDecember 2024 |
Cost £ 911,900 911,900 884,831 |
Market Value £ 911,900 |
| 911,900 | ||
| 912,386 |
8
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
6. MOVEMENT IN COST OF INVESTMENTS
| Costat 1 January 2025 Additions Blackrock ICS Sterling 913,000 Disposals SLW (Offshore) Global Fund Z (91,250) SLW (Offshore) Sterling Fund Z (83,908) Volare Income Offshore Fund Z (709,673) Blackrock ICS Sterling (1,100) Costat 31 December 2025 . MOVEMENT IN MARKET VALUES OF INVESTMENTS Market Value at the beginning of the year Additions 913,000 Disposal Proceeds (917,568) Investment Gains/(losses) 4,082 Market Value at End of Year Realised gains/(losses) Unrealised gains/(losses) DEBTORS Other Debtors |
Costat 1 January 2025 Additions Blackrock ICS Sterling 913,000 Disposals SLW (Offshore) Global Fund Z (91,250) SLW (Offshore) Sterling Fund Z (83,908) Volare Income Offshore Fund Z (709,673) Blackrock ICS Sterling (1,100) Costat 31 December 2025 . MOVEMENT IN MARKET VALUES OF INVESTMENTS Market Value at the beginning of the year Additions 913,000 Disposal Proceeds (917,568) Investment Gains/(losses) 4,082 Market Value at End of Year Realised gains/(losses) Unrealised gains/(losses) DEBTORS Other Debtors |
2025 2024 £ £ 884,831 904,452 - 913,000 - - - (19,621) - (885,931) (19,621) 911,900 884,831 2025 2024 £ £ 912,386 904,103 - (21,000) 29,283 (486) 8,283 911,900 912,386 4,082 745 - 28,538 4,082 29,283 2025 2024 £ £ - 317 - 317 |
2025 2024 £ £ 884,831 904,452 - 913,000 - - - (19,621) - (885,931) (19,621) 911,900 884,831 2025 2024 £ £ 912,386 904,103 - (21,000) 29,283 (486) 8,283 911,900 912,386 4,082 745 - 28,538 4,082 29,283 2025 2024 £ £ - 317 - 317 |
2024 £ 904,452 - (19,621) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 884,831 | ||||
| - |
7. MOVEMENT IN MARKET VALUES OF INVESTMENTS
8.
9
THE P. D. JAMES MEMORIAL FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
9. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS
| Investment Managers’ Fees Auditors Fees Membership Subscriptions Other Creditors |
2025 £ 1,310 1,920 1,843 481 5,554 |
2024 £ 1,164 1,860 - - |
|---|---|---|
| 3,024 |
10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The Society of Authors, which is the corporate Trustee of the charity, carried out management services for the charity and charged a management fee for the year amounting to £10,080 (2024: £9,792). There were no other related party transactions in the year.
10